Search USGS⌕ Search
Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70261916

Evaluating behavioral responses of spawning-phase Walleyes to odors of rivers and other Walleyes

Tyler Buchinger·Troy Zorn·Nicholas S. Johnson·Weiming Li
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Many fish species show a remarkable ability to home to streams for spawning and fishery managers have applied that knowledge to restore or rehabilitate populations of some species. Walleye Sander vitreus show strong homing tendencies and the ability to select their natal river from other streams. The role of olfactory cues has been hypothesized but never tested in Walleye and many aspects of Walleye migratory behavior associated with spawning are poorly understood. The objectives of our study were: 1) to determine if spawning-phase Walleye from the Ford River in Michigan favored the odor of water from their home stream over that of a nearby river, and 2) to examine effects of male and female Walleye (conspecific) odors on water choice preferences of spawning-phase male Walleyes to learn whether such odors may attract adult Walleyes into rivers. Flow-through flume assays with two side-by-side channels were used to evaluate behavioral preferences of spawning-phase Walleye to river and conspecific odors. Odors of Ford River in 2021 trials and conspecific males in 2019 trials (when analyzed by individuals but not groups) influenced the behavior of male Walleye. However, follow up work during 2022 did not detect any responses to Ford River water or male-conditioned water. Additional work is needed to determine the possible role of olfactory cues in the homing behavior of spawning-phase Walleye.

Explore related subjects

Fisheries ReportReport
90° N90° S · 180° W ← longitude → 180° E
Source-reported bounding extent: 45.64322905774273° to 45.89236768495988° latitude; -87.3634133747496° to -86.98593343598178° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Tyler Buchinger, Troy Zorn, Nicholas S. Johnson, Weiming Li. 2024. Evaluating behavioral responses of spawning-phase Walleyes to odors of rivers and other Walleyes. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70261916

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2025

Water temperature analysis of the North Branch Au Sable River, Michigan, and implications to salmonid populations

Ambient stream water temperatures affect salmonid movement and survival with fish actively seeking thermal refugia from warming waters. This study sought to investigate the potential role of water temperature in the perceived decline in native Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis and non-native Brown Trout Salmo trutta populations in the North Branch Au Sable River by fishers and reported to resource managers in 2018 and 2019. Water temperature was analyzed at nine stations within the North Branch Au Sable River in 2021 and 2022. A total of 61,390 temperature observations were collected with 58.0% exceeding the optimal growth threshold for Brook Trout of 16°C; 37.9% exceeding the movement threshold for Brook Trout of 18°C; 3.4% exceeding the upper limit for positive growth for Brook Trout of 23.4°C; and 28.6% exceeding the optimal growth threshold for Brown Trout of 19°C. The maximum daily water temperatures recorded for each year were 27.58°C in 2021 and 26.89°C in 2022. The availability of cold water thermal refugia is critical to the viability of native Brook Trout populations in the North Branch Au Sable River and its tributaries. Efforts should be taken to increase ambient stream water temperature monitoring year-round and to determine the size, frequency, and availability of thermal refugia within the watershed to increase the likelihood of a system resilient to the impacts of a warming climate.

Michigan↗