Wisconsin Fishery Research: Projects, Research Publications, Presentations, Thesis and Dissertations, Technical Publications

Wisconsin Fishery Research Activities

Goose Island, Mississippi River, Wisconsin. Credit: Kathy Carlyle

Projects

Project	Completion Date
Use of a portable ultrasound to determine sex and maturation status of Lake Sturgeon in the White Rapids section and other portions of the Menominee River	June 2016	The Menominee River currently supports some of the largest stocks of lake sturgeon associated with the Great Lakes, including the section of river between White Rapids and Grand Rapids dams (i.e., White Rapids section). Current management activities include sampling to determine the status of lake sturgeon in the White Rapids section of the river and to capture fish for collection of gametes that will be used in propagation. The inability of biologists to identify sex and maturation status in a nonlethal manner complicates lake sturgeon management and research activities that occur on this and other sections of the river. Specifically, biologists often guess at population sex ratios and they also encounter difficulty in selecting fish for collection of gametes used in propagation or for ongoing research regarding fish passage through or around hydroelectric facilities. Additionally, the potential effects of harvest regulations and future fish passage on lake sturgeon in the White Rapids section and other portions of the Menominee River requires estimates of population sex ratios and the maturation status of adult fish. Consequently, lake sturgeon management and research activities would be greatly enhanced if sex and maturation status can be more accurately determined. Portable ultrasound technology offers a rapid, non-invasive method that can be used to determine the sex and maturation status of several sturgeon species, including lake sturgeon. Our objective is to use a portable ultrasound to determine the sex and maturation status of lake sturgeon in order to improve lake sturgeon assessment, management, and research activities in the White Rapids section and other portions of the Menominee River. Specifically, we will combine the use of passive integrated transponder (PIT) technology with the ultrasound which will allow biologists to better determine population sex ratios and maturation history of individual lake sturgeon. We will develop a reference guide to help biologists determine the sex and maturation status of lake sturgeon from ultrasound images.	Ongoing lake sturgeon passage programs on the Wolf River, Wisconsin, and the Menominee River, Wisconsin-Michigan, have specific targets related to passage of fish that will spawn in the next available spawning window. Identifying sex and maturity stage of lake sturgeon using external cues can be difficult, especially outside of spawning and other methods of identification are invasive. We determined if a portable ultrasound could be used to accurately identify spawning ready fish of both sexes to help meet passage goals. In general, the ultrasound was effective in accurately identifying F4 females (94%) and M2 males (91%) for fish passage and implantation of acoustic tags. Accuracy of sex and stage assigned from ultrasound images can vary among populations, likely due to physical attributes of the fish. Lake sturgeon in the Menominee River tended to have thicker body walls than fish in the Wolf River, making it more difficult to obtain clear images with the ultrasound. Some fish that are not F4 or M2 may be erroneously selected for passage using the ultrasound. The extent of this error is likely to vary among populations and sampling periods. In the Menominee River, this error may be as high as 18% and the risk of this error appears to be higher during spring sampling. Much of this error relates to misclassification of F3 fish when using the ultrasound, as F3 fish can appear similar to F4 fish (i.e., eggs are present) or M2 fish. Some of this error is probably related to the fact that few F3 fish were encountered during our sampling (N=8), making it difficult to “learn” what an F3 looks like compared to other stages. We are currently developing an evaluation of among-personnel variation in sex and stage assignments that will incorporate a set of reference images and a set of test images. This will allow us to determine if sex and stage assignments from ultrasound images are consistent among personnel if they are provided with a photographic guide to assist in making assignments.
Wisconsin angler preferences survey	October 2014	Changes in fish communities result in different opportunities for anglers. Our objective was to design and implement a survey to ascertain angler preferences related to the attributes of largemouth bass, bluegill, and walleye fisheries on order to determine where anglers might choose to fish based on trade-offs in fishing opportunities among these species. During November 2013, the survey was sent to 6,000 anglers and with the help of Dave Fulton (Minnesota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit) we are analyzing the data using choice models.	Managing recreational fisheries in lake‐rich landscapes with diverse fish communities and anglers alike presents a social and biological challenge for managers. Understanding angler preferences is central to navigating these challenges and can aid in predicting shifts in angler behavior in response to management actions or changing fish populations. Species‐specific angler surveys do not incorporate tradeoffs inherent in multispecies fisheries, thus limiting their application to real‐world management issues. To better understand angler preferences in relation to realistic tradeoffs among different fishing opportunities, we conducted a survey of Wisconsin anglers in 2013–2014 that included questions requiring anglers to choose between fisheries providing different outcomes. We used stated‐preference modeling to quantify angler preferences associated with Bluegill <i>Lepomis macrochirus</i>, Largemouth Bass <i>Micropterus salmoides</i>, and Walleye <i>Sander vitreus</i> fisheries. Next, we conducted a latent class analysis using survey responses to classify anglers into subgroups. Finally, we assessed the sensitivity of angler choice to changes in fishing opportunities. Results of the stated‐preference models indicated that both residents and nonresidents largely prefer “quality” (i.e. moderate catch rate and size structure) over “action” or “trophy” Bluegill fisheries and that characteristics of Largemouth Bass fisheries have more value to nonresidents than to residents. Aspects of the Bluegill fishery were most important in choosing among hypothetical lakes for resident respondents. Five angler subgroups were identified that show the importance of Bluegill and Walleye but shed additional light on anglers’ commitment level and nonresidents’ preference for Largemouth Bass. In addition, simulations of changes in Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill fisheries indicated that maintenance of quality Bluegill fisheries is important to ensuring continued angler participation, while the retention of high‐yield Walleye fisheries is likely paramount to a subgroup of anglers. Our results offer insight into angler preferences across the lake‐rich landscape of Wisconsin and demonstrate how angler behavior may shift in response to transitions in fishing opportunities.
Dynamics and demographics of Cisco populations in Wisconsin lakes	June 2015	Cisco Coregonus artedi are native to many water bodies in Wisconsin. Cisco are important to food web dynamics because they serve as primary prey for large, economically-important piscivores such as walleyes and muskellunge and because they influence lower trophic levels through planktivory. Despite their importance, a comprehensive evaluation of the dynamics and demographics of cisco populations in Wisconsin has not been conducted. Describing cisco population characteristics across a broad spatial scale will provide a better understanding of how abiotic and biotic variables affect cisco in Wisconsin. Our objective is to determine if abiotic and biotic variables affect growth rates, recruitment patterns, and the age and size structure of cisco populations in Wisconsin. This is a collaborative project with Wisconsin DNR and we are currently processing cisco that were collected during the 2013 sampling season; additional fish will be collected in 2014.	None
Evaluate the influence of harvest regulations on angler effort using remote car counters	December 2016	The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) plans to implement an adaptive management study to identify effective regulations to improve mean length of Bluegill on lakes where there is poor size structure. The proposed approach would employ three different regulations to bluegill populations that experience moderate to fast growth but have mean lengths less than the American Fisheries Society standard for Quality size. These lakes would be compared to un-manipulated control lakes that exhibit similar population growth and structure. Within this study, the Fisheries Analysis Center (FAC) and the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit (WICFRU) will work with WDNR to explore angler effort response to suggested harvest regulations changes. A concern held by both the public and WDNR is that restrictive regulations may redistribute effort away from target lakes and move the problem elsewhere. While this is a legitimate concern, to fully address this concern would require full creel surveys on the treatment lakes and presumably all nearby lakes; which is financially and logistically unrealistic. We therefore propose to monitor changes in angler effort via car counters on a subset of lakes within each treatment and reference group. The car counters will only provide a course index of effort but substantial reductions in effort from before to after the treatment can be observed and presumably attributed to the regulation.	None
Evaluation of methods used to estimate population metrics for adult muskellunge in northern Wisconsin lakes	June 2018	The goals of this research are to: 1) provide an improved method for predicting muskellunge abundance when recent population estimates are not available; 2) evaluate temporal variation in adult muskellunge abundance within Wisconsin lakes and 3) obtain estimates of survival and growth based on mark-recapture information collected on trend lakes. Specific objectives will be to determine if: 1) alternative methods can be used to explain greater variation in the abundance of adult muskellunge within northern Wisconsin lakes than the current linear model that relies solely on lake surface area as a predictor variable; 2) estimates of adult muskellunge abundance are relatively consistent over time, such that estimates that are 3 to 4 years old could still be used to represent abundance within an individual lake; 3) marking muskellunge with passive integrated transponders (PITs) can be used to estimate rates of growth, mortality, and recruitment of adult muskellunge as well as sex-specific estimates of gear selectivity and catchability in selected trend lakes and 4) rates of growth and mortality calculated from ages estimated using nonlethal structures such as scales and fin rays are similar to those obtained using mark-recapture of fish implanted with PITs. To complete these objectives, Fisheries Analysis Center (FAC) and the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit (WICFRU) will work with WDNR to obtain existing estimates of adult muskellunge abundance and other abiotic and biotic variables that will be used to develop models to predict adult muskellunge abundance. Additionally, FAC and WICFRU will assist with scheduled mark-recapture surveys on the 4 trend lakes. Muskellunge will be marked with PITs in addition to the fin clips already used to mark fish and scales and/or fin rays will be collected for age estimation. Staff from FAC and WICFRU will assist or fully conduct annual mark-recapture assessments for up to 3 years on at least two trend lakes; this additional sampling will allow us to assess temporal variation in adult abundance, obtain additional estimates of mortality and growth, and to compare gear selectivity and catchability between sexes.	Most Wisconsin muskellunge Esox masquinongy populations occur within the Ceded Territory of northern Wisconsin, where mixed fisheries consisting of a recreational hook-and-line fishery and a tribal spearing fishery occur. Safe harvest levels for each population are based on estimates of adult muskellunge abundance. <br><br>If a recent population estimate is not available for an individual lake, a linear regression model is used to predict adult abundance from lake surface area using existing population estimates from all lakes. The objective of our study is to determine if alternative models can be used to explain greater variation in the abundance of adult muskellunge within northern Wisconsin lakes than the current linear model that relies solely on lake surface area as a predictor variable.<br><br>This study is in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.<br><br>This study will help to inform scientifically sound management decisions concerning muskellunge which represent one of the most popular and economically-important sportfish in the state of Wisconsin.
Population characteristics and movements of smallmouth bass in the Menominee River	June 2019	The Menominee River supports popular, high-quality fisheries for smallmouth bass. Maintaining these fisheries is an important goal of the Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources which jointly manage these fisheries. Below Sturgeon Falls, the Menominee River is divided into a series of relatively riverine impoundments by several hydropower facilities. These facilities currently prevent upstream movement of fish and probably limit downstream movements for some species. Additionally, some of these impoundments are relatively long (> 20 river miles) and some contain natural features (i.e., falls or rapids) that could limit movements of smallmouth bass. Consequently, population characteristics of smallmouth bass could vary among sections of river within the same impoundment. This spatial separation could result in situations where smallmouth bass inhabiting upstream portions of the impoundment represent important sources of recruitment for lower portions of the impoundment. Additionally, previous studies have shown that in response to falling water temperatures in fall, smallmouth bass in riverine systems move towards deeper water where they spend the winter period. During this fall-winter period, smallmouth bass could occupy relatively small, overlapping home ranges if preferred habitat is limited, making them potentially more vulnerable to anglers. Harvest of smallmouth bass during fall could negatively affect smallmouth bass fisheries in the Menominee River, but it is not known if smallmouth bass are exhibiting this behavior or if angler harvest during this period could be a problem. Recently, a few anglers have begun to voice concern over this issue and biologists are interested in determining if harvest during fall represents an important management issue. Furthermore, it is not known if current harvest regulations are sufficient to maintain the quality of these fisheries, or if more stringent regulations could improve the number of relatively large bass available to anglers. Lastly, at a larger scale, black bass (smallmouth and largemouth bass) abundance has increased in many bodies of water in the Upper Midwest and there are concerns that black bass can negatively affect walleye populations, possibly through predation or competition for available prey, consequently changes in smallmouth abundance within the Menominee River could affect other species, including walleyes. However, few studies have examined diet interactions between the two species. The Menominee River offers an excellent opportunity to evaluate dietary interactions between smallmouth bass and walleyes in a system that supports healthy populations of both species. Examining diets will also allow biologists to better understand which prey species are important to smallmouth bass and walleyes within the river. The Wisconsin and Michigan DNR rarely conduct sampling on the Menominee River that specifically targets smallmouth bass, so only limited information is available for these species. More information is needed to determine if current management strategies are appropriate for maintaining the quality of these smallmouth bass fisheries in the future. Furthermore, our proposed study will compliment similar research that will be conducted by the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and Wisconsin DNR in the impoundment between Grand Rapids and Park Mill dams, providing a rare opportunity to complete a comprehensive evaluation of smallmouth bass populations within the Menominee River.	The Menominee River supports popular, high-quality fisheries for smallmouth bass that attract anglers from all over North America and the popularity of these fisheries has continued to increase, leading to increased fishing effort. Maintaining these fisheries is an important goal of the Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources, but little information is available to help guide management decisions.<br><br>Population characteristics and movement patterns of smallmouth bass could vary among impoundments on the Menominee River, such that the effectiveness and feasibility of additional management actions (e.g., changes to harvest regulations, fish passage) could also vary among river segments.<br><br>This study is a collaboration between the Michigan and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources and We Energies Mitigation and Enhancement Fund.<br><br>Our primary goal is to use mark-recapture population assessments to describe population characteristics and movements of smallmouth bass in multiple segments of the Menominee River to determine if current harvest regulations are sufficient to maintain the quality of these fisheries. Our secondary goal is to use acoustic telemetry to determine if seasonal movements could result in increased vulnerability to angling or suggest that future fish passage is warranted.
Effects of 2, 4-D treatments to control Eurasian Watermilfoil on fish and zooplankton in northern Wisconsin lakes	December 2017	Eurasian watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum (EWM) is one of the most problematic aquatic invasive species in North America because it can outcompete native macrophytes (Madsen et al. 1991), negatively affect fish and wildlife, and interferes with recreational activities (Smith and Barko 1990). Application of herbicides is commonly used as a means to control or eradicate EWM (Sorsa et al. 1988; Parsons et al. 2001). Specifically, 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) based herbicides are widely used for controlling EWM in Wisconsin and other states, but little is known regarding the effects of these herbicide treatments on fish and zooplankton communities outside of a laboratory setting. One previous study indicated that application of 2, 4-D herbicides did not affect fish diversity or biomass in two Minnesota lakes (Kovalenko et al. 2010), but application of these herbicides remains an important concern for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), which issues the permits required for herbicide application in Wisconsin lakes. Consequently, the objectives of our study are to determine if: 1) 2, 4-D herbicide treatments used to control EWM affect the abundance, diversity, and size structure of fish at different life history stages; 2) herbicide treatments affect feeding, survival, growth, and reproductive investment of selected fish species, and 2) if herbicide treatments affect diversity, abundance, and size of zooplankton. Our working hypotheses are that 2, 4-D herbicide treatments will not reduce fish diversity, but will reduce abundance and survival which will eventually influence the size structure of fish populations in treated lakes through reduced recruitment. Furthermore, we hypothesize that herbicide treatments will not affect gonadal investment and fecundity, but will reduce survival, foraging success, and growth of larval fish. Lastly, we hypothesize that herbicide treatments will not affect zooplankton diversity, but will result in increased abundance and size structure of zooplankton because of reductions in larval fish predation.	Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM; Myriophyllum spicatum) is one of the most prolific aquatic invasive plants in North America. Since the 1950s, the herbicide 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) has been used to control EWM. Little was known regarding the effect of 2, 4-D treatments on zooplankton and fishes outside of a few laboratory studies.<br><br>Increasing demand for whole-lake 2, 4-D treatments to<br>control EWM in Wisconsin lakes warranted additional examination of fish and zooplankton responses to these treatments. The objectives of this study were to determine if whole-lake 2, 4-D herbicide treatments used to control EWM affected: 1) abundance, diversity, and size of zooplankton; 2) feeding, growth and size structure of larval fishes, and 3) abundance, diversity, and survival of fishes at different life history stages.<br><br>This research was in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.<br><br>Findings suggest that 2, 4-D herbicide treatments had little effect on the metrics I measured. However, the lack of statistically significant responses to 2, 4-D herbicide treatments observed in this evaluation does not necessarily mean that herbicide application has no effects on these or other metrics. Potential effects may not be detectable in a lake setting given the inherent variation in many of the metrics measured and the number of lakes included.
Movements of lake sturgeon after upstream passage through two dams on the Menominee River	January 2017	Lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens populations in the Great Lakes have undergone dramatic declines over the last two centuries for a variety of reasons, including dam construction. These declines have led to closures of commercial, recreational, and tribal subsistence fisheries and the listing of lake sturgeon as threatened, endangered, or a species of special concern in many states in the Great Lakes region. Historically, lake sturgeon probably spawned in many tributaries to the Great Lakes, but hydroelectric dams now prevent fish from reaching historic spawning areas. During a lake sturgeon workshop sponsored by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust (GLFT) in 2000 (Holey et al. 2000), participants identified these barriers as one of the greatest impediments to lake sturgeon recovery in the Great Lakes, including Lake Michigan. In 2011, the GLFT held another workshop to further define research needs associated with passing lake sturgeon at hydroelectric facilities (Coscarelli et al. 2011) and passage of sturgeon has become an increasingly important priority for natural resource agencies. Furthermore, Jager (2006) suggested that reconnecting sturgeon populations through passage should benefit populations because: 1) populations in connected river segments are more likely to recolonize neighboring segments after extirpation, especially in small river segments and 2) passage should increase habitat availability for all life history stages because of habitat diversity among river segments. Consequently, developing effective means to pass lake sturgeon through or around barriers has become an important priority for natural resource agencies around the Great Lakes. While many questions regarding the design and effectiveness of passage devices still exist, it will also be essential to determine how lake sturgeon behave following passage through or around hydroelectric facilities. Specifically, it will be important to determine if and when lake sturgeon passed upstream participate in spawning and whether differences in timing of passage and the biological attributes of fish (i.e., length, sex, and maturity) affect lake sturgeon behavior after passage. Currently, hydroelectric dams prevent lake sturgeon entering the lower Menominee River from Green Bay from reaching high-quality spawning locations and juvenile fish habitat available upstream. Fish passage through the lower two dams on the Menominee River is targeted to begin in 2014 and fishery managers with the Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources (DNR) will need to determine the numbers and characteristics of lake sturgeon that should be allowed to pass in order to maximize recruitment potential. To answer these questions, fishery managers need information regarding when and if fish passed upstream participate in spawning and whether or not these fish return downstream using a fishway specifically constructed for this purpose. Our proposed research will use acoustic telemetry to describe movement of lake sturgeon passed upstream in the Menominee River and will provide fishery managers around the Great Lakes with information that can be used to formulate passage strategies and possibly help design passage facilities for lake sturgeon.	An elevator was constructed in the lowermost hydroelectric dam on the Menominee River, Wisconsin–Michigan; it is the first elevator specifically designed to capture Lake Sturgeon <i>Acipenser fulvescens</i> for upstream transfer above two dams, providing access to high-quality spawning and early life habitat. Our objectives were to determine whether (1) Lake Sturgeon transferred upstream remained upstream for at least one spawning opportunity; (2) spawning opportunity, time to reach the next dam upstream, and residency in different segments of the river were related to sex, capture method (elevator versus electrofishing), and season of transfer; and (3) the probability of fish transitioning back downstream of the two dams varied among months. We evaluated post-transfer behaviors of 139 Lake Sturgeon that were captured in the elevator or by electrofishing, implanted with acoustic transmitters, transferred upstream (in spring or fall) from fall 2014 to spring 2017, and monitored until fall 2018 using 20–23 stationary acoustic receivers deployed throughout the river. Most Lake Sturgeon (91%) remained upstream for at least one spawning opportunity. The probability of remaining for one spawning opportunity was not related to sex, fish capture method, or season of transfer. Residency times within the two impoundments and time to reach the next dam upstream varied among individual fish. A multistate model indicated that monthly survival after upstream transfer was high and that Lake Sturgeon typically remained above both dams in late fall to early spring, with most downstream movements occurring in April and May. Our results indicate that Lake Sturgeon transferred upstream have the potential to contribute offspring that may help to bolster the Lake Sturgeon population in Lake Michigan, but additional research may help in determining whether these contributions occur.
Identifying recruitment bottlenecks for walleyes in northern Wisconsin lakes	December 2018	Recruitment failure has been observed in some northern Wisconsin walleye Sander vitreus populations that formerly supported moderate to high levels of recruitment. Recruitment is measured using catch-per-effort of age-0 walleyes in fall electrofishing surveys, so recruitment bottlenecks are occurring in the first year of life. Recruitment failure could be linked to a variety of factors, including changes in habitat availability and fish communities within these lakes. Initially, predation by largemouth bass (a species that has experienced widespread increases in abundance) was thought to be a potential factor regulating walleye recruitment. Previous work conducted by the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and others has demonstrated that largemouth bass predation is probably not a limiting factor in the walleye recruitment process. However, other species may have also experienced increases in abundance (e.g., black crappies, bluegills) and modeling conducted by Center for Limnology at UW-Madison suggests that the time at which walleyes enter the littoral zone after a pelagic larval stage could determine the degree to which predation affects recruitment. Furthermore, recent work from Ontario and Wisconsin has indicated that loss of suitable optical and thermal habitat may be affecting survival and recruitment of young walleyes. In collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, we are initiating an intensive study of walleye early life history. This work will encompass a range of walleye populations, including those that have exhibited recent recruitment failure and populations that exhibit high levels of recruitment on a relatively consistent basis. Our primary objectives are to determine if: 1) larval and juvenile walleye abundance, survival, foraging success, diet composition, and growth vary among populations; 2) predation by northern pike, black crappies, bluegill, and yellow perch could affect walleye recruitment; 3) availability of suitable optical and thermal habitat varies among lakes in relation to walleye recruitment patterns and 4) zooplankton abundance, community composition, and size structure varies in relation to larval growth and survival and subsequent recruitment. Additionally, we will identify when age-0 walleyes enter the littoral zone to improve model projections regarding the effects of predation on walleye year class strength.	Project in development for January 2019
Habitat use of sub-adult lake sturgeon in the Lower Wolf River, Wisconsin	August 2015	Little is known regarding habitat use of sub-adult lake sturgeon in riverine portions of the Lake Winnebago system located in central Wisconsin. Understanding habitat use by sub-adult fish will improve lake sturgeon assessment by allowing biologists to better evaluate recruitment dynamics and identify critical habitat. Characterizing habitat and substrate in aquatic environments using traditional transect-based methods can be difficult, time consuming, and expensive. However, the availability of small, portable, and inexpensive side-scan sonar devices now offers a more efficient means of mapping physical habitat in aquatic systems. Our objective is to determine if sub-adult lake sturgeon selectively occupy certain habitats in the lower Wolf River based on substrate, depth, and presence of coarse woody debris. Habitat availability in the lower Wolf River will be mapped using side-scan sonar. Twelve sub-adult lake sturgeon were implanted with radio transmitters in fall of 2013. These fish will be located approximately every 2 weeks and habitat variables will be recorded at each location. Selectivity will be evaluated by comparing habitats occupied by fish to habitat availability assessed from side-scan images. In 2014, acoustic tags will be placed into age-0 lake sturgeon to determine movements of these fish.	Understanding sampling efficiency and movements of subadult Lake Sturgeon <i>Acipenser fulvescens</i> is necessary to facilitate population rehabilitation and recruitment monitoring in large systems with extensive riverine and lacustrine habitats. We used a variety of sampling methods to capture subadult Lake Sturgeon (i.e., fish between 75 and 130 cm TL that had not reached sexual maturity) and monitored their movements using radio telemetry in the lower Wolf River, a tributary to the Lake Winnebago system in Wisconsin. Our objectives were to determine whether (1) capture efficiency (expressed in terms of sampling time) of subadult Lake Sturgeon using multiple sampling methods was sufficient to justify within-river sampling as part of a basin-wide recruitment survey targeting subadults, (2) linear home ranges varied in relation to season or sex, and (3) subadult Lake Sturgeon remained in the lower Wolf River. From 2013 to 2014, 628 h of combined sampling effort that included gill nets, trotlines, electrofishing, and scuba capture was required to collect 18 subadult sturgeon, which were then implanted with radio transmitters and tracked by boat and plane. Linear home ranges did not differ in relation to sex but did vary among seasons, and the majority of movement occurred in spring. Seven of the 18 (39%) Lake Sturgeon left the river and were not detected in the river again during the study. Between 56% and 70% of subadult fish remaining in the river made definitive movements to, or near, known spawning locations when adult Lake Sturgeon were actively spawning. Our results suggest only a small proportion of subadult Lake Sturgeon in the Lake Winnebago population use the lower Wolf River, indicating that riverine sampling may not always be warranted when targeting subadults in large lake–river complexes. More information is needed on distribution of subadult Lake Sturgeon to develop sampling protocols for this population segment.
Wisconsin Butler's gartersnake and plains gartersnake microsatellite DNA study plan	December 2012	The Butler‟s gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri) – a diminutive, Great Lakes region wetland specialist - occurs in Wisconsin only as a disjunct population in the greater Milwaukee area in southeast Wisconsin (Rossman et al. 1996). This species is otherwise found only east of Lake Michigan in a distribution across the eastern half of Michigan and adjacent parts of southwestern Ontario, northeastern Indiana, and northwestern Ohio. BGS was listed as threatened in Wisconsin in 1997 because of long-term habitat loss in its geographically restricted range (Joppa and Temple 2005, Vogt 1981) and other threats. BGS presents a management and conservation challenge because it hybridizes with its close relative, the plains gartersnake (T. radix). The Eastern plains gartersnake is not a listed species in Wisconsin but is a species of Special Concern, and inhabits mesic prairies, dry-mesic prairies, and oak savanna with access to nearby water in the form of marshes, ponds, brooks, or rivers (Ernst and Ernst 2003, Vogt 1981). PGS occurs south of the Wisconsin BGS range – as currently understood - in extreme southeastern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, and northwestern Indiana, and west of the BGS range in south-central Wisconsin and states further west. A purported BGS-PGS hybrid zone occurs in southeastern Wisconsin where the two species are sympatric. The respective ranges of BGS, PGS, and BGS-PGS hybrids in this area – and the degree to which these ranges overlap - are not well understood. However, the hybrid zone is thought to encompass Walworth, Kenosha, and Racine counties, and at least the southern portions of Waukesha and Milwaukee counties.	None
Interaction of habitat availability and quality, population dynamics and characteristics, and genetic diversity in managed walleye (Sander vitreus) populations	June 2014	Walleye (Sander vitreus) are currently managed by regulations, stocking, and habitat manipulation, much of which is predicated on our understanding population size and recruitment status (i.e., recruitment classification). Our understanding of the linkages between walleye recruitment status with actual recruitment rates, habitat availability, and genetic diversity and structure is unclear. A fundamental challenge in our management of walleye is the incorporation of relevant scientific data from the vast number and diversity of walleye population types into a comprehensive management approach. Despite strong efforts, our understanding of interactions between population recruitment dynamics, habitat availability, and genetic characteristics of walleye populations are largely unknown. It is reasonable to expect the short- and long-term viability of walleye populations to be directly linked to this series of complex interactions. Thus, evaluating the population recruitment patterns, habitat availability, and genetic diversity can provide a template for a wide array of management decisions. The overarching goal of this research project is to evaluate the role(s) population dynamics, genetics, and habitat has on the recruitment status and viability of Wisconsin’s walleye populations. The specific objective of this current phase of the project is to determine if a relationship(s) exist between walleye habitat availability and quality, recruitment status, genetic diversity, and the effective number of breeders in a sample of Wisconsin walleye lakes. The first phase of this research is testing if commercially available side-scan and down-scan sonar units can effectively enumerate littoral zone habitat in north temperate lakes compared to a traditional, random transect visual method. The second phase of this research is to determine univariate and multivariate relationships comparing data describing spawning and littoral zone habitat, population dynamics, age and growth, and genetic diversity.	None
Determining the efficacy of genetic broodstock management of muskellunge in Wisconsin	June 2014	In Wisconsin, muskellunge Esox masquinongy have been propagated for over 70 years as part of a comprehensive management plan to provide angling opportunities and develop trophy fisheries. However, more recently concerns exist regarding the genetic integrity and long-term viability of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (WDNR) propagation program. To address these concerns, starting in 2005, the WDNR muskellunge propagation program underwent a series of strategic modifications aimed at protecting the contemporary genetic integrity of populations and ensuring the long-term sustainability of muskellunge. Following implementation a critical evaluation to determine how successful these new genetic broodstock guidelines have been at maintaining genetic diversity and effective population size (Ne) of stocked muskellunge is critical. Additionally, from a conservation genetics standpoint, it is critical to identify at what life stages, if any, bottlenecks in genetic diversity are occurring.	None
Genetic structure of non-game fish species: Implications for fisheries management	June 2012	The hierarchical genetic structure of aquatic organisms is highly influenced by watershed boundaries or other key geological features. Previous genetic research on walleye (Sander vitreus) and muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) across their native range in Wisconsin showed sampled populations in the Upper Chippewa River (UCR) watershed were more similar to fish from the neighboring Upper Wisconsin River (UWR) watershed than they were to fish in the lower reaches of the Chippewa River watershed. The disjunct is likely the result of glacial processes or widespread, cross-boundary stocking. The underlying cause is important in implementing stock-based management of coolwater game fish in Wisconsin. Our objective was to determine if the disjunct in watershed genetic structure was consistent with non-propagated fish species and thus, likely the result of natural (geological) processes. The genetic structure of rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) and johnny darters (Etheostoma nigrum) was determined by sampling >15 populations for both species across northern Wisconsin with special emphasis on subwatersheds bordering the watershed boundary of the UWR and UCR. Genetic diversity was assessed at ≥12 loci for each species and genetic structure of each species was predicted using standard methods. Based on data collected to date, genetic structure of both species was consistent with contemporary watershed boundaries. Assuming these species represent non-propagated coolwater fish genetic structure, these data suggest walleye and muskellunge structure has been influenced by past propagation. Efforts to effectively conserve contemporary genetic diversity should consider this disjunct and the risks associated with considering contemporary versus historical patterns of diversity.	None
Estimation of lake whitefish spawning stock abundance using close-kin mark-recapture	December 2026	Lake whitefish abundances have declined throughout the Great Lakes. Statistical catch-at-age models are used to monitor abundances; however, these models have several assumptions that are difficult to evaluate. We are implementing a close-kin mark-recapture framework to estimate lake whitefish stock sizes in Lake Michigan. This work will provide an alternative means of quantifying abundances for evaluation of current catch-at-age models. This project is being performed with researchers and agency managers from U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Results from this work will help managers assess the catch-at-age models that are routinely used to determine harvest rates of lake whitefish throughout the Great Lakes.	None
Deploy and evaluate sea lamprey controls that supplement lampricides and barriers – SupCon Stage II	December 2029	Invasive sea lamprey are intensively managed throughout the Great Lakes using lampricides to control their abundance. However, concerns are increasing that lampricides may not provide a long-term control solution. Natural resource managers are concerned about risks for sea lamprey generating immunity to lampricides. If this occurs, sea lamprey abundances will likely increase dramatically, resulting in the impairment or loss to numerous Great Lakes fisheries. Therefore, we are evaluating the efficacy of a broad range of alternative control tactics. This work is a collaboration between U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan State University, and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The results of this research will determine future treatment strategies for sea lamprey throughout the Great Lakes. The most effective treatments are likely those specifically tailored to the conditions of a given location, which this project will enable.	None
Assessing the sustainable recruitment of coarse woody structure from riparian areas to littoral zones of northern Wisconsin lakes	October 2011	Various riparian land-use practices have been linked to a decrease in the recruitment of coarse woody structure (CWS) into lakes resulting in reduced habitat for fish and wildlife. Moreover, these land uses also affect recruitment well into the future due to the generation time of trees. The objective of this research is to compare future levels of CWS recruitment among lakes that have varying levels of shoreline development to elucidate how land-use affects the sustainable recruitment of woody habitat to lakes. Riparian area land-use is currently being delineated through intense shoreline perimeter surveys in order to forecast recruitment rates of CWS into littoral zones of lakes over a 150 year time span. This study forecasts effects of several land uses, including unaltered natural riparian areas, total forest removal, and several types of intermediately modified riparian conditions. A forest succession model (JABOWA) was used to predict growth and survival rates of trees in riparian areas and linked to a recruitment model developed by Scribner (2006) that predicts coarse woody structure recruitment rates to lakes. GIS mapping of distinct patterns of land use and resulting varying levels of recruitment of natural sustainable woody habitat will be integral in assessing how the riparian landscape and littoral zones are affected. Modeling identified which lakes and land uses affect the sustainable recruitment the most, providing guidance on establishing best management practices (BMPs) in riparian areas.	None
Understanding the Effects of Bowfishing on Buffalo Population Structure in Wisconsin Watersheds	December 2024	TBD	TBD
Molecular marker development for estimating genetic diversity within and among populations of eastern Gulf Slope threatened and endangered freshwater mussels	September 2010	The objective of this Quick Response proposal is to rapidly design a suite of 10-20 polymorphic microsatellite markers for the endangered fat three ridge mussel (Amblema neislerii) and test for cross species amplification in the other threatened or endangered mussel species inhabiting the eastern Gulf Slope drainages (Hamiota subangulata, Medionidus penicillatus, M. simpsonianus, Pleurobema pyriforme, Elliptio chipolaensis, and Elliptoideus sloatianus).	None
Mixed-stock analysis of Lake Michigan's lake whitefish commercial fishery and historical integrity of resolved genetic stocks	June 2011	The commercial importance of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupea-formis) in Lake Michigan has resulted in increased demand for ef-fective allocation of harvest. Six genetic stocks of lake whitefish have been identified in Lake Michigan providing a framework for stock based management on the commercial fishery. However, bet-ter understanding of proportional stock harvest is required to prop-erly implement such a regime. The objective of this research is to use multi locus microsatellite data and mixed stock analysis (MSA) to identify the proportional stock harvest of lake whitefish sampled from the 2009 and 2010 Lake Michigan commercial harvest. Ge-netic samples (n equals150/sample) will be collected during spring, summer and fall (pre spawn) in 2009 and 2010 from two primary locations, Big Bay de Noc (MI) and North Moonlight Bay (WI), and from six randomly chosen (season and location) landing sites throughout Lake Michigan (total samples equals18). Samples will be genotyped at 11 microsatellite loci consistent with a reference dataset of 12 known spawning aggregates used to delineate the six primary genetic stocks. Mixed stock analysis of the commercial harvest will be performed using a conditional maximum likelihood estimate of genetic mixture implemented in ONCOR. Previous work has shown the efficacy of MSA for this reference database. Findings from research will aid in more efficient management of Lake Michigan’s commercial harvest of lake whitefish.	None
Factors influencing genetic diversity of walleye, Sander vitreus, populations in Northern Wisconsin lakes	December 2011	The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource’s walleye (Sander vitreus) management goals include ensuring the population viability and genetic integrity of naturally recruiting walleye populations. Walleye show both broad-scale genetic (i.e., regional) and fine-scale genetic structure (i.e., watersheds). Supplemental stocking, stocking fish into systems where some level of natural recruitment occurs, is commonly employed in the management of Wisconsin walleye. Supplemental stocking can adversely affect the overall broad- and fine-scale genetic structure, population levels of genetic diversity, and lower the overall effective population size resulting in increased inbreeding and genetic drift. Previous genetic research has identified low effective population size (Ne) to census popula-tion size (Nc) ratios (approximately 3-5%) suggesting inbreeding and genetic drift should be considered important in conserving the genetic diversity of walleye populations. Additionally, significant inbreeding has been observed in a number of walleye populations thought to have healthy census populations. The first objective of this research is to determine if previously observed genetic indica-tions of inbreeding in some naturally reproducing walleye popula-tions were the consequence of sampling a small number of spawn-ing locations (and thus, a high number of related individuals) or accurate estimates of inbreeding. The second objective is to deter-mine if a relation exists between measures of walleye genetic diver-sity and observed patterns of recruitment and management activi-ties. Previously identified walleye populations that exhibited sig-nificant inbreeding coefficients were originally sampled using fyke-nets during the spawning run. In many instances, the number of nets sampled were small suggesting a potential sampling bias. Therefore, the first objective will be addressed by re-sampling the previously studied populations using shoreline electrofishing to ob-tain a larger more spatially representative genetic sample. Samples (n = 50) will be surveyed for genetic variation at 13 microsatellite loci and estimates of inbreeding and within population genetic dif-ferentiation (the Wahlund effect) will be performed. The second objective will be addressed by determining the genetic diversity of walleye populations across a gradient of management practices and recruitment levels (Npops = 14). Genetic diversity in the adult spawning population and the subsequent fall’s young of year will be surveyed. Estimates of Ne, heterozygosity, mean number of al-leles/locus, and allelic richness will be used to examined trends and relations among the diversity estimates and known recruitment and management practices. This research may provide insight into the impacts of supplemental stocking, natural recruitment variability, and spatial dynamics on the overall integrity of walleye popula-tions.	None
Development of fish habitat metrics for nearshore littoral zones of north temperate lakes	December 2012	The complexity and diversity of structural habitats in nearshore littoral zones are highly variable and serve as important spawning, foraging, and nursery sites for many fish species. The objective of this research was to develop and test metrics that can be used to index structural habitat as it relates to fish community in nearshore littoral zones of north temperate lakes. For five study lakes, nearshore littoral zone habitat was quantified. Measurements of depth, macrophyte structure, substrate, and coarse woody structure of sites were collected by snorkelling at 30-40 sites having varying levels of complexity. Additionally, adjacent riparian zone features including slope, basal area, canopy coverage, and human development were measured. Fish community data was collected using electrofishing. Metrics relating structural habitat to fish species diversity, richness, and abundance in addition to estimating the probability of spawning at sites were developed. These fish habitat metrics will be developed into multimetric habitat quality indices to provide among-site, among-lake, and among-region comparisons used to identify habitat management strategies that can protect, restore, or enhance littoral zone habitats.	None
Contemporary muskellunge genetic resources in northern Wisconsin: impacts of supplemental stocking and genetic managment zones	June 2008	None	Since the 1930s, muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) have been propagated extensively in Wisconsin as part of a comprehensive management plan aimed at providing a range of angling opportunities including trophy fisheries. Concerns exist about the effects of propagation on the genetic integrity of Wisconsin’s muskellunge populations. Understanding and delineating contemporary stock structure is a prerequisite to refining propagation practices by selecting appropriate brood sources and defining operational management units to meet the goal of conserving muskellunge genetic integrity. The objectives of this study are to: 1) evaluate the temporal genetic dynamics of the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) muskellunge population to determine if two stocking events disrupted the genetic integrity of the population, and 2) determine if genetic population structuring occurs among muskellunge populations in northern Wisconsin and to provide an initial genetic stock model including measures of the degree of stock isolation. Archived scale and spine samples from LCO, Big Spider Lake, and Mud-Callahan Lake were used to assess temporal changes in the LCO population following stocking of Big Spider Lake and Mud-Callahan Lake muskellunge (perceived small growth strain fish) into LCO. Significant genetic differences between the three populations were discerned yet no significant changes in LCO attributable to mixing of exogenous genes were observed over a 50-year timeframe (1953-2003). These findings suggest no significant impact of the two stocking events occurred in the genetic integrity of LCO muskellunge.
Development of multi-dimensional littoral zone habitat fingerprints and quantifying structural habitat in lakes	June 2009	None	Littoral zones can be structurally diverse within and among lakes providing a wide array of habitats for aquatic organisms. However, little work has been done to assess structural habitats in littoral zones, develop guidelines on sampling intensity, and integrate findings into generalized management applications. In particular, research is lacking on the level of structural complexity in littoral zones, on how typologies can provide management frameworks, and on the functional relation between habitat diversity and biotic diversity. The objectives of this study are to measure structural habitat in littoral zones, create littoral zone habitat fingerprints of lakes, explore potential applications of fingerprints for lake and fisheries management, littoral zone protection, and littoral zone habitat classification, and provide guidelines for habitat sampling intensity. Littoral zone habitat was quantified in twelve small (40-160 ha) north temperate lakes using quadrats placed along 100 transects in 2007 and 50 transects in 2008 from shore to a depth of three meters. Water depth, substrate composition, and macrophyte composition were visually estimated in one square meter quadrats along transects in each lake using snorkel gear. Coarse woody structure abundance and branching complexity was measured within one meter on both sides of transects. Multi-dimensional ordinations of habitat features, or fingerprints, were developed to display the variation in habitat occurring within and among lakes. Results show that fingerprints clearly reveal patterns in the way structural components (i.e., individual habitat variables) combine to form multi-dimensional habitats. From these patterns, habitat metrics for defining common, rare, simple, complex, and diverse habitat typologies within and among lakes can be extrapolated. These habitat metrics may serve as a template for further work on littoral zone habitat classification, which would be useful for managing specific lake types, monitoring trends in habitat quality, and habitat protection. Furthermore, fingerprints could be incorporated into fisheries management for habitat protection, mitigation, or restoration. Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests were used to compare various subsets of randomly selected transects and quadrats versus the entire data set to assess sampling intensity required to effectively develop littoral zone fingerprints. Simple linear regression was used to investigate the relation between physical lake characteristics (e.g., surface area, shoreline distance, maximum depth, and mean depth) and sampling intensity necessary to adequately sample littoral zone habitats. Results indicate a minimum of 45 transects (and all corresponding quadrats) or 278 quadrats randomly placed along 50 transects were necessary to sample littoral zone habitats. Of all physical lake variables, mean depth was the best predictor of transect sampling intensity with regression R2 of 0.637 and P-value of 0.002. Other lake characteristics, including shoreline distance, surface area, and maximum depth, were not significantly related to sampling intensity requirements for quadrats or transects.
Contemporary Stock Sturcture of Muskellunge Populations in Northern Wisconsin	July 2010	Wisconsin has more than 700 muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) populations providing a diverse array of angling experiences from high-density action waters to lowdensity trophy fisheries. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (WDNR) muskellunge management goals include maximizing angling opportunities while preserving genetic integrity. The WDNR manages muskellunge populations through regulations, such as daily bag limits and length limits, and a prolific stocking program. Supplemental stocking can have strong impacts on the genetic integrity of any population. The WDNR currently delineates muskellunge management units based on watershed boundaries. The goal of this study was to resolve the genetic structure of native muskellunge populations in northern Wisconsin. Specifically, the objective was to delineate and compare contemporary genetic structure and current management units to determine if they were congruent. Non-lethal fin clips from 43 naturally recruiting populations (n ≈ 50/population) across the native range of muskellunge in Wisconsin were collected. Samples were genotyped using a suite of 14 microsatellite loci. Bayesian analysis was used initially to remove populations that showed significant signs of admixture resulting from previous stocking events. Genetic stock identification (GSI), a hierarchical process for determining genetic structure across a landscape that incorporates genic differentiation, cluster analyses, and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), was used to delineate genetic structure. Analysis of 39 populations using GSI identified 30 unique gene pools in the dataset. Because of the limitations of managing for this many genetic units, we identified putative management units as cluster scenarios where the ratio of among-group variance (Va) to within-group variance (Vb) was greater than one. This approach identified three groups corresponding to a Wisconsin River Genetic Unit, upper Chippewa River Genetic Unit, and inner Chippewa River Genetic Unit. Although these units don’t strictly adhere to current watershed basins, they do represent geographically cohesive groups. Both geographical (headwater capture following glacial recession) and anthropogenic (supplemental stocking) effects can logically explain the observed genetic structure. Further research should help elucidate the underlying processes responsible for the current genetic delineation.	None
Fish community dynamics in experimental, walleye-exploited lakes in Wisconsin	December 2012	Fish population size, size structure, reproduction, and recruitment, are highly dynamic and often fluctuate widely across years. Such population variability, in combination with intensive harvest from state and tribal users greatly increases the risk of overexploitation and possible fishery collapse. Regulations offer opportunities not only to prevent population collapse, but to maximize different de-sirable fish population characteristics such as size structure (i.e., larger fish), abundance, and catch rates, among others that offer a wide array of angling opportunities. Studying the effects of regula-tion changes insure that desirable outcomes are achieved and eluci-date under which conditions particular regulations should be imple-mented. The most effective way to measure the effects of natural population variability and regulation changes relative to exploita-tion is by studying them for a long period of time. There are at least eight different regulations that are applied to the management of walleye in northern Wisconsin with the intent of creating diverse fishing opportunities. Unfortunately, many of those regulations have not been evaluated. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (then the Wisconsin Conservation Commission) estab-lished the Northern Highlands Fishery Research Area (NHFRA) in 1946 and the population size of walleye in Escanaba Lake has been estimated there annually since 1953. Until 2000, harvest of walleye was unlimited (no bag or size limits) and the population fluctuated annually. In 2000, as part of an overall exploitation study, a 28 inch minimum size limit was established to effectively reduce har-vest to near zero and to help create a trophy walleye fishery. The objective of this study is to evaluate how walleye and other species of fish have responded (e.g., abundance, growth) to the implemen-tation of the 28 inch minimum size limit using the long term data set available at Escanaba Lake.	None
Genetic structure of Wisconsin's naturally recruiting walleye populations	January 2009	Genetic diversity has been recognized as a vital component of fish management in Wisconsin. An explicit goal of the state‘s walleye management plan has been to preserve the genetic integrity of naturally recruiting walleye populations. A prerequisite to achieving this goal is understanding the distribution of genetic diversity within and among the State‘s walleye populations. My objectives were to 1) to determine whether there is significant genetic structure among Wisconsin‘s naturally recruiting walleye populations, and 2) if this resolved genetic structure was consistent with contemporary fisheries management zones employed for Wisconsin‘s walleye. Genetic diversity for these walleye populations was measured at 10 microsatellite loci and genetic structure was delineated through a process known as genetic stock identification (GSI). Genetic stock identification is a series of hierarchical tests consisting of genic differentiation, genetic distance, AMOVA, and pairwise FST comparisons to identify putative genetic units. Genetic diversity levels throughout the sampled populations were high (Ho = 0.7144, HE = 0.7677) and comparable to other walleye studies (Wirth et al. 1999; Borer et al. 1999; Eldridge et al. 2002; Cena et al. 2006; Franckowiak et al. 2009) using a similar suite of microsatellite loci. Results however showed current fisheries management units were not consistent with this genetic structure. Delineation of genetic units using GSI identified 21 significant genetic units among the 26 sampled populations suggesting populations are primarily maintaining localized gene pools. Iterative analyses examining the ratio of among-group variance to within-group variance was performed to identify higher level genetic units (i.e., putative stocks). Eight putative genetic units, mostly consistent with geographic location of the populations and not with current watershed regions, were identified using the ratio comparing among-group variance to within-group variance. Significant inbreeding coefficients were observed in half the sampled walleye populations. No relation was observed between inbreeding and population size or effective population size. A trend was observed where inbreeding predominately occurred in walleye populations from large systems; 81.5% (9/13) of all systems with a surface area > 500 ha showed significant inbreeding whereas 31.3% (4/13) of populations with a surface area of < 500 ha showed significant inbreeding. Several factors could account for these data including the preferential sampling in large systems of a single walleye spawning area, coupled with known philopatry of walleye, resulting in biased sampling of cohorts and/or related individuals. Current management strategies should be re-evaluated in light of these findings to better define management zones that can effectively conserve the genetic integrity of naturally recruiting walleye populations. This re-evaluation should weigh the cost of increasing the number of genetic units managed with the short- and long-term impacts on the genetic integrity of Wisconsin‘s walleye populations. A primary conflict between genetic structure and geographical location were the populations located in the Upper Chippewa River basin were more genetically similar to populations found in the Upper Wisconsin River basin. Geographical (glacial recession and stream capture) and anthropogenic (stocking across basin boundaries) are both reasonable explanations for this disruptive pattern. This issue requires further research to determine the biological reality of the resolved structure with strong implications for future management.	Genetic diversity has been recognized as a vital component of fish management in Wisconsin. An explicit goal of the state‘s walleye management plan has been to preserve the genetic integrity of naturally recruiting walleye populations. A prerequisite to achieving this goal is understanding the distribution of genetic diversity within and among the State‘s walleye populations. My objectives were to 1) to determine whether there is significant genetic structure among Wisconsin‘s naturally recruiting walleye populations, and 2) if this resolved genetic structure was consistent with contemporary fisheries management zones employed for Wisconsin‘s walleye. Genetic diversity for these walleye populations was measured at 10 microsatellite loci and genetic structure was delineated through a process known as genetic stock identification (GSI). Genetic stock identification is a series of hierarchical tests consisting of genic differentiation, genetic distance, AMOVA, and pairwise FST comparisons to identify putative genetic units. Genetic diversity levels throughout the sampled populations were high (Ho = 0.7144, HE = 0.7677) and comparable to other walleye studies (Wirth et al. 1999; Borer et al. 1999; Eldridge et al. 2002; Cena et al. 2006; Franckowiak et al. 2009) using a similar suite of microsatellite loci. Results however showed current fisheries management units were not consistent with this genetic structure. Delineation of genetic units using GSI identified 21 significant genetic units among the 26 sampled populations suggesting populations are primarily maintaining localized gene pools. Iterative analyses examining the ratio of among-group variance to within-group variance was performed to identify higher level genetic units (i.e., putative stocks). Eight putative genetic units, mostly consistent with geographic location of the populations and not with current watershed regions, were identified using the ratio comparing among-group variance to within-group variance. Significant inbreeding coefficients were observed in half the sampled walleye populations. No relation was observed between inbreeding and population size or effective population size. A trend was observed where inbreeding predominately occurred in walleye populations from large systems; 81.5% (9/13) of all systems with a surface area > 500 ha showed significant inbreeding whereas 31.3% (4/13) of populations with a surface area of < 500 ha showed significant inbreeding. Several factors could account for these data including the preferential sampling in large systems of a single walleye spawning area, coupled with known philopatry of walleye, resulting in biased sampling of cohorts and/or related individuals. Current management strategies should be re-evaluated in light of these findings to better define management zones that can effectively conserve the genetic integrity of naturally recruiting walleye populations. This re-evaluation should weigh the cost of increasing the number of genetic units managed with the short- and long-term impacts on the genetic integrity of Wisconsin‘s walleye populations. A primary conflict between genetic structure and geographical location were the populations located in the Upper Chippewa River basin were more genetically similar to populations found in the Upper Wisconsin River basin. Geographical (glacial recession and stream capture) and anthropogenic (stocking across basin boundaries) are both reasonable explanations for this disruptive pattern. This issue requires further research to determine the biological reality of the resolved structure with strong implications for future management.
Development of point-of-use invasive species eDNA screening approaches	September 2024	Invasive species are ecologically damaging, economically costly, and increasingly prevalent throughout the world. Eradicating invasive species is notoriously difficult; therefore, preventing their introduction is critical to control their spread. Many invasive species originate via trade and commerce, such as through the ballast water of shipping vessels or through the food trade. Enabling invasive species surveillance at discrete points of entry is a promising avenue to detecting and preventing new invasions before they begin. Environmental (e)DNA provides a means of detecting species through their shed DNA that may be present in water, on various substrates, or in the air. Recently developed techniques have shown promise for point-of-use eDNA-based monitoring; however, these methods generally require sample processing techniques that are not feasible in most non-laboratory settings. Through this research project, we will improve the ease-of-use for these emerging eDNA screening approaches for invasive species monitoring using a two-step research process. First, we will perform a thorough literature review across diverse fields to identify alternative approaches that will streamline the method’s implementation. Secondly, we will work with end-user stakeholders to develop and validate newly developed techniques. With goals directed toward end-user ease-of-use, frequent communication with our research stakeholders throughout the lifespan of the project will be critical to its success. To that end, port and customs agency personnel will be engaged to share research plans and findings at various phases of the project, including during study design, following collection of initial results, and upon completion of the project. In addition to the newly developed methods this research will establish, deliverables will include presentations at professional conferences such as the North American Invasive Species Management Association’s annual meeting and publications in at least two peer-reviewed manuscripts that will focus on the literature review and the developed eDNA detection protocols.	Invasive species are ecologically damaging, economically costly, and increasingly prevalent throughout the world. Eradicating invasive species is notoriously difficult; therefore, preventing their introduction is critical to control their spread. Many invasive species originate via trade and commerce, such as through the ballast water of shipping vessels or through the food trade. Enabling invasive species surveillance at discrete points of entry is a promising avenue to detecting and preventing new invasions before they begin. We are developing environmental DNA tools to enable point-of-entry screening of various substrates for numerous invasive species. This work in a collaboration between the USGS Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and the USGS Upper Midwest Science Center. The developed tools will allow port agents to detect invasive species before they enter the country, reducing the likelihood of establishing new invasive species.
Using adaptive genetic variation to improve genetic stock assignment in Lake Erie	September 2024	Continued restoration of Lake Whitefish requires managers to evaluate differential spawning, recruitment, and harvest among stocks. Our project aims to use new genetic tools to quantify spawning stock structure and identify genetic variants that could be used to distinguish between closely related Lake Whitefish spawning aggregates in Lake Erie. This project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies and includes Purdue University, U.S. Geological Survey, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The ability to identify the natal origin of Lake Whitefish would enable mixed-stock assessments and analysis of straying behavior, facilitating targeted management strategies for specific spawning shoals.	Continued restoration of Lake Whitefish requires managers to evaluate differential spawning, recruitment, and harvest among stocks. Our project aims to use new genetic tools to quantify spawning stock structure and identify genetic variants that could be used to distinguish between closely related Lake Whitefish spawning aggregates in Lake Erie. This project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies and includes Purdue University, U.S. Geological Survey, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The ability to identify the natal origin of Lake Whitefish would enable mixed-stock assessments and analysis of straying behavior, facilitating targeted management strategies for specific spawning shoals.
Development of New Generation ‘Mixture-Aware’ Stock Analysis Models Based on Catch-at-Age Data for Lake Whitefish in Lake Michigan	December 2023	Statistical catch-at-age (SCAA) models are used across the Great Lakes to assess lake whitefish stocks and harvest levels. Unless auxiliary data (e.g., tag-recovery, genetic) are included, SCAA models only estimate a single recruitment time-series that represents the aggregation of all stocks contributing individuals to the modeled harvest region, limiting the model’s ability to assess recruitment trends and other dynamic rates for individual stocks. Given frequent occurrence of lake whitefish mixed-stock fisheries, the ability to use SCAA models to track dynamics of individual stocks based on mixed-stock harvests would be valuable for management purposes. Genetic advances have reduced the costs of large-scale mixed stock analyses (MSAs) while increasing discriminatory power, generating data that could be easily incorporated in SCAA models to account for stock-specific dynamics. We are using an MSA based on genomic data to inform an empirical evaluation of the effects and feasibility of integrating stock-specific harvest contributions into lake whitefish SCAA models. This project is a collaboration between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, NOAA, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan State University, and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The developed models could serve as the basis for a new generation of 'mixture-aware' statistical catch-at-age models that produce more accurate estimates of stock-specific recruitment than current approaches.	Statistical catch-at-age (SCAA) models are used across the Great Lakes to assess lake whitefish stocks and harvest levels. Unless auxiliary data (e.g., tag-recovery, genetic) are included, SCAA models only estimate a single recruitment time-series that represents the aggregation of all stocks contributing individuals to the modeled harvest region, limiting the model’s ability to assess recruitment trends and other dynamic rates for individual stocks. Given frequent occurrence of lake whitefish mixed-stock fisheries, the ability to use SCAA models to track dynamics of individual stocks based on mixed-stock harvests would be valuable for management purposes. Genetic advances have reduced the costs of large-scale mixed stock analyses (MSAs) while increasing discriminatory power, generating data that could be easily incorporated in SCAA models to account for stock-specific dynamics. We are using an MSA based on genomic data to inform an empirical evaluation of the effects and feasibility of integrating stock-specific harvest contributions into lake whitefish SCAA models. This project is a collaboration between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, NOAA, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan State University, and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The developed models could serve as the basis for a new generation of 'mixture-aware' statistical catch-at-age models that produce more accurate estimates of stock-specific recruitment than current approaches.
Advancing broodstock selection to optimize brook trout stocking in Wisconsin	December 2023	Conservation agencies often stocks hatchery-raised trout to restore or rehabilitate wild trout fisheries and to support put-and-take fisheries. Agencies are increasingly concerned that domestic strains of hatchery-reared trout may exhibited poor post-stocking survival and fail to successfully reproduce. We are experimentally evaluating that concern by quantifying relative reproductive success of domestic brook trout and those with wild parents that were stocked into a stream that previously contained no brook trout. Additionally, we are conducting a broad-scale survey of over 60 brook trout populations to identify those that could serve as suitable broodstock sources based on their genetic characteristics. This project is a collaboration between the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Our research results may help inform brook trout propagation strategies to better achieve conservation, restoration, and recreational fishery goals.	Conservation agencies often stocks hatchery-raised trout to restore or rehabilitate wild trout fisheries and to support put-and-take fisheries. Agencies are increasingly concerned that domestic strains of hatchery-reared trout may exhibited poor post-stocking survival and fail to successfully reproduce. We are experimentally evaluating that concern by quantifying relative reproductive success of domestic brook trout and those with wild parents that were stocked into a stream that previously contained no brook trout. Additionally, we are conducting a broad-scale survey of over 60 brook trout populations to identify those that could serve as suitable broodstock sources based on their genetic characteristics. This project is a collaboration between the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Our research results may help inform brook trout propagation strategies to better achieve conservation, restoration, and recreational fishery goals.
Evaluating Potential Factors Limiting Lake Sturgeon Reproductive Success in the Upper Fox River	December 2023	The Lake Winnebago System (LWS) in east-central Wisconsin supports one of the largest lake sturgeon populations in the world and the population supports a socially- and economically-important winter spear fishery that is closely managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). Lake sturgeon spawn at many sites within the LWS, and many fish make extensive spawning migrations into the Fox and Wolf Rivers and their tributaries. The contribution of different spawning sites to the overall lake sturgeon population is unknown and this information is critical to developing management strategies. Ongoing research is helping to address this need. As part of this ongoing research, sampling has demonstrated that larval lake sturgeon successfully hatch at several known spawning sites in the Wolf, Little Wolf, and Embarrass rivers. However, in two years of sampling, no lake sturgeon larvae were captured at the Princeton spawning site on the upper Fox Rive despite spawning activity being observed in both years. Determining what factors are limiting successful spawning of lake sturgeon in the Fox River could help guide efforts to increase recruitment and may help in determining whether direct habitat improvement may be beneficial or if changes at the watershed level would be required to overcome these limiting factors. We hypothesize that siltation rates and periphyton growth may be two factors that are primarily limiting successful hatching of lake sturgeon in the Fox River. Additionally, potential differences in abundance of egg and larval predators at spawning sites could affect reproductive success.	The Lake Winnebago System (LWS) in east-central Wisconsin supports one of the largest lake sturgeon populations in the world and the population supports a socially- and economically-important winter spear fishery. The contribution of different spawning sites to the overall lake sturgeon population in LWS is unknown and this information is critical to developing management strategies. This project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies and includes the Aquatic Biomonitoring Lab and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Determining what factors are limiting successful spawning of lake sturgeon in the Fox River could help guide efforts to increase recruitment and may help in determining whether direct habitat improvement may be beneficial or if changes at the watershed level would be required to overcome these limiting factors.
Understanding smallmouth bass recruitment in relation to nest fishing along Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula	October 2024	Smallmouth bass support important fisheries along Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula, but recent declines in catch rates for smallmouth bass ≥ 18 inches have prompted concerns among stakeholders. Determining reasons for declining catch rates is difficult because the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources lacks a method for indexing smallmouth bass recruitment before bass enter the fishery at ages 3 and 4. This project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies and includes the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Our research will help fishery managers determine a sampling method to index recruitment before smallmouth bass enter the fishery and address concerns regarding the effects of nest fishing on recruitment.	Smallmouth bass support important fisheries along Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula, but recent declines in catch rates for smallmouth bass ≥ 18 inches have prompted concerns among stakeholders. Determining reasons for declining catch rates is difficult because the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources lacks a method for indexing smallmouth bass recruitment before bass enter the fishery at ages 3 and 4. This project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies and includes the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Our research will help fishery managers determine a sampling method to index recruitment before smallmouth bass enter the fishery and address concerns regarding the effects of nest fishing on recruitment.
Walleye fisheries bright spots in a changing climate	December 2026	Habitat loss, pollution, species introductions, and overfishing have impacted inland fisheries for decades. The impact of climate change threatens to compound these other factors. Our proposed work focuses on walleye fisheries of inland lakes of the Upper Great Lakes region, which have been declining since the early 2000s. Rather than the usual focus on understanding walleye population declines, our research emphasizes ‘bright spots’ - fisheries success stories. We seek to understand the drivers associated with fisheries that perform far better than expectations (‘bright’ fisheries). We will combine a suite of different approaches to provide new insights into walleye fishery bright spots: an ongoing whole-lake experimental removal of basses and sunfishes, observational studies of thermal-optical habitat use, a synthesis of how walleye fisheries responded to management restoration efforts, and a statistical analysis aimed at detecting walleye fishery bright spots. Members of the research team will work in partnership with state (MI, MN, WI) and tribal (GLIFWIC) biologists. Combining the results of these multiple approaches will yield new insights in what makes for a successful walleye fishery, and will generate knowledge that will inform climate-smart fisheries management given that already-stressed fisheries are increasingly subject to a rapidly changing climate.	Habitat loss, pollution, species introductions, and overfishing have impacted inland fisheries for decades. The impact of climate change threatens to compound these factors. We seek to understand the drivers associated with fisheries that perform far better than expectations (‘bright’ fisheries). We will combine a suite of different approaches to provide new insights into walleye fishery bright spots: an ongoing whole-lake experimental removal of basses and sunfishes, observational studies of thermal-optical habitat use, a synthesis of how walleye fisheries responded to management restoration efforts, and a statistical analysis aimed at detecting walleye fishery bright spots. This project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies and includes the Center for Limnology, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Climate Adaptation Science Center.
Contribution of Different Spawning Strategies and Locations to Lake Whitefish Fisheries in Southern Green Bay	December 2025	Lake whitefish recruitment has declined in several management zones around the Great Lakes, yet recruitment has markedly increased in southern Green Bay following a resurgence of spawning in some tributaries. This progression seems to suggest that restoring tributary spawning might help offset declines in whitefish recruitment in other areas. However, assuming that tributary spawning is primarily responsible for the expansion of lake whitefish in southern Green Bay is purely speculative. In reality, the importance of tributary spawning to the lake whitefish stock in southern Green Bay remains unknown and available evidence (e.g., telemetry, larval sampling) suggests that whitefish also spawn outside of tributaries at locations that have yet to be identified, representing a major obstacle in understanding stock dynamics. This project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies and includes the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State-Hammond Bay Biological Station, Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System. If most whitefish in southern Green Bay spawn in tributaries, restoring this spawning strategy might provide a viable management tool in other places. Conversely, if a relatively low proportion of lake whitefish in southern Green Bay spawn in tributaries, restoring river spawning may be less likely to offset population declines in other portions of the Great Lakes.	Lake whitefish recruitment has declined in several management zones around the Great Lakes, yet recruitment has markedly increased in southern Green Bay following a resurgence of spawning in some tributaries. This progression seems to suggest that restoring tributary spawning might help offset declines in whitefish recruitment in other areas. However, assuming that tributary spawning is primarily responsible for the expansion of lake whitefish in southern Green Bay is purely speculative. In reality, the importance of tributary spawning to the lake whitefish stock in southern Green Bay remains unknown and available evidence (e.g., telemetry, larval sampling) suggests that whitefish also spawn outside of tributaries at locations that have yet to be identified, representing a major obstacle in understanding stock dynamics. This project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies and includes the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State-Hammond Bay Biological Station, Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System. If most whitefish in southern Green Bay spawn in tributaries, restoring this spawning strategy might provide a viable management tool in other places. Conversely, if a relatively low proportion of lake whitefish in southern Green Bay spawn in tributaries, restoring river spawning may be less likely to offset population declines in other portions of the Great Lakes.
Walleye and Yellow Perch in Northern Wisconsin Lakes: Recruitment Trends and Importance of Perch as Prey for Larval and Post-Larval Walleye	June 2023	Some lakes in northern Wisconsin that previously sustained natural Walleye recruitment have exhibited declines in recruitment over the past two decades. Recent data have suggested that Yellow Perch and Walleye recruitment are affected by similar environmental factors, but declining trends in Yellow Perch recruitment success may have gone undetected due to lack of targeted sampling. Additionally, a lower abundance of juvenile Yellow Perch could be related to Walleye recruitment success. The objectives of this study are to determine if the following differ between lakes with different Walleye recruitment histories (sustained vs. declined): 1) density and spatial distribution of zooplankton prey; 2) relative importance of larval Yellow Perch and zooplankton to larval and post-larval Walleye diets; and 3) trends in age-0 Yellow Perch abundance. Sampling occurred in 2021 and will continue in 2022 using several different gears to target Walleye and Yellow Perch in their first few months of life.	Some lakes in northern Wisconsin that previously sustained natural Walleye recruitment have exhibited declines in recruitment over the past two decades. Recent data have suggested that Yellow Perch and Walleye recruitment are affected by similar environmental factors, but declining trends in Yellow Perch recruitment success may have gone undetected due to lack of targeted sampling. This research is in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This study will provide valuable insight on potential factors affecting the status of Walleye and Yellow Perch populations in northern Wisconsin lakes. Specifically, my results could help WDNR fishery managers better understand factors that may be limiting Walleye recruitment in D-NR lakes, which could help refine management strategies (e.g., stocking, changes in harvest regulations) that might be employed to improve the resiliency of these Walleye populations.
Managing bluegill fisheries as a social-ecological system under a changing climate	August 2025	Recreational fisheries management must balance the influences of ecological factors (e.g., environmental variation), social factors (e.g., angler behavior), and their interactions (e.g., angler responses to natural variation in fish populations) when developing strategies to produce and maintain resilient and productive fisheries. Climate change further challenges this paradigm by rearranging the mosaic of fishing opportunities on the landscape with unpredictable implications for anglers and fish populations. Considering these complex dynamics as a paired social-ecological system (SES) can help predict fisheries responses to ecosystem change and develop management strategies to meet stakeholder objectives. Bluegill are one of the most important species in North America in terms of providing accessible, harvest-oriented recreational fisheries. Significant knowledge gaps exist in our understanding of ecological drivers of bluegill population dynamics, how bluegill fisheries may respond to climate change, and how anglers will respond to changes in bluegill populations and their management. Filling these gaps will promote the development of management strategies to prevent problems like stunting (i.e., high abundances of small fish) or growth overfishing. <i>We propose to develop an SES model to inform the management of bluegill (</i>Lepomis macrochirus<i>) across the Midwest US in the face of climate change.</i> We will leverage extensive datasets on bluegill growth across the Midwest to develop statistical and process-based models to determine important factors structuring bluegill populations and predict their responses to climate change impacts. Angler behavior will be quantified using creel survey data and in-person and email discrete choice experiments to evaluate angler heterogeneity in responses to changes in bluegill fisheries and local fishing opportunities. Finally, an SES model will be developed and parameterized for Midwest bluegill fisheries using information on bluegill population dynamics and angler behavior acquired during the first two stages of this project. The SES model will be used to predict the effects of climate change on bluegill fishery outcomes and identify management strategies that best provide robust bluegill populations, satisfied anglers, and diverse angling opportunities. These results will elucidate currently unknown dynamics in bluegill fisheries and allow managers to develop best management practices for bluegill fisheries facing the uncertain impacts of climate change.	Recreational fisheries management must balance the influences of ecological factors (e.g., environmental variation), social factors (e.g., angler behavior), and their interactions (e.g., angler responses to natural variation in fish populations) when developing strategies to produce and maintain resilient and productive fisheries. Considering these complex dynamics as a paired social-ecological system (SES) can help predict fisheries responses to ecosystem change and develop management strategies to meet stakeholder objectives. This project is a collaboration with the Center for Limnology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Bluegill are one of the most important species in North America in terms of providing accessible, harvest-oriented recreational fisheries. Significant knowledge gaps exist in our understanding of ecological drivers of bluegill population dynamics, how bluegill fisheries may respond to climate change, and how anglers will respond to changes in bluegill populations and their management. Filling these gaps will promote the development of management strategies to prevent problems like stunting (i.e., high abundances of small fish) or growth overfishing.
Supply-and-Demand Dynamics Associated with Using Stocking to Maintain Walleye Fisheries in the Face of Climate Change	October 2023	Stocking is routinely used to supplement or maintain fisheries when natural recruitment is low or nonexistent. Demand for stocking cool and coldwater fish species that support important fisheries will likely increase as a result of climate change, but fish available for stocking are a limited resource. Consequently, climate change is likely to affect the supply-and-demand tradeoffs associated with stocking fish in the future, where demand for fish is likely to exceed supply. We will examine these tradeoffs using walleye, which represent an ideal species for this assessment because they are a native coolwater species supporting economically- and socially-important fisheries across North America, stocking is already used to support or maintain many walleye fisheries, and walleye populations have already declined due to climate change, resulting in increased demand for stocked fish. Resource agencies routinely evaluate walleye stocking success and we will compile information from these evaluations to determine what factors are associated with stocking success. These factors are likely to include the size and number of walleye that are stocked, lake characteristics such as surface area and productivity, availability of both walleye prey and predators, length of growing season, and winter severity. Once these factors have been identified, we can forecast what stocking success might be for individual lakes in the future, given that climate change is likely to affect many factors that regulate stocking success. These projections will allow fishery biologists to compare the number of walleye needed to provide walleye fisheries in the face of climate change (i.e., demand) against the number of walleye that might be available for stocking (i.e., supply). Our work will allow agencies to adapt stocking strategies to ensure that walleye fishing opportunities remain available and to ensure that agency resources are expended in a manner that is biologically relevant yet cost effective.	Stocking is routinely used to supplement or maintain fisheries when natural recruitment is low or nonexistent. Demand for stocking cool and coldwater fish species that support important fisheries will likely increase as a result of climate change, but fish available for stocking are a limited resource.<br>Consequently, climate change is likely to affect the supply-and-demand tradeoffs associated with stocking fish in the future, where demand for fish is likely to exceed supply. We will examine these tradeoffs using walleye, which represent an ideal species for this assessment because they are a native coolwater species supporting economically- and socially-important fisheries across North America, stocking is already used to support or maintain many walleye fisheries, and walleye populations have already declined due to climate change, resulting in increased demand for stocked fish.<br>The project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies and includes the US Geological Survey, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, University of Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and numerous Natural Resource agencies from the Midwest.<br>Projections will allow fishery biologists to compare the number of walleye needed to provide walleye fisheries in the face of climate change (i.e., demand) against the number of walleye that might be available for stocking (i.e., supply). Our work will allow agencies to adapt stocking strategies to ensure that walleye fishing opportunities remain available and to ensure that agency resources are expended in a manner that is biologically relevant yet cost effective.
Using parentage analysis to investigate the spawning and recruitment dynamics of walleye in Northern Wisconsin	June 2022	Walleye have undergone substantial recruitment declines in the upper Midwest, but finding casual mechanisms for these declines has remained illusive. We will use genetic techniques to reconstruct pedigrees for walleye in an attempt to investigate walleye spawning biology and recruitment. This project is a collaboration between USGS and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The results will be used to guide future fishing regulations and to develop conservation plans that protect important habitat features.	Walleye have undergone substantial recruitment declines in the upper Midwest, but finding casual mechanisms for these declines has remained illusive. We will use genetic techniques to reconstruct pedigrees for walleye in an attempt to investigate walleye spawning biology and recruitment. This project is a collaboration between USGS and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The results will be used to guide future fishing regulations and to develop conservation plans that protect important habitat features.
Spatial variation in lake whitefish recruitment in Lake Michigan: the potential roles of zooplankton prey and the relative fitness of age-0 fish	December 2022	Lake whitefish support the most economically-important commercial fishery in the Great Lakes and they also support important tribal and recreational fisheries in many areas throughout the basin. In Lake Michigan, many lake whitefish stocks have experienced declines in recruitment. However, at the same time, lake whitefish in some areas of the lake have shown signs of increasing recruitment and expansion. Contrasting trends in recruitment complicate fisheries management and understanding the factors regulating spatial variation in recruitment is critical to implementing appropriate management actions that ensure the sustainability of all stocks. Our project will address whether spatial variation in lake whitefish recruitment may be related to spatial variation in productivity, the availability of zooplankton prey, and the relative fitness of age-0 lake whitefish. This project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies involved with lake whitefish management in Lake Michigan and includes representatives of the USGS Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Our research will directly address research priorities outlined in Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources fishery and wildlife management plans. Our findings will help fishery managers and researchers identify factors contributing to spatial variation in lake whitefish recruitment in Lake Michigan and determine if adjustments to harvest regulations are needed (including spatial reallocation of harvest quotas), design spatially explicit monitoring protocols for lower trophic levels, and better manage expectations of policy makers and stakeholders.	Lake whitefish support the most economically-important commercial fishery in the Great Lakes and they also support important tribal and recreational fisheries in many areas throughout the basin. In Lake Michigan, many lake whitefish stocks have experienced declines in recruitment. However, at the same time, lake whitefish in some areas of the lake have shown signs of increasing recruitment and expansion. Contrasting trends in recruitment complicate fisheries management and understanding the factors regulating spatial variation in recruitment is critical to implementing appropriate management actions that ensure the sustainability of all stocks. Our project will address whether spatial variation in lake whitefish recruitment may be related to spatial variation in productivity, the availability of zooplankton prey, and the relative fitness of age-0 lake whitefish. This project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies involved with lake whitefish management in Lake Michigan and includes representatives of the USGS Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Our research will directly address research priorities outlined in Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources fishery and wildlife management plans. Our findings will help fishery managers and researchers identify factors contributing to spatial variation in lake whitefish recruitment in Lake Michigan and determine if adjustments to harvest regulations are needed (including spatial reallocation of harvest quotas), design spatially explicit monitoring protocols for lower trophic levels, and better manage expectations of policy makers and stakeholders.
Estimating mortality of Lake Sturgeon in the Lake Winnebago system using traditional age-based approaches and capture-recapture models	July 2022	The lake sturgeon population in the Lake Winnebago System (LWS) supports a culturally and economically important spear fishery that is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). Current estimates of mortality used to manage this population may be biased because ages are estimated from fin rays and these estimates are not accurate for older fish. We will develop mark-recapture based models for estimating mortality of Lake Winnebago lake sturgeon based on recovery of fish marked with passive integrated transponders and will compare these with mortality estimated from fin ray ages. This will provide biologists with guidance on whether current estimate of mortality are appropriate for management purposes. The project is a collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This research will provide fishery biologists with guidance on estimating mortality rates of lake sturgeon to improve management of this important fishery.	The lake sturgeon population in the Lake Winnebago System (LWS) supports a culturally and economically important spear fishery that is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). Current estimates of mortality used to manage this population may be biased because ages are estimated from fin rays and these estimates are not accurate for older fish. We will develop mark-recapture based models for estimating mortality of Lake Winnebago lake sturgeon based on recovery of fish marked with passive integrated transponders and will compare these with mortality estimated from fin ray ages. This will provide biologists with guidance on whether current estimate of mortality are appropriate for management purposes. The project is a collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This research will provide fishery biologists with guidance on estimating mortality rates of lake sturgeon to improve management of this important fishery.
Using parentage analysis to investigate the spawning and recruitment dynamics of walleye in Northern Wisconsin	June 2021	Walleye have undergone substantial recruitment declines in the upper Midwest, but finding casual mechanisms for these declines has remained illusive. We will use genetic techniques to reconstruct pedigrees for walleye in an attempt to investigate walleye spawning biology and recruitment. This project is a collaboration between USGS and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The results will be used to guide future fishing regulations and to develop conservation plans that protect important habitat features.	Walleye have undergone substantial recruitment declines in the upper Midwest, but finding casual mechanisms for these declines has remained illusive. We will use genetic techniques to reconstruct pedigrees for walleye in an attempt to investigate walleye spawning biology and recruitment. This project is a collaboration between USGS and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The results will be used to guide future fishing regulations and to develop conservation plans that protect important habitat features.
Development of eDNA metabarcoding methods for freshwater mussels	August 2021	Mussels are an important component of river ecosystems but have undergone substantial declines throughout their range. Our project will leverage genetic techniques (eDNA metabarcoding) to improve estimates of mussel diversity in Michigan rivers. This project is a collaboration between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and USGS. The techniques developed here can be used to conduct research that will inform mussel conservation strategies in the future.	Mussels are an important component of river ecosystems but have undergone substantial declines throughout their range. Our project will leverage genetic techniques (eDNA metabarcoding) to improve estimates of mussel diversity in Michigan rivers. This project is a collaboration between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and USGS. The techniques developed here can be used to conduct research that will inform mussel conservation strategies in the future.
Historical and contemporary genetic diversity of coregonus species from Lake Michigan	September 2020	Cisco are an important component of the Great Lakes food web and are a prime target for restoration and reintroduction efforts. Here, we will use a recently developed genomic tool to investigate historic structure of cisco in Lake Michigan. This project is a collaboration between the USGS Great Lakes Science Center and UW-Stevens Point. The results will provide important baseline data that can be used to develop management and restoration strategies for cisco.	Cisco are an important component of the Great Lakes food web and are a prime target for restoration and reintroduction efforts. Here, we will use a recently developed genomic tool to investigate historic structure of cisco in Lake Michigan. This project is a collaboration between the USGS Great Lakes Science Center and UW-Stevens Point. The results will provide important baseline data that can be used to develop management and restoration strategies for cisco.
Developing a DNA-based tool to estimate the number of salmon consumed by piscivores in the Sacramento Delta	September 2020	Predation is a major source of mortality for salmonids out-migrating from the Sacramento River. Here, we are using a newly developed tool (DNA mixtures) to estimate the number of salmon that are consumed by piscivores as they exit the river. This project is a collaboration between USGS offices in Wisconsin and California. The results will be used to better estimate predation, which will inform salmon management in the Sacramento River.	Predation is a major source of mortality for salmonids out-migrating from the Sacramento River. Here, we are using a newly developed tool (DNA mixtures) to estimate the number of salmon that are consumed by piscivores as they exit the river. This project is a collaboration between USGS offices in Wisconsin and California. The results will be used to better estimate predation, which will inform salmon management in the Sacramento River.
Development of a genetic marker panel for Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon Idella) to better understand reproducing populations in Lake Erie tributaries	June 2020	Grass carp have spread to Lake Erie, but knowledge of their spawning biology and the number of individuals that have colonized is lacking. The goal of this project is to develop genetic tools (a GTseq panel) that can be used to conduct parentage analysis of grass carp. The project is a collaboration between USGS and UW-Stevens Point. The panel will be used to analyze grass carp eggs to determine parental contributions which will inform management of grass carp in Lake Erie.	Grass carp have spread to Lake Erie, but knowledge of their spawning biology and the number of individuals that have colonized is lacking. The goal of this project is to develop genetic tools (a GTseq panel) that can be used to conduct parentage analysis of grass carp. The project is a collaboration between USGS and UW-Stevens Point. The panel will be used to analyze grass carp eggs to determine parental contributions which will inform management of grass carp in Lake Erie.
Combining genetics, otolith microchemistry, and vital rate estimation to inform restoration and management of fish populations in the UMRS	December 2021	Understanding demographic and population structure is important for informing management, but little research has been conducted on this topic in the Mississippi River. This project will use three techniques, genetics, otolith microchemistry, and age/growth estimation to understand structure in multiple species within the Upper Mississippi River. The project is a collaboration between USGS, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and multiple universities including Southern Illinois. The data from this will be vital for developing new management strategies for this in this region.	Understanding demographic and population structure is important for informing management, but little research has been conducted on this topic in the Mississippi River. This project will use three techniques, genetics, otolith microchemistry, and age/growth estimation to understand structure in multiple species within the Upper Mississippi River. The project is a collaboration between USGS, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and multiple universities including Southern Illinois. The data from this will be vital for developing new management strategies for this in this region.
Using genomics to delineate stock structure and create a standardized genetic resource for Great Lakes walleye	December 2020	Walleye support important commercial and recreational fisheries in the Great Lakes region, especially in Lake Erie. Our project will use genomic tools to help define stock boundaries. We will also develop a low cost genetic screen to assign walleye caught in mixed-stock fisheries to their stock of origin. This project is a collaboration between multiple agencies and universities including the Ohio DNR, U.S. Geological Survey, and Ohio State University. This research will be used to design new management strategies with the goal of protecting each stock of walleye and preserving the important portfolio of population diversity in this species.	Walleye support important commercial and recreational fisheries in the Great Lakes region, especially in Lake Erie. Our project will use genomic tools to help define stock boundaries. We will also develop a low cost genetic screen to assign walleye caught in mixed-stock fisheries to their stock of origin. This project is a collaboration between multiple agencies and universities including the Ohio DNR, U.S. Geological Survey, and Ohio State University. This research will be used to design new management strategies with the goal of protecting each stock of walleye and preserving the important portfolio of population diversity in this species.
Using genomics to improve stock structure resolution and assess recruitment dynamics of Lake Whitefish in Lake Michigan	December 2020	ss	ss
Developing a high-throughput marker panel for lake sturgeon to standardize analyses across the Great Lakes	December 2020	Lake sturgeon are a culturally and ecologically valuable fish in the Great Lakes region that have experienced significant population declines over the last century. Our project will develop a new genetic tool for sturgeon that will facilitate parentage analysis and stock identification. This will allow researchers to answer important questions about sturgeon distributions and reproductive biology that will help to inform management. This project is a collaboration with multiple geneticists from the University of Laval, Michigan State University, and West Virginia University. The panel will provide important data that will be used to inform decisions related to sturgeon management and conservation.	Lake sturgeon are a culturally and ecologically valuable fish in the Great Lakes region that have experienced significant population declines over the last century. Our project will develop a new genetic tool for sturgeon that will facilitate parentage analysis and stock identification. This will allow researchers to answer important questions about sturgeon distributions and reproductive biology that will help to inform management. This project is a collaboration with multiple geneticists from the University of Laval, Michigan State University, and West Virginia University. The panel will provide important data that will be used to inform decisions related to sturgeon management and conservation.
Using genomics to improve stock structure resolution and assess recruitment dynamics of Lake Whitefish in Lake Michigan	August 2021	Whitefish support one of the largest commercial fisheries in the Great Lakes but are experiencing population declines in a number of areas. Our project will use genomic tools to help define stock boundaries. We will also develop a low cost genetic screen to assign whitefish caught in mixed-stock fisheries to their stock of origin. This project is a collaboration between a number of state and tribal agencies including the Wisconsin and Michigan DNRs and the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians and Sioux Tribe. This research will be used to design new management strategies with the goal of protecting each stock of whitefish and preserving the important portfolio of population diversity in this species.	Whitefish support one of the largest commercial fisheries in the Great Lakes but are experiencing population declines in a number of areas. Our project will use genomic tools to help define stock boundaries. We will also develop a low cost genetic screen to assign whitefish caught in mixed-stock fisheries to their stock of origin. This project is a collaboration between a number of state and tribal agencies including the Wisconsin and Michigan DNRs and the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians and Sioux Tribe. This research will be used to design new management strategies with the goal of protecting each stock of whitefish and preserving the important portfolio of population diversity in this species.
Determining spawning locations of Green Bay walleyes	June 2021	Walleyes are native species that are both ecologically and economically important to the Lower Green Bay-Fox River (LGB-FR) ecosystem. Management of walleyes in Green Bay is complicated because walleyes spawn in many locations within Green Bay and its tributaries, but the importance of these different locations or regions to the overall population and fishery have not been determined. Specifically, walleyes spawning in the Fox River and southern Green Bay may contribute a substantial proportion of the fish to the overall population. Our primary objective is to determine if the walleye population in Green Bay is largely comprised (≥ 90%) of fish spawning in the Fox, Oconto, Peshtigo, and Menominee rivers or, if fish spawning in other locations within southern or northern Green Bay are important components. Additionally, we want to determine if walleyes spawning in Wisconsin waters contribute to the walleye population in Michigan waters, as the population as a whole is jointly managed by Wisconsin and Michigan DNR. Determining the extent to which walleyes spawn within certain tributaries or open-water habitats will help DNR biologists determine where habitat protection is needed to maintain spawning stocks and where habitat improvement and restoration might be used to increase abundance of some stocks. Our work may also help identify spawning habitats that were not previously known to biologists. Understanding walleye behavior and movement within Green Bay is also critical in determining whether current WDNR sampling of adult walleyes in these four tributaries provides useful estimates of abundance that can be used in determining predator-prey ratios within the LGB-FR ecosystem, as AOC delisting targets include recommended predator-prey ratios between 1:10 and 1:20. If some walleyes spawn outside of these four rivers, then current sampling may not provide accurate estimates of walleye abundance needed for determining predator-prey ratios.	Management of walleyes in Green Bay is complicated because walleyes spawn in many locations within Green Bay and its tributaries, but the importance of these different locations or regions to the overall population and fishery have not been determined.<br><br>Understanding spatiotemporal dynamics of walleye stock contributions in Green Bay is needed to help WDNR biologists develop spatially relevant management strategies. Specifically, information gained from this study will be used to guide monitoring and restoration efforts, identify when and where changes to harvest regulations may be warranted to protect fish in and around spawning locations, and potentially guide treaty negotiations and spatial allocation of harvest in Wisconsin water if a commercial fishery is considered in the future.<br><br>The project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies and includes the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Hammond Bay Biological Station, and research scientists with the Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System.<br><br>The most important measure of success will be when resource agencies use our results to develop spatially relevant management strategies. Our findings will provide a spatial context for monitoring and restoration efforts, identify when and where changes to harvest regulations may be warranted to protect fish in and around spawning areas, and potentially guide treaty negotiations and spatial allocation of harvest in Wisconsin water if a commercial fishery is considered in the future.
Assessing abundance of centrarchids and juvenile Yellow Perch in northern Wisconsin lakes with different Walleye recruitment histories	December 2021	Walleye recruitment has declined in many northern Wisconsin lakes that historically supported natural recruitment. Previous research has shown a recruitment bottleneck is occurring for age-0 walleye at or before mid-July. While declines in walleye recruitment are likely related to climate-induced changes in lake environments, the specific causes of this bottleneck remain unknown. As walleye recruitment has declined, adult largemouth bass abundance increased in many lakes. However, a previous study demonstrated that largemouth bass rarely preyed upon walleye in these lakes, although diet overlap for small bluegill and yellow perch was observed. Possibly, increased abundance of adult largemouth bass also indicates that abundance of all centrarchids has increased, but standard sampling gears used by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) do not effectively sample fish < 100 mm total length (TL), yet these fish likely comprise a significant portion of the fish biomass in many lakes. These small fish are more likely to interact with larval walleye through predation or competition for zooplankton resources. Yellow perch are also an important component of most northern Wisconsin fish communities, yet little information on perch population trends is available because targeted sampling for this species is not conducted. Specifically, data needed for indexing trends in yellow perch recruitment are not available. The objectives of this project are to determine if:<br>1) sampling precision, efficiency, and length frequency distributions of centrarchids and yellow perch varies among multiple sampling gears that might be used to target fish < 100 mm TL; <br>2) a qualitative index based on visual assessment during electrofishing accurately reflects overall abundance of centrarchids < 100 mm TL; <br>3) catches of age-0 fish in selected sampling gears are highly correlated with catch of age-1 fish the following year (i.e., age-0 catch provides a useful indicator of age-1 year-class strength); <br>4) current relative abundance estimates for centrarchids and juvenile yellow perch are related to walleye recruitment history (defined as declining or sustained recruitment); <br>5) previous estimates of centrarchid relative abundance in select Wisconsin lakes are associated with walleye recruitment history.<br>Sampling for objectives 1-4 will occur during August 2019 and 2020 on 11 of the 13 lakes that were used to identify the timing of the walleye recruitment bottleneck and will include lakes exhibiting declining walleye recruitment and lakes that have sustained walleye recruitment. Sampling methods that will be assessed include mini-fyke nets, clover leaf traps, standard boat electrofishing, and electrofishing from a boat using a using a hand-held probe similar to a backpack electrofishing unit. For boat electrofishing we will use standard catch-per-effort as an index of relative abundance of small centrarchids, but we also assess the validity of a qualitative approach that will be based on observations of small centrarchids by netters (i.e., the confetti index). Micromesh gill nets will also be used to assess juvenile yellow perch abundance in both years. To assess objective 3, we will correlate catch of age-0 fish in 2019 and 2020 with catch of corresponding catch of age-1 fish in 2020 and 2021; sampling in 2021 will be completed by Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit staff. <br> Using our sampling data and data collected by the WDNR we will develop a composite index of centrarchid abundance for each lake and will determine if lakes with different walleye recruitment histories differ in terms of various metrics of centrarchid abundance (age-0, age-1, juvenile, adult, composite) and juvenile yellow perch abundance. We will also use mini-fyke net and spring electrofishing data collected from a sample of Wisconsin lakes in the late 1990s and early 2000s to assess whether centrarchid abundance at that time was related to subsequent walleye recruitment history.	Walleye recruitment has declined in many northern Wisconsin lakes that historically supported natural recruitment. Declines in recruitment may be related to increased abundance of small centrarchid fishes, but current standardized sampling does not sample these small fish effectively. <br>Walleyes are an important ecological component in many lakes in Wisconsin, where they are one of the most sought-after fishes by anglers and provide an important tribal subsistence fishery. Identifying potential causes for walleye recruitment declines may help in developing management strategies to mitigate these declines. <br>This project is a collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and helps to address management concerns of the Great Lakes and Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission who share management responsibilities for walleye fisheries in much of northern Wisconsin.<br>This research will be used to determine if lakes with different walleye recruitment histories differ in terms of various metrics of centrarchid abundance and juvenile yellow perch abundance. This information may lead to changes in management strategies that may help mitigate declines in walleye recruitment.
Identifying Sources of Lake Sturgeon Recruitment in the Lake Winnebago System with an Assessment of Reproductive Success in Relation to Size and Sex	June 2021	The Lake Winnebago System (LWS) in east-central Wisconsin supports one of the largest lake sturgeon populations in the world. Lake sturgeon spawn in many locations within the LWS, and many fish make extensive spawning migrations into the Fox and Wolf Rivers and their tributaries. The contribution of different spawning locations to the overall lake sturgeon population is unknown at this time and this information is critical in developing management strategies. Specifically, identifying the contribution of different spawning locations to spearing harvest would allow managers to determine if this harvest differentially affects certain spawning groups or “stocks”. Furthermore, little is known about the relative number of recruits that are produced at different spawning locations and this information could help guide efforts to increase recruitment at some locations through habitat improvement. Additionally, whether adult characteristics such as size and sex affect reproductive success remains unknown. This information could have important implications for harvest management, if the probability of producing offspring varies among fish of different sizes. Our objectives are to determine if: 1) otolith microchemistry can be used to identify larval and juvenile lake sturgeon hatching at different locations within the LWS (e.g., Fox vs. Wolf rivers, tributary vs. main river); 2) if differences in chemical signatures are consistent between otoliths and fin rays; 3) abundance of larval sturgeon varies among spawning locations; 4) if contribution to spearing harvest varies among spawning locations; and 5) probability of producing offspring varies in relation to size and sex of adult fish captured at individual spawning locations.	Lake sturgeon spawn in many locations within the Lake Winnebago System, and many fish make extensive spawning migrations into the Fox and Wolf Rivers and their tributaries. The contribution of different spawning locations to the overall lake sturgeon population is unknown at this time and this information is critical in developing management strategies. <br><br>Identifying the contribution of different spawning locations to spearing harvest would allow managers to determine if this harvest differentially affects certain spawning groups or “stocks”. Furthermore, little is known about the relative number of recruits that are produced at different spawning locations and this information could help guide efforts to increase recruitment at some locations through habitat improvement.<br><br>This project is a collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.<br><br>This information could have important implications for harvest management, if the probability of producing offspring varies among fish of different sizes.
Food Web Interactions Among Walleye, Lake Whitefish, and Yellow Perch in Green Bay, Lake Michigan	January 2020	The overall goal of our project is to provide fisheries managers and stakeholders with critical information regarding potential interactions among lake whitefish, walleyes, and yellow perch in Green Bay so that management decisions can be made with a better understanding of the potential implications for all three fisheries and prey resources. We also hope to engage user groups in the research process, by working with them to collect fish needed for analyses, representing a significant opportunity for face-to-face outreach. Our specific objectives are to determine if: 1) lake whitefish and yellow perch represent important prey for walleyes in Green Bay (≥ 20% of diets by weight); 2) diets of these three species vary spatially and temporally and if diet overlap among species is evident; 3) the extent of walleye predation is sufficiently high to influence recruitment potential of lake whitefish and yellow perch and 4) extent of walleye predation varies among individual stocks of lake whitefish. Our working hypotheses are: 1) lake whitefish and yellow perch will not represent important prey for walleyes, but importance will vary seasonally and by location; 2) diet overlap will be relatively limited among species, with the exception of round goby; 3) despite low occurrence in individual diets, walleye predation will be sufficiently high to affect recruitment potential of yellow perch and lake whitefish, and 4) the extent of walleye predation will vary among lake whitefish stocks and will be highest for tributary spawning stocks spawning in southern Green Bay.	Green Bay currently supports one of the most economically-important recreational fisheries for walleye Sander vitreus in North America. Lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis and yellow perch Perca flavescens also support economically-important recreational and commercial fisheries within Green Bay. Due to substantial ecosystem changes, including water quality and invasive species, all three species have experienced a tenuous history and collapse in Green Bay with yellow perch numbers remaining at historically low levels. <br><br>Our research will address the following research questions What is the status of the predator-prey balance, food web and aquatic habitat in Green Bay? Can tools and models be developed to better understand this complex food web while also engaging angling and commercial fishing stakeholders?<br><br>This project is a collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Center for Limnology, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.<br><br>: Our study represents an important step in a research plan that will help improve management of walleyes, lake whitefish, and yellow perch in Green Bay. Again, the goal of our research is to provide DNR fishery managers in Wisconsin and Michigan information on interactions among these three economically-important species. A better understanding of these interactions is needed to guide management decisions, because changes in population status of one species will likely affect fisheries for all three species.
Development of eDNA metabarcoding methods to identify invasive species and examine community structure	June 2020	Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveillance has potential to make traditional fishery surveys and detection of invasive fishes more efficient and economical, but the development and standardization of this tool has been inefficient due to focusing on individual species. UMESC has more than 25 years of fish survey data collected from the Mississippi River as part of the Long-Term Resource Monitoring (LTRM) program, while the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been recording fish capture data from several lakes Wisconsin as part of their North Temperate Lakes Long-Term Ecological Research (NTL-LTER) program since 1981. Using the survey data and a comprehensive life-history database for fishes captured in the Upper Midwest, we will evaluate the utility of different eDNA sampling techniques with present and past catch data and identify which life-history traits correlate with eDNA detection. The resultant model will be incorporated into an electronic interface that natural resource managers and scientists can access to determine if eDNA is the right tool and, if so, what method should be used.	Environmental DNA (eDNA) surveillance has potential to make traditional fishery surveys and detection of invasive fishes more efficient and economical, but the development and standardization of this tool has been inefficient due to focusing on individual species. A more efficient and economical tool, environmental DNA (eDNA) shows great promise as a new monitoring tool to help inform resource managers. However, current eDNA methods are being developed on a species by species basis, which is costly and extremely inefficient. The project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies and includes the U.S.G.S. Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center and the UW-Madison Center for Limnology. This project will develop a tool that resource managers can use to assist in decision making and more efficiently manage invasive fishes at the regional and national scales. Cost effective management of aquatic invasive species is dependent upon early detection and traditional techniques are costly and laborious.
Genetic assessment of Boardman River fish populations prior to dam removal	August 2020	Fragmentation caused by dams can fundamentally alter population structure and genetic diversity of fish species that once had access to a continuous river system. Providing fish passage has potential to remedy these impacts, but few studies have directly quantified the effectiveness of fish passage for restoring genetic connectivity and increasing genetic diversity. The FishPass project on the Boardman River represents a unique opportunity to investigate this topic. Fish populations above the Union Street Dam have been isolated from Traverse Bay since the dam’s construction in 1867. The FishPass project will restore connectivity between the Boardman River and Traverse Bay, allowing species such as walleye, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, white sucker, and rock bass to access the upper reaches of the river. Collecting baseline genetic data from these species as well as eDNA water samples from sites above and below the dam will allow us to determine the genetic impact of fish passage on fish populations above the dam and investigate distribution patterns of species that are being passed. We hypothesize that decreases in genetic differentiation between populations above and below the dam and increases in genetic diversity of above dam populations will be detectable 5-10 years after fish passage has been initiated. However, it is likely that these effects will vary substantially by species due to differences in life history. We also hypothesize that eDNA will represent a useful tool for monitoring species diversity and distribution patterns.	Fish populations above the Union Street Dam on the Boardman River have been isolated from Traverse Bay since the dam’s construction in 1867, but fish passage will soon be implemented on the river. Collecting baseline genetic data from fish species as well as eDNA water samples from sites above and below the dam will allow us to determine the genetic impact of fish passage on fish populations above the dam and investigate distribution patterns of species that are being passed. This research is part of the FishPass project, a collaborative effort involving multiple state and federal agencies including the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Geological Survey, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Our research will help determine the impacts of fish passage on genetic structure and species diversity and will be used to inform fish passage strategies at the Union Street Dam and beyond.
Using genomic tools to investigate adaptive diversity in great lakes cisco	December 2019	The overall goal of the proposed research is to develop a genetic management plan for Great Lakes cisco that will include definition of conservation units based on neutral and adaptive differentiation as well as identification of suitable broodstock sources and stocking locations. Cisco restoration will likely represent a multidecadal effort with many successes and setbacks, similar to restoration of lake trout in the Great Lakes. It is vitally important to guide this restoration effort using the best data available to increase the probability of success while preventing irreparable damage to the genetic integrity of extant populations. The genetic management plan that we are proposing to create will provide an important guide for management agencies and will help to ensure that the adaptive diversity found within the vast array of cisco species and forms is maintained.	Cisco are an important forage fish species in the Great Lakes that have experienced significant population declines due to various factors such as changes in lake productivity and introductions of invasive species. Recently, resource management agencies have prioritized cisco restoration and are anxious to take action. Cisco species vary in a number of morphological characteristics, but it is unclear whether this variation corresponds to heritable genetic differences. Understanding the landscape of adaptive variation in cisco will help to inform future management and restoration efforts. This project is a collaboration between the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, USGS Great Lakes Science Center, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Little Traverse Band of Odawa Indians, and Laval University. The genetic data obtained here will be combined with the genetic linkage map that we are developing to improve our understanding of adaptive genetic differentiation in cisco across the Great Lakes. These data will help resource managers prioritize populations for conservation and choose broodstock for restoration efforts.
Using genetic tools to inform conservation of Wisconsin’s native brook trout	June 2019	Brook trout are an important native species in Wisconsin that provide numerous recreational fishing opportunities across the state. Stocking of brook trout has been occurring in Wisconsin since the 1800s, and many brook trout stocked in Wisconsin were derived from non-local sources or domesticated hatchery strains such as those developed in Nashua, New Hampshire. Previous research in our lab has shown that many populations distributed throughout the state contain genetic signatures consistent with domestic strains, including some that had previously been identified as wild. One notable example of this was the Ash Creek population, which was thought to be wild and had been previously used as a broodstock source but was found to contain signatures of domestic populations. This example demonstrates the importance of accurately identifying wild populations that can be used as broodstock sources. Successful propagation programs should also integrate knowledge of population structure across the landscape. Specifically, different broodstock sources should be identified for each genetic management unit across Wisconsin. While significant research has been conducted to identify broodstock sources in the southwest area of the state (southern driftless), little genetic research has been conducted on populations from other areas such as the central sands, northern driftless, and north woods	Brook trout are native to Wisconsin and provide a culturally valuable resource as well as significant recreational fisheries. Many populations of brook trout have been threatened due to overfishing, stocking, and variable thermal regimes. Stocking has been used to supplement native brook trout populations, but often little consideration was given to the genetic suitability and fitness of stocked fish. A through genetic study is needed to identify populations of wild and domestic origin. This project is a collaboration between the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources We will develop a comprehensive genetic baseline of brook trout population structure in Wisconsin. These data can be used to prioritize populations for conservation, determine which strains should be stocked where, and identify populations that are suitable broodstock sources.
Maximizing the capture of lake sturgeon and other species in the fish elevator on the Menominee River	December 2019	The lake sturgeon is a large, iconic, long-lived fish that is important to the economy and culture of Wisconsin. However, populations of lake sturgeon have decreased drastically over the past two centuries. This is due to a suite of factors including overfishing, habitat loss and fragmentation, and water quality degradation. While dams have numerous benefits, they also have drawbacks that can negatively influence lake sturgeon. Lake sturgeon have regular migrations associated with spawning and feeding that can be up to 330 km. Dams impede the historic travel corridors and due to the physiology and benthic orientation of lake sturgeon make conventional fish passage (e.g. fish ladders) inaccessible for these fish. There are knowledge gaps in lake sturgeon passage such as: behavior during migration, passage design, implementation and development of operation windows, and improving assessment and monitoring of passage efforts. Our objectives are: 1) Increase knowledge on lake sturgeon behaviors near dams and to improve efficiency of the Menominee River fish elevator. 2) Experiment what attraction flows, seasonality, photoperiod, scents, and retention modifications we can make to the elevator to improve capture and efficiency. 3) Develop of home ranges and life history characteristics for these populations using radio telemetry.	Populations of lake sturgeon have decreased drastically in over the past two centuries. This is due to a suite of factors including overfishing, habitat loss and fragmentation, and water quality degradation. Dams impede historic travel corridors and due to the physiology and benthic orientation of lake sturgeon make conventional fish passage (e.g. fish ladders) inaccessible for these fish.<br><br>The Menominee Dam on the Menominee River, Michigan and Wisconsin, is only 3.9 km upriver from Green Bay; therefore, a fish elevator was constructed in 2014 to capture, sort, and trap-and-transfer Lake Sturgeon upstream of the two lowest dams. This is the first elevator specifically targeting Lake Sturgeon.<br><br>This project is a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.<br><br>Our study goals are to provide guidelines for operating the elevator that will optimize Lake Sturgeon captures and offer information on behaviors near dams that may benefit other managers considering passage.
Evaluation of car counters and trail cameras for estimating angler effort on Wisconsin lakes	December 2019	Angler effort can affect the quality and long-term sustainability of fish. Angler effort is typically estimated using creel surveys, although surveys are rarely conducted on most lakes due to costs and logistics. When creel surveys are possible, small sample sizes (few interviews) may lead to large variance and poor confidence intervals associated with estimates of effort. The objective of this study was to determine if use of low-cost remote vehicle counters can be used to estimating trends in angler effort. During the spring of 2015, vehicle counters (n = 40) were buried at boat ramps throughout the state of Wisconsin. We compared vehicle counter results to boat ramp use determined from trail cameras deployed at 14 study lakes. Linear regression was used to evaluate relationships among estimates of boat ramp use (i.e., effort). Vehicle counters explained on average 77% of the variation in the number of boats using each lake. This suggests vehicle counters can be used to remotely monitor trends in angler effort on some water bodies. Vehicle counters could provide more accurate estimates of temporal trends in angler effort through continuous monitoring at many lakes compared to sporadic counts conducted during traditional creel surveys.	Angler effort can affect both the quality and long-term sustainability of exploited fish populations. <br><br>Angler effort is typically estimated using creel surveys, although surveys are rarely conducted on most lakes due to costs and logistics. When creel surveys are possible, small sample sizes (few interviews) may lead to large variance and poor confidence intervals associated with estimates of effort. Vehicle counters can be used to remotely monitor trends in angler effort on some water bodies, although the effectiveness of vehicle counters may be confounded by non-angler use and boat ramp design.<br><br>This research was a collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.<br><br>Vehicle counters could provide more accurate estimates of temporal trends in angler effort through continuous monitoring at many lakes compared to sporadic counts conducted during traditional creel surveys.
Predicting abundance of adult muskellunge in northern Wisconsin	June 2020	Most Wisconsin muskellunge Esox masquinongy populations occur within the Ceded Territory of northern Wisconsin, where mixed fisheries consisting of a recreational hook-and-line fishery and a tribal spearing fishery occur. Safe harvest levels for each population are based on estimates of adult muskellunge abundance. Estimates of adult muskellunge abundance used to establish safe harvest levels are obtained from mark-recapture surveys that are conducted on a few lakes over a two year interval. These estimates are considered valid estimates of abundance for up to two years after the initial marking of fish. If a recent population estimate is not available for an individual lake, a linear regression model is used to predict adult abundance from lake surface area using existing population estimates from all lakes. A similar approach is used to predict abundance of walleyes, but the amount of variation in adult abundance that is explained by lake surface area is much higher for walleyes than for muskellunge. Therefore, the objective of our study is to determine if alternative models can be used to explain greater variation in the abundance of adult muskellunge within northern Wisconsin lakes than the current linear model that relies solely on lake surface area as a predictor variable.	In the Ceded Territory of northern Wisconsin, muskellunge support important mixed fisheries consisting of a recreational hook-and-line fishery and a tribal spear fishery. Following methods developed for walleye, safe harvest levels for muskellunge populations are based on population abundance estimates that are considered valid for two years.<br><br>Muskellunge typically have lower rates of recruitment and mortality than walleye and populations may be stable for periods > two years. If muskellunge populations are temporally stable, safe harvest levels may be developed from population abundance estimated conducted on a basis less frequent than every two years and resources may be allocated to other priority research and management needs.<br><br>This project is a collaboration between the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and fishery managers with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.<br><br>Determining the temporal stability in adult muskellunge populations may allow for more efficient fisheries management in that safe harvest levels could be developed and resources could be allocated to other research and management needs. Additionally, growth and survival information gathered in this study will be used to inform management decisions that promote the sustainability of muskellunge populations in northern Wisconsin.
Comparison of lake sturgeon growth rates estimated from fin rays and mark-recapture	June 2018	Pectoral fin rays are commonly used as a non-lethal method for estimating age of lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens. While fin rays generally underestimate age of older lake sturgeon, fin rays could provide useful estimates of growth rate for younger fish within a population. Our objective was to determine if lake sturgeon growth rates estimated from fin rays were similar to growth rates observed from recaptures of lake sturgeon tagged with passive integrated transponders (PITs). Lake sturgeon were sampled in 2012-2013 via electrofishing on the Menominee River, where the Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources maintain a long-term PIT tagging program. Parameters from a von Bertalanffy growth model were used to describe growth rates estimated from fin rays (range of fin ray ages = 4 to 34). For recaptured fish, growth rates were quantified as change in length during time at large. Preliminary results suggest growth rates estimated from fin rays (mean = 1.18 in/yr) are substantially higher than rates observed from PIT tag recoveries (mean = 0.47 in/yr). This difference is consistent with underestimating lake sturgeon age from fin rays. Differences in growth rates between the two methods were inversely related to lake sturgeon total length, suggesting that fin ray growth estimates were more reliable for larger (≥ 50 in), older lake sturgeon, only because these fish were growing very slowly. Fin rays are probably not useful for estimating growth rates of lake sturgeon and we suggest that continued use of mark-recapture with PITs offers the best method for describing growth and survival in most lake sturgeon populations.	Pectoral fin rays are commonly used as a non-lethal method for estimating lake sturgeon age. Although fin rays generally underestimate age of older fish, because lake sturgeon grow slowly for much of their lives, fin rays may still be useful for describing growth. <br><br>A long-term PIT tagging program for lake sturgeon on the Menominee River provided the opportunity to compare true growth from mark-recapture sampling to growth rates estimated from pectoral fin rays. Growth rates estimated from fin rays were significantly greater than those observed from PIT recaptures, suggesting that fin rays have limited utility in estimating lake sturgeon growth rates. <br><br>This research is in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.<br><br>We suggest that continued use of mark-recapture with PITs offers the best method for describing growth in most lake sturgeon populations.
Developing a high-throughput SNP panel for walleye in Wisconsin and Minnesota	August 2019	Historically, stocking and management practices for walleye (Sander vitreus) have been based on estimates of spawning and recruitment success, which are typically informed by survey catch data. These management strategies are aimed at increasing the success of future recruitment by selectively protecting individuals belonging to life stages thought to play critical roles in reproductive success. Recruitment is more than a factor of just population size; it can be heavily influenced by genetic interactions within and among populations, with fitness being influenced by factors such as gene flow, genetic erosion, and outbreeding and inbreeding depression. Our research objective is to use restriction-site-associated DNA sequencing to genotype ~5,000 genetic markers in 20 populations of walleye from Wisconsin and Minnesota, from which, a panel of ~200 high quality SNP markers will be defined. Our SNP panel will allow for more cost and time effective stock evaluation and large-scale pedigree analysis, which will lead to more informed decision making and improved long-term management of inland walleye fisheries.	Walleye are one of the most highly sought after and harvested fish species in the upper Midwest. Walleye abundances have recently decreased in many northern lakes including those in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Genetic tools can be used to define management units for walleye, design more effective propagation programs for restoration, and conduct parentage analysis to understand walleye biology. This research will develop novel genetic tools and resources for walleye populations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. This project is a collaboration between researchers at the USGS Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and the Wisconsin and Minnesota Departments of Natural Resources. The genetic resources and tools developed here will be used to improve resolution of walleye management units and inform future stocking programs. For example, these data will be used to refine management units in the Upper Wisconsin, Upper Chippewa, and Upper Mississippi drainages.
Development of a genetic linkage map for cisco to facilitate integrated studies of adaptive managment	March 2018	Management agencies across the Great Lakes are taking advantage of the declines in the abundance of non-native forage species to try and restore a native forage base. Coregonines are an important part of the native food web. Broodstock for Cisco (Coregonus artedi) are being developed by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Understanding how the environment in a hatchery and in the wild will affect cisco morphology is important for the development of a broodstock and the success of any stocking program. An important component of studies designed to understand adaptive diversity in captive and wild stocks is a linkage map. This project will produce a linkage map that can be used in planned and ongoing projects to understand adaptive diversity of coregonines across the Great Lakes.	Cisco are an important forage fish species in the Great Lakes that have experienced significant population declines due to various factors such as changes in lake productivity and introductions of invasive species. Recently, resource management agencies have prioritized cisco restoration and are anxious to take action. Cisco species vary in a number of morphological characteristics, but it is unclear whether this variation corresponds to heritable genetic differences. Understanding the landscape of adaptive variation in cisco will help to inform future management and restoration efforts. This project is a collaboration between the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and the USGS Great Lakes Science Center. The genetic linkage map developed here will be used to understand adaptive genetic differentiation in cisco across the Great Lakes. These data will help resource managers prioritize populations for conservation and choose broodstock for restoration efforts.
Spawning site contribution and movements of lake whitefish in northwestern Lake Michigan	June 2021	Lake whitefish support important commercial and recreational fisheries on Lake Michigan, with the northern third of the lake supporting the majority of harvest. Genetic analyses indicate lake whitefish harvest in northwest Lake Michigan (zones WI-1, WI-2, WFM-00 and WFM-01) represents a mixed-stock fishery largely supported (≈ 75%) by fish assigned to Big Bay de Noc (BBDN) and Green Bay genetic stocks. Previous tagging suggested the BBDN stock spawned on reefs within BBDN and were usually recovered by the fishery in Green Bay north of Chambers Island or along the lake side of the Door Peninsula. Most fish from the Green Bay stock were thought to spawn on reefs along the lake side of Door Peninsula near North and Moonlight bays (NMB) and the majority of tags were recovered along both sides of the Door Peninsula. These studies suggest lake whitefish exhibit relatively high spawning site fidelity. However, inferring general movements from tags recovered in fisheries could be biased because fishing effort is unevenly distributed in time and space. Recruitment in both NMB and BBDN areas appears to be in decline. Conversely, whitefish assigning to multiple stocks now spawn in tributaries to Green Bay (primarily the Fox and Menominee rivers) where spawning had not occurred for nearly a century and these fish are rarely recovered outside of Green Bay (≈ 1%). Furthermore, age-0 lake whitefish are being captured in greater abundance at many locations, indicating population expansion, not decline. Wisconsin DNR has proposed actions to reduce harvest in the NMB area, but commercial fishers argue that whitefish behavior has changed, BBDN and NMB stocks are not functionally discrete, and recruitment failure is not occurring in Green Bay as a whole. Use of telemetry coupled with genomics will allow us to test current understanding of stock structure, stock-specific movements, and spatial distribution relative to fishing effort. We will also determine movements of tributary spawners, which have not been described in previous work. Use of telemetry and high-reward tags will also allow us to estimate mortality rates for these stocks, which are needed for determining safe harvest levels.	The Lake Whitefish fishery in northwestern Lake Michigan is comprised of multiple stocks and the movements of fish within those stocks is not well understood. <br><br>Previous studies suggested lake whitefish show relatively high spawning site fidelity, determining whether stocks are functionally discrete remains an important question for fishery managers. Additionally, lake whitefish assigning to multiple stocks now spawn in tributaries to Green Bay (primarily the Fox and Menominee rivers) where spawning had not been observed for nearly a century; the movements of these fish are largely unknown.<br><br>This project is a collaboration between multiple agencies including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Hammond Bay Biological Station and Michigan State University. <br><br>Use of acoustic telemetry coupled with genomics will allow us to test current understanding of lake whitefish stock structure and describe stock-specific movements and spatial distribution relative to fishing effort. Use of telemetry and high-reward tags will also allow us to estimate mortality rates for these stocks, which are needed for determining safe harvest levels.
Evaluation of muskellunge habitat use and suitability in Green Bay and tributaries	June 2021	The Wisconsin DNR is working to restore muskellunge in the Lower Fox River and Green Bay ecosystems. Natural reproduction of muskellunge is limited, so this effort largely relies on stocking juvenile fish. Defining habitat availability and selection are the first steps in implementing habitat improvements that can effectively benefit natural reproduction. Some previous research provides initial insights regarding potential muskellunge spawning habitat, but this work did not encompass all tributaries where spawning may occur, did not address spawning site selection in relation to stocking location, and did not verify that larvae emerged at putative spawning locations. Our primary objectives are to: 1) determine the proportion of muskellunge spawning in tributaries to lower Green Bay or in Green Bay proper; 2) determine if adults return to stocking locations to spawn; 3) define habitat conditions that result in successful hatching and 4) quantify the availability of viable spawning habitat in tributaries. Our goal is to provide resource agencies with specific recommendations for future habitat projects that have the greatest potential to increase natural reproduction of muskellunge. We will provide habitat maps depicting probability of muskellunge egg deposition and/or larval production. Specifically, we will identify those areas where the probability of these events might increase with changes to habitat conditions and we will also have identified what changes in conditions need to be made. Therefore, we will be able to provide recommendations regarding both the “where” and “how” aspects of future habitat improvements. Specific recommendations might include additions of woody cover, efforts to increase aquatic plant growth, flow/wave diversion and these recommendations could vary by location. After the project is complete, we hope to work with WDNR and other partners in providing guidance and information in developing new habitat improvement projects.	The Lower Fox River and Green Bay muskellunge population is largely supported by stocking because natural recruitment is limited, possibly due to habitat limitations. While previous work has identified potential spawning locations, it is unknown whether muskellunge hatch at these locations and habitat attributes associated with successful hatching have not been determined. <br><br>Identifying habitat conditions that result in the successful production of offspring is important for developing habitat improvement projects that aim to restore critical spawning habitat. Understanding muskellunge behavior will also help develop stocking strategies that aim to increase use of restored spawning habitat. <br><br>This project is a collaboration between multiple agencies including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and many local musky fishing clubs.<br><br>Our research should lead to better application of habitat improvement/restoration and stocking efforts designed to increase muskellunge abundance.
Evaluating methodologies for estimating age and growth of lake sturgeon	August 2019	Use of accurate age data is critical to effective fisheries management as age data are incorporated into population dynamics models to assess growth and mortality. Pectoral fin spines have been the preferred calcified structure used to estimate age of Lake Sturgeon due to their display of distinct, enumerable annuli and their non-lethal sampling. However, age estimates from pectoral fin spines typically underestimate the age of Lake Sturgeon >14 years of age (Bruch et al. 2009). Otoliths have been used to estimate sturgeon age, but sample collection requires the fish to be sacrificed and results have been variable. Bruch et al. (2009) validated age estimates derived from otoliths for Lake Sturgeon using bomb radio carbon dating, but results have been difficult to replicate. Application of other methods to evaluate age and growth through correction factors and mark recapture data have been limited, but a rich data set exists for Lake Sturgeon on the Winnebago System to evaluate these techniques. Our objective is to evaluate four different methodologies (otoliths, pectoral fin spines, corrected spines, and Fabens-Wang models) for assessing age and growth of Lake Sturgeon on the Winnebago System. Paired calcified structures (pectoral fin spines and otoliths) will be removed from known-age and non-known-age Lake Sturgeon harvested during the 2014-2019 spear fisheries. Structures will be processed and read by 3 or more readers to evaluate precision. Age estimates from each structure will be used to construct age bias plots to compare age estimates between structures and readers. We will also explore the feasibility of correction factors and modeling of mark-recapture data (Fabens [1965]-Wang [1998]) to estimate age and growth of Lake Sturgeon.	Age estimates from pectoral fin spines can underestimate the age of Lake Sturgeon and the use of otoliths requires the fish to be sacrificed and age estimates have been variable. <br><br>Application of other methods to evaluate age and growth through correction factors and mark recapture data have been limited, but a rich data set exists for Lake Sturgeon on the Winnebago System to evaluate these techniques.<br><br>This research is a collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.<br><br>The use of otoliths to augment the pectoral fine spine correction factor for lake sturgeon allows for a non-lethal method of estimating age in the future on a more globalized scale.
How many cooks in the kitchen? Evaluating the potential of DNA mixture models to infer counts from fish and wildlife genetic samples	October 2016	Evaluating the potential of DNA mixture models to infer counts from fish and wildlife genetic samples.	DNA from multiple sources is collected for a variety of applications including environmental DNA, diet samples, and non-invasive sampling of hair or feces. These samples are generally used to conduct species identification, but other important metrics could be gained using different analysis methods. <br><br>One important piece of information that could possibly be gleaned for these non-invasive DNA samples is number of individuals present. Development of new statistical methods and testing of these methods with simulations and lab studies is necessary before they can be used in larger ecological studies.<br><br>This project is a collaboration between the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, the New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit, and the California Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit.<br><br>The methods developed here will hopefully allow researchers to count the number of individuals present in a mixed-DNA sample. This technique can be used for a large number of applications including counting prey found in diet samples, individuals present in hair or feces samples, and individuals present in environmental DNA samples such as those used to detect rare or invasive species.
Electrofishing catchability of juvenile muskellunge in northern and southern Wisconsin lakes	December 2016	To assess the effectiveness of muskellunge stocking, biologists conduct electrofishing surveys in fall to estimate catch per effort (CPE) and relative contribution of stocked fish. Inherent assumptions of this sampling are that wild and stocked fish have equal probability of capture and that changes in CPE reflect changes in actual abundance. However, capture rates of age-0 muskellunge tend to be low for both wild and stocked fish, making it difficult to determine if electrofishing catch is a meaningful predictor of actual abundance. The goal of our study was to determine the effectiveness of electrofishing for capturing individual age-0 muskellunge by determining locations of stocked fish released into two lakes in northern Wisconsin. All stocked fish received a fin clip and at least 40 fish per lake were inserted with radio transmitters. All fish were released at a single boat ramp on each lake, which followed standard Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) protocols. Stocked muskellunge with transmitters were tracked weekly for one month after release. Fish were also sampled weekly using standard Wisconsin DNR electrofishing methods that included a single boat following single line transect around the shoreline of each lake. Comparing known locations of radio-tagged fish to the area sampled by the electrofishing boat revealed that most of the sampling effort was expended outside the area where stocked fish were located. Our initial results suggest that the majority of hatchery fish remained in the vicinity of the release location, with fish moving a max distance of 0.4 – 0.7 km on average away from the release location within four weeks of being stocked. Based on these results, biologists will be able to improve sampling protocols to evaluate muskellunge stocking success by stratifying sampling effort so that more time is spent sampling where the fish are located.	Boat electrofishing is often used to sample age-0 Muskellunge <i>Esox masquinongy</i> for<i> i</i>ndexing recruitment or evaluating stocking success. However, electrofishing samples typically result in low CPUE, prompting concerns regarding whether catch rates reflect actual abundance or whether boat electrofishing is generally ineffective for capturing age-0 Muskellunge (i.e., if fish are not being encountered by the gear). To address these concerns, we used radio telemetry to evaluate the probability of encountering stockedage-0 Muskellunge (230–350 mm TL) during standardized fall electrofishing surveys in three Wisconsin lakes. Our approach also allowed us to evaluate short-term survival and dispersal from stocking locations. Despite limited dispersal (<2.5 km) from the stocking locations and relatively high short-term survival (75–94%)of radio-tagged fish, few age-0 Muskellunge were located within the path of the electrofishing boat (7–30%). Furthermore, the probability of encounter by boat electrofishing varied by as much as 6.3 times among lakes. Differences in encounter probability among lakes appeared to be related to lake basin and habitat characteristics. Overlays of electrofishing sampling effort and fish locations revealed that traditional shoreline electrofishing may not be an effective way of estimating age-0 Muskellunge CPUE. Modifications to electrofishing protocols, including increased effort in offshore areas and consideration of basin characteristics and habitat, may be needed to increase encounter probabilities and the utility of boat electrofishing for sampling age-0 Muskellunge.
Assessment of walleye population characteristics in Stevens Point Flowage using passive integrated transponders	June 2016	The Wisconsin River supports some of Wisconsin’s most prominent walleye fisheries, but information on these populations is often lacking because of other sampling responsibilities. Our objectives are to use mark-recapture of walleyes implanted with passive integrated transponders (PITs) to develop population models that will allow us to estimate abundance, growth, and mortality metrics for walleyes in Stevens Point Flowage. Our larger goal is to determine whether this approach will be useful for other populations where annual sampling does not occur and sacrifice of fish for otoliths is not desirable.	None
Safe operating space for walleye: adapting inland recreational fisheries for climate change	May 2022	Climate change affects inland recreational fisheries by influencing lake thermal structure, water clarity, habitat, and other factors that influence economically valuable sport fishes. The Safe Operating Space (SOS) for a given fishery is the range of biophysical and social conditions that allows for self-sustaining populations of target species. Walleye, a socially and economically important sportfish across much of North America, is undergoing declines due to recruitment failures in many lakes throughout their range. Studies of the SOS for Walleye suggest that many factors are involved, including warming and changes in thermal structure, loss of habitat, increasing clarity (perhaps due to drought), and biotic interactions with other fish species. We propose research to identify mechanisms behind recruitment failures that will help inform rehabilitation of Walleye recruitment and populations. In a whole-lake experiment we will remove centrarchid fish species. In parallel, we will conduct a structured comparison of lakes with contrasting habitat and centrarchid densities to evaluate the effects of water clarity, growing degree days, and predation mortality on young-of-year growth and survivorship of Walleye. Results of these studies, in combination with simulation modeling and additional analyses of long-term data from lakes in Northern Wisconsin, will sharpen our understanding of the SOS for Walleye and inform a new vision for recreational fisheries management in a changing climate. Members of the research team work closely with fisheries managers, which will foster a regular exchange of information. Results will also be communicated to managers through regular management workshops, as well as technical papers in the scientific literature.	Global change, including large scale changes in climate, land use, hydrology, and biogeochemistry, creates unprecedented pressure on inland recreational fisheries. Local fish managers have little influence on these large-scale changes, but they can manipulate factors such as harvest, food web structure, and some features of habitat. <br><br>The Safe Operating Space (SOS) concept establishes a framework for analyzing a fishery in the context of both large-scale and local factors. Adaptation is the manipulation of local factors (such as harvest, food web structure, or habitat) to maintain the SOS of a fishery as the climate changes. <br><br>The project is a collaboration of researchers across multiple agencies and includes the National Climate Adaptation Science Center and UW-Madison Center for Limnology.<br><br>The research will use comparative studies, a whole-lake experiment, models, and synthesis of extant long-term data to quantify the walleye SOS over a diverse landscape with thousands of lakes. We will develop tools for classifying lakes with respect to the walleye SOS.
Brook trout movements in the west branch of the Wolf River, Wisconsin	June 2018	The West Branch of the Wolf River (WBWR) running downstream through the Menominee Reservation from the Bass Lakes to the mill pond in Neopit, Wisconsin, supports a naturally-reproducing population of native brook trout. The sustainability of this population is important because little is known regarding the movements of brook trout within this system and these movements could have important implications for brook trout management. In general, it is unknown whether brook trout utilize the entire river or if they generally remain within a single river segment. Additionally, within-river movements of brook trout may have increased following recent removal of two dams on the WBWR. Brook trout may also leave the river on a seasonal basis and enter the Bass Lake system, which provides deeper water and may represent important overwinter habitat. However, the Bass Lakes support several potential brook trout predators (e.g., northern pike, black bass) and non-native competitors (e.g., rainbow trout, kokanee salmon). The proportion of brook trout that enter the Bass Lake system and return to the WBWR is not known at this time. Brook trout can also leave the lower WBWR and enter the mill pond at Neopit. A rapids located upstream of the mill pond likely prevents upstream return of these fish to the WBWR, but the number of fish entering the pond is unknown. Consequently, both the Bass Lake system and the Neopit Mill Pond could act as sinks for the WBWR brook trout population. The objectives of our research are to determine if: 1) brook trout in the WBWR utilize multiple river segments during the year; 2) if a large percentage of brook trout enter the Bass Lakes and Neopit Mill Pond and 3) if most brook trout entering the Bass Lakes and Neopit Mill Pond do not return to the WBWR.	The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin removed two dams from the West Branch of the Wolf River (WBWR) in 2015. Very little is known about how the dam removals may have affected brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis movement and survival in the WBWR. <br><br>Brook trout are the only stream trout (technically, a charr) native to Wisconsin. The dam removals may have affected brook trout movements and survival by providing greater access to different portions of the river, including access to lacustrine habitats provided by Upper Bass Lake and the Neopit Mill Pond located at the upper and lower ends of the river segment. <br><br>The project is a collaboration of researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin. <br><br>Information on movement and survival will aid in management of the brook trout population in the WBWR and determine where future research should be focused.
Assessing neutral and adaptive differentiation in cisco populations across Wisconsin using RAD-sequencing	June 2017	Cisco are an important sentinel species that support recreational fisheries and are also prey items for game fish such as muskellunge and walleye. The WDNR has recently conducted a large survey of cisco populations in an effort to better understand the spatial distribution and population dynamics of this species in Wisconsin. The goal of the current project is to extend the WDNR survey work by investigating the spatial genetic structure of Cisco populations across Wisconsin. Cisco in Wisconsin also vary in a number of morphological characteristics and contain multiple morphotypes (dwarf and normal), making them an appealing model to study the genetic basis of adaptation.	Cisco are an important forage species in inland lakes that represent high energy food items for gamefish such as walleye, lake trout, and muskellunge. Cisco are also an indicator species that can signal when environmental conditions have deteriorated. Populations of cisco in Wisconsin have rarely been studied but represent an important state resource. Knowledge of the genetic population structure of this species is needed to inform future management efforts. This project is a collaboration between the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the Center for Limnology and UW-Madison. Data from this project will shed light on population structure of cisco across Wisconsin and will provide information on how cisco have adapted to differing thermal regimes. These data can be used to refine management units for these species and to understand how species adapt across variable thermal landscapes.
Investigating the relationship between gill lice prevalence and genetic diversity in brook trout across Wisconsin	June 2017	Gill lice are a major threat for brook trout populations throughout Wisconsin. Previous studies have suggested a link between genetic diversity and the prevalence of pathogens such as gill lice. Specifically, multiple studies have correlated pathogen prevalence with diversity at the genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) or with certain alleles at this gene. The MHC is an important component of the vertebrate immune system that is involved in the recognition of pathogens. Research on this gene over the last four decades has proven extremely fruitful and has often shown that certain MHC alleles are correlate with the presence/absence of certain pathogens. The overall goal of this research is to investigate the possible relationship between MHC variation and the prevalence of gill lice in brook trout.	Gill lice are a significant threat to native brook trout populations throughout Wisconsin. Interestingly, susceptibility to gill lice varies significantly across individuals and populations. Genetic factors such as genotypes at certain immune genes have been shown to be linked to pathogen susceptibility in other salmonids. A study on the genetic basis of gill lice susceptibility in brook trout is needed to understand gill lice dynamics across the landscape. This project is a collaboration between the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. If we find that certain genotypes are associated with gill lice resistance, brook trout with these genotypes could be incorporated into propagation programs. Brook trout resistant to gill lice could then be re-introduced in streams where they have been heavily impacted by this pathogen.
Genetic assessment of seven fish species above and below the Wisconsin River Dam at Prairie du Sac	June 2018	Water flow on the Wisconsin River is intensively controlled by dams to generate hydroelectric power or to regulate water levels in lakes, reservoirs, or flood events. These structures likely restrict or eliminate upstream/downstream fish movement, creating artificial barriers that result in habitat fragmentation and localized isolation of fish populations. Many riverine fish species move and/or migrate in search of food, suitable spawning habitat, or to meet seasonal habitat needs. Unfortunately, dams may separate these fish from resources and habitat they need to sustain the population, and can reduce gene flow between the isolated populations, potentially reducing genetic diversity and fitness. Therefore, these artificially fragmented river systems are of increasing concern to fish managers as the seclusion of local and migratory fish populations may contribute to a greater risk of population decline or extirpation. Downstream fish movement at Prairie du Sac is possible, and therefore some downstream transfer of genetic material from Lake Wisconsin to the lower Wisconsin River does occur. However, by blocking upstream migration of fish from the lower Wisconsin River into Lake Wisconsin, the dam prevents the transfer of genetic material from fish populations that reside below the dam to populations of the same species that reside above the dam. Therefore, conservation of genetic diversity is of great concern to species that remain present above and below Prairie du Sac Dam because a reduction in genetic diversity can lead to a reduction in the ability to adapt to selective pressures.	Dams significantly impact connectivity of aquatic species. This can lead to genetic consequences including increased inbreeding and loss of adaptive genetic diversity. The Prairie du Sac Dam on the lower Wisconsin River has prevented upstream migration of fish species since it constructed over 100 years ago. A genetic study is needed to determine the impacts this dam has had on genetic characteristics of important fish species. This project is a collaboration between the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This project will help to determine the genetic impact the Prairie du Sac dam has had on fish species that inhabit the Wisconsin River. This information will be used to design a fish passage strategy that will help to restore connectivity and prevent further genetic impacts.
Wild juvenile salmonid abundance and outmigration in Wisconsin tributaries to Lake Michigan	December 2018	Introduced salmonids (i.e., chinook and Coho salmon, rainbow and brown trout) support important recreational fisheries within the Lake Michigan ecosystem. These fisheries are primarily supported by stocking. However, some natural reproduction is known to occur within some tributary systems. Specifically, anadromous rainbow trout (i.e., steelhead) stocked into Lake Michigan are known to exhibit an adfluvial life history, migrating up tributaries for spawning. Wild offspring have been encountered in some of these tributaries, but it is not known whether these fish successfully outmigrate from these streams into larger tributaries or Lake Michigan. The primary objectives of our research are to determine if: 1) abundance of wild age-0 salmonids (primarily steelhead) varies among selected streams in relation to available habitat; 2) wild age-0 salmonids successfully outmigrate from Wisconsin tributaries into Lake Michigan or into larger tributaries and 3) potential bottlenecks related to stream temperature or annual flow regimes prevent successful outmigration from some streams. We will also compare mark-recapture methods used to estimate wild age-0 salmonid abundance to determine if a single sampling event following stocking of marked fish yields similar estimates to estimates derived from multiple sampling events.	While salmon fishing is popular in the open waters of Lake Michigan, the majority of anglers specifically targeting steelhead, fish in the tributaries of Lake Michigan. Management and research related to steelhead should focus on identifying the sources of fish that support these tributary fisheries. This research was a collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Relative to the total numbers of fish stocked and wild age-0 abundance in Michigan tributaries, the contribution of wild juvenile steelhead and Coho Salmon from Wisconsin tributaries to adult populations in Lake Michigan is likely minimal. Return of wild steelhead produced in these streams is probably insufficient to maintain fisheries within these streams.

Research Publications

Research Publications	Publication Date
Wilson-Rothering, A.E., S.V. Marquenski, D. Isermann, A. Thruman, K.L. Toohey-Kurth, and T.L. Goldberg. 2015. Seroprevalence and inter-epidemic persistence of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus in freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) from Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 53:2889-2894. \| Abstract	July 2015	Viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) is an emerging pathogen that causes mass mortality in multiple fish species. In 2007, the Great Lakes freshwater strain, type IVb, caused a large die-off of freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, USA. To evaluate the persistence and transmission of VHSV, freshwater drum from Lake Winnebago were tested for antibodies to the virus using recently developed virus neutralization (VN) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assays. Samples were also tested by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (rRT-PCR) to detect viral RNA. Of 548 serum samples tested, 44 (8.03%) were positive by VN (titers ranging from 1:16 to 1:1,024) and 45 (8.21%) were positive by ELISA, including 7 fish positive by both assays. Antibody prevalence increased with age and was higher in one northwestern area of Lake Winnebago than in other areas. Of 3,864 tissues sampled from 551 fish, 1 spleen and 1 kidney sample from a single adult female fish collected in the spring of 2012 tested positive for VHSV by rRT-PCR, and serum from the same fish tested positive by VN and ELISA. These results suggest that VHSV persists and viral transmission may be active in Lake Winnebago even in years following outbreaks and that wild fish may survive VHSV infection and maintain detectable antibody titers while harboring viral RNA. Influxes of immunologically naive juvenile fish through recruitment may reduce herd immunity, allow VHSV to persist, and drive superannual cycles of transmission that may sporadically manifest as fish kills.
Wills, P. S., R. J. Sheehan, R. Heidinger, B. L. Sloss, and R. Clevenstine. 2002. Differentiation of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon using an index based on meristics and morphometrics. In Biology, Management, and Protection of North American Sturgeon, Van Winkle, W., P. J. Anders, D. H. Secor, and D. A. Dixon (Editors). pp. 249-258. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD.	June 2002
Willis, D., and D. Isermann. 2014. Finding that academic position. Pages 59-66 in W.W. Taylor, A.J. Lynch, and N.J. Leonard, editors. Future of fisheries: perspectives for emerging professionals. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. \| Abstract	July 2014	Finding an academic position in the fisheries discipline can be challenging. Competition for such positions can be intense, and persistence often is necessary. Students should seek opportunities to enhance backgrounds in teaching, research and service to increase the likelihood of obtaining an academic position.
Wegleitner, E.W, and D.A. Isermann. 2017. Comparison of two viewing methods for estimating largemouth bass and walleye ages from sectioned otoliths and dorsal spines. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 37:1304-1310. DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/02755947.2017.1383324.	October 2017
Wegleitner, E., J. Raabe, D. Dembkowski, N. Legler, and D. Isermann. In Press. Wild juvenile salmonid abundance in Wisconsin tributaries indicates limited contributions to Lake Michigan fisheries. Journal of Great Lakes Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2021.10.005	December 2021
Waterhouse, M.D., B.L. Sloss, and D.A. Isermann. 2014. Relationships among demographics and genetic diversity for walleye populations in northern Wisconsin. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 143: 744-756. \| Abstract	May 2014	The maintenance of genetic integrity is an important goal of fisheries management, yet the influences of population demographics and management actions on genetic diversity remain poorly understood. Consequently, we examined relationships among population demographics (abundance, recruitment, sex ratio and mean age of the breeding population), stocking intensity, and measures of genetic diversity (heterozygosity, effective number of alleles, allelic richness, Wright’s inbreeding coefficient, mean d2, mean relatedness, and pair wise population φ-st estimates) for 15 northern Wisconsin walleye populations. We also tested for potential demographic and genetic influences on walleye body condition and growth. Combinations of demographic factors explained between 47.1% and 85.9% of the variation in genetic diversity estimates. Skewed sex ratios seemed to induce genetic drift by increasing relatedness among individuals within the population, leading to negative effects on allelic richness and early growth. Levels of inbreeding were negatively related to both age-0 abundance and mean age, indicating effective population size was influenced by recruitment and generational overlap. Stocking may have induced outbreeding depression by altering allelic frequencies, leading to a negative relationship between the effective number of alleles and body condition. The isolation- by-distance pattern of genetic diversity was present in non-stocked populations, but was disrupted in stocked populations, suggesting that stocking affected genetic structure. Overall, demographic factors appeared to influence genetic diversity and stocking appeared to alter allelic frequencies and the genetic structure of walleye in Wisconsin, possibly resulting in disruption of local adaptation.
VanDeHey, J.A., B.L. Sloss, P.J. Peeters, and T.M. Sutton. 2010. Determining the efficacy of microsatellite DNA-based mixed-stock analysis of Lake Michigan’s lake whitefish commercial fishery. Journal of Great Lakes Research 36:52-58. \| Abstract	June 2010	Management of commercially exploited fish should be conducted at the stock level. If a mixed stock fishery exists, a comprehensive mixed stock analysis is required for stock-based management. The lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis comprises the primary commercial fishery across the Great Lakes. Recent research resolved that six genetic stocks of lake whitefish were present in Lake Michigan, and long-term tagging data indicate that Lake Michigan's lake whitefish commercial fishery is a mixed stock fishery. The objective of this research was to determine the usefulness of microsatellite data for conducting comprehensive mixed stock analyses of the Lake Michigan lake whitefish commercial fishery. We used the individual assignment method as implemented in the program ONCOR to determine the accuracy level at which microsatellite data can reliably identify component populations or stocks. Self-assignment of lake whitefish to their population and stock of origin ranged from N96% to 100%. Evaluation of genetic stock discreteness indicated a moderately high degree of correct assignment (average=75%); simulations indicated supplementing baseline data by ∼50 to 100 individuals could increase accuracy by up to 4.5%. Simulated mixed stock commercial harvests with known stock composition showed a high degree of correct proportional assignment between observed and predicted harvest values. These data suggest that a comprehensive mixed stock analysis of Lake Michigan's lake whitefish commercial fishery is viable and would provide valuable information for improving management.
VanDeHey, J. A., B. L. Sloss, P. J. Peeters, and T. M. Sutton. 2009. Genetic stock structure of Lake Whitefish in Lake Michigan. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 66:382-393.	March 2009
Turnquist, K.N., W.A. Larson, J.M. Farrell, P.A. Hanchin, K.L. Kapuscinski, L.M. Miller, K.T. Scribner, C.C. Wilson, and B.L. Sloss. 2017. Genetic structure of muskellunge in the Great Lakes region and the effects of supplementation on genetic integrity of wild populations. Journal of Great Lakes Research.	October 2017
Turnquist, K.N., W.A. Larson, J.M. Farrell, K.L. Kapuscinski, L.M. Miller, K.T. Scribner, C.C. Wilson, and B.L. Sloss. Spatial genetic structure of muskellunge in the Great Lakes region and the effects of supplementation on genetic integrity of remnant stocks. Pages 477-482 in K.L. Kapuscinski, T.D. Simonson, D.P. Crane, S.J. Kerr, J.S. Diana, and J.M. Ferrell, editors. Muskellunge management: fifty years of cooperation among anglers, scientists, and fisheries biologists. American Fisheries Society, Symposium 85, Bethesda Maryland.	October 2017
Tingley, R. W., Hansen, J. F., Isermann, D. A., Fulton, D. C., Musch, A. and Paukert, C. P. (2019), Characterizing Angler Preferences for Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Walleye Fisheries in Wisconsin. North Am J Fish Manage 39:676-692. doi:10.1002/nafm.10301	May 2019
Sullivan, C.J., K.E. Whitlock, J.F. Hansen, and D.A. Isermann. 2020. Assessing the potential to mitigate climate-related expansion of largemouth bass populations using angler harvest. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 77:520-533. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2019-0035	January 2020
Sullivan, C.J., H.S. Embke, K.M. Perales, D.A. Isermann, S.R. Carpenter, and M.J. Vander Zanden. 2019. Comparison of Bluegill catch rates and total length distributions among four sampling gears in two Wisconsin lakes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10305	April 2019
Stott, W., J.A. VanDeHey, and B.L. Sloss. 2010. Genetic diversity of lake whitefish in Lakes Michigan and Huron; sampling, standardization, and research priorities. Journal of Great Lakes Research 36: 59-65. \| Abstract	June 2010	We combined data from two laboratories to increase the spatial extent of a genetic data set for lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis from lakes Huron and Michigan and saw that genetic diversity was greatest between lakes, but that there was also structuring within lakes. Low diversity among stocks may be a reflection of relatively recent colonization of the Great Lakes, but other factors such as recent population fluctuation and localized stresses such as lamprey predation or heavy exploitation may also have a homogenizing effect. Our data suggested that there is asymmetrical movement of lake whitefish between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan; more genotypes associated with Lake Michigan were observed in Lake Huron. Adding additional collections to the calibrated set will allow further examination of diversity in other Great Lakes, answer questions regarding movement among lakes, and estimate contributions of stocks to commercial yields. As the picture of genetic diversity and population structure of lake whitefish in the Great Lakes region emerges, we need to develop methods to combine data types to help identify important areas for biodiversity and thus conservation. Adding genetic data to existing models will increase the precision of predictions of the impacts of new stresses and changes in existing pressures on an ecologically and commercially important species.
Stepenuck, K. F., R. L. Crunkilton, M. A. Bozek, L. Wang. IN PRESS. Comparison of macroinvertebrate-derived stream quality metrics between snag and riffle habitats. Journal of American Water Resources 44(3): 670-678.	June 2008
Sonsthagen, S., R. Rosenfield, R. Murphy, A. Stewart, W. Stout, T. Driscoll, M.A. Bozek, B.L. Sloss, and S. Talbot. 2012. Genetic and morphological divergence among Cooper’s hawk populations breeding in north-central and western North America. The Auk 129:427-437. \| Abstract	July 2012	Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) populations breeding in the northern portion of the species’ range exhibit variation in morphological traits that conforms to predictions based on differences in prey size, tree stand density, and migratory behavior. We examined genetic structure and gene flow and compared divergence at morphological traits (PST) and genetic markers (FST) to elucidate mechanisms (selection or genetic drift) that promote morphological diversification among Cooper’s Hawk populations. Cooper’s Hawks appear to conform to the genetic pattern of an east–west divide. Populations in British Columbia are genetically differentiated from north-central populations (Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota; pairwise microsatellite FST = 0.031-0.050; mitochondrial DNA ΦST = 0.177-0.204), which suggests that Cooper’s Hawks were restricted to at least two Pleistocene glacial refugia. The strength of the Rocky Mountains–Great Plains area as a barrier to dispersal is further supported by restricted gene-flow rates between British Columbia and other sampled breeding populations. Divergence in morphological traits (PST) was also observed across study areas, but with British Columbia and North Dakota differentiated from Wisconsin and Minnesota, a pattern not predicted on the basis of FST and ΦST interpopulation estimates. Comparison of PST and FST estimates suggests that heterogeneous selection may be acting on Cooper’s Hawks in the northern portion of their distribution, which is consistent with hypotheses that variation in prey mass and migratory behavior among populations may be influencing overall body size and wing chord. We were unable to distinguish between the effects of genetic drift and selection on tail length in the study populations.
Snobl, Z.R., D.A. Isermann, R.P. Koenigs, J.K. Raabe. 2017. Relative sampling efficiency and movements of subadult lake sturgeon in the Lower Wolf River, Wisconsin. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 146:5, 1070-1080, DOI: 10.1080/00028487.2017.1334703.	July 2017
Sloss, B.L., R. Klumb, and E.J. Heist. 2009. Genetic Conservation and Paddlefish Propagation. Pages 307-327 in: C.P. Paukert and G.D. Scholten eds. Paddlefish Management, Propagation, and Conservation in the 21st Century. American Fisheries Society Symposium 66. Bethesda, Maryland. 443p.	January 2009
Sloss, B.L., G.W. Schuurman, R.A. Paloski, O.D. Boyle, J.M. Kapfer. 2012. Novel microsatellite loci for studies of Thamnophis gartersnake genetic identity and hybridization. Conservation Genetics Resources 4:383-386. \| Abstract	June 2012	Butler’s Gartersnakes (BGS; Thamnophis butleri) are confined to open and semi-open canopy wetlands and adjacent uplands, habitats under threat of development in Wisconsin. To address issues of species identity and putative hybridization with congeneric snakes, a suite of 18 microsatellite loci capable of cross-species amplification of Plains Gartersnakes (T. radix) and Common Gartersnakes (T. sirtalis). All loci were polymorphic in BGS with mean number of alleles per locus of 16.11 (range = 3-41) and mean observed heterozygosity of 0.659 (range = 0.311-0.978). Loci amplified efficiently in the congeneric species with high levels of intra- and inter-specific variation. These loci will aid ongoing efforts to effectively identify and manage BGS in Wisconsin.
Sloss, B. L., and N. Billington. 2003. Molecular phylogenetics of Etheostomatinae (Teleostei, Percidae): insights from combining cytochrome b and 12S ribosomal RNA mitochondrial DNA variation. The Proceedings of Percis III. Wisconsin Sea Grant Special Publication.	August 2004
Sloss, B. L., R. P. Franckowiak, and E. L. Murphy. 2008. Development of new microsatellite loci and multiplex reactions for muskellunge (Esox masquinongy). Molecular Ecology Notes 811-813.	July 2008
Sloss, B. L., N. Billington, and B. M. Burr. 2004. A molecular phylogeny of the Percidae (Teleostei, Perciformes) based on mitochondrial DNA sequence. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 32:545-562.	August 2004
Sloss, B. L., M. J. Jennings, R. Franckowiak, and D. M. Pratt. 2008. Genetic identity of brook trout in Lake Superior south shore streams: potential for genetic monitoring of stocking and rehabilitation efforts. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 137:1244-1251.	July 2008
Shi, Y., J.J. Homola, P.T. Euclide, D.A. Isermann, D.C. Caroffino, M.V. McPhee, and W.A. Larson. 2022. High-density genomic data reveal fine-scale population structure and pronounced islands of adaptive divergence in lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) from Lake Michigan. Evolutionary Applications. https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13475	August 2022
Sheffer, R.J., S.R. Hogler, and D.A. Isermann. Submitted. Mark-recapture models accurately predict growth trajectories of known-age muskellunge in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10757	February 2022
Sethi S.A., W. Larson, K. Turnquist, and D. Isermann. 2018. Estimating the number of contributors to DNA mixtures provides a novel tool for ecology. Methods in Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.13079 \| Abstract	January 2019	1. Mixtures of DNA from multiple contributors present a novel opportunity to count individuals to inform fish and wildlife ecology. 2. We apply a likelihood based framework to estimate the number of contributors to a DNA mixture for ecological applications. We then assess the performance of DNA mixture estimation through a combination of simulation analyses, laboratory testing, and a field trial to estimate fish predation rates from stomach content analysis. 3. Simulations indicated reasonably sized genetic marker panels could estimate the number of contributors to mixtures comprised of up to 10 individuals, with potential to resolve larger mixtures with additional markers. Mixture estimates demonstrated robustness to common genotyping errors associated with fish and wildlife genetics applications. Laboratory trials demonstrated that DNA combined from multiple yellow perch (Perca flavescens) could be successfully genotyped with a 14-loci microsatellite panel and led to successful estimation for up to 5-contributor mixtures. Stomach content analysis with DNA mixtures indicated a 5-fold increase in estimated predation rates of yellow perch by largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) relative to conventional visual assessment of diet contents which can miss partially digested prey items. 4. DNA mixtures have potential to expand applications of count-based ecological analyses. Technical challenges in generating genotypes from DNA mixtures may initially limit their use, however, advances in next generation genotyping platforms are anticipated to surmount these obstacles. Chiefly, we envision opportunity for DNA mixtures to advance eDNA analysis beyond presence/absence based inference to enumeration of specimens.
Schrey, A. W., B. L. Sloss, R. J. Sheehan, R. C. Heidinger and E. J. Heist. 2007. Genetic discrimination of Middle Mississippi River Scaphirhynchus sturgeon into pallid, shovelnose, and putative hybrids with multiple microsatellite loci. Conservation Genetics 8:683-693.	June 2007
Saunders, R., M. A Bozek, C. J. Edwards, and M. J. Jennings, and S. P Newman. 2002. Habitat features affecting smallmouth bass nesting success in four northern Wisconsin lakes. Pages 119-130 in: M. S. Ridgway and D. P. Philipp, eds. Black bass: ecology, conservation, and management. American Fisheries Society Special Publication. Bethesda, Maryland.	October 2002
Sass, L.L., M.A. Bozek, J.A. Hauxwell, K. Wagner, S. Knight. 2010. The response of aquatic macrophytes to human perturbations in the watersheds of Wisconsin lakes, U.S.A. Aquatic Botany 93: 1-8.	July 2010
Santo Domingo, J. W., M. C. Meckes, J. M. Simpson, B. Sloss, and D. J. Reasoner. 2003. Molecular characterization of bacteria inhabiting a water distribution system simulator. Water Science and Technology 47(5):147-154.	September 2003
Rosenfield, R.N., S.J. Taft, W.E. Stout, T.G. Driscoll, D.L. Evans, and M.A. Bozek. 2009. Low prevalence of Trichomonas gallinae in urban and migratory cooper’s hawks in north central North America. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 121:641-644.	October 2009
Rosenfield, R.N., L.J. Rosenfield, J. Bielefeldt, R.K. Murphy, A.C. Stewart, W.E. Stout, T.G. Driscoll, and M.A. Bozek. 2010. Comparative morphology of northern populations of breeding cooper’s hawks. The Condor 112: 347-355.	May 2010
Rosenfield, R.N., J. Bielefeldt, L.J. Rosenfield, T.L. Booms, and M.A. Bozek. 2009. Survival rates and lifetime reproduction in breeding male cooper’s hawks in Wisconsin, 1980-2005. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 121: 610-617.	October 2009
Rosenfield, R. N., T. G. Driscoll, R. P. Franckowiak, L. J. Rosenfield, B. L. Sloss, and M. A. Bozek. 2007. Genetic analysis confirms first record of polygyny in Cooper's Hawks. Journal of Raptor Research 41:230-234.	September 2007
Rosenfield, R. N., J. Bielefeldt, L. J. Rosenfield, A. C. Stewart, R. K. Murphy, D. A. Grosshuesch, and M. A. Bozek. 2003. Comparative relationships among eye color, age, and sex in three North American populations of Cooper's hawks. Wilson Bulletin 115(3):225-230.	October 2003
Rosenfield, R. N., J. Bielefeldt, L. J. Rosenfield, A. C. Steware, M. P. Nenneman, R. K. Murphy, and M. A. Bozek. 2007. Variation in reproductive indices in three populations of cooper?s hawks. Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 119:181-188.	September 2006
Richter, J.T., B.L. Sloss, and D.A. Isermann. 2016. Validation of side-scan sonar for quantifying Walleye spawning habitat availability in the littoral zone of northern Wisconsin lakes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 36: 942-950.	July 2016
Reed, K., L. Izzo, T. Binder, T. Hayden, D. Dembkowski, S. Hansen, D. Caroffino, C. Vandergoot, C. Krueger, and D. Isermann. 2023. Initial insights on the thermal ecology of Lake Whitefish in northwestern Lake Michigan. Journal of Great Lakes Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2023.03.002	June 2023
Quist, M.C. and D.A. Isermann, editors. 2017. Age and growth of fishes: principles and techniques. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	July 2017
Quinn, J., M. Bozek, D. Brosnan, H. Jager, and D. Secor. 2005. Independent Science Review of the Pallid Sturgeon Assessment Program: Sustainable Ecosystems Institute. Portland, Oregon. 80 p.	February 2005
Probst, J. R., D. M. Donner, and M. A. Bozek. 2007. Continuous, age-related plumage variation in male Kirtland?s Warblers. Journal of Field Ornithology. 78(1)100-108.	November 2006
Picard, C. R., M. A. Bozek, and W. T. Momot. 2003. Effectiveness of using summer thermal indices to classify brook trout streams in northern Ontario. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 23:206-215.	September 2003
Ogle, D.H., and D.A. Isermann. 2017. Estimating age at a specified length from the von Bertalanffy growth function. North American Journal of Fisheries Managment, 37:5, 1176-1180, DOI: 10.1080/02755974.2017.1342725.	September 2017
Noring, A.M., G.G. Sass, S.R. Midway, J.A. VanDeHey, J.K. Raabe, D.A. Isermann, J.M. Kampa, T.P. Parks, J. Lyons, and M.J. Jennings. 2021. Pelagic forage versus abiotic factors as drivers of walleye growth in northern Wisconsin lakes. In Jared Meyers (Ed), Biology and Management of Coregonid Fishes - 2017: 13th International Symposium on the Biology and Management of Coregonid Fishes, Bayfield, USA (p 207-223). Schweizerbart Science Publishers.	December 2021
Niemuth, N., M. A. Bozek, and N. F. Payne. 2004. Management concerns of intermountain-west palustrine habitats. Pages 154-184 in M. C. McKinstry, W. A. Hubert, and S. H. Anderson, (editors), Wetland and Riparian areas of the Intermountain West: Ecology and Management. University of Texas Press, Austin. 330 pp.	April 2004
Newbrey, M. G., and M. A. Bozek. 2003. Age, growth, and mortality of Joffrichthys triangulpterus (Teleostei: Osteoglossidae) from the Paleocene Sentinel Butte Formation, North Dakota, USA. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 23(3):494-500.	September 2003
Newbrey, M. G., and M. A. Bozek. 2000. A New Species of Joffrichthys (Teleostei: Osteoglossidae) from the Sentinel Butte Formation, (Paleocene) of North Dakota, USA. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 20:6-14.	January 2000
Newbrey, M. G., M. A, Bozek, M. J. Jennings, and J. Cook. 2005. Branching complexity and morphological characteristics of coarse woody structure as lacustrine fish habitat. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 62: 3010-3023.	September 2005
Newbrey, J. L., M. A. Bozek, and N. D. Niemuth. 2005. Effects of lake characteristics and human disturbance on the presence of piscivorous birds in northern Wisconsin, U. S. A. Waterbirds 28(4): 478-486.	October 2005
Nate, N. A., M. A. Bozek, M. J. Hansen, and S. W. Hewett. 2001. Variation of adult walleye abundance in relation to recruitment and limnological variables in northern Wisconsin lakes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 21: 441-447.	January 2001
Nate, N. A., M. A. Bozek, M. J. Hansen, and S. W. Hewett. 2000. Variation in walleye abundance with lake surface area and recruitment source. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 20:107-114.	January 2000
Nate, N. A., M. A. Bozek, M. J. Hansen, C. W. Ramm, M. T. Bremigan, and S. W. Hewett. 2003. Predicting the occurence and success of walleye populations from physical and biological features of northern Wisconsin lakes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 12:1206-1213.	October 2003
Moyer, G. M., B. L. Sloss, B. Kreiser, and K. Feldheim. 2009. Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci for Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula) and their variability in two other species (Lepisosteus oculatus and L. osseus) of Lepisosteidae. Molecular Ecology Resources 9:963-966.	May 2009
Mosel, K.J., D.A. Isermann, and J.F. Hansen. 2015. Evaluation of daily creel and minimum length limits for Black Crappies and Yellow Perch in Wisconsin. North American Journal of Fisheries Managment 35:1-13. \| Abstract	January 2015	Harvest regulations for Black Crappies Pomoxis nigromaculatus and Yellow Perch Perca flavescens fisheries in the northern USA and Canada have not been thoroughly evaluated and specific guidance regarding where minimum length limits (MLLs) might improve these fisheries is lacking. We determined if species-specific reductions in daily creel limits or MLLs could reduce harvest and improve yield and the mean total length (TL) of Yellow Perch and Black Crappies harvested by Wisconsin anglers. Harvest data from creel surveys indicated that most Wisconsin anglers did not harvest a Black Crappie (95%) or Yellow Perch (94%), and only a few anglers harvested a daily creel limit of 25 Yellow Perch (0.12%) or Black Crappies (0.04%). Daily creel limits would need to be ˂ 7 Black Crappies and ˂ 8 Yellow Perch per day to reduce harvest by 25% or more. Statewide MLLs would need to be ≥ 229-mm for Black Crappies and ≥ 203-mm for Yellow Perch to reduce harvest by 25% or more, but predicted responses to MLLs varied among simulated populations in relation to growth and mortality. In general, MLLs were not predicted to improve yield for these fisheries, but could improve mean TL of harvested fish. However, increases in mean TL of harvested fish ≥ 25 mm were only observed under 254- and 279-mm MLLs and our modeling suggested that anglers would have to accept large reductions in harvest (≥ 40%) to achieve these improvements. A 229-mm MLL offered a more equitable trade-off between improvements in the mean TL of harvested fish (11-21 mm improvements) and reductions in harvest (22-37% reductions). Our modeling results provide a framework for resource agencies to make more informed decisions regarding the implementation of harvest regulations for these fisheries, but information regarding angler preferences is needed for establishing appropriate management objectives and selecting harvest regulations.
Meek, M., and W. Larson. 2019. The future is now: Amplicon sequencing and sequence capture usher in the conservation genomics era. Molecular Ecology Resources. https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.12998	January 2019
Meehan, T. D., R. N. Rosenfield, V. N. Atudorei, J. Bielefeldt, L. J. Rosenfield, A. C. Stewart, W. E. Stout, and M. A. Bozek. 2003. Variation in hydrogen stable-isotope ratios between and nestling cooper's hawks. Condor 105:567:572.	March 2003
Meece, J.K., J.L. Anderson, S. Gruszka, B.L. Sloss, B. Sullivan, and K.D. Reed. 2013. Variation in clinical phenotype of human infection among genetic groups of Blastomyces dermatitidis. Journal of Infectious Diseases 207:814-822.	March 2013
Meece, J.K., J.L. Anderson, M.C. Fisher, D.A. Henk, B.L. Sloss, and K.D. Reed. 2011. Population genetic structure of clinical and environmental isolates of Blastomyces dermatitidis based on 27 polymorphic microsatellite markders. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 77: 5123-5131.	June 2011
McKinney, Garrett J., W.A. Larson, L.W. Seeb, J.E. Seeb. FSP. 2016. RADseq provides unprecedented insights into molecular ecology and evolutionary genetics: comment on Breaking RAD by Lowry et al. (2016). Molecular Ecology Resources. \| Abstract	December 2016	In their recently corrected manuscript, “Breaking RAD: An evaluation of the utility of restriction site associated DNA sequencing for genome scans of adaptation”, Lowry et al. argue that genome scans using RADseq will miss many loci under selection due to a combination of sparse marker density and low levels of linkage disequilibrium inmost species. We agree that marker density and levels of LD are important considerations when designing a RADseq study; however, we dispute that RAD-based genome scans are as prone to failure as Lowry et al. suggest. Their arguments ignore the ﬂexible nature of RADseq; the availability of different restriction enzymes and capacity for combining restriction enzymes ensures that a well-designed study should be able to generate enough markers for efﬁcient genome coverage. We further believe that simplifying assumptions about linkage disequilibrium in their simulations are invalid in many species. Finally, it is important to note that the alternative methods proposed by Lowryet al. have limitations equal to or greater than RADseq. The wealth of studies with positive impactful ﬁndings that have used RAD genome scans instead supports the argument that properly conducted RAD genome scans are an effective method for gaining insight into ecology and evolution, particularly for non-model organisms and those with large or complex genomes.
Madenjian, C.P., D. Dembkowski, D. Isermann, S. Batterman, S. Chernyak, S. Cogswell, M. Holey. 2019. Absence of PCB hot spot effect in walleye Sander vitreus from Lower Green Bay of Lake Michigan. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology doi.org/10.1007/s00244-018-00591-9.	January 2019
Larson, W.A., Y. Palti, G. Gao, K.I. Warheit, and J.E. Seeb. 2017. Rapid discovery of SNPs that differentiate hatchery steelhead trout from ESA-listed natural-origin steelhead trout using a 57K SNP array. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 75: 1160-1168. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2017-0116	October 2017
Larson, W.A., T.H. Dann, M.T. Limborg, G.J. McKinney, J.E. Seeb, L.W. Seeb. 2019. Parallel signatures of selection at genomic islands of divergence and the major histocompatibility complex in ecotypes of sockeye salmon across Alaska. Molecular Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15082	March 2019
Larson, W.A., D.A. Isermann, Z.S. Feiner. 2020. Incomplete bioinformatic filtering and inadequate age and growth analysis lead to an incorrect inference of harvested-induced changes: a comment on Bowles et al. (2020). Evolutionary Applications. DOI: 10.1111/eva.13122.	September 2020
Krebs, J.E., E.J. Brandt, D.J. Dembkowski, D.A. Isermann. 2021. Relative effectiveness of D-Frame dip nets, quatrefoil light traps, and towed ichthyoplankton nets for larval Muskellunge. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10645	June 2021
Koenigs, R.P., D.J. Dembkowski, C.D. Lovell, D.A. Isermann, and A. Nickel. 2020. Diets of Double-crested Cormorants in the Winnebago System, Wisconsin. Fisheries Management and Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/fme.12466 \| Download	August 2020
Koenig, L.D., D.J. Dembkowski, S.P. Hansen, I. Tsehave, T.J. Paoli, T.G. Zorn, and D.A. Isermann. 2022. Diet composition and overlap for walleye, lake whitefish, and yellow perch in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. Journal of Great Lakes Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2022.09.005	December 2022
Klumb, R. A., M. A. Bozek, and R. V. Frie. 1999. Proportionality of body to scale growth: validation of two back-calculation models with individually-tagged and recaptured smallmouth bass and walleye. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 128:815-831.	November 1999
Klumb, R. A., M. A. Bozek, R. V. Frie. 2001. Validation of three back-calculation models by using multiple oxytetracycline marks formed in the otoliths and scales of bluegill x green sunfish hybrids. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 58: 352-364.	January 2001
Kerns, J.A., D.A. Isermann, T.D. Simonson, J.M. Hennessy, G. Hansen, and T.A. Cichosz. 2017. Pages 489-502 in K.L. Kapuscinski, T.D. Simonson, D.P. Crane, S.J. Kerr, J.S. Diana, and J.M. Ferrell, editors. Muskellunge management: fifty years of cooperation among anglers, scientists, and fisheries biologists. American Fisheries Society, Symposium 85, Bethesda Maryland.	October 2017
Kerkhove, A.M., A. Trudeau, O.P. Jensen, D.A. Isermann, P.A. Dombrowski, A.M. Latimer, and Z.S. Feiner. 2024. Understanding the role of recreational angling technology in angler expectations of catch, trip catch and angler satisfaction. Fisheries. doi:10.1002/fsh.11157	September 2024
Kelling, C.J., D.A. Isermann, B.L. Sloss, and K.N. Turnquist. 2016. Diet overlap and predation between largemouth bass and walleye in Wisconsin lakes using DNA barcoding to improve taxonomic resolution. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 36:3, 621-629. \| Abstract	May 2016	Over the last decade, largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides abundance has increased in many lakes in the northern USA and Canada, causing concern among anglers and biologists regarding the potential for largemouth bass to negatively affect walleye Sander vitreus populations through predation or competition for prey resources. Our objective was to determine if diet overlap and predation occurred between adult walleye and largemouth bass in four northern Wisconsin lakes. Stomach contents were collected from largemouth bass and walleyes on each lake and a combination of visual identification and DNA barcoding was utilized to assess diet composition. A single occurrence of walleye predation was observed in the diets of 945 largemouth bass. Moderate to high diet overlap was observed between largemouth bass and walleye throughout much of the study period. Largemouth bass predation is probably not a primary factor affecting walleye abundance in the four study lakes we selected, but high diet overlap values suggest potential for competition between the two species.
Kapuscinski, K.L., B.L. Sloss, and J.M. Farrell. 2013. Genetic population structure of muskellunge in the Great Lakes. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 142:1075-1089. \| Abstract	July 2013	We quantified genetic relationships among muskellunge Esox masquinongy from 15 locations in the Great Lakes to determine the extent and distribution of measurable population structure and to identify appropriate spatial scales for fishery management and genetic conservation. We hypothesized that muskellunge from each area represented genetically distinct populations, which would be evident from analyses of genotype data. A total of 691 muskellunge were sampled (n = 10-127/site) and genetic data was collected at 13 microsatellite loci. Results from a suite of analyses (including pairwise genetic differentiation, Bayesian admixture prediction, analysis of molecular variance, and tests of isolation by distance) indicated the presence of nine distinct genetic groups, including two that were approximately km apart. Geographic proximity and low habitat complexity seemed to facilitate genetic similarity among areas, whereas muskellunge from areas of greater habitat heterogeneity exhibited high differentiation. Muskellunge from most areas contained private alleles, and mean within-area genetic variation was similar to that reported for other freshwater fishes. Management programs aimed at conserving the broader diversity and long-term sustainability of muskellunge should consider the genetically distinct groups as independent fisheries, and individual spawning and nursery habitats should be protected to conserve the evolutionary potential of muskellunge.
Kapfer, J.M., B.L. Sloss, G.W. Schuurman, R.A. Paloski, and J.M. Lorch. 2013. Evidence of hybridization between common gartersnakes and Butler's gartersnakes in Wisconsin (USA). Journal of Herpetology 47:400-405. \| Abstract	August 2013	Snakes within the genus Thamnophis(Gartersnakes and Ribbonsnakes) are often found in sympatry throughout their geographic distributions. Past work has indicated that some sympatric species within this genus may hybridize, but research of this nature is limited. We attempted to determine whether hybridization occurs between two Thamnophis species native to the upper midwestern United States: Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) and the Butler’s Gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri). We sampled snakes (n = 411) across 26 locations in Wisconsin, including sites where both species coexist and sites where only Common Gartersnakes are found. We conducted genetic analyses on tissue collected from individuals field-identified as Common Gartersnakes or Butler’s Gartersnakes. To verify the results of our field-collected data, we analyzed tissues from juvenile snakes (n = 4) suspected to be the offspring of a Common Gartersnake and a Butler’s Gartersnake that were housed together in a captive situation. Of the field-collected snakes analyzed, eight snakes were consistent with expected Common · Butler’s Gartersnake hybrids. All four of the captive offspring analyzed resolved as putative hybrids, corresponding with our field-collected samples. Butler’s Gartersnake is a globally rare species, endemic only to the upper midwestern United States. Studies involving the potential for hybridization between common and uncommon species are useful from a conservation perspective. The low incidence of hybridization we observed would indicate that hybridization between these species is uncommon. Further research investigating rates of hybridization would help assess any potential threat posed by outbreeding between common and rare gartersnakes in this region of the United States.
Jester, L., M. A. Bozek, D. R. Helsel, and S. P. Sheldon. 2001 Euhrychiopsis lecontei distribution, abundance, and experimental augmentation for Eurasian watermilfoil in Wisconsin lakes. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 38: 88-97.	January 2001
Jennings, M.J., B.L. Sloss, G.R. Hatzenbeler, J.M. Kampa, T.D. Simonson, S.P. Avelallemant, G.A. Lindenberger, and B.D. Underwood. 2010. Implementation of genetic conservation practices in a muskellunge propagation and stocking program. Fisheries 35: 388-395.	August 2010
Jennings, M. J., G. R. Hatzenbeler, M. A. Bozek, and C. E. Edwards. 2009. Natural and human influences on fish species richness in small north temperate lakes: Implications for bioassessment. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 24:7-18.	March 2009
Jennings, M. J., E. E. Edwards, G. R. Hatzenbeler, C. E. Edwards, and M. A. Bozek. 2003. Is littoral habitat affected by residential development and land-use changes in watersheds of Wisconsin lakes? Lake and Reservoir Management 19 (3):272-279.	December 2003
Jennings, C.A., B. L. Sloss, B. A. Lasee, G. J. Burtle, and G. R. Moyer. 2013. Care, Handling, and Examination of Sampled Organisms. pp163-221 in A. V. Zale, D. L. Parrish, and T. M. Sutton, editors. Fisheries Techniques 3rd Edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD.	January 2013
Izzo, L.K., D.D. Dembkowski, T. Hayden, T. Binder, C. Vandergoot, S. Hogler, M. Donofrio, T. Zorn, C. Krueger, D. Isermann. 2023. Spawning locations, movements, and potential for stock mixing of Walleye in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10883	May 2023
Isermann, D.A., M.J. Belnap, K. Turnquist, B.L. Sloss, J.A. VanDeHey, S.P. Hansen, and D. Caroffino. 2020. Defining the need for genetic stock assignment when describing stock demographics and dynamics: an example using lake whitefish in Lake Michigan. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 149:398-413. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10235	May 2020
Isermann, D.A., J.K. Raabe, E.G. Easterly, J.C. Schulze, N.J. Porter, D.J. Dembkowski, M.C. Donofrio, D.R. Kramer, and R.F. Elliot. 2022. Lake Sturgeon movement after trap and transfer around two dams on the Menominee River, Wisconsin-Michigan. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10379	August 2022
Isermann, D.A., J.J. Breeggemann, and T.J. Paoli. 2018. Evaluation of anal fin spines, otoliths, and scales for estimating age and back-calculated lengths of yellow perch in Southern Green Bay. Journal of Great Lakes Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2018.06.002	June 2018
Isermann, D.A., H. Embke, J. Vander Zanden, S. Carpenter, D. Dembkowski, G. Coppola, and C. Sullivan. 2022. A Safe Operating Space for Walleye: Adapting Inland Recreational Fisheries for Climate Change. Final Report.	August 2022
Isermann, D.A. Submitted. Regulation and Recovery: Conserving North America’s Sauger Populations. In-Fisherman.	February 2021
Isermann, D.A. 2021. USGS-Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit Contribution to Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts Fisheries Working Group Report. Expansion of largemouth bass in Wisconsin lakes. Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts Fisheries Working Group Report which is produced on a periodic basis.	February 2022
Isermann D.A., and R.P. Davis. 2024. Supply-and-demand dynamics associated with using stocking to maintain Walleye fisheries in the face of climate change. Final Report.	June 2024
Homola, J.J. and J.M. Vander Zanden. 2022. USGS-Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit Contribution to Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts Fisheries Working Group Report. Climate change will amplify the spread and impact of aquatic invasive species in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts Fisheries Working Group Report which is produced on a periodic basis.	February 2022
Hatzenbeler, G. R., M. A. Bozek, and M. J. Jennings. 2000. Seasonal variation in fish assemblages structure and habitat structure in the nearshore littoral zone of north temperate lakes. North American Journal of Fish Management 20:360-368.	January 2000
Hansen, G.J.A., J. Ruzich, C.A Krabbenhoft, H. Kudel, S. Mahlum, C.I. Rounds, A.O. Van Pelt, L.D. Eslinger, D.E. Logsdon, D.A. Isermann. 2022. It’s complicated and it depends: A review of the effects of ecosystem changes on Walleye and Yellow Perch populations in North America. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10741	January 2022
Haglund, J.M, and D.A. Isermann. 2016. Evaluation of trophy harvest regulations for Walleyes in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 36:1315-1324.	October 2016
Habicht C., C.T. Smith, A. Barclay, H.A. Hoyt, K. Turnquist, W.A. Larson. 2019. Discriminating among Pacific Salmon, Rainbow Trout, and Atlantic Salmon species using common genetic screening methods. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 10:228-240; e1944-687X. https://doi.org/10.3996/052018-JFWM-038	June 2019
Gostiaux, J., H.I.A. Boehm, N.J. Jaksha, D.J. Dembkowski, J.M. Hennessy, D.A. Isermann. 2021. Recruitment Bottlenecks for Age-0 Walleye Sander vitreus in Northern Wisconsin Lakes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10683	October 2021
Gerbyshak, J., W. Larson, and K. Turnquist. Assessment of Leech Lake strain muskellunge stocking in Lake Wissota, WI. Pages 473-476 in K.L. Kapuscinski, T.D. Simonson, D.P. Crane, S.J. Kerr, J.S. Diana, and J.M. Ferrell, editors. Muskellunge management: fifty years of cooperation among anglers, scientists, and fisheries biologists. American Fisheries Society, Symposium 85, Bethesda Maryland.	October 2017
Frey, A. P., M. A Bozek, C. Edwards, and S. Newman. 2003. Diet overlap and predation between smallmouth bass and walleye in a north temperate lake. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 18:43-54.	March 2003
Frater, P.N., Z.S. Feiner, G.J.A. Hansen, D.A. Isermann, A.W. Latzka, O.P. Jensen. 2024. The Incredible HALK: Borrowing Data for Age Assignment. Fisheries 49:117-128.	March 2024
Franckowiak, R. P., B. L. Sloss, M. A. Bozek, S. P. Newman. 2009. Temporal effective size estimates of a managed walleye Sander vitreus population and implications for genetic-based management. Journal of Fish Biology 74: 1086-1103.	April 2009
Feiner, Z.S., A.D. Shultz, G.G. Sass, A. Trudeau, M.G. Mitro, M.A. Luehring, C.J. Dassow, A.W. Latzka, D.A. Isermann, B.M. Maitland, J.J. Homola, H.S. Embke, M. Preul. 2022. Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) considerations for climate change adaptation in fisheries: the Wisconsin experience. Fisheries Management and Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12549	March 2022
Faust, M.D., M.J. Hansen, D.A. Isermann, and M.A. Luehring. 2015. Muskellunge growth potential in northern Wisconsin: implications for trophy management. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 35:765-774. \| Abstract	July 2015	The growth potential of Muskellunge Esox masquinongy was evaluated by back-calculating growth histories from cleithra removed from 305 fish collected during 1995–2011 to determine whether it was consistent with trophy management goals in northern Wisconsin. Female Muskellunge had a larger mean asymptotic length (49.8 in) than did males (43.4 in). Minimum ultimate size of female Muskellunge (45.0 in) equaled the 45.0-in minimum length limit, but was less than the 50.0-in minimum length limit used on Wisconsin's trophy waters, while the minimum ultimate size of male Muskellunge (34.0 in) was less than the statewide minimum length limit. Minimum reproductive sizes for both sexes were less than Wisconsin's trophy minimum length limits. Mean growth potential of female Muskellunge in northern Wisconsin appears to be sufficient for meeting trophy management objectives and angler expectations. Muskellunge in northern Wisconsin had similar growth potential to those in Ontario populations, but lower growth potential than Minnesota's populations, perhaps because of genetic and environmental differences.
Euclide, P.T., G. McKinney, M. Bootsma, C. Tarsa, M. Meek, and W. Larson. 2019. Attack of the PCR clones: Rates of clonality have little effect on RAD-seq genotype calls. Molecular Ecology Resources. https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.13087	October 2019
Easterly, E.G., D.A. Isermann, J.K. Raabe, J.W. Pyatskowit. 2020. Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) movement and survival after removal of two dams on the West Branch of the Wolf River, Wisconsin. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 29: 311-324. https://doi.org/10.1111/eff.12516	January 2020
DonnerWright, D. M., M. A. Bozek, J. R. Probst, and E. M. Anderson. 1999. Responses of the turtle assemblage to environmental gradients in the St. Croix River in Minnesota and Wisconsin, USA. Canadian Journal of Zoology 77:989-1000.	November 1999
Dembkowski, D.J., J.S. Shrovnal, T.P. Parks, G.G. Sass, J. Lyons, D.A. Isermann. Accepted. Cisco population characteristics in Wisconsin lakes in relation to lake- and landscape-level factors. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society.	October 2023
Dembkowski, D.J., J.A. Kerns, E.G Easterly, D.A. Isermann. Submitted. Electrofishing encounter probability, survival, and dispersal of stocked age-0 Muskellunge in Wisconsin lakes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:383-393. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10418	March 2020
Dembkowski, D.J., D.A. Isermann, and R.P. Koenigs. 2019. Potential for improving among‐reader precision and accuracy of walleye age estimates with minimal training. North American Journal of Fisheries Management DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10293.	April 2019
Dembkowski, D.J., D.A. Isermann, and R.P. Koenigs. 2017. Walleye age estimation using otoliths and dorsal spines: preparation techniques and sampling guidelines based on sex and total length. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 8:474-486. doi:10.3996/052017-JFWM-038	December 2017
Dembkowski, D.J., D.A. Isermann, and G.G. Sass. 2018. Short-term mortality and retention associated with tagging age-0 Walleye using passive integrated transponders (PITs) in the absence of anesthesia. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management. https://doi.org/10.3996/102017-JFWM-081	December 2018
Dembkowski, D.J., D.A. Isermann, C.S. Vandergoot, S.P Hansen, and T.R. Binder. 2020. Short-term survival of lake whitefish following surgical implantation of acoustic transmitters using two forms of anesthesia. Advances in Limnology - Proceedings of the 13th Symposium on the Biology and Management of Coregonid Fishes.	March 2020
Dembkowski, D.A., D.A. Isermann, S.R. Hogler, W.A. Larson, and K.N. Turnquist. 2018. Stock structure, dynamics, demographics, and movements of walleyes spawning in four tributaries to Green Bay. Journal of Great Lakes Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jglr.2018.07.002	July 2018
Defilippo, L.B., D.E. Schindler, J.L. Carter, T.E. Walsworth, T.J. Cline, W.A. Larson, T. Buehrens. In Review. Associations of stream geomorphic conditions and alternative reproductive tactics among sockeye salmon populations. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 31: 239-253. https://doi.org/10.1111/jeb.13217	November 2017
Davis, R.P., and D. Isermann. 2024. Assessing factors related to Walleye stocking success in the midwestern United States. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. DOI: 10.1002/nafm.11030	September 2024
Davis, R.P., L. Simmons, S.L. Shaw, G.G. Sass, N.M. Sard, D.A. Isermann, W.A. Larson, J.J. Homola. 2024. Analyzing demographic patterns in reproductive success of walleye (Sander vitreus) in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin. Evolutionary Applications 17:e13665.	January 2024
Crane, D., M.R. Cornett, C.J. Bauerlien, M.L. Hawkins, D.A. Isermann, J.L. Hansbarger, K.L. Kapuscinski, J.R. Meerbeek, T.D. Simonson, J.M. Kampa. 2019. Validity of age estimates from muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) fin rays and associated effects on estimates of growth. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2018-0404	April 2019
Colborne, S.F., M.D. Faust, T.O. Brenden, T.A. Hayden, J.M. Robinson, T.M. MacDougall, H.A. Cook, D.A. Isermann, D.J. Dembkowski, M. Haffley, C.S. Vandergoot. Submitted. Estimating internal transmitter and external tag retention by Walleye (Sander vitreus) in the Laurentian Great Lakes over multiple years.	October 2023
Catalano, M. J., M. A. Bozek, and T. D. Pellett. 2007. Effects of dam removal on fish assemlage structure and spatial distributions in the Baraboo River, Wisconsin. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 27:519-530.	April 2007
Carpenter, S.R., W.A. Brock, G.J.A. Hansen, J.F. Hansen, J.M. Hennessy, D.A. Isermann, E.J. Pedersen, K. Martin Perales, A. Rypel, G.G. Sass, T.D. Tunney, M. Jake Vander Zanden. 2017. Defining a safe operating space for inland recreational fisheries. Fish and Fisheries 2017:1-11 DOI:10.1111/faf.12230.	April 2017
Brown, P.J., and M.A.Bozek. 2010. Habitat selection and abundance of young-of-year smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in north temperate lakes. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 139: 1247-1260. \| Abstract	July 2010	Habitat use during early life history plays an important role in the ecology of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu in north temperate lakes. The highest levels of mortality occur during the first year of life, and the habitat selected probably affects mortality. We used resource selection functions and abundance data from two northern Wisconsin lakes to determine the habitats that influence the survival of smallmouth bass. Coarse substrates were consistently important to both nesting locations and young-of-year smallmouth bass. Young smallmouth bass used woody structure after swimming from their nests but disassociated themselves from habitats with more complex woody structure by August. Nonwoody cobble areas offer protection for young-of-year smallmouth bass without attracting predators, as woody habitats do. The decline in the abundance of young-of-year smallmouth bass was best fit to an exponential decay function in woody habitats, but in rock habitats it was linear. Habitat selection by young-of-year smallmouth bass shifts over time, and the shift is linked to predation risk: woody habitats initially offer them an advantage with respect to spawning but eventually provide their predators greater opportunities for ambush. This shift underscores the importance of having a diversity of littoral habitats. This study provides the first quantifiable analyses describing the habitat features selected by young-of-year smallmouth bass and links these descriptions to population dynamics.
Brown, P.J., and M.A. Bozek. 2010. Anomalous spawning of smallmouth bass in Nebish Lake, Wisconsin: implications for early spawning and over-winter survival hypotheses. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 25: 169-177.	June 2010
Brooks, J.L., C. Boston, S. Doka, D. Gorsky, K. Gustavson, D. Hondorp, D. Isermann, J.D. Midwood, T.C. Pratt, A.M. Rous, J.L. Withers, C.C. Krueger, and S.J. Cooke. 2017. Use of fish telemetry in rehabilitation planning, management, and monitoring in Areas of Concern in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Environmental Management 60:1139-1154. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-017-0937-x	December 2017
Brandt, E.J., Z.S. Feiner, A.W. Latzka, D.A. Isermann. 2022. Similar environmental conditions are associated with Walleye and Yellow Perch recruitment success in Wisconsin lakes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10729	January 2022
Bozek, M.A., T.J. Haxton, and J.K. Raabe. 2011. Walleye and sauger habitat. Pages 133-197 in B.A. Barton, editor. Biology, Management, and Culture of Walleye and Sauger. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	June 2011
Bozek, M.A., D.A. Baccante, N.P. Lester. 2011. Walleye and sauger life history. Pages 233-301 in B.A. Barton, editor. Biology, Management, and Culture of Walleye and Sauger. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	June 2011
Bozek, M. A. 2001. A second life for trees in lakes: as useful in water as they were on land. Lakeline 21: 26-30.	June 2001
Bozek, M. A, P. H. Short, C. J. Edwards, M. J. Jennings, and S. P. Newman. 2002. Habitat selection of nesting smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu dolomieu) in two north temperate lakes. Pages 131-144 in: M. S. Ridgway and D. P. Philipp, eds. Black bass: ecology, conservation, and management. American Fisheries Society Special Publication. Bethesda, Maryland.	October 2002
Boehm, H.I.A., J.C. Gostiaux, G.J. Hansen, J.M. Hennessy, D.A. Isermann. 2020. Indexing age-0 walleye abundance in northern Wisconsin lakes before fall electrofishing. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:910-921. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10452	July 2020
Boehm, H.I.A., D.A. Isermann, M.J. Ermer, L.D. Eslinger, G.J.A. Hansen, and D.E. Logsdon. 2022. Special section overview: Effects of ecosystem change on North American percid populations. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10791	June 2022
Billington, N., and B.L. Sloss. 2011. Molecular systematics of Sander, and hybridization between walleye and sauger. Pages 85-104 in B.A. Barton, editor. Biology, Management, and Culture of Walleye and Sauger. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	June 2011
Billington, N., C.C. Wilson, and B.L. Sloss. 2011. Distribution and population genetics of walleye and sauger. Pages 105-132 in B.A. Barton, editor. Biology, Management, and Culture of Walleye and Sauger. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	June 2011
Andvik, R.T., B.L. Sloss, J.A. VanDeHey, R.M. Claramunt, S.P. Hansen, and D.A. Isermann. 2016. Mixed stock analysis of Lake Michigan's lake whitefish commercial fishery. Journal of Great Lakes Research 42: 660-667. \| Abstract	June 2016	Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) support the primary commercial fishery in Lake Michigan. Discrete genetic stocks of lake whitefish have been identified and tagging data suggest stocks are mixed throughout much of the year. Our objectives were to determine if (1) differential stock harvest occurs in the commercial catch, (2) spatial differences in genetic composition of harvested fish were present, and (3) seasonal differences were present in the harvest by commercial fisheries that operate in management zones WI-2 and WFM-01 (Green Bay, Lake Michigan). Mixed stock analysis was conducted on 17 commercial harvest samples (n = 78–145/sample) collected from various ports lake-wide during 2009–2010. Results showed significant mixing with variability in stock composition across most samples. Samples consisted of two to four genetic stocks each accounting for ≥10% the catch. In 10 of 17 samples, the stock contributing the largest proportion made up b60% of the harvest. In general, seasonal and annual differences existed in the proportional stock contribution at a single capture location. Samples from Wisconsin's primary commercial fishing management zone (WI-2) were composed predominately of fish fromthe Big Bay deNoc (Michigan) stock as opposed to the geographically proximate, North–Moonlight Bay (Wisconsin) stock. These findings have implications for management and allocation of fish to various quotas. Specifically, geographic location of harvest, the current means of allocating harvest quotas, is not the best predictor of genetic stock harvest.
Anderson, J.L., B.L. Sloss, and J.K. Meece. 2013. Clinical and molecular epidemiology of veterinary Blastomycosis in Wisconsin. BMC Vetrinary Research 9:84.	April 2013

Presentations

Presentations	Presentation Date
Woller, D. U., Y. Shi, W. A. Larson, and J.J. Homola. 2023. Environmental influences on adaptive genomic variation of Lake Michigan’s lake whitefish. 52nd Annual Wisconsin Chapter American Fisheries Society Meeting. Stevens Point, Wisconsin.	February 2023	This work identified environmental influences of lake whitefish genetic structure.
Woiak, Z., B.L. Sloss, J.A. VanDeHey, and M.J. Jennings. January 2014. Realized genetic consequences of implementing conservation genetics practices in a muskellunge propagation program. 74th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Kansas City, Missouri.	January 2014	In 2005, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' muskellunge Esox masquinongy propagation program underwent a series of revisions aimed at conserving genetic diversity. Changes were made primarily to ensure natural muskellunge diversity was represented in brood fish and crossing and rearing strategies were refined to minimize changes in genetic diversity throughout the propagation process. To evaluate these revisions, we determined if new crossing and rearing protocols resulted in impr
Woiak, Z., B.L. Sloss, J.A. VanDeHey, and M.J. Jennings. February 2014. Realized genetic consequences of implementing conservation genetics practices in a muskellunge propagation program. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	February 2014	In 2005, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' muskellunge Esox masquinongy propagation program underwent a series of revisions aimed at conserving genetic diversity. Changes were made primarily to ensure natural muskellunge diversity was represented in brood fish and crossing and rearing strategies were refined to minimize changes in genetic diversity throughout the propagation process. Improvements in the program's representation of native diversity throughout the rearing process w
Woiak, Z., B.L. Sloss, J.A. VanDeHey, and M.J. Jennings. February 2013. Genetic diversity of hatchery-reared muskellunge: impacts of propagation practices. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Rothschild, Wisconsin.	February 2013	Conserving genetic resources within and among native, natural reproducing populations is a priority for sustainable fisheries management programs and, more specifically, fish propagation programs. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) propagation program has implemented a comprehensive set of recommendations to conserve genetic diversity at the hatchery- and stock-level. Targets for broodstock numbers, mating strategies, and hatchery rearing strategies w
Witzel, Z. J., and D. A. Isermann. 2016. Relative precision of northern pike ages estimated from multiple calcified structures: preliminary results from an ongoing statewide evaluation. Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of American Fisheries Society. LaCrosse, Wisconsin.	February 2016	We are working towards developing recommendations for biologists that are interested in estimating the age and growth of northern pike for management purposes.
Wilson, C., W. Stott, L. Miller, and B.L. Sloss. August 2004. Standardization of genetic markers and databases for coaster brook trout in Lake Superior. 134th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Madison, Wisconsin.	August 2004
Willis, D. W., and D. A. Isermann. 2014. Finding That First Academic Position, Future of Fisheries: Perspectives for Emerging Professionals Symposium. 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.	August 2014	Obtaining an academic position in fisheries is a challenge because competition for these positions is intense, but effective, dedicated fisheries professionals who enjoy mentoring future professionals are still needed. To be competitive for these positions, students must be persistent and actively seek opportunities that provide experience in teaching, research, and service.
Williamson, L.E., and M.A. Bozek. January 2007. Assessing quality of spawning habitat for walleye (Sander vitreus) based on habitat characteristics in two northern Wisconsin lakes. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society Wisconsin Chapter. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2007
Williamson, L.E., and M.A. Bozek. December 2006. Predicting walleye spawning potential in a north temperate lake. 67th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Omaha, Nebraska.	December 2006
Williamson, L.E., M.A. Bozek, J.K. Raabe, and H.B. Benike. December 2005. An evaluation of walleye (Sander vitreous) spawning potential in north temperate lakes. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	December 2005
Williamson, C.W., M.A. Bozek, and M.J. Jennings. December 2006. Tournament-associated mortality and effects of culling in Wisconsin black bass tournaments. 67th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Omaha, Nebraska.	December 2006
Williamson, C.W., M.A. Bozek, B.L. Sloss, and M.J. Jennings. January 2007. Tournament-associated mortality and the effects of culling in Wisconsin black bass (Micropterus spp) tournaments. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society Wisconsin Chapter. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2007
Wilkinson, M. V., S. Shaw, J. Mrnak, G. Sass, D. Dembkowski, and D. Isermann. January 2025. Evaluating the distribution of fish community production in northern Wisconsin lakes with different walleye recruitment histories. 85^th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, St. Louis, Missouri, January 19-22, 2025.	January 2025	Understanding constraints to the productive potential of walleye will help meet management objectives in terms of maintaining desired fish community structure.
Wilkinson, M. V., D. Dembkowski, S. Shaw, G. Sass, J. Mrnak, and D. Isermann. January 2024. Evaluation of fish community production and variable predator abundance effects on prey species in northern Wisconsin lakes. 84^th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, January 28-31, 2024.	January 2024	Many fish communities in northern Wisconsin are shifting towards warm-water species dominance, and the effects of this change are still relatively understudied. Identifying constraints to the productive potential of culturally and recreationally important fish species, such as walleye, will help managers prioritize specific actions to rebalance fish communities.
Wilkinson, M. V., D. Dembkowski, S. Shaw, G. Sass, J. Mrnak, and D. Isermann. January 2024. Evaluating shifts in fish community production and predator abundance in northern Wisconsin lakes with different walleye recruitment histories. 53^rd Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Conference, Green Bay, Wisconsin, January 23-25, 2024	January 2024	Many fish communities in northern Wisconsin are shifting towards warm-water species dominance, and the effects of this change are still relatively understudied. Identifying constraints to the productive potential of culturally and recreationally important fish species, such as walleye, will help managers prioritize specific actions to rebalance fish communities.
Wilkinson, M. V., D. Dembkowski, S. Shaw, G. Sass, J. Mrnak, and D. Isermann. 2025. Evaluating the distribution of fish community production in northern Wisconsin lakes with different walleye recruitment histories. 2025 Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention. Stevens Point, WI.	March 2025	Understanding constraints to the productive potential of walleye will help meet management objectives in terms of maintaining desired fish community structure.
Wherley, P.J., and M.A. Bozek. April 2011. Sustainable recruitment of coarse woody structure along lakes: an assessment. Speaking for Lakes: 33rd Annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	April 2011
Wherley, P.J., M.A. Bozek, J.E. Cook, and N.T. Scribner. December 2010. Assessing the sustainable recruitment of coarse woody structure from riparian areas to littoral zones of north temperate lakes in Wisconsin. 71st Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2010
Wherely, P.J., M.A. Bozek, J.E. Cook, and N.T. Scribner. March 2010. Forecasting and mapping recruitment of coarse woody structure from riparian areas to littoral zones of north temperate lakes in Wisconsin. 32nd Annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	March 2010
Wherely, P.J., M.A. Bozek, J.E. Cook, and N.T. Scribner. December 2009. Forecasting and mapping recruitment of coarse woody structure from riparian areas to littoral zones of north temperate lakes in Wisconsin. 70th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Springfield, Illinois.	December 2009
Westbrook, L.J., B.L. Sloss, and M.J. Jennings. December 2011. Rock bass, johnny darters, walleye and muskellunge: a multi-species approach to identifying genetic management units. 72nd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2011
Westbrook, L.J., B.L. Sloss, and M.J. Jennings. December 2009. Genetic structure of non-game fish species: implications for fisheries management. 70th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Springfield, Illinois.	December 2009
Westbrook, L.J., B.L. Sloss, and M.J. Jennings. February 2011. Genetic structure of surrogate species and its use in sportfish management in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Stevens Point, Wisconsin.	February 2011
Westbrook, L.J., B.L. Sloss, and M.J. Jennings. December 2010. Genetic structure of surrogate species and fish management in Wisconsin. 71st Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2010
Wegleitner, E.J., D.A. Isermann, and K. Schnell. February 2015. Comparison of calcified structures and processing methods used to estimate largemouth bass ages. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Eau Claire, Wisconsin.	February 2015	In Wisconsin, most fisheries managers utilize scales for age estimation of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, but previous studies have shown that scale-based age estimates are not reliable, especially for older largemouth bass. Determining if dorsal spines offer another non-lethal alternative for estimating largemouth bass age will be useful to biologists.
Wegleitner, E., D. Isermann, and J. Kerns. August 2016. Wild Age-0 salmonid abundance and outmigration in Wisconsin tributaries to Lake Michigan. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries. Kansas City, Missouri.	August 2016	Our research will give fisheries managers a greater understanding of the level of salmonid natural reproduction in Lake Michigan tributaries, as well as their contribution to salmonid populations in Lake Michigan.
Wegleitner, E., D. Isermann, N. Legler, and P. Hirethota. February 2017. Wild Age-0 Salmonid Abundance and Outmigration in Wisconsin Tributaries to Lake Michigan. 46th Annual Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	February 2017	Our research will give fisheries managers a greater understanding of the level of salmonid natural reproduction in Lake Michigan tributaries, as well as their contribution to salmonid populations in Lake Michigan.
Wegleitner, E. and D. Isermann. February 2016. On the screen or through the scope: is there a difference when estimating ages of largemouth bass and walleyes from sectioned otoliths and dorsal spines? Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. LaCrosse, Wisconsin.	February 2016	Our work will allow fishery managers to determine if differences in viewing methods affect age estimates for two important fish species.
Waterhouse, M.D., B.L. Sloss, and M.A. Bozek. February 2011. Demographics, stocking, and the genetic characteristics of walleye populations in northern Wisconsin. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Stevens Point, Wisconsin.	February 2011
Waterhouse, M.D., B.L. Sloss, and M.A. Bozek. December 2010. Influence of management and population dynamics on the genetic characteristics of Wisconsin walleye populations. 71st Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2010
Waterhouse, M., B.L. Sloss, and M.A. Bozek. December 2009. The effects of population dynamics and genetic diversity on Wisconsin walleye. 70th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Springfield, Illinois.	December 2009
W. Larson. Novemeber 2018. Sturgeon genetics in Wisconsin. WDNR Fisheries Biologist and Supervisor Meeting, Green Bay, WI.	November 2018	Sturgeon are an iconic game fish across the Midwest including in Wisconsin. We used microsatellite genotypes to define conservation units for sturgeon in Wisconsin.
Vasquez, B. R., D. J. Dembkowski, O. P. Jensen, S. L. Shaw, G. G. Sass, Q. Smith, H. S. Embke, M. J. V. Zanden, Z. S. Feiner, J. T. Mrnak, G. J.A. Hansen, D. A. Isermann. August 2023. Empirical evaluation of walleye thermal-optical habitat in northern Wisconsin lakes. 153^rdAnnual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Grand Rapids, Michigan	August 2023	This project will help determine if thermal-optical habitat varies among Wisconsin lakes with different walleye population trends, which could help identify lakes where walleye populations are likely to persist into the future. Furthermore, this project may assess whether previous modeling of thermal-optical habitat correctly describes habitat use or preference of walleye in northern Wisconsin.
VanDeHey, J.A., B.L. Sloss, T.M. Sutton, P.J. Peeters, and P.J. Schneeberger. December 2006. Lake Michigan lake whitefish stock structure. 67th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Omaha, Nebraska.	December 2006
VanDeHey, J.A., B.L. Sloss, T.M. Sutton, P.J. Peeters, and P.J. Schneeberger. December 2005. Stock structure identification of lake Michigan lake whitefish using microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	December 2005
VanDeHey, J.A., B.L. Sloss, T.M. Sutton, P. Peeters, and P. Schneeberger. December 2007. Genetic structure among Lake Michigan's lake whitefish spawning aggregates. 68th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Madison, Wisconsin.	December 2007
VanDeHey, J., and B.L. Sloss. January 2007. Genetic structure among Lake Michigan?s lake whitefish spawning aggregates. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2007
Turnquist, K., W. Larson, and J. Gerbyshak. March 2017. Genetic Contribution of Leech Lake Muskellunge in Lake Wissota, WI. 46th Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	February 2017	Stocking of Leech Lake strain muskellunge has occurred in several Wisconsin waters by private organizations. This research will help aid decision makers with future management and supplementation strategies of muskellunge on Lake Wissota, WI.
Turnquist, K., W. Larson, C.R. Bronte, S.D. Hanson, W. Stott, and B.L. Sloss. May 2017. Genetic Heritage of Naturally Produced Lake Trout in Lake Michigan. International Association for Great Lakes Research. Detroit, Michigan.	May 2017	The determination of Lake Trout strains responsible for observed natural reproduction in Lake Michigan will help guide future restoration and stocking efforts.
Turnquist K., W. Larson, D. Simpkins, B. Sloss. January 2018. Development of eDNA techniques for endangered mussels. 78th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	Mussels are an important component of the freshwater food web, and many species are threatened or endangered throughout their range. We are developing molecular techniques to detect these species using water samples so that areas containing mussels can be prioritized for conservation.
Turnquist K., L. Werner, B. Sloss, P. Doruska, T. Barta, and K. Russell. October 17, 2011. Changes In Soil Microbial Communities and Biomass Along a Temporal Urbanization Gradient. ASA-CSSA-SSSA International Annual Meetings. San Antonio, Texas.	October 2011
Traynor, D., S. Sitar, M. Seider, and D. Isermann. Quality assurance and control in a Great Lakes age assessment program. American Fisheries Society Meeting, Grand Rapids, Michigan.	August 2023	Our work will provide a better understanding of how to develop reference collections which are important for quality control in fish age assessment programs.
Tingley III, R. W., J. Hansen, D. Isermann, D. Fulton, A. Musch, and C. Paukert. 2019. It’s complicated: Characterizing Wisconsin angler preferences for largemouth bass, bluegill, and walleye fisheries in inland lakes. 79th Annual Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference, Cleveland, OH. Poster presentation.	January 2019	Wisconsin anglers prefer quality fisheries with moderate size-structure and catch rates regardless of species, but largemouth bass fishery characteristics are more important to non-residents than residents. In addition, bluegill are a major driver of angler choice and the retention of quality bluegill fisheries is essential to maintaining angler participation if climate changes results in regional declines in walleye fisheries.
Thortenson, A., R. Crunkilton, M.A. Bozek, and N. Turyk. March 2010. Shoreline habitat requirements of the milfoil weevil, Euhrychiopsis lecontei; McDill Pond, Portage County, WI. American Water Resources Association Meeting. Madison, Wisconsin.	March 2010
Thortenson, A., R. Crunkilton, M.A. Bozek, and N. Turyk. March 2010. Shoreline habitat requirements of the milfoil weevil, Euhrychiopsis lecontei; McDill Pond, Portage County, WI. 32nd Annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	March 2010
Thorstenson, A.L., R.L. Crunkilton, and M.A. Bozek. April 2011. What weevils want: managing your shoreland for biological control of eurasian water-milfoil. Speaking for Lakes: 33rd Annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	April 2011
Thorstenson, A.L., R.L. Crunkilton, and M.A. Bozek. November 2010. Shoreline habitat requirements of the native milfoil weevil, Euhrychiopsis lecontei, in Portage County, Wisconsin. 2010 MN WI Invasive Species Conference. St. Paul, Minnesota.	November 2010
Thorstenson, A.L., R.L. Crunkilton, M.A. Bozek, and N. Turyk. July 2010. Overwintering habitat requirements of the native milfoil weevil, Euhrychiopsis lecontei, in McDill Pond, Portage County, Wisconsin. 50th Annual Aquatic Plant Management Society Meeting. Bonita Springs, Florida.	July 2010
Thometz, A.M., M.G. Mitro, and J.J. Homola. 2023. Reproductive success of early generation and domestic Brook Trout in Wisconsin. 52nd Annual Wisconsin Chapter American Fisheries Society Meeting. Stevens Point, Wisconsin.	February 2023	This work is helped to optimize brook trout stocking strategies.
Sullivan, C.J., K. Schnell, D.A. Isermann, and J. Hansen. January 2018. Potential for reducing largemouth bass abundance in Wisconsin lakes using angler harvest. 78th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	The completion of this project will help researchers predict the response of largemouth bass populations to changes in harvest regulations as well as fishing pressures in northern latitude lakes.
Sullivan, C.J., H. Embke, K.M. Perales, S. Carpenter, M.J. Vander Zanden, Z.J. Lawson, and D. Isermann. January 2018. Effects of centrarchid removal on Walleye (Sander vitreus) recruitment in a northern Wisconsin lake. 78th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	The completion of this project will help researchers further understand the mechanisms regulating Walleye recruitment by experimentally manipulating a fish community.
Straus, Fong, Scribner, Brenden, Robinson, Johnson, Homola. September 2024. Developing a GT-seq microhaplotype panel to enable genetic monitoring of sea lamprey.	September 2024	We developed primers for genotyping sea lamprey larvae to support ongoing monitoring efforts. This talk highlights the process of primer design for a tool that is rapidly gaining popularity.
Straus, Fong, Homola, Scribner, Johnson, Brenden, and Robinson. January 2024. Estimating the number of spawning sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) within streams using genetic pedigree reconstruction. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Sioux Falls, South Dakota	January 2024	As part of the monitoring effort for the supplemental controls program, we reconstructed the pedigrees of larval sea lamprey to estimate the effective number of breeders and number of successful spawners in experimental streams. We detected sibling groups across years, allowing us to gather important demographic data, and found signals of the effects of control efforts.
Stott, W.L., J.A. VanDeHey, and B.L. Sloss. 2010. Genetic diversity of lake whitefish in Lakes Michigan and Huron; sampling, standardization, and research priorities. 140th Annual Meeting, American Fisheries Society, Pittsburgh, PA.	September 2010
Stott, W., J.A. VanDeHey, and B.L. Sloss. September 2010. Genetic diversity of lake whitefish in lakes Michigan and Huron: sampling, standardization and research priorities. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.	September 2010
Stott, W., H. Quinlan, and B.L. Sloss. 2007. Genetic origins of brook trout from streams in Wisconsin and Michigan. The 2007 Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Madison, WI.	December 2007
Stoffregen, J.R., M.A. Bozek, K.J. Kohler, and A.P. Janicki. December 2007. Extent of use of north temperate lake littoral zone by fishes in north central North America. 68th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Madison, Wisconsin.	December 2007
Stoffregen, J.R., M.A. Bozek, K.J. Kohler, and A. Janicke. December 2008. A synopsis of littoral zone habitat in lakes of the upper mid-western United States relative to fish species associations. 69th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference Columbus, Ohio.	December 2008
Stephens, T.J. and M.A. Bozek. January 2001. Woody and grassy riparian vegetation. Agriculture Ecosystems Research Group Annual Winter Meeting. Madison, Wisconsin. Invited presentation.	January 2001
Stephens, T., M.A. Bozek, J. Lyons, and D. Undersander. December 2000. Effects of riparian area management on stream habitat and fish communities in central and southwest Wisconsin. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2000
Stephens, T., M.A. Bozek, J. Lyons, and D. Undersander. December 1999. Managing grazing in riparian areas to control woody vegetation: evaluating benefits to stream systems in Wisconsin. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Chicago, Illinois.	December 1999
Stephens, T. M.A. Bozek, J. Lyons, and D. Undersander. August 2000. Effects of riparian area management on stream channel structure and fish communities. Annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. St. Louis, Missouri.	August 2000
Stanley, E.H., T. Pellett, D.W. Marshall, T.R. Larson, M.A. Bozek, and T. Bainbridge. December 1999. Dam removal in the Baraboo River, Wisconsin: a multidisciplinary research project. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Chicago, Illinois.	January 1999
Stankowski, D. S., D. A. Isermann, D. J. Dembkowski, Z. S. Feiner, and O. P. Jensen. January 2024. Spatial Variation in Time to Reach Preferred Length and Within-Lake Variation in PSD for Bluegill Populations in the Midwestern USA. 84^th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Sioux Falls, South Dakota.	January 2024	This research will help in selecting and evaluating harvest regulations for bluegill in the Midwestern USA as well as provide guidance on using PSD to describe size structure, which is the most commonly used metric for making bluegill management decisions.
Stankowski, D. S., D. A. Isermann, D. J. Dembkowski, Z. S. Feiner, and O. P. Jensen. January 2022. Bluegill growth and size structure in the midwestern USA: Predictive models and benchmarks for fisheries management. 82^nd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	February 2022	This research will help determine if a suite of abiotic and biotic factors explain spatial variation in bluegill growth and size structure across the Midwestern USA and will provide growth standards that will allow fisheries managers to categorize bluegill growth within the region.
Stankowski, D. S., D. A. Isermann, D. J. Dembkowski, Z. S. Feiner, and O. P. Jensen. February 2022. Bluegill Growth and Size Structure in the Midwestern USA: Predictive Models and Benchmarks for Fisheries Management. Wisconsin Chapter—American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Virtual.	February 2022	This research will help determine if a suite of abiotic and biotic factors explain spatial variation in bluegill growth and size structure across the Midwestern USA and will provide growth standards that will allow fisheries managers to categorize bluegill growth within the region.
Spude, B.T., B.L. Sloss, E.L. Murphy, and M. Jennings. December 2007. Delineation of muskellunge genetic structure in northern Wisconsin. 68th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Madison, Wisconsin.	December 2007
Spude, B.T., B.L. Sloss, E. Murphy, and M. Jennings. February 2008. Genetic structure of muskellunge in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Chapters of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting Wausau, Wisconsin.	February 2008
Spude, B.T., B.L. Sloss, E. Murphy, and M. Jennings. December 2008. Wisconsin muskellunge genetic stock structure and management implications. 69th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference Columbus, Ohio.	December 2008	The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' (WDNR) muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) management goals include preserving the genetic integrity of naturally reproducing populations. Genetic stock identification showed high levels of intrapopulation genetic diversity and significant structuring among populations consistent with two to three major regions (AMOVA p < 0.0001): an eastern Wisconsin group (upper Wisconsin River, headwaters of the Chippewa River, and eastern south shore of Lake Superio
Spude, B.T., B.L. Sloss, E. Murphy, and M. Jennings. 2008. Genetic structure of muskellunge in Wisconsin. 138th Annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.	August 2008
Spude, B.T, B.L. Sloss, E. Murphy, and M. Jennings. February 2009. Muskellunge genetic stock structure in northern Wisconsin and implications for management. Joint meeting of the Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario American Fisheries Society Chapters. Duluth, Minnesota.	February 2009
Spear, S.F., M. Kozaczek, T. Untiedt, P. Albosta, C. Jungbluth, J.J. Homola, E. Barnhart, and C. Merkes. 2023. Testing the efficacy of multiple rapid DNA extraction methods for point of use eDNA workflows. The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting, Louisville, Kentucky.	November 2023	Point-of-use species detection methods may improve efficacy of invasive species early detection and rapid response. This research aims to develop methods to move DNA-based species detection from the laboratory and into the field, enabling real-time decision making for invasive species prevention and mitigation.
Sonsthagen, S.A., R.N. Rosenfield, J. Bielefeldt, R.K. Murphy, A.C. Stewart, W.E. Stout, T.G. Driscoll, M.A. Bozek, B.L. Sloss, and S.L. Talbot. October 2011. Genetic and morphological divergence among Cooper’s hawk populations breeding in north-central and western North America. 2011 Annual Meeting of the Raptor Research Foundation. Duluth, Minnesota.	October 2011
Snobl, Z., R. Koenigs, D. Isermann, R. Bruch, B. Sloss, and J. Raabe. Using side-scan sonar to assess habitat use of sub-adult lake sturgeon in the Wolf River, Wisconsin. Wisconsin American Fisheries Society. Eau Claire, Wisconsin.	February 2015	This work is important because little is known about sub-adult lake sturgeon and their habitat use. Understanding habitat use by sub-adult fish will improve lake sturgeon assessment by allowing biologists to better evaluate recruitment dynamics and identify critical habitat.
Snobl, Z., R. Koenigs, D. Isermann, R. Bruch, B. Sloss, and J. Raabe. August 2014. Using side-scan sonar to assess habitat use of sub-adult lake sturgeon in the Wolf River, Wisconsin. National American Fisheries Society. Québec City, Québec Canada.	August 2014	This work is important because little is known about sub-adult lake sturgeon and their habitat use. Understanding habitat use by sub-adult fish will improve lake sturgeon assessment by allowing biologists to better evaluate recruitment dynamics and identify critical habitat.
Snobl, Z., R. Koenigs, D. Isermann, B. Sloss, and J. Raabe. Habitat use and movement of sub-adult lake sturgeon in the Lower Wolf River, Wisconsin. North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society. Oshkosh, Wisconsin.	October 2015	This work is important because little is known about sub-adult lake sturgeon and their habitat use. Understanding habitat use and movement by sub-adult fish will improve lake sturgeon assessment by allowing biologists to better evaluate recruitment dynamics and identify critical habitat.
Sloss, B.L., and N. Billington. September 2011. Molecular phylogenetics and hybridization of Sander: implications for effective management. American Fisheries Society 141st Annual Meeting. Seattle, Washington.	September 2011
Sloss, B.L., and D.C. Rowe. September 2011. The genetic legacy of reintroduced Green Bay muskellunge. American Fisheries Society 141st Annual Meeting. Seattle, Washington.	September 2011
Sloss, B.L., W. Stott, K.T. Scribner, and C. Wilson. August 2012. The role of molecular genetics in fisheries management in the Great Lakes Region. 142nd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. St. Paul, Minnesota.	August 2012
Sloss, B.L., T.M. Sutton, P.J. Peeters, and P.J. Schneeberger. March 2004. Stock structure and population dynamics of lake whitefish in northern Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Great Lakes Fisheries Commission Board of Technical Experts. Romulus, Michigan.	March 2004
Sloss, B.L., R.P. Franckowiak, and R. Klumb. December 2006. Genetic management and paddlefish propagation in the Upper Missouri River. 67th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Omaha, Nebraska.	December 2006
Sloss, B.L., R.P. Franckowiak, M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. 2003. Temporal genetic stability in a northern Wisconsin walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) population. NCD-AFS Annual Walleye Technical Committee Meeting. Wausau, WI.	July 2003
Sloss, B.L., R.P. Franckowiak, E. Heist, and R. Klumb. February 2009. Management of genetic diversity in paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) populations and propagation. Aquaculture America 2009. Seattle, Washington.	February 2009
Sloss, B.L., R. Franckowiak, M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. August 2003. Temporal Genetic Stability of Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) in Escanaba Lake. 133rd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.	August 2003
Sloss, B.L., R. Franckowiak, M. Jennings, and D. Pratt. August 2004. Genetic characteristics of brook trout in Lake Superior south shore streams. 134th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Madison, Wisconsin.	August 2004
Sloss, B.L., R. Franckowiak, M. Jennings, and D. Pratt. 2005. Utility of molecular genetic analyses for assessing coaster brook trout rehabilitation in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Wisconsin Dells, WI.	January 2005
Sloss, B.L., R. Franckowiak, M. Jennings, and D. Pratt. 2005. Genetic analysis of rehabilitating, migratory brook trout populations along Wisconsin's Lake Superior south shore. 135th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Anchorage, AK.	September 2005
Sloss, B.L., M. Bagley, F. McCormick, J. Thomas, and E. Emery. December 2003. Genetic Structure of Smallmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) in the Ohio River. 64th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Kansas City, Missouri.	December 2003
Sloss, B.L., J.A. VanDeHey, R.T. Andvik, L.R. Nathan, S.P. Hansen, R.M. Claramunt, and T.M. Sutton. August 2012. Stock identification and distribution in the Lake Michigan lake whitefish commercial fishery. 142nd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. St. Paul, Minnesota.	August 2012
Sloss, B.L., E.L. Murphy, and M. Jennings. December 2007. Temporal stability of a Wisconsin muskellunge broodsource: evidence of stocking impact? 68th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Madison, Wisconsin.	December 2007
Sloss, B.L. and N. Billington. 2003. Molecular phylogenetics of Etheostomatinae (Teleostei, Percidae): Insights from combining cytochrome b and 12S ribosomal RNA mitochondrial DNA variation. Percis III, the Third International Percid Fish Symposium. Madison, WI.	July 2003
Sloss, B.L. November 2003. Wisconsin Cooperative Fisheries Research Unit: Molecular Conservation Genetics Laboratory. Wisconsin DNR, Fish and Habitat Research Section Meeting, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.	November 2003
Sloss, B.L. May 2004. Fragmentation, Genetics, and Population Viability. 2004 USDA-Forest Service Aquatic Organism Passage Workshop (Invited Presentation), Escanaba, Michigan.	May 2004
Sloss, B.L. 2006. Suggested modifications to Wisconsin's muskellunge propagation program. North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society?s Esox Technical Committee Annual Meeting. Woodruff, WI. INVITED.	June 2007
Sloss, B.L. 2003. Molecular Genetic Techniques and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems. Invited Presentation at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources Annual Colloquium Series. Stevens Point, WI.	February 2003
Sloss, B.L. 2002. Fish Genetic Techniques and their Utility in Wisconsin Fish and Habitat Research. 2002 Wisconsin DNR, Fish and Habitat Research Section Meeting. Wisconsin Dells, WI.	November 2002
Shrovnal, J., D. Dembkowski, R. Koenigs, J. Raabe, and D. Isermann. February 2021. Estimating Mortality of Lake Sturgeon in the Lake Winnebago System Using Traditional Age-Based Approaches and Capture-Recapture Models. 81^st Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, St. Paul, Minnesota.	February 2021	Determining appropriate harvest regulations is important to managing harvest of lake sturgeon in the Lake Winnebago system. Current harvest management relies on estimates of mortality and we will assess alternative methods for estimating mortality rates that may provide more reliable estimates.
Shrovnal, J., D. Dembkowski, R. Koenigs, J. Raabe, and D. Isermann. February 2021. Estimating Mortality of Lake Sturgeon in the Lake Winnebago System Using Traditional Age-Based Approaches and Capture-Recapture Models. 50^th Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Virtual.	February 2021	Determining appropriate harvest regulations is important to managing harvest of lake sturgeon in the Lake Winnebago system. Current harvest management relies on estimates of mortality and we will assess alternative methods for estimating mortality rates that may provide more reliable estimates.
Shrovnal, J., D. Dembkowksi, R. Koenigs, J. Raabe, and D. Isermann. January 2020. Estimating Mortality of Lake Sturgeon in the Lake Winnebago System Using Traditional Age-Based Approaches and Capture-Recapture Models. 80th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Springfield, Illinois.	January 2020	Determining appropriate harvest regulations is important to managing harvest of lake sturgeon in the Lake Winnebago system. Current harvest management relies on estimates of mortality and we will assess alternative methods for estimating mortality rates that may provide more reliable estimates.
Short, P.H., M.A. Bozek, C.J. Edwards, and M. Jennings. December 1999. Differences in spawning habitat use by smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in two northern Wisconsin lakes. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Chicago, Illinois.	December 1999
Short, P., M.A. Bozek, R. Saunders, C. Edwards, and M. Jennings. August 2000. Spawning habitat selection of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) across three northern Wisconsin lakes. Black Bass Symposium. Annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. St. Louis, Missouri.	August 2000
Shi, Y., J.J. Homola, P.T. Euclide, and W.A. Larson. March 2022. Genomics reveals influence of adaptative divergence on Lake Michigan lake whitefish stock structure. Michigan Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.	March 2022	This work identified the adaptive basis of lake whitefish stock structure patterns throughout Lake Michigan. Such knowledge allows fishery managers to understand and account for the spatial distribution of adaptive genetic variation in the economically, culturally, and ecologically important fishery.
Shi, Y., J.J. Homola, P.T. Euclide, and W.A. Larson. 2022. Genomics reveals influence of adaptative divergence on Lake Michigan lake whitefish stock structure. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Virtual Meeting.	February 2022	This work identified the adaptive basis of lake whitefish stock structure patterns throughout Lake Michigan. Such knowledge allows fishery managers to understand and account for the spatial distribution of adaptive genetic variation in the economically, culturally, and ecologically important fishery.
Shi, Y., J.J. Homola, P.T. Euclide, and W.A. Larson. 2022. Genomic analysis of stock structure and habitat occupancy for Lake Michigan’s lake whitefish. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Grand Rapids, Michigan.	May 2022	This work uses genome-wide data to quantify lake whitefish stock structure patterns throughout Lake Michigan. Such knowledge allows fishery managers to understand stock status and seasonal habitat usage through the use of mixed stock analysis.
Sheffer, R., D. Isermann, D. Dembkowski, and S. Hogler. Movements and habitat use of muskellunge in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. 2018 Annual Summer Meeting, Esocid Technical Committee of the North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society, Spirit Lake, Iowa.	August 2018	Identifying habitat conditions that result in the successful production of offspring is important for developing habitat improvement projects that aim to restore critical spawning habitat. Understanding muskellunge behavior will also help develop stocking strategies that aim to increase use of restored spawning habitat.
Sheffer, R., D. Dembkowski, S. Hogler, and D. Isermann. January 2018. Movements and habitat use of muskellunge in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. 78th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	Identifying habitat conditions that result in the successful production of offspring is important for developing habitat improvement projects that aim to restore critical spawning habitat. Understanding muskellunge behavior will also help develop stocking strategies that aim to increase use of restored spawning habitat.
Scribner, N.T., M.A. Bozek, J.E. Cook, and K.W. Rice. December 2004. Forecasting recruitment of coarse woody structure from riparian areas to a north temperate lake. 65th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Indianapolis, IN.	December 2004
Scribner, K., P. Forsythe, S. Tucker, N. Sard, L. Atler, J. Kanfesky, J. Johnson, D. Issermann, and R. Eliot. Genetic pedigree reconstruction informs lake adult sturgeon passage in the Menominee River. American Fisheries Society Meeting, Grand Rapids, Michigan.	August 2023	Our work provided an assessment of whether lake sturgeon passage on the Menominee river resulted in recruitment contributions, which is the goal of the passage program.
Scribner N.T., M.A. Bozek, M.A. Newbrey, and J. E. Cook. August 2005. Riparian area-littoral zone linkages: forcasting recruitment of coarse woody structure from riparian areas to a north temperate lake littoral zone in Wisconsin. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting.	August 2005
Schulze, J.C., D.A. Isermann, M. Donofrio, and A. Schiller. February 2016. Smallmouth bass movements in the Menominee River, Wisconsin-Michigan. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. LaCrosse, Wisconsin.	February 2016	There is some concern among anglers and biologists that smallmouth bass in the Menominee River congregate in relatively small areas during fall and winter months, making them more susceptible to harvest when compared to other portions of the open-water fishing season.
Schulze, J.C., D.A. Isermann, M. Donofrio, S. Cooke, R. Elliott, E. Baker, and B. Sloss. March 2016. Lake sturgeon movements after passage upstream of two hydroelectric dams on the Menominee River, Wisconsin-Michigan. Oregon Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Seaside, Oregon.	March 2016	Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) populations in the Great Lakes have declined dramatically over the last two centuries. Their recovery in the region is thought to be hindered by the presence of dams on Great Lakes tributaries. Dams deny these fish access to riverine habitat needed for spawning and survival during early life stages. We will attempt to mitigate this effect on the Menominee River by using a specifically designed elevator to pass 120 mature lake sturgeon upstream of the first
Schulze, J.C., D.A. Isermann, M. Donofrio, S. Cooke, R. Elliott, E. Baker, and B. Sloss. February 2016. Lake sturgeon movements after passage upstream of two hydroelectric dams on the Menominee River, Wisconsin-Michigan. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. LaCrosse, Wisconsin.	February 2016	Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) populations in the Great Lakes have declined dramatically over the last two centuries. Their recovery in the region is thought to be hindered by the presence of dams on Great Lakes tributaries. Dams deny these fish access to riverine habitat needed for spawning and survival during early life stages. We will attempt to mitigate this effect on the Menominee River by using a specifically designed elevator to pass 120 mature lake sturgeon upstream of the first
Schulze, J. C., D.A. Isermann, M. Donofrio, S. Cooke, R. Elliott, E. Baker, B. Sloss. October 2015. Lake sturgeon movements after passage upstream of two hydroelectric dams on the Menominee River, Wisconsin-Michigan. Oshkosh, Wisconsin.	October 2015	Allowing lake sturgeon to pass upstream of hydroelectric dams on the tributaries of the Great Lakes is presumably a necessary step to rehabilitating this species in the region. Monitoring lake sturgeon movements after upstream passage is crucial to evaluating this management action.
Schulze, J. C., D. A. Isermann, and M. Donofrio. February 2016. Smallmouth bass population characteristics and movements in the Menominee River, Wisconsin. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting – Minnesota Chapter. Duluth, Minnesota.	February 2016	Smallmouth bass are a highly-prized sport fish in many reaches of the Menominee River. A better understanding of their population characteristics and seasonal movements is vital for managers to appropriately regulate this fishery.
Schulze, J. C., D. A. Isermann, and M. Donofrio. February 2015. Smallmouth bass population characteristics in the Menominee River, Wisconsin. American Fisheries Society – Wisconsin Chapter. Eau Claire, Wisconsin.	February 2015	Smallmouth bass are a highly-prized sport fish in many reaches of the Menominee River. A better understanding of their population characteristics is vital for managers to appropriately regulate this fishery.
Schulze, J. C., D. A. Isermann, and M. Donofrio. February 2015. Smallmouth bass population characteristics and movements in the Menominee River, Wisconsin. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Indianapolis, Indiana.	February 2015	Smallmouth bass are a highly-prized sport fish in many reaches of the Menominee River. A better understanding of their population characteristics and seasonal movements is vital for managers to appropriately regulate this fishery.
Schulze, J. C., D. A. Isermann, and M. Donofrio. August 2016. Smallmouth bass population characteristics and movements in the Menominee River, Wisconsin-Michigan. American Fisheries Society. Kansas City, Missouri.	August 2016	Smallmouth bass are a highly-prized sport fish in many reaches of the Menominee River. A better understanding of their population characteristics and seasonal movements is vital for managers to appropriately regulate this fishery.
Schulze, J. C., D. A. Isermann, M. Donofrio, S. Cooke, R. Elliot, E. Baker, and K. Turnquist. February 2015. Lake sturgeon movements after upstream passage on the Menominee River, Wisconsin-Michigan. American Fisheries Society – Wisconsin Chapter. Eau Claire, Wisconsin.	February 2015	Allowing lake sturgeon to pass upstream of hydroelectric dams on tributaries of the Great Lakes could help rehabilitate this species in the region. Determining lake sturgeon movements after upstream passage is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of this management action.
Schulze, J. C., D. A. Isermann, M. Donofrio, S. Cooke, R. Elliot, E. Baker, and K. Turnquist. August 2016. Lake sturgeon movements after passage upstream of two hydroelectric dams on the Menominee River, Wisconsin-Michigan. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Kansas City, Missouri.	August 2016	Allowing lake sturgeon to pass upstream of hydroelectric dams on Great Lakes tributaries is likely a necessary step to rehabilitating this species in the region. Monitoring lake sturgeon movements after upstream passage is crucial to evaluating this management action.
Schulze, J. C., D. A. Isermann, M. Donofrio, S. Cooke, R. Elliot, E. Baker, and B. Sloss. February 2015. Lake sturgeon movements after passage upstream of two hydroelectric dams on the Menominee River, Wisconsin-Michigan. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Indianapolis, Indiana.	February 2015	Allowing lake sturgeon to pass upstream of hydroelectric dams on the tributaries of the Great Lakes is presumably a necessary step to rehabilitating this species in the region. Monitoring lake sturgeon movements after upstream passage is crucial to evaluating this management action.
Schulze, J. C., D. A. Isermann, M. Donofrio, S. Cooke, R. Elliot, E. Baker, and B. Sloss. February 2015. Lake sturgeon movements after passage upstream of two hydroelectric dams on the Menominee River, Wisconsin-Michigan. American Fisheries Society – Minnesota Chapter. Duluth, Minnesota.	February 2016	Allowing lake sturgeon to pass upstream of hydroelectric dams on the tributaries of the Great Lakes is presumably a necessary step to rehabilitating this species in the region. Monitoring lake sturgeon movements after upstream passage is crucial to evaluating this management action.
Schultz, L.D., and M.A. Bozek. February 2008. Stream channel succession and trout habitat formation in central Wisconsin agricultural drainage ditches. Wisconsin Chapters of the American Fisheries Society and the Wildlife Society Annul Meeting Wausau, Wisconsin.	February 2008
Schrey, A., R. Colombo, B.L. Sloss, and J. Garvey. August 2004. Genetic and morphological investigation of shovelnose sturgeon from the Middle Mississippi and Wabash Rivers. 134th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Madison, Wisconsin.	August 2004
Schnell, K., and D. Isermann. September 2013. Predicted effects of angler harvest for reducing largemouth bass abundance. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Little Rock, Arkansas.	September 2013	Abundance of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides has increased in many northern lakes and this trend is likely to continue based on projected changes in climate. The potential for largemouth bass interactions with other game fish such as walleyes Sander vitreus and density-dependent effects on bass growth and size structure are causes for concern among anglers and biologists. In an attempt to reduce largemouth bass abundance, the minimum length limit for bass has been removed from some nort
Schnell, K., and D. Isermann. February 2014. Predicted effects of angler harvest for reducing largemouth bass abundance. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	February 2014	The potential for largemouth bass interactions with other game fish such as walleyes Sander vitreus and density-dependent effects on bass growth and size structure are causes for concern among anglers and biologists. Relatively liberal harvest regulations (i.e., no minimum length limit) are more likely to aid in these reductions, although there were greater differences in size structure among the regulations as fishing mortality levels increased.
Schnell, K., and D. Isermann. February 2013. Replicating otolith ages for largemouth bass in northern lakes: a comparison of scales and spines. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Rothschild, Wisconsin.	February 2013	While there are several methods to estimate age of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, previous studies have generally demonstrated that otoliths provide the most accurate and precise estimates of age. However, largemouth bass are not routinely sacrificed during standardized sampling in most states and provinces and scales are typically used as a nonlethal means of estimating age. Many evaluations have suggested that scale-based age estimates for largemouth bass may be inaccurate and imprec
Schnell, K., and D. Isermann. September 2013. Replicating Otolith Ages for Largemouth Bass in Northern Lakes: A Comparison of Scales and Spines. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Little Rock, Arkansas.	September 2013	Our primary objective was to determine if anal and dorsal fin spines provide higher among-reader precision than scales and whether scale or spine ages are better for replicating otolith-based ages of largemouth bass in northern Wisconsin lakes. Preliminary results indicate that dorsal spines are more precise than scales when compared to otoliths.
Schnell, K., D. Isermann, M. Hansen, and J. Hansen. February 2013. Predicted effects of angler harvest on largemouth bass abundance in northern Wisconsin lakes. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Rothschild, Wisconsin.	February 2013	Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides abundance has increased in some northern Wisconsin lakes. Increases in abundance could affect largemouth bass population dynamics, resulting in slower growth and reduced size structure. Furthermore, the potential for negative interactions with other species such as walleyes is a concern for both anglers and biologists. Harvest regulations for largemouth bass have been liberalized in some northern Wisconsin lakes, although low rates of bass exploitation m
Schmidt, S.M., and M.A. Bozek. November 2008. Development of multi-dimensional littoral zone habitat fingerprints for classification and management of lakes. 28th International Symposium of the North American Lake Management Society Lake Louise, Canada.	November 2008
Schmidt, S.M., and M.A. Bozek. February 2008. Assessment of Littoral zone Habitats for Classification and Management. Wisconsin Chapters of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting Wausau, Wisconsin.	February 2008
Schmidt, S.M., and M.A. Bozek. December 2008. Development of multi-dimensional littoral zone habitat fingerprints for management of lakes. 69th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference Columbus, Ohio.	December 2008
Schmidt, S.M., and M.A. Bozek. December 2007. On the development and application of three dimensional littoral zone fingerprints of lakes. 68th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Madison, Wisconsin.	December 2007
Schmidt, S.M., and M.A. Bozek. April 2009. Development of multi-dimensional littoral zone habitat fingerprints for classification and management of lakes. 22nd Annual National Conference Enhancing the States’ Lake Management Programs. Chicago, Illinois.	April 2009
Schmidt, S.M., and M.A. Bozek. February 2009. Assessment of littoral zone habitats for classification and management of lakes. Joint meeting of the Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario American Fisheries Society Chapters. Duluth, Minnesota.	February 2009
Schmidt, S.M. and M.A. Bozek. October 2009. Structural habitat in littoral zones – development of habitat fingerprints and sampling intensity guidelines for small lakes. 29th International Symposium of the North American Lake Management Society. Hartford, Connecticut.	October 2009
Schmidt, S.M. and M.A. Bozek. March 2010. Structural habitat in littoral zones – development of habitat fingerprints and sampling intensity guidelines for small lakes. 32nd Annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	March 2010
Schleppenbach, B., Turnquist, K., and Larson, W. November 2017. Genetic Origin of Walleye Stocked in the Manitowish Chain of Lakes, Vilas County, WI. 2017 Riveredge Nature Center's Student Research Symposium. Awarded best poster.	November 2017	The introduction of non-native walleye in the Manitowish Chain of Lakes could introduce future walleye fitness and recruitment problems. The results will provide baseline information to help managers to investigate future genetic consequences in the Manitowish Chain of Lakes walleye population if necessary.
Schleppenbach, B., Turnquist, K., and Larson, W. March 2017. Genetic Origin of Walleye Stocked in the Manitowish Chain of Lakes, Vilas County, WI. 46th Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	February 2017	The introduction of non-native walleye in the Manitowish Chain of Lakes could introduce future walleye fitness and recruitment problems. The results will provide baseline information to help managers to investigate future genetic consequences in the Manitowish Chain of Lakes walleye population if necessary.
Schleppenbach B., K. Turnquist, and W. Larson. January 2018. Genetic Analysis of Sauger in the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan Drainages, WI. 78th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	Sauger have supported an important but variable recreational fishery in Lake Winnebago since the 1920s. If future stocking efforts of Sauger are to take place in Wisconsin to supplement the recreational fishery, genetic analysis should be considered to prevent the mixture of distinct genetic stocks.
Schiller, A., J. Schulze, D. A. Isermann, and M. Donofrio. February 2015. Smallmouth bass movements in the Menominee River, Wisconsin-Michigan. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Eau Claire, Wisconsin.	February 2015	There is some concern among anglers and biologists that smallmouth bass in the Menominee River congregate in relatively small areas during fall and winter months, making them more susceptible to harvest when compared to other portions of the open-water fishing season.
Saunders, R., M.A. Bozek, P. Short, and C. Edwards. December 2000. Habitat features affecting smallmouth bass nest site quality: assessing relations between habitat selection and habitat quality. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2000
Saunders, R., M.A. Bozek, P. Short, C. Edwards, and M. Jennings. August 2000. Habitat features affecting smallmouth bass nest site quality and assessing the relation between nest site selection and nest site quality. Black Bass Symposium. Annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. St. Louis, Missouri.	August 2000
Saunders, R, M.A. Bozek, P.H. Short, C. J. Edwards, and M. Jennings. December 1999. Nest site selection and nesting success of smallmouth bass in a northern Wisconsin lake. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Chicago, Illinois.	December 1999
Santo Domingo, J.W., M. Meckes, J.M. Simpson, B.L. Sloss, and D.J. Reasoner. 2002. Phylogenetic affiliation of water distribution systems biofilm bacterial isolates. American Society of Microbiology	May 2002
Rydell, Nicholas., D. Isermann, and J. VanDeHey. August 2016. Effects of 2, 4-D herbicide treatments used to control Eurasian Watermilfoil on fish and zooplankton. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Kansas City, Missouri.	August 2016	This presentation will inform attendees on ongoing 2, 4-D research that will eventually affect lake management strategies in Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest.
Rydell, N., D.A. Isermann, J. VanDeHey, J. Kubisiak, K. Gauthier, S. Van Egren. February 2017. Effects of 2, 4-D herbicide treatments used to control Eurasian watermilfoil on fish and zooplankton in northern Wisconsin lakes. Minnesota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. St. Cloud, Minnesota.	February 2017	This presentation will inform attendees on ongoing 2,4-D research that will eventually effect lake management strategies in Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest.
Rydell, N., D. Isermann, and J. VanDeHey. February 2016. Effects of 2, 4-D herbicide treatments used to control Eurasian Watermilfoil on fish and zooplankton in Northern Wisconsin Lakes. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. LaCrosse, Wisconsin.	February 2016	This presentation will give inform attendees on ongoing 2,4-D research that will eventually effect lake management strategies in Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest.
Rydell, N., D. Isermann, and J. VanDeHey. February 2016. Comparison of two larval fish sampling gears on northern Wisconsin lakes. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. LaCrosse, Wisconsin.	February 2016	Results from this study will aid fisheries biologists in determining the utility of various sampling gears for collecting larval fish of different species common to Wisconsin and the upper Midwest.
Rydell, N., D. Isermann, J. VanDeHey, J. Kubisiak, K. Gauthier, and S. Van Egren. March 2017. Effects of 2, 4-D herbicide treatments used to control Eurasian watermilfoil on fish and zooplankton in northern Wisconsin lakes. 46th Annual Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	February 2017	This presentation will inform attendees on ongoing 2,4-D research that will eventually effect lake management strategies in Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest.
Rydell, N., D. Isermann, J. VanDeHey, J. Kubisiak, K. Gauthier, S. Van Egeren. January 2018. Effects of 2, 4-D herbicide treatments used to control Eurasian watermilfoil on larval and juvenile fishes and zooplankton in northern Wisconsin lakes. 78th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	This presentation will inform attendees on 2,4-D research that will eventually effect lake management strategies in Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest.
Ruzich, J., W. Larson, K. Turnquist, N. Nye, and D. Rowe. May 2017. Genetic assessment of seven species above and below the Prairie du Sac dam. International Association for Great Lakes Research. Detroit, Michigan.	May 2017	Dams significantly alter the habitat connectivity and hydrology of many rivers throughout the world. This project will investigate the genetic consequences of reductions in habitat connectivity caused by dams in Wisconsin.
Ruzich, J., W. Larson, K. Turnquist, N. Nye, and D. Rowe. March 2017. Genetic assessment of seven species above and below the Prairie du Sac dam. 46th Annual Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	February 2017	Dams significantly alter the habitat connectivity and hydrology of many rivers throughout the world. This project will investigate the genetic consequences of reductions in habitat connectivity caused by dams in Wisconsin.
Ruzich, J., W. Larson, K. Turnquist, N. Nye, and D. Rowe. January 2018. Genetic connectivity of seven fish species sampled above and below the prairie du sac dam on the lower wisconsin river. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	Dams significantly alter the habitat connectivity and hydrology of many rivers throughout the world. This project will investigate the genetic consequences of reductions in habitat connectivity caused by dams in Wisconsin, and provide resource managers with genetic information to develop future management strategies.
Ruzich, J., W. Larson, K. Turnquist, N. Nye, and D. Rowe. February 2017. Genetic assessment of seven species above and below the Prairie du Sac dam. Minnesota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Saint Cloud, Minnesota.	February 2017	Dams significantly alter the habitat connectivity and hydrology of many rivers throughout the world. This project will investigate the genetic consequences of reductions in habitat connectivity caused by dams in Wisconsin.
Ruzich, J., S. Hansen, D. Rowe, W. Larson. January 2018. Spatial genetic structure of smallmouth bass across Wisconsin. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	Smallmouth Bass are one of the most sought after fish by recreational anglers across Wisconsin, yet little genetic data has been collected for this species. We will use genetics to investigate population structure in Smallmouth Bass across Wisconsin. This information will help to define stock boundaries and inform future management action.
Ruppert, O., J.D. Robinson, J.J. Homola, J.A. Moore, Y.M. Lee, and K.T. Scribner. 2022. Identification of critical herpetofauna wetland habitat using eDNA metabarcoding. The Wildlife Society’s 29^th Annual Conference, Spokane, Washington.	November 2022	The cryptic nature of many amphibian and reptile species makes them difficult to survey, resulting in an incomplete understanding of the distribution and habitat requirements for many species. This research is using environmental DNA surveys to improve understanding of species’ distributions and inform occupancy models to identify critical habitat features for over 20 amphibian and reptile species of conservation concern in the Great Lakes region.
Ruppert, O., J.D. Robinson, J.J. Homola, J.A. Moore, Y.M. Lee, and K.T. Scribner. 2022. Applications of eDNA metabarcoding to identify critical wetland habitat for Great Lakes herpetofauna. Michigan State University Fisheries and Wildlife Graduate Student Organization Symposium. East Lansing, Michigan.	February 2022	This research is developing and implementing methods for using environmental DNA to survey herpetofauna biodiversity throughout the Great Lakes region. Developed tools may help detect biodiversity hot spots and the critical habitats associated with numerous amphibian and reptiles species of conservation concern.
Ruppert, O, J.J. Homola, J.A. Moore, Y.M. Lee, K.T. Scribner, and J.D Robinson. eDNA metabarcoding use to characterize diversity and occupancy of wetland herpetofauna in the Great Lakes region. The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting, Louisville, Kentucky.	November 2023	We are using eDNA to detect herpetofauna species and identify environmental correlates of their presence. Given that these species are difficult to detect using direct observations, eDNA analyses will allow us to generate a unique community-wide assessment of their biodiversity.
Roth, B.M Roth, S. Walker, A. Sullivan, R. Feagley, W.R. Budnick, W. Ota, J. Kanefsky, K.T. Scribner, N.M. Sard, J. Stoeckel, B. Wright, K.B. Quebedeaux, S. Thomas, S. Herbst, L. Nathan, P. Filice, S. Strandmark, N. Adams, J.J. Homola, A. Allert, A. Cupp, J.D. Robinson. September 2024. Towards comprehensive management of crayfish invasions in the Great Lakes Basin. American Fisheries Society Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii	September 2024	This work is using a broad combination of technical approaches to develop control strategies for invasive red swamp crayfish. Collectively, we have characterized how the species responds to a broad array of biological controls and how they disperse across a landscape.
Rosenfield, R.N., L.J. Rosenfield, R.K. Murphy, A.C. Stewart, W.E. Stout, and M.A. Bozek. October 2006. Comparative morphometry among three northern populations of breeding Cooper's Hawks. IV North American Ornithological Conference, Veracruz, Mexico.	October 2006
Rosenfield, R.N., J. Bielefeldt, L.J. Rosenfield, A.C. Stewart, R.K. Murphy, D.A. Grosshuesch, and M.A. Bozek. February 2004. Comparative relationships among eye color, age, and sex in three North American populations of Cooper's hawks. North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Fargo, North Dakota.	February 2004
Rosenfield, L.J., M.A. Bozek, A.C. Stewart, R.K. Murphy, and R.N. Rosenfield. February 2004. Biogeography and morphology of adult Cooper's hawks among three breeding populations in North America. North Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Conference, Fargo, North Dakota.	February 2004
Rosenfield, L. J., M.A. Bozek, and R.N. Rosenfield. December 2001. Comparative morphometry of adult cooper's hawks among three breeding populations in North America. 63rd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2001
Rosburg, A.J., B.G. Blackwell, S.R. Chipps, J.A. VanDeHey, and W.A. Larson. 2017. Growth and genetic diversity of yellow perch populations in the Prairie Pothole Region. 77th Annual Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference, Lincoln, NE.	February 2017	This study evaluated the influence of environmental versus genetic factors affecting growth variability in yellow perch populations. Common garden experiments combined with genomic testing indicated that growth variation is largely controlled by environmental variability among lakes.
Rosburg, A., Blackwell, B., Chipps, S., VanDeHey, J., Larson, W. February 2017. Growth potential and genetic diversity of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in South Dakota. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Lincoln, Nebraska.	February 2017	Researchers have been investigating differences in growth and mortality patterns among populations of yellow perch for over a decade but the underlying mechanisms that are causing these patterns are still poorly understood. This project utilizes laboratory experiments and modern genomic techniques to investigate whether the differences in growth and mortality patterns are due to heritable genetic differences among populations or whether they are likely caused by environmental factors.
Rosburg, A., Blackwell, B., Chipps, S., VanDeHey, J., Larson, W. February 2017. Growth potential and genetic diversity of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in South Dakota. Annual Meeting of the Dakota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Jamestown, North Dakota.	February 2017	Researchers have been investigating differences in growth and mortality patterns among populations of yellow perch for over a decade but the underlying mechanisms that are causing these patterns are still poorly understood. This project utilizes laboratory experiments and modern genomic techniques to investigate whether the differences in growth and mortality patterns are due to heritable genetic differences among populations or whether they are likely caused by environmental factors.
Roffler, L.S., B.L. Sloss, B. Eggold, T. Burzynski, and R. Bruch. December 2007. Genetic diversity and stream-side rearing facilities in lake sturgeon conservation. 68th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Madison, Wisconsin.	December 2007
Roffler, L.S., B.L. Sloss, B. Eggold, T. Burzynski, R. Burch, and E. Baker. December 2008. Genetic resources in lake sturgeon restoration using stream-side rearing facilities. 69th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference Columbus, Ohio.	December 2008
Roffler, L.S. and B.L. Sloss. 2008. Genetic diversity implications of lake sturgeon stream-side rearing. 138th Annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.	August 2008
Roffler, L., B.L. Sloss, B. Eggold, T. Bruzynski, and R. Bruch. February 2008. Maintenance of genetic diversity in lake sturgeon restoration stocking. Wisconsin Chapters of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting Wausau, Wisconsin.	February 2008
Ricther, J.T., B.L. Sloss, and D.A. Isermann. February 2014. Use and validation of side-scan sonar to assess substrate composition in the littoral zone of Wisconsin lakes. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	February 2014	The objective of this study was to determine if side-scan sonar can accurately and efficiently classify substrate composition in nearshore littoral zones of Wisconsin lakes compared to a traditional transect-based method. Results suggest side-scan sonar provides a practical, accurate, and efficient alternative to assess littoral zone habitat on a lake-wide basis, where high resolution, site-specific microhabitat is not needed.
Richter, J.T., B.L. Sloss, and D.A. Isermann. January 2014. Use and validation of side-scan sonar to assess substrate composition in the littoral zone of north temperate lakes. 74th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Kansas City, Missouri.	January 2014	Evaluation of littoral zone fish habitat is usually accomplished using cost and time-expensive transect-based methods. Inexpensive (~$3,000), commercially available side-scan sonar units have been increasingly employed to map benthic and littoral zone habitat in stream studies and may offer a more efficient means of assessing littoral-zone fish habitat in lakes (e.g., walleye spawning habitat).
Richter, J.T., B.L. Sloss, and D.A. Isermann. February 2013. Use of side-scan sonar to assess substrate composition in the littoral zone of Wisconsin lakes. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Rothschild, Wisconsin.	February 2013	Evaluation of littoral-zone fish habitat has usually been accomplished using transect-based methods that can be labor intensive. Use of a relatively inexpensive (~$2500) side scan sonar unit may offer a more efficient means of measuring this habitat.
Richter, J.T., B.L. Sloss, and D.A. Isermann. February 2013. Measuring walleye spawning habitat using side scan sonar versus transect-based methods. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Rothschild, Wisconsin.	February 2013	The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' (WDNR) Walleye Sander vitreus Management Plan specifically recognizes that information on habitat, genetic integrity, and population status are critical components for sustainably managing the walleye resource within the state. Previous research has addressed each one of these components to varying degrees, but time and fiscal constraints continue to hamper the collection of consistent, quantitative habitat data for use in the walleye management p
Richter, J., B. Sloss, and D. Isermann. February 2015. Spawning habitat availability and the recruitment of walleye in northern Wisconsin lakes. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Eau Claire, Wisconsin.	February 2015	To make informed management decisions, fisheries managers strive to understand how mortality, growth, and recruitment interact to affect abundance. Recruitment is highly variable for most walleye populations in Wisconsin, but the factors contributing to this variation are poorly understood.
Rammer, G.M., and M.A. Bozek. February 2009. Relations between walleye (Sander vitreus spawning habitat and recruitment in littoral zones of northern Wisconsin lakes. Joint meeting of the Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario American Fisheries Society Chapters. Duluth, Minnesota.	February 2009
Rammer, G.M., M.A. Bozek, and T.F. Ginnett. December 2009. Relations between walleye spawning habitat and recruitment in Northeastern Wisconsin Lakes. 70th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Springfield, Illinois.	December 2009
Raabe, J.K., M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. January 2005. Spawning chronology and habitat of walleye in a north temperate lake. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Lacrosse, WI.	January 2005
Raabe, J.K., M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. December 2006. Spring wind and wave dynamics on a walleye spawning reef in a north temperate lake. 67th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Omaha, Nebraska.	December 2006
Raabe, J.K., M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. December 2004. Spawning chronology and habitat of walleye in a north temperate lake. 65th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Indianapolis, IN.	December 2004
Raabe, J.K., M.A. Bozek, R.L. Curnkilton. January 2006. Evaluation of structural components and functional dynamics of natural walleye spawning reefs. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society Wisconsin and Iowa Chapters. Dubuque, Iowa.	January 2006
Raabe, J.K., M.A. Bozek, R.L. Crunkilton, and S.P. Newman. December 2005. Evaluation of structural components and functional dynamics of natural walleye spawning reefs. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	December 2005
Raabe, J.K., M.A. Bozek, R. Crunkilton, and S.P. Newman. August 2005. Structural components and functional dynamics of natural walleye spawning reefs in a north temprate lake. American Fisheries Society National Meeting. Anchorage Alaska.	August 2005
Raabe, J., N. Porter, D. Isermann, R. Elliott, and M. Donofrio. August 2017. Factors influencing lake sturgeon behaviors and captures at the Menominee River fish elevator, Michigan and Wisconsin. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Tampa, Florida.	August 2017	Our research will aid fishery managers on the Menominee River and other systems in determining operating elevator protocols and designs that maximize capture of lake sturgeon.
Proctor, M.E., B.L. Sloss. May 2009. Assessing our abilities to distinguish among lake trout hatchery strains and their potential to hybrid offspring on Lake Michigan’s mid-lake reef complex. 52nd Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research. Toledo, Ohio.	May 2009	Genetic diversity levels among the strains allowed moderate confidence in the assignment of progeny to a single strain, but limited accuracy in predicting F1 or Fx hybrids. NewHybrids showed the most promise for correctly assigning hybrid offspring, but this method is limited by a maximum of two reference populations. Additional lake trout-specific microsatellite markers were developed to aid in distinguishing among Lake Michigan lake trout.
Proctor, M.E., B.L. Sloss, J.J. Janssen, and M. Rise. February 2008. Efficacy of genetic algorithms in identifying pure strain and hybrid lake trout in Lake Michigan's lake trout restoration efforts. Wisconsin Chapters of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting Wausau, Wisconsin.	February 2008
Proctor, M.E., B.L. Sloss, J.J. Janssen, and M. Rise. December 2008. Efficacy of assignment methods for determining the origin of lake trout produced on Lake Michigan’s mid-lake reef complex. 69th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference Columbus, Ohio.	December 2008
Proctor, M.E., B.L. Sloss, J.J. Jannsen, and M.L. Rise. December 2007. Estimating strain contribution of lake trout naturally produced on Lake Michigan?s mid-lake reef complex. 68th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Madison, Wisconsin.	December 2007
Porter, Nicholas, J. Raabe, D. Isermann, D. Kramer, M. Donofrio, S. Crimmins, and R. Elliot. Examining movement and maximizing capture of Lake Sturgeon in the fish elevator on the Menominee River. North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society Conference. Columbus, Missouri.	January 2019	Investigate differing sampling conditions of the capture of Lake Sturgeon at the Menominee River fish elevator. Determine if transferred fish reside in the upper river during the window of sturgeon spawning. Investigate habitat selection by sturgeon downstream of the Menominee dam throughout fall and spring seasons.
Porter, N., J. Raabe., D. Isermann, D. Kramer., M. Donofrio., and R. Elliott. January 2018. Examining movement and maximizing Capture of Lake Sturgeon and in the Fish Elevator on the Menominee River. Midwest Fish & Wildlife. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	Habitat fragmentation by dams and impoundments is one of the leading factors that has led to a reduced stock size of numerous fish species throughout the Great Lakes Region and the United States. This research will hopefully aid fish managers, dam engineers, and dam operators to lessen the effect of dams and habitat fragmentation on fish populations.
Piette, R.R., M.A. Bozek, and J. Lyons. December 1999. Effects of flow regulation on fish communities in Wisconsin's large warmwater river systems. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Chicago, Illinois.	December 1999
Orlando, J.L., and M.A. Bozek. December 2011. Indexing fish habitat in northern Wisconsin: developing metrics for nearshore littoral zone habitat complexity. 72nd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2011
Orlando, J.L., and M.A. Bozek. November 2011. Indexing fish habitat: development of metrics for nearshore littoral zones of Wisconsin lakes. North American Lake Management Society 31st International Symposium. Spokane, Washington.	October 2011
Orlando, J.L., and M.A. Bozek. December 2010. Development of fish habitat metrics for nearshore littoral zones of north temperate lakes. 71st Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2010
Orlando, J.L., and M.A. Bozek. April 2011. Toward the development of a fish habitat index for nearshore littoral zones of Wisconsin lakes. Speaking for Lakes: 33rd Annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	April 2011
Ogle, D.H. and D.A. Isermann. February 2016. Modified von Bertalanffy growth function to estimate the age to reach a critical length. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. LaCrosse, Wisconsin.	February 2016	We provide biologists with an alternative method for estimating time in years for fish to reach critical points (age at maturity or recruitment to fishery) when using the von Bertalanffy growth function. This method allows for direct statistical comparison of these metrics.
O'Connell, A.R., D.A. Isermann, and D.J. Dembkowski. May 2022. Evaluation of methods for estimating age and growth of lake sturgeon. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Grand Rapids, Michigan.	May 2022	This research has important implications for lake sturgeon monitoring across North America and implications for harvest management of lake sturgeon in the Lake Winnebago system located in central Wisconsin.
O'Connell, A., R. Koenigs, D. Isermann, R. Burch, and S. Campana. March 2017. Evaluating Methodologies for Estimating Age and Growth of Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	March 2017	Age estimates from pectoral fin spines for Lake Sturgeon from the Winnebago System, Wisconsin, underestimate the age of fish over the true age of 14. Our research, will evaluate four different techniques for estimating age and growth rates of Lake Sturgeon.
O'Connell, A., R. Koenigs, D. Isermann, R. Bruch, and S. Campana. January 2018. Evaluating methodologies for estimating age and growth of lake sturgeon. 78th Annual Midwest and Fish Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	Current age estimations of Lake Sturgeon using pectoral fin spines underestimate true age. With using new otolith aging methodology more accurate estimates of true age fish ≥ 14 can be made and the pectoral fin spine correction factor can be refined with a greater sample size resulting in more accurate population statistics (length at age, growth, mortality, etc.). Furthermore, the use of otoliths to augment the pectoral fine spine correction factor allows for a non-lethal method of estimating
Noring, A.M., G.G. Sass, S.R. Midway, J.A. VanDeHey, J.K. Raabe, D.A. Isermann, J.M. Kampa, T.P. Parks, J. Lyons, M.J. Jennings, G.J.A. Hansen, and T. Wagner. 2017. Effects of Cisco on Walleye Growth Trajectories in Northern Wisconsin Lakes. 13th International Coregonid Symposium.	September 2017	This work examines the presence/absence of Cisco on growth of walleye.
Noring, A.M, B.A. Ray, D.A. Isermann, and G.G. Sass. March 2017. Application of the Parameter ω Derived from the von Bertalanffy Growth Equation for Walleye in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin. Joint Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter’s of The American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	February 2017	Model parameters that estimate growth dynamics of fishes are a vital tool for managing fisheries. These parameters are most useful when they are correlated biologically and have beneficial uses for fisheries managers. Our research tests for relationships between in-situ juvenile Walleye growth trajectories in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin and a widely used parameter (ω), which relates to juvenile growth and is derived from the von Bertallanffy growth equation. Our results will help fisheries profess
Noring, A., G.G. Sass, D. Isermann, J. Kampa, T. Parks, J. Lyons, J. VanDeHey, and M. Jennings. February 2015. Relationships between growth trajectories and walleye (Sander vitreus) and cisco (Coregonus artedi) presence in northern Wisconsin lakes. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Eau Claire, Wisconsin.	February 2015	Growth dynamics of fishes are dictated by a number of abiotic and biotic factors. Cisco are a cold-water fish species, are an important forage fish for a number of sport fishes, and are at the southern extent of their range in Wisconsin. This research tested for relationships between walleye growth trajectories and cisco presence/absence in northern Wisconsin lakes with implications for loss of cisco populations due to changing aquatic ecosystem dynamics.
Newbrey, M.G., M.A. Bozek, and M. Jennings. December 2001. Differences in architectural complexity of submerged deciduous versus conifer trees in relation to fish habitat. 63rd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2001
Newbrey, M.G. and M.A. Bozek. October 2002. Growth of Esox tiemani of the Paleocene Sentinel Butte Formation of North Dakota with evidence to estimate mean annual temperature. 62nd Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology. Norman, Oklahoma.	October 2002
Newbrey, M.G. and M.A. Bozek. January 2001. Architectural complexity of submerged trees: riparian and littoral zone management of fish habitat. Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Superior, Wisconsin. Invited presentation.	January 2001
Newbrey, M.G. M.A. Bozek, and M. Jennings. December 2000. Architecture of submerged trees as fish habitat: implications for riparian and littoral zone management. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2000
Newbrey, J.L., M.A. Bozek, and N. Niemuth. December 2001. Factors influencing lacustrine habitat selection by piscivorous birds in northern Wisconsin. 63rd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2001
Newbrey, J., M.A. Bozek, and N. Niemuth. December 2000. Effects of lake characteristics and development on habitat selection by piscivorous birds in northern Wisconsin. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2000
Nathan, L.R., R.T. Andvik, B.L. Sloss, J.A. VanDeHey, S. Hansen, R. Claramunt, and T.M. Sutton. December 2011. Looking back in time: assessing the stability of lake whitefish stocks in Lake Michigan. 72nd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2011
Nate, N.A., M.A. Bozek, M.J. Hansen, and S.W. Hewett. August 2000. Predicting walleye presence in northern Wisconsin lakes. Annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. St. Louis, Missouri.	August 2000
Naas, E. M., D. J. Dembkowski, S. P. Hansen, J. A. VanDeHey, and D. A. Isermann. January 2024. Understanding Smallmouth Bass Recruitment in Relation to Nest Fishing along Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula. Southern Division AFS Annual Meeting. Chattanooga, Tennessee.	February 2024	This research will help determine if a suite of abiotic and biotic factors explain smallmouth bass nest success and recruitment trends and will also identify a standardized method to index smallmouth bass recruitment along Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula.
Naas, E. M., D. J. Dembkowski, S. P. Hansen, J. A. VanDeHey, and D. A. Isermann. January 2024. Understanding Smallmouth Bass Recruitment in Relation to Nest Fishing along Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula. 84th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Sioux Falls, South Dakota.	January 2024	This research will help determine if a suite of abiotic and biotic factors explain smallmouth bass nest success and recruitment trends and will also identify a standardized method to index smallmouth bass recruitment along Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula.
Musch, A.E., M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. December 2004. Spawning chronology and habitat selection by sympatric smallmouth bass and rock bass in north temperate lakes. 65th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Indianapolis, IN.	December 2004
Musch, A., M.A. Bozek, S.P. Newman, and C.J. Edwards. December 2003. Spawning habitat selection of sympatric smallmouth bass and rock bass in two north temperate lakes: habitat segregation in space and time. 64th Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference, Kansas City, Missouri.	December 2003
Murphy, E.L., B.L. Sloss, and M.J. Jennings. December 2006. Impacts of supplemental stocking in Wisconsin?s muskellunge propagation program. 67th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Omaha, Nebraska.	December 2006
Murphy, E.L., B.L. Sloss, and M.J. Jennings. 2006. Conservation genetics of Wisconsin?s muskellunge management program. North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society?s Esox Technical Committee Annual Meeting. Woodruff, WI. INVITED.	June 2006
Murphy, E., B.L. Sloss, and M. Jennings. January 2007. Impacts of supplemental stocking in Wisconsin?s muskellunge propagation program. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2007
Mohr, Z., and D. Isermann. January 2018. Comparison of northern pike age estimates and reader precision among anal, pelvic, and pectoral fin rays. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	It is important to determine if fin rays collected from different locations provide the same ages for northern pike because choice of fin ray is not consistent among biologists.
Meece, J.K., J.L. Anderson, M.C. Fisher, D.A. Henk, B.L. Sloss, and K.D. Reed. May 2010. Population genetics of the thermally dimorphic fungal pathogen, Blastomyces dermatitidis. 110th General Meeting of the American Society of Microbiology. San Diego, California.	May 2010
McMurran, D., M.A. Bozek, and John Curtis. May 2003. A survey of fossil plants from Fossil Lake, Green River Formation (Eocene), Wyoming. 20th Annual Mid-Continent Paleobotanical Colloquium, Chicago, Illinois.	May 2003
Mann, B.M., and M.A. Bozek. December 2007. Microhabitat partitioning among fish species using submerged trees as habitat in Lake Katherine, Wisconsin. 68th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Madison, Wisconsin.	December 2007
Mann, B.M., and M.A. Bozek. December 2006. Microhabitat use of submerged trees as fish habitat in a north temperate lake. 67th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Omaha, Nebraska.	December 2006
M. Bootsma and W. Larson. Novemeber 2018. Walleye genetics in Wisconsin. WDNR Fisheries Biologist and Supervisor Meeting, Green Bay, WI.	November 2018	Defining management units for walleye is important for informing management and stocking practices. We used high-throughput DNA sequencing to update genetic data and define management units for walleye in Wisconsin.
Lins, J., J. Raabe, and J.J. Homola. 2023. Evaluating brook trout connectivity and spring pond use within the Plover River system, Wisconsin. 52nd Annual Wisconsin Chapter American Fisheries Society Meeting. Stevens Point, Wisconsin.	February 2023	This research is determining whether spring ponds serve as seasonal refugia for brook trout.
Lins, J., J. Raabe, and J. Homola. August 2023. Brook trout and fish community use of spring ponds in central Wisconsin. American Fisheries Society. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	August 2023	Wisconsin has thousands of miles of thermally suitable habitat for brook trout <i>Salvelinus fontinalis </i>and other coldwater species, but climate change threatens to drastically reduce cold-water habitat. This study will inform managers of spring ponds to protect and rehabilitate to provide thermal refuge and provide the greatest benefit to brook trout and other coldwater species and allow appropriate management based on population connectivity between systems.
Lins, J., J. Raabe, and J. Homola. August 2023. Brook trout and fish community use of spring ponds in central Wisconsin. American Fisheries Society. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	August 2023	This work is determining whether spring ponds serve as thermal refugia to riverine fishes.
Lensing, B., L. Izzo, T. Binder, T. Hayden, D. Dembkowski, C. Phalen, and D. Isermann. January 2024. Tributary use of walleye in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. 84^th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Sioux Falls, South Dakota.	January 2024	Describing the annual use and residency in tributaries can help us better understand the spawning behavior and migration of walleye in Green Bay. Gaining insight into this behavior could help in devising habitat improvements or management strategies for tributaries.
Lensing, B., D. Dembkowski, J. Breeggemann, S. Hansen, and D. Isermann. January 2024. 53^rd Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	January 2024	Identifying the spawning habitat of lake whitefish and walleye can help us understand spawning behavior and habitat selection within the Lower Fox River. Gaining insight into the spawning locations could help in developing future habitat improvement strategies for the Lower Fox River.
Larson. W., M. Limborg, G. McKinney, T. Dann, J. Seeb, and L. Seeb. June 2018. Understanding the genetic basis of ecotypic variation in sockeye salmon from across Alaska. Coastwide Salmonid Genetics Meeting, Mukilteo, Washington.	June 2018	Understanding the genetic basis of adaptation is a major component of evolutionary biology and can help to preserve important adaptive diversity. We used genetic tools to investigate adaptive genetic differences between ecotypes of sockeye salmon in Alaska.
Larson. W., J. Olsen, G. McKinney, J. Seeb, and L. Seeb. May 2018. Effective population size of Chinook salmon in Yukon and Kuskokwim river tributaries. Anchorage, Alaska.	May 2018	Chinook salmon populations in western Alaska have experienced significant declines in abundance over the last decade. We used estimates of effective population to investigate the genetic health of populations in this region.
Larson, WA. February 2016. The utility of genomics for fisheries management: lessons from Pacific salmon. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. LaCrosse, Wisconsin.	February 2016	The utility of genomics for fisheries management: lessons from Pacific salmon
Larson, WA, Waples, RK, Waples, RW. Estimating effective size with genomic data: benefits and pitfalls. Annual meeting of the Canadian Society of Ecologists and Evolutionary Biologists. Guelph, ON, CA. July 2018.	July 2018	Effective population size in an important metric for conservation. This talk focuses on using new genomic techniques to improve estimates of effective population size.
Larson, W.L., K. Turnquist, J. VanDeHey, B. Blackwell, S. Chipps, B. Sloss, and A. Rosburg. 2016. Genomic signatures of selection in yellow perch populations with variable growth trajectories and mortality rates. 147th Annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Kansas City, MO.	August 2016	This study compared genetic structure of two, distinct yellow perch morphotypes in glacial lakes of the northern great plains. Findings from the genetic analysis revealed that growth and life-history differencts between yellow perch populations are driven primarily by environmental conditions.
Larson, W.A., M. Limborg, G. McKinney, T. Dann, J. Seeb, and L. Seeb. 2018. Understanding the genetic basis of ecotypic variation in sockeye salmon from across Alaska. Midwest Population Genetics Meeting.	August 2018	Sockeye salmon compose a portfolio of genetic diversity across Alaska. Our goal is to understand this diversity so we can better preserve it.
Larson, W., and M. Meek. June 2019. The future is now: amplicon sequencing and sequence capture usher in the conservation genomics era. Brockport, New York.	June 2019	Genetic techniques can provide vital information for management of natural resources, but recent genomic advances have not been readily adopted outside of academia. We provide a roadmap for conservation geneticists that will enable them to incorporate these powerful techniques into their research.
Larson, W., W. Stott, K. Turnquist, and G. Sass. September 2017. Developing a Rapture panel to investigate genetic diversity in cisco across the Great Lakes region. 13th International Coregonid Symposium. Bayfield, Wisconsin.	September 2017	Cisco are adapted to a wide variety of environments and display significant morphological variation. The focus of this research is developing genetic tools to understand the genetic basis of adaptation and inform conservation in these valuable species.
Larson, W., W. Stott, K. Turnquist, and G. Sass. May 2017. Developing a Rapture panel to investigate genetic diversity in cisco across the Great Lakes region. International Association for Great Lakes Research. Detroit, Michigan.	May 2017	Cisco are adapted to a wide variety of environments and display significant morphological variation. The focus of this research is developing genetic tools to understand the genetic basis of adaptation and inform conservation in these valuable species.
Larson, W., M. Limborg, G. McKinney, T. Dann, J. Seeb, and L. Seeb. May 2018. Understanding the genetic basis of ecotypic variation in sockeye salmon from across Alaska. Anchorage, Alaska.	May 2018	Understanding the genetic basis of adaptation is a major component of evolutionary biology and can help to preserve important adaptive diversity. We used genetic tools to investigate adaptive genetic differences between ecotypes of sockeye salmon in Alaska.
Larson, W., K. Turnquist, and G. Sass. March 2017. Using parentage analysis to investigate the spawning and recruitment dynamics of walleye in a small northern lake. 46th Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	February 2017	Walleye are an important resource for recreational and tribal anglers in Wisconsin and have decreased in abundance in the northern area of the state over the last decade. This research will improve our understanding of walleye spawning and recruitment dynamics, which will help inform management of this valuable species.
Larson, W., K. Turnquist, J. VanDeHey, B. Blackwell, S. Chipps, B. Sloss, and A. Rosburg. August 2016. Genomic signatures of selection in yellow perch populations with variable growth trajectories and mortality rates. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Kansas City, Missouri.	August 2016	Researchers have been investigating differences in growth and mortality patterns among populations of yellow perch for over a decade but the underlying mechanisms that are causing these patterns are still poorly understood. This project utilizes cutting-edge genomic techniques to investigate whether the differences in growth and mortality patterns are due to heritable genetic differences among populations or whether they are likely caused by environmental factors.
Larson, W., K. Turnquist, B. Erdman, M. Mitro, and J. Griffin. January 2018. Using genetic tools to inform conservation of Wisconsin’s native brook trout. 78th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	Brook trout are an important native species in Wisconsin that provide substantial recreational fisheries opportunities and are an indicator of habitat quality. We used genetic tools to identify native populations of brook trout that can be conserved and used as broodstock to rebuild other populations.
Krebs, J., R. Sheffer, D. Dembkowski, S. Hogler, J. Raabe and D. Isermann. January 2020. Movements and habitat use of muskellunge in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. 80th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Springfield, Illinois.	January 2020	Identifying habitat conditions that result in the successful production of offspring is important for developing habitat improvement projects that aim to restore critical spawning habitat. Understanding muskellunge behavior will also help develop stocking strategies that aim to increase use of restored spawning habitat.
Krebs, J., R. Sheffer, D. Dembkowski, S. Hogler, J. Raabe and D. Isermann. August-September 2020. Movements and spawning habitat of Muskellunge in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. 2020 150^th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Columbus, Ohio.	August 2020	Identifying habitat conditions that result in the successful production of offspring is important for developing habitat improvement projects that aim to restore critical spawning habitat. Understanding muskellunge behavior will also help develop stocking strategies that aim to increase use of restored spawning habitat.
Krause, A., Shi, Y., Larson, W.A., and J.J Homola. 2023. Assessment of spatial and temporal variation in stock-specific harvest rates for Lake Michigan’s lake whitefish fishery. 52nd Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society	February 2023	This work is helping to determine stock-specific harvest rates of Lake Michigan lake whitefish.
Krause, A., Shi, Y., Brenden, T., Wesley, L., and J. Homola. August 2023. Spatiotemporal stock mixing variation informs the development of ‘mixture-aware’ catch-at-age models for lake whitefish in Lake Michigan. University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit. Stevens Point, Wisconsin. IAGLR Conference on Great Lakes Research. Toronto, Canada.	August 2023	Managing stocks present with mixing is resulting in the potential overharvesting of more vulnerable stocks. Assessing mixing rates and stock contributions between stocks will determine how variable mixing shifts between seasons and years in Lake Michigan. Quantifying mixing will provide more informed fisheries management to improve Lake whitefish declining recruitment.
Kraus, R., D. Isermann, D. Dembkowski, and J. Breeggemann. 2024. Yearling Muskellunge Survival in Green Bay in Relation to Length at Stocking and Stocking Location. Wisconsin Chapter AFS Meeting. Green Bay, WI.	January 2024	Our research helps to inform stocking strategies for muskellunge in Green Bay which represent one of the most prominent fisheries for this species in North America.
Kral, A.M., M.A. Bozek , J.A. Hauxwell, S. Knight, and G.R. Hatzenbeler. December 2003. Quantifying the effects of lakeshore development and environmental gradients on macrophyte distribution in small Wisconsin lakes. 64th Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference, Kansas City, Missouri.	December 2003
Koenig, L., Isermann, D., Dembkowski, D., Tsehaye, I., Hogler, S., Paoli, T., Hansen, S., Zorn, T., Caroffino, D., and Larson, W. August 2018. Food web interactions among walleyes, lake whitefish, and yellow perch in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. Annual Summer Meeting, Walleye Technical Committee of the North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society, Spirit Lake, Iowa.	August 2018	As the primary piscivore in the Green Bay food web, walleyes have the potential to influence lake whitefish and yellow perch abundance, and yellow perch are or have been an important prey item in walleye diets within many ecosystems. These three species likely interact in a variety of ways, including predation and diet overlap, but these interactions are poorly understood because contemporary information on diets is lacking in Green Bay.
Koenig, L., D. Isermann, D. Dembkowski, W. Larson, K. I. Tsehaye, S. Hansen, S. Hogler, T. Paoli, and T. Zorn. January 2020. Food web interactions among walleyes, lake whitefish, and yellow perch in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Springfield, Illinois.	January 2020	This study represents a significant step in a research plan that will help in developing management strategies for these three important species.
Koenig, L., D. Isermann, D. Dembkowski, W. Larson, K. I. Tsehaye, S. Hansen, S. Hogler, T. Paoli, and T. Zorn. February 2019. Food web interactions among walleyes, lake whitefish, and yellow perch in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	February 2019	This study represents a significant step in a research plan that will help improve management of walleyes, lake whitefish, and yellow perch in Green Bay and has important implications for the region’s economy, given the potential trade-offs that likely exist among various management strategies for these three important species.
Koehler, R.A., C. Hartleb, B.L. Sloss, and R.P. Franckowiak. December 2006. Genetic analysis of North American yellow perch strains. 67th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Omaha, Nebraska.	December 2006
Kittel, T.A., and B.L. Sloss. December 2005. Genetic and demographic analyses of remnant Menominee River lake Sturgeon populations. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Grand Rapids, Michagen.	December 2005
Kittel, T.A., B.L. Sloss, J. Schenk, and A. Larsen. December 2006. Genetic and demographic analyses of remnant Menominee River lake sturgeon populations. 67th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Omaha, Nebraska.	December 2006
Kerns, J., D. Isermann, and T. Simonson. February 2016. Electrofishing catchability of juvenile muskellunge in northern Wisconsin lakes. Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of American Fisheries Society. LaCrosse, Wisconsin.	February 2016	This study will help to inform scientifically sound management and monitoring decisions concerning muskellunge which represent one of the most popular and economically-important sportfish in the state of Wisconsin.
Kerns, J., D. Isermann, and T. Simonson. August 2016. Electrofishing catchability of juvenile muskellunge in northern Wisconsin lakes. Annual Meeting of American Fisheries Society. Kansas City, Missouri.	August 2016	This study will help to inform scientifically sound management and monitoring decisions concerning muskellunge which represent one of the most popular and economically-important sportfish in the state of Wisconsin.
Kerns, J., D. Isermann, and T. Simonson. 2016. Electrofishing catchability of juvenile muskellunge in northern Wisconsin lakes. Joint Meeting of the Centrarchid, Esocid, and Walleye Technical Committees; North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society. Gretna, Nebraska.	July 2016	This study will help to inform scientifically sound management and monitoring decisions concerning muskellunge which represent one of the most popular and economically-important sportfish in the state of Wisconsin.
Kerns, J., D. Isermann, and T. Simonson. 2016. Electrofishing catchability of juvenile muskellunge in northern Wisconsin lakes. Hugh C. Becker Symposium - Muskies, Inc., Minnetonka, Minnesota.	March 2016	Importance of work: This study will help to inform scientifically sound management and monitoring decisions concerning muskellunge which represent one of the most popular and economically-important sportfish in the state of Wisconsin.
Kerns, J., D. Isermann, and J. Hansen. February 2016. Evaluation of vehicle counters for monitoring angler effort on small freshwater lakes. Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of American Fisheries Society. LaCrosse, Wisconsin.	February 2016	This study will help to inform scientifically sound management and monitoring decisions concerning freshwater sport fish which represent one of the most popular and economically-important natural resources in the state of Wisconsin.
Kerns, J., D. Isermann, T. Simonson, J. Hennessy, and T. Cichosz. March 2016. Predicting abundance of adult muskellunge in northern Wisconsin lakes. Hugh C. Becker Symposium, Muskies, Inc. Minnetonka, Minnesota.	March 2016	Importance of work: This study will help to inform scientifically sound management decisions concerning muskellunge which represent one of the most popular and economically-important sportfish in the state of Wisconsin.
Kerns, J., D. Isermann, T. Simonson, J. Hennessy, and T. Cichosz. July 2015. Evaluation of methods used to estimate population metrics for adult muskellunge in northern Wisconsin lakes. North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society – Walleye Technical Committee Meeting, Brookings, South Dakota.	July 2015	The objective of this study is to determine if alternative models can be used to explain greater variation in the abundance of adult muskellunge within northern Wisconsin lakes than the current linear model that relies solely on lake surface area as a predictor variable. This study will help to inform scientifically sound management decisions concerning muskellunge which represent one of the most popular and economically-important sportfish in the state of Wisconsin.
Kerns, J., D. Isermann, T. Simonson, J. Hennessy, and T. Cichosz. February 2015. Evaluation of methods used to estimate population metrics for adult muskellunge in northern Wisconsin lakes. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Indianapolis, Indiana.	February 2015	This study will help to inform scientifically sound management decisions concerning muskellunge which represent one of the most popular and economically-important sportfish in the state of Wisconsin.
Kerns, J., D. Isermann, T. Simonson, J. Hennessy, and T. Cichosz. 2015. Evaluation of methods used to estimate population metrics for adult muskellunge in northern Wisconsin lakes. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Eau Claire, Wisconsin.	February 2015	Importance of work: This study will help to inform scientifically sound management decisions concerning muskellunge which represent one of the most popular and economically-important sportfish in the state of Wisconsin.
Kerns, J., D. Isermann, J. Hansen, and J. Hennessy. August 2016. Evaluation of vehicle counters for monitoring angler effort on small inland lakes. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Kansas City, Missouri.	August 2016	This study will help to inform scientifically sound management and monitoring decisions concerning freshwater sport fish which represent one of the most popular and economically-important natural resources in the state of Wisconsin.
Kerns, J., D. Dembkowski, D. Isermann, M. Donofrio, and E. Baker. October 2015. Comparison of lake sturgeon growth rates estimated from fin rays and mark-recapture. North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society. Oshkosh, Wisconsin.	October 2015	This study demonstrates biases associated with estimating lake sturgeon growth rates using fin rays as an aging structure. Mark-recapture sampling and PIT tag recovery, in conjunction with reduction of measurement error, provides a better method for describing growth and survival in lake sturgeon populations.
Kerkhove, A.M., A. Trudeau, Z.S. Feiner, O.P. Jensen, and D.A. Isermann. January 2022. Impacts of Technology on Angler Catch Rates and Satisfaction for Panfish Across the State of Wisconsin. 82^nd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	February 2022	This research will be used to better understand which subset of anglers use on-ice technology, how it impacts their catch rates of panfish across Wisconsin, and satisfaction with their catch rates.
Kerkhove, A.M., A. Trudeau, Z. S. Feiner, O. P. Jensen, and D. A. Isermann. May 2022. Impacts of technology on angler catch rates and satisfaction for panfish across the state of Wisconsin. 2022 Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	May 2022	This research will be used to better understand which subset of anglers use on-ice technology, how it impacts their catch rates of panfish across Wisconsin, and satisfaction with their catch rates.
Kelling, C.J., D.A. Isermann, B.L. Sloss, and K. Turnquist. February 2013. Largemouth bass in northern Wisconsin: potential dietary interactions with walleyes. 42nd Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of American Fisheries Society. Rothschild, Wisconsin.	February 2013	Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides abundance has increased in many northern Wisconsin lakes over the last decade and this has caused some concern among anglers and biologists because of potential interactions with walleyes Sander vitreus. Previous studies have provided evidence of a negative interaction between the two species occurring through predation of adult largemouth bass on juvenile walleyes and competition for prey.
Kelling, C., and D. Isermann. February 2013. Hatch timing and growth of age-0 largemouth bass in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Rosthschild, Wisconsin.	February 2013	Largemouth bass have protracted spawning periods that can last up to several weeks. As a result, growth, total length (TL), and recruitment of age-0 largemouth bass may be regulated by hatch timing, but these relationships have not been thoroughly examined for largemouth bass in northern lakes.
Kelling, C., and D. Isermann. April 2013. Largemouth bass in northern Wisconsin: factors regulating recruitment and potential dietary interactions with walleyes. Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Convention. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	April 2013	Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) abundance has increased in many northern Wisconsin lakes over the last decade. This increase in abundance has caused concern among anglers and fishery managers regarding the potential effects of increased bass abundance on walleye (Sander vitreus) populations.
Keiler-Klein, A., D.A. Isermann, D.J. Dembkowski, and L.D. Koenig. 2019. Differential predation of round goby by walleye, yellow perch, and lake whitefish. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	February 2019	This research demonstrates how native predators prey upon different segments of an invasive fish population and how gape limitation influences size of prey consumed.
Keiler-Klein, A., D.A. Isermann, D.J. Dembkowski, and L.D. Koenig. 2019. Differential predation of round goby by walleye, yellow perch, and lake whitefish. Research in the Rotunda. Madison, Wisconsin.	April 2019	This research demonstrates how native predators prey upon different segments of an invasive fish population and how gape limitation influences size of prey consumed.
Kapuscinski, K., B.L. Sloss, and J.M. Farrell. August 2012. Genetic population structure of muskellunge in the Great Lakes. 142nd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. St. Paul, Minnesota.	August 2012
Kampa, J., J. Church, T. Parks, D. Isermann, J. Lyons, and M. Jennings. February 2015. Morphological variation and the influence of habitat conditions among cisco populaitons in Wisconsin lakes. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Eau Claire, Wisconsin.	February 2015	Changes in climate and landscape-level perturbations will likely affect cisco populations in the future, but little is known about the current status of cisco populations in Wisconsin because standard annual fishery surveys are not designed to sample these fish.
Jungbluth, C.J., A.D. Mannigel, A.M. Thometz, D.C. Rowe, M.D. Aquino, J.L. Himebauch and J.J.Homola. January 2023. Tracking genetic diversity of wild, F1, and interpopulation F2 Brook Trout crosses. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Grand Rapids, Michigan.	August 2023	Understanding and improving hatchery Brook Trout genetic structure is important for maintaining and improving native Brook Trout populations through stocking. Genetic diversity is an important component of genetic structure and population viability.
Jungbluth, C., Springer, A., Spear, S., Homola, J. September 2024. Point-of-Use Detection for Prevention and Control of Invasive Species. North American Invasive Species Management. Missoula, Montana.	October 2024	The importance of this research is to establish a technique of red swamp crayfish detection to limit spread and colonization. A rapid field diagnostic could allow rapid detection to properly allocate prevention and removal efforts.
Jungbluth, C., Albosta, P., Spear, S., Homola, J. January 2024. Point-of-Use Detection for Prevention and Control of Invasive Species. Midwest Fish and Wildlife. Sioux Falls, South Dakota.	January 2024	The importance of this research is to establish a technique of red swamp crayfish detection to limit spread and colonization. A new, emerging method will also be established to improve current detection practices.
Jorgensen, K.M., W. LeGrande, M.A. Bozek, and C. Hartleb. December 2000. Diurnal and nocturnal next defense and brood care behaviors in bluegill sunfish. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2000
Johnson, J., D. Isermann, W. Larson, D. Dembkowski, and R. Koenigs. February 2019. Stock discrimination of lake sturgeon in the Lake Winnebago System using otolith and fin ray microchemistry. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	February 2019	This will be the first study to evaluate microchemistry as a method of stock discrimination in lake sturgeon. Our results will inform future management decisions regarding lake sturgeon management and habitat improvement of sturgeon spawning locations within the Lake Winnebago System.
Johnson, J., D. Isermann, D. Dembkowski, and R. Koenigs. September 2019. Stock discrimination of lake sturgeon in the Lake Winnebago system using otolith and fin ray microchemistry. North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society. Manitoba, Canada.	September 2019	This will be the first study to evaluate microchemistry as a method of stock discrimination in lake sturgeon. Our results will inform future management decisions regarding lake sturgeon management and habitat improvement of sturgeon spawning locations within the Lake Winnebago System.
Johnson, J., D. Isermann, D. Dembkowski, and R. Koenigs. January 2020. Stock discrimination of lake sturgeon in the Lake Winnebago System using otolith and fin ray microchemistry. 80th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Springfield, Illinois.	January 2020	This will be the first study to evaluate microchemistry as a method of stock discrimination in lake sturgeon. Our results will inform future management decisions regarding lake sturgeon management and habitat improvement of sturgeon spawning locations within the Lake Winnebago System.
Jennings, M., E.E. Emmons, G.R. Hatzenbeler, M.A. Bozek, and C.J. Edwards. December 1999. Effects of riparian development and watershed land use on littoral zone habitat in small, north temperate lakes. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Chicago, Illinois.	December 1999
Jaksha, N., D. Dembkowski, J. Gostiaux, J. Raabe and D. Isermann. January 2020. Diets of Larval Walleye in Northern Wisconsin Lakes. 80th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Springfield, Illinois.	January 2020	Availability of prey utilized by larval walleye could affect early survival and subsequent recruitment. However, current information on diets of naturally-produced larval walleye in lakes of the upper Midwestern USA is lacking. Identifying important prey for larval walleye is the first step in determining whether availability of these prey may be a factor influencing recruitment.
J.J. Homola, S.R. Smith, B. Lorencen, J.D. Robinson, and K.T. Scribner. March 2021. Geometric morphometrics and genomics reveal rapid adaptation to novel environments in the invasive range of round gobies. Annual Meeting of the Michigan Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Virtual.	March 2021	Improving our understanding of the factors that are promoting the spread of round goby into new habitats in their invaded Great Lakes range, including consideration of adaptive potential, this work will advance efforts to predict and mitigate future species invasion. Given past evidence of local adaptation, we used genomic and geometric morphometric methods to evaluate whether adaptive processes are contributing to the success of invasive gobies throughout the Great Lakes basin.
J. Griffin, M. Mitro, W. Larson, D. Rowe, D. Seibel, H. Benike, M. Aquino, J. Weeks, S. Hewett, D. Giehtbrock. September 2017. Using new brook trout genetics research to improve Wisconsin stocking program and protect wild brook trout populations. Wild Trout Symposium. West Yellowstone, MT.	September 2017	Brook trout are an important native species in Wisconsin that provide substantial recreational fishing opportunities. Our research aims to improve stocking protocols by using genetic data to identify suitable sources and preserve genetic diversity.
Izzo, L., D.I. Isermann, D. Dembkowski, T. Hayden, T. Binder, C. Vandergoot, S. Hansen, T. Zorn, D. Caroffino, and C. Kruger. February 2022. Tributary use of walleye and lake whitefish in Green Bay. 51st Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Virtual.	February 2022	This research has been important in understanding the movements, habitat needs, and population mixing of Walleye and Lake Whitefish, which are important to both recreational and commercial fisheries in the Great Lakes.
Izzo, L., D. Isermann, D. Dembkowski, T. Binder, T. Hayden, J. Homola, C. Vandergoot, S. Hansen, D. Caroffino, and C. Krueger. May 2022. Telemetry, genomics, and conventional tagging inform lake whitefish management in northwestern Lake Michigan. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	May 2022	This research has been critical to understanding the spatial distribution and fishery contributions of different spawning aggregates of lake whitefish and has helped inform proposed changes in lake whitefish harvest management in Wisconsin.
Izzo, L., D. Dembkowski, D. Isermann, T. Binder, S. Hansen, and C. Vandergoot. Feb 28-Mar 2, 2023. Survival of lake whitefish in Green Bay following transmitter implantation using chemical anesthesia and electroimmobilization. GLATOS 2023 Coordination Meeting, Ypsilanti, MI.	March 2023	This research contributes to improved handling and tagging protocols for lake whitefish, a culturally and economically important species in the Great Lakes region, as telemetry studies focusing on this species have increased dramatically in recent years.
Isermann^,D., D. Dembkowski, S. Carpenter, J. Vander Zanden, J. Hennessy, G. Hansen, J. Hansen, A. Latzka, H. Embke, G. Coppola, Z. Lawson, Z. Feiner, G. Sass, H. Boehm, J. Gostiaux, and E. Brandt. January-February 2021. Bucketmouths, Bottlenecks, and Busted Headlights: A Timeline of Field-Based Efforts to Understand Walleye and Yellow Perch Recruitment in Northern Wisconsin. 81st Annual Meeting of the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Virtual.	February 2021	This research has been important in identifying factors affecting the recruitment of walleye and yellow perch, two culturally and ecologically important species within the upper Midwest.
Isermann, D.I., T. Binder, T. Hayden, S. Hansen, D. Caroffino, D. Dembkowski, W. Larson, C. Krueger, and C. Vandergoot. May 2021. Telemetry, Genomics, and Conventional Tagging Inform Lake Whitefish Management in Northwestern Lake Michigan. 2021 Virtual International Association of Great Lakes Research.	May 2021	Understanding lake whitefish stock structure and movements are research needs for both the Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and our research will help these agencies determine appropriate strategies for lake whitefish management.
Isermann, D.A., and S. Hogler. February 2016. Walleye stock characteristics in Green Bay. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. LaCrosse, Wisconsin.	February 2016	Our work will allow fishery managers to determine if biological characteristics vary among walleye stocks in Green Bay. Differences in biological characteristics may demonstrate that certain stocks are more vulnerable to overfishing.
Isermann, D.A., T. Parks, J. Lyons, J. Kampa, G. Sass, A. Rypel, and M. Jennings. Cisco population characteristics in Wisconsin Lakes. 13th Annual International Coregonid Symposium. Bayfield, Wisconsin.	September 2017	Changes in climate and landscape-level perturbations will likely affect the demographics and dynamics of cisco populations in the future, but little is known about the current status of cisco populations in Wisconsin because standard annual fishery surveys are not designed to sample these fish.
Isermann, D.A., R. Koenigs, and C. Isermann. February 2014. Replicating otolith ages for walleyes in Wisconsin using dorsal spines: development of correction factors. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	February 2014	Using otoliths and dorsal spines collected from more than 700 walleyes across the state of Wisconsin, we described relationships between ages estimated from otoliths and dorsal spines for fast-, moderate-, and slow-growing walleye populations in order to develop correction factors that could be used to adjust dorsal spine ages. Our initial results suggest that these correction factors can be used to provide estimates of growth and mortality parameters similar to estimates obtained when using ot
Isermann, D.A., N.A. Nate, and G. Hansen. 2014. Evaluation of biological performance indicators for monitoring exploitation of Walleye populations in northern Wisconsin. 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.	August 2014	Biological performance indicators may be effective for assessing changes in exploitation within individual populations, but appear ineffective at a broad spatial scale because relatively high or low BPI values observed for some populations may be the result of factors other than exploitation. Ongoing analyses will evaluate BPIs in relation to exploitation using data for populations where relatively frequent estimation of exploitation has occurred.
Isermann, D.A., M. Vaske, D. Miller, T. Meronek, and J. Thompson. February 2015. Otolith-based length limit simulations for two Wisconsin crappie fisheries: can we improve on pretty good? Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Eau Claire, Wisconsin.	February 2015	Our objective was to use simulation models to determine if minimum length limits could be used to further improve size structure in two north-central Wisconsin lakes where large crappies (≥ 11 in TL) were already present in relatively high numbers.
Isermann, D.A. and A. Musch. February 2015. Use of portable ultrasound to determine sex and maturity of adult lake sturgeon. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Annual Meeting. Eau Claire, Wisconsin.	February 2015	Our results indicate that the ultrasound can be used to accurately determine the sex of mature lake sturgeon (i.e., F4 and F5 females and M2 males), but the ultrasound was not effective for identifying sex of immature fish. Consequently, the ultrasound device could be used to ensure desired numbers of mature lake sturgeon of a specific sex are selected for passage or propagation efforts, without using invasive procedures.
Isermann, D.A. September 2013. Training fishery managers in a changing academic environment: people, politics, and PSD. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Little Rock, Arkansas.	September 2013	Historically, many academic institutions trained future fishery management biologists while conducting research that addressed important management issues for resource agencies. In several cases, this symbiotic relationship has diminished, resulting in fewer graduates that have completed training traditionally required of management biologists.
Isermann, D., and K. Schnell. February 2014. Use of a portable ultrasound to determine sex of largemouth bass. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	February 2014	We are working to determine whether a portable ultrasound unit commonly used by large animal veterinarians can be used to determine the sex and maturity stage of lake sturgeon. Our results indicate that the ultrasound can be used to accurately determine the sex of mature largemouth bass and for identifying bass that are not mature.
Isermann, D., and J. Hansen. 2014. Going green: the rise of largemouth bass in the north woods.	January 2014	This article discusses recent trends in largemouth bass abundance in the upper Midwest and what affects these trends have had on fisheries management and angling opportunities within the region.
Isermann, D., and A. Musch. February 2015. Use of a portable ultrasound to determine sex and maturity of adult lake sturgeon. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Indianapolis, Indiana.	February 2015	The ultrasound was not effective for identifying sex of immature fish. Consequently, the ultrasound device could be used to ensure desired numbers of mature lake sturgeon of a specific sex are selected for passage or propagation efforts, without using invasive procedures.
Isermann, D., T. Binder, T. Hayden, S. Hansen, D. Caroffino, D. Dembkowski, W. Larson, C. Krueger, and C. Vandergoot. February 2021. Generalized Movements, Spawning Site Fidelity, and Thermal Ecology of Lake Whitefish in Northwestern Lake Michigan. 81st Annual Meeting of the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Virtual.	February 2021	Understanding lake whitefish stock structure and movements are research needs for both the Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and our research will help these agencies determine appropriate strategies for lake whitefish management.
Isermann, D., T. Binder, T. Hayden, S. Hansen, D. Caroffino, D. Dembkowski, W. Larson, C. Kreuger, and C. Vandergoot. February 2021. Generalized Movements, Spawning Site Fidelity, and Thermal Ecology of Lake Whitefish in Northwestern Lake Michigan. Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Virtual.	February 2021	Understanding lake whitefish stock structure and movements are research needs for both the Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and our research will help these agencies determine appropriate strategies for lake whitefish management.
Isermann, D., T. Binder, S. Hansen, D. Caroffino, D. Dembkowski, C. Krueger, C. Vandergoot, and W. Larson. January 2018. Spawning site contribution and movements of lake whitefish in northwestern Lake Michigan. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	Understanding stock structure and movements are research needs of both the Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and our research will help these agencies determine appropriate strategies for lake whitefish management.
Isermann, D., Schulze, J., Porter, N., Raabe, J., Donofrio, M., Elliott, R., and Kramer, D. July 2018. Lake Sturgeon Movements after Upstream Passage of Two Dams on the Menominee River. Part of a Symposium titled: Acoustic Telemetry and Application in the Great Lakes. Annual Meeting of the International Association of Great Lakes Research, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.	July 2018	Habitat fragmentation by dams and impoundments is one of the leading factors that has led to a reduced stock size of numerous fish species throughout the Great Lakes Region and the United States. This research will hopefully aid fish managers, dam engineers, and dam operators to lessen the effect of dams and habitat fragmentation on fish populations.
Isermann, D., S. Sammons. P. Bettoli, J. Hammonds, T. St. John, T. Broadbent, and M. Rogers. January 2024. A Really Crappie Reunion: Revisiting Length-Limit Model Predictions for Tennessee Reservoir Populations Two Decades Later. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society	February 2023	This research evaluates whether model predictions accurately predicted responses of crappie populations to minimum length limits, which is important in assessing the utility of the models.
Isermann, D., S. Hogler, W. Larson, and K. Turnquist. July 2016. Stock structure, dynamics, and demographics of walleyes spawning in tributaries to Green Bay. Joint Meeting of the Centrarchid, Esocid, and Walleye Technical Committees; North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society. Gretna, Nebraska.	July 2016	Green Bay supports one of the most prominent recreational fisheries for walleyes Sander vitreus in North America. Management of this fishery is complicated because walleyes spawn in many locations and the fishery contributions of these different locations are not known at this time. Our objectives are to determine if genetic stock structure is apparent among walleyes spawning in the Peshtigo, Oconto, Fox, and Menominee Rivers and if growth, age composition, fecundity, and other biological metri
Isermann, D., S. Hogler, W. Larson, and K. Turnquist. August 2016. Stock structure, dynamics, and demographics of walleyes spawning in tributaries to Green Bay. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Kansas City, Missouri.	August 2016	Our work will allow fishery managers to determine if walleyes spawning in tributaries represent discrete stocks and if biological characteristics vary among these stocks. Differences in biological characteristics may demonstrate that certain stocks are more vulnerable to overfishing.
Isermann, D., S. Carpenter, J. Hansen, G. Hansen, T. Tunney, E. Pederson, J. Vander Zanden, A. Rypel, G. Sass, and J. Hennessy. August 2016. Collaboration to address community change: the bass-walleye project in Wisconsin. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Kansas City, Missouri.	August 2016	This talk will demonstrate the effectiveness of employing diverse partnerships when addressing complex questions facing fishery managers.
Isermann, D., R. Koenigs, and C. Isermann. Feburary 2015. A comprehensive evaluation of methods used to estimate walleye ages. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Indianapolis, Indiana.	February 2015	Results of this study are being use to outline statewide age estimation protocols for walleyes
Isermann, D., N.A. Nate, and G. Hansen. February 2014. Evaluation of biological performance indicators for monitoring exploitation of walleye populations in Northern Wisconsin. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	February 2014	We determined if variation in biological performance indicators (i.e., ω, mean total length (TL) at age 3, mean age at 50 cm TL, age classes present, age class diversity [H], catch-per-effort [CPE] of age-0 walleyes, coefficient of variation [CV] in age-0 CPE, targeting angler catch rate, and the mean TL of the 10 smallest mature females) observed for walleye populations in northern Wisconsin could be explained by exploitation rates while also considering adult density, lake surface area, recru
Isermann, D., M. Donofrio, and E. Baker. February 2013. Evaluating harvest regulations for lake sturgeon in the White Rapids section of the Menominee River. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Rothschild, Wisconsin.	February 2013	The Menominee River currently supports some of the largest stocks of lake sturgeon associated with Lake Michigan and some of these stocks have supported hook-and-line fisheries for decades. Enacting harvest regulations that prevent overfishing of lake sturgeon in the Menominee River has been a challenge for fishery managers because of lake sturgeon life history and a lack of specific information on abundance, recruitment, and the potential effects of exploitation.
Isermann, D., M. Donofrio, and E. Baker. April 2013. Evaluating harvest regulations for lake sturgeon in the White Rapids section of the Menominee River. Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Convention. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	April 2013	The Menominee River currently supports some of the largest stocks of lake sturgeon associated with Lake Michigan and some of these stocks have supported hook-and-line fisheries for decades. Enacting harvest regulations that prevent overfishing of lake sturgeon in the Menominee River has been a challenge for fishery managers because of lake sturgeon life history and a lack of specific information on abundance, recruitment, and the potential effects of exploitation.
Isermann, D., K. Welke, L. Stremick-Thompson, C. Isermann. February 2013. Population demographics and dynamics of common carp in Lake Koshkonong, Wisconsin. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Rothschild, Wisconsin.	February 2013	Common carp are important ecological drivers in many aquatic ecosystems, but the biological attributes of carp populations remain poorly understood.
Isermann, D., J. Zimmerman, C. Long, and C. Wienandt. February 2013. Size-selective exploitation of bluegills in Lake Archibald, Wisconsin. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Rothschild, Wisconsin.	February 2013	Fishing mortality is size-selective, but the specific nature of this selectivity is often poorly understood for many important recreational fisheries. Bluegills support important, harvest-oriented fisheries across much of their range and harvest within these fisheries is known to be size-selective, but this selectivity has not been well described.
Isermann, D., J. Lyons, G. Sass, and J. Kampa. February 2015. Cisco population characteristics in Wisconsin lakes. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Eau Claire, Wisconsin.	February 2014	Changes in climate and landscape-level perturbations will likely affect the demographics and dynamics of cisco populations in the future, but little is known about the current status of cisco populations in Wisconsin because standard annual fishery surveys are not designed to sample these fish.
Isermann, D., Dembkowski, D., Hayden, T., Hogler, S., Zorn, T., Krueger, C., and Vandergoot, C. August 2018. Mixed stock assessment and movements of Green Bay walleyes. Annual Summer Meeting, Walleye Technical Committee of the North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society, Spirit Lake, Iowa.	August 2018	This study tests assumptions related to the current conceptual model for Walleye management in Green Bay. Results suggest that Walleye spawning in the Fox, Menominee, Oconto, and Peshtigo rivers do not function as separate stocks and do not significantly contribute to the fishery outside of southern Green Bay; further research is needed to determine fishery contributions from other unknown spawning locations.
Isermann, D., Dembkowski, D., Binder, T., Hansen, S., Caroffino, D., Krueger, C., and Vandergoot, C. July 2018. Spawning Site Contribution and Movements of Lake Whitefish in Northwestern Lake Michigan. Part of a Symposium titled: Acoustic Telemetry and Application in the Great Lakes. Annual Meeting of the International Association of Great Lakes Research, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.	July 2018	Understanding stock structure and movements are research needs of both the Wisconsin and Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and our research will help these agencies determine appropriate strategies for lake whitefish management.
Isermann, D., D. Dembkowski, J. Krebs, R. Sheffer, and S. Hogler. Muskellunge spawning habitat in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. American Fisheries Society Meeting, Grand Rapids, Michigan.	August 2023	Our work provided a better understanding of muskellunge spawning success in Green Bay which was important to guiding stocking and habitat restoration efforts.
Isermann, D., D. Dembkowksi, M. Donofrio, J. Schulze, and J. Raabe. Maintaining Trophy Potential of Riverine Smallmouth Bass Populations in the Upper Midwest: An Assessment using the Menominee River, Wisconsin-Michigan, as a Model. January 2020. 80th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Springfield, Illinois.	January 2020	Determining appropriate harvest regulations is important to maintaining quality fishing opportunities for smallmouth bass. Our research examined the potential effects of increased fishing mortality on smallmouth bass populations in the upper Midwest and will help managers in determining if changes to harvest regulations are warranted.
Isermann, D. A., and R. Davis. August 2022. Supply-and-Demand Dynamics Associated with Using Stocking to Maintain Walleye Fisheries in the Face of Climate Change. Annual Gathering of the Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, Madison, Wisconsin	August 2022	Invited to give an overview of our research focused on walleye stocking success relative to climate change.
Isermann, D. A., R. Koenigs, and C. Isermann. 2014. Adjusting Dorsal Spine Ages to Reduce Bias in Estimates of Growth and Mortality for Wisconsin Walleyes. 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.	August 2014	Estimating ages is an important step in monitoring and managing walleye fisheries and Wisconsin DNR staff assign ages to hundreds of walleyes each year. While otoliths likely provide the most accurate structure for estimating walleye ages, dorsal spines are routinely used for age assignments because spines can be removed without sacrificing fish. Dorsal spines tend to yield younger ages than otoliths for older walleyes, but the age at which disagreement begins and the severity of these disagree
Isermann, D. A., M. C. Donofrio, and E. A. Baker. 2014. Predicted Effects of Exploitation and Harvest Regulations on Lake Sturgeon Recruitment Potential in Multiple Segments of the Menominee River. Practical Applications of Sturgeon Research Symposium 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.	August 2014	The Menominee River that borders Wisconsin and Michigan currently supports some of the largest stocks of lake sturgeon associated with Lake Michigan and some of these stocks have supported hook-and-line fisheries for decades. Fishery managers are uncertain as to how angler harvest and changes in harvest regulations affect the sustainability of these lake sturgeon stocks.
Isermann, D. A., A. Gillem, D. Dembkowski, J. Hennessy, and A. Latzka. August 2022. Walleye and Yellow Perch Recruitment in Northern Wisconsin Lakes: Recruitment Trends and Importance of Perch as Prey for Larval Walleye. Treaty Working Group Meeting, virtual.	August 2022	Invited to present summary of our research to the Treaty Working Group, a consortium of state, tribal, and federal biologists focused on walleye and muskellunge management in the Ceded Territory of northern Wisconsin.
Hughes, M.S., B.L. Sloss, and M.G. Mitro. December 2006. Genetic evaluation of broodstock selection and collection strategies for Wisconsin's wild trout stocking program. 67th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Omaha, Nebraska.	December 2006
Hughes, M.S., B.L. Sloss, and M.G. Mitro. December 2005. The genetic impact of broodstock selection strategies of Wisconsin's wild trout stocking program. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	December 2005
Hughes, M., B.L. Sloss, and M. Mitro. January 2007. The genetic suitability and long-term viability of Ash Creek's brook trout population as a regional brood source for Wisconsin's wild trout stocking program. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2007
Homola, J.J., A. Luzzio, M. Peacock, and S. Straus. September 2024. Highlighting the cutting edge: Latest developments in conservation genomics. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Honolulu, Hawaii.	September 2024	Conservation genetic techniques are increasingly relevant to informing decision making in fisheries management. This presentation will review the rapidly changing technologies and techniques that are moving the field forward.
Homola, J.J. and P.M. Albosta. 2023. Genome-wide analyses of channel catfish population structure throughout Wisconsin. 52nd Annual Wisconsin Chapter American Fisheries Society Meeting. Stevens Point, Wisconsin.	February 2023	This work identified the neutral and adaptive structure of channel catfish to aid in setting stocking regulations.
Homola, J.J. July 2022. Delineation of stock structure and habitat usage of Lake Superior walleye to inform restoration objectives. Summer meeting of the Lake Superior Technical Committee. Marquette, Michigan.	July 2022	This research will determine the stock structure of Lake Superior's walleye populations and determine the habitats they occupy during non-spawning times.
Henningsen, R., H. Embke, G. Coppola, D. Dembkowski, Z. Lawson, J. Hennessy, S. Carpenter, J. Vander Zanden, and D. Isermann. May 2022. Using a large-scale removal to better understand density-dependent growth in centrarchids. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Grand Rapids, Michigan.	May 2022	Our work will provide a better understanding of density-dependent growth processes in three popular sportfish, providing a baseline for determining whether management actions are likely to achieve growth-based objectives.
Hatzenbeler, G.R., M.A. Bozek, M.J. Jennings, and E.E. Emmons. December 2000. Seasonal variation in fish assemblage structure and habitat structure in the nearshore littoral zone of Wisconsin lakes. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2000
Hasbrouck, T.R., J.A. VanDeHey, B.L. Sloss, and T.D. Simonson. February 2014. Comparison of size and short-term survival of age-0 muskellunge reared using two different methods. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	February 2014	Some states rear muskellunge on pelleted diets; however, studies on pellet versus minnow-reared muskellunge have raised concerns regarding comparative size and subsequent post-stocking survival. Our objectives were to determine if differences in total length, weight, and short-term survival existed between muskellunge reared solely on natural prey (minnow only; MO) and pellet-reared muskellunge with a short minnow finish (50 days; minnow finished; MF).
Hasbrouck, T., J. VanDeHey, B. Sloss, T. Simonson and R. Klett. January 2014. Comparison of size, condition, and short-term survival of age-0 muskellunge reared using two different methods. 74th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Kansas City, Missouri.	January 2014	Muskellunge are an economically important species to the state of Wisconsin but data regarding non-traditional rearing methods (pellet reared, minnow finished) compared to traditional methods (minnow reared) need to be assessed to determine survivorship for the two rearing methods. This study will address size, condition and short-term survival of age-0 muskellunge of the two rearing methods which will be used in a longer term study analyzing survivorship as well as cost-effectiveness.
Harings, N.M., K.M. Kleczka, M.A. Bozek, and M.A. Newbrey. December 2004. Behavioral observations and dietary analysis of bullfrog (Rana catesbieana) tadpoles to determine the utilization of submerged riparian trees on Katherine Lake, Oneida County. 65th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Indianapolis, IN.	December 2004
Hansen, S.P., R.T. Andvik, J. VanDeHey, and B.L. Sloss. August 2012. Re-colonization of lake whitefish in the Menominee River, Green Bay. 142nd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. St. Paul, Minnesota.	August 2012
Hammen, J.J., B.L. Sloss, and M.A. Bozek. February 2008. Genetic integrity and population structure of Wisconsin walleye. Wisconsin Chapters of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting Wausau, Wisconsin.	February 2008
Hammen, J.J., B.L. Sloss, and M.A. Bozek. December 2008. Genetic spatial analysis of naturally recruiting walleye populations in Wisconsin. 69th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference Columbus, Ohio.	December 2008	If maintaining genetic integrity is a main goal for the state, current management should be conducted within similar genetic regions with supplemental stocking only being used as a management tool when required. These implications would minimize loss of genetic diversity in Wisconsin’s walleye populations helping to maintain genetic integrity.
Hammen, J.J., B.L. Sloss, and M.A. Bozek. December 2006. Genetic diversity and recruitment dynamics of Wisconsin walleye. 67th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Omaha, Nebraska.	December 2006
Hammen, J.J., B.L. Sloss, and M.A. Bozek. August 2008. Walleye genetic diversity and stock structure in Wisconsin. North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society Walleye Technical Committee and Esocid Technical Committee Joint Meeting Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin.	August 2008
Hammen, J.J., B.L. Sloss, and M.A. Bozek. 2008. Population genetic structure of naturally recruiting walleye populations in Wisconsin. 138th Annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.	August 2008
Hammen, J.J., B.A. Sloss, and M.A. Bozek. December 2007. Genetic stock structure and genetic diversity of Wisconsin walleye. 68th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Madison, Wisconsin.	December 2007
Haglund, J.M., and M.A. Bozek. December 2011. Evaluation of a 28 inch minimum length limit and a dail bag limit of one implemented on walleye in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin. 72nd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2011
Haglund, J.M., and M.A. Bozek. December 2010. Evaluation of a 28 inch minimum size limit on walleye in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin. 71st Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2010
Gostiaux, J., H. Boehm, D. Isermann, J. Hennessy, and G. Hansen. March 2017. Expanded Assessment of Recruitment Bottlenecks for Age-0 Walleye (Sander vitreus) in Northern Wisconsin Lakes. 46th Annual Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	February 2017	The continuation of this project will help understand the previously identified recruitment bottleneck by expanding sampling effort to include other lakes.
Gostiaux, J., H. Boehm, D. Isermann, J. Hennessy, and G. Hansen. July 2017. Expanded assessment of recruitment bottlenecks for age-0 walleye in northern Wisconsin lakes.	July 2017	The continuation of this project will help understand the previously identified recruitment bottleneck by expanding sampling effort to include other lakes. 2017 Joint Meeting of the Centrarchid, Esocid, and Walleye Technical Committees-North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society. Isle, Minnesota.
Gostiaux, J., H. Boehm, D. Isermann, G. Hanson, and J. Hennessey. August 2016. Identifying recruitment bottlenecks for Age-0 Walleye (Sander vitreus) in northern Wisconsin lakes. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Kansas City, Missouri	August 2016	The continuation of this project will help understand the recruitment bottleneck found in two of the lakes previously studied, as well as, expand the sampling effort to include other lakes and determine the status of recruitment there as well.
Gostiaux, J., H. Boehm, D. Isermann, J. Hennessy, and G. Hansen. January 2018. Identifying recruitment bottlenecks for age-0 walleye in northern Wisconsin lakes. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	This project will help understand walleye recruitment bottlenecks and represents a research priority for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Gostiaux, J., D. Isermann, and J. Hennessy. July 2016. Identifying walleye recruitment bottlenecks in northern Wisconsin lakes-version 2.0. Joint Meeting of the Centrarchid, Esocid, and Walleye Technical Committees; North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society. Gretna, Nebraska.	July 2016	Walleye recruitment has declined in several northern Wisconsin lakes for unknown reasons and our goal is to identify the timing and potential causes of recruitment bottlenecks for age-0 walleyes in northern Wisconsin lakes.
Goerlitz, M.L., M.A. Bozek, M.J. Jennings, and E.E. Emmons. August 2002. Ecoregion and lake area effects on fish communities: implications for development of biotic indices for lakes. 132nd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Baltimore, Maryland.	August 2002
Goerlitz, M.L., M.A. Bozek, M. Jennings, and E. Emmons. December 2001. The effects of ecoregions on fish assemblage structure in Wisconsin. 63rd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2001
Gillem, A. K., D. A. Isermann, D. J. Dembkowski, J. M. Hennessy, and A. W. Latzka. January 2022. Walleye and yellow perch in northern Wisconsin lakes: recruitment trends and importance of perch as prey for larval and post-larval walleye. Southern Division American Fisheries Society Meeting. Charleston, South Carolina.	January 2022	This research will help assess trends in Yellow Perch recruitment by developing a protocol to target Yellow Perch < 150 mm TL. This could identify potential factors influencing Walleye recruitment success.
Gillem, A. K., D. A. Isermann, D. J. Dembkowski, J. M. Hennessy, and A. W. Latzka. February 2022. Walleye and yellow perch in Northern Wisconsin Lakes: Recruitment trends and importance of perch as prey for larval and post-larval walleye. 82nd Annual Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	February 2022	This research will help assess trends in Yellow Perch recruitment by developing a protocol to target Yellow Perch < 150 mm TL. This could identify potential factors influencing Walleye recruitment success.
Gillem, A. K., D. A. Isermann, D. J. Dembkowski, J. M. Hennessy, and A. W. Latzka. February 2022. Walleye and Yellow Perch in Northern Wisconsin Lakes: Recruitment Trends and Importance of Perch as Prey for Larval and Post-Larval Walleye. Wisconsin American Fisheries Society Meeting. Virtual.	February 2022	This research will help assess trends in Yellow Perch recruitment by developing a protocol to target Yellow Perch < 150 mm TL. This could identify potential factors influencing Walleye recruitment success.
George, J. and M.A. Bozek. March 2000. Population dynamics and life history characteristics of steelhead in Portage Creek, Lake Superior, 1991-1999. Pacific Coast Steelhead Management Meeting. Port Townsend/Fort Warden, Washington.	March 2000
George, J. and M.A. Bozek. March 2000. Life history strategies of steelhead in Ontario waters of Lake Superior. Pacific Coast Steelhead Management Meeting. Port Townsend/ Fort Warden, Washington.	March 2000
Gauthier, K., M.A. Bozek, and S. Newman. January 2001. Long-term trends in harvest of fishes from Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin. Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Superior, Wisconsin.	January 2001
Gauthier, K., M.A. Bozek, and S. Newman. December 2000. Long-term trends in abundance and harvest of fishes form Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2000
Gauthier, K. and M.A. Bozek. July 2001. Fish community dynamics of Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin, based on abundance and harvest of fish. Walleye Technical Committee Meeting. Dubuque, Iowa.	July 2001
Frey, A.P., M.A. Bozek, S. Newman, and C. Edwards. January 2001. Food habits and predation between walleye and smallmouth bass in a northern Wisconsin lake. Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Superior, Wisconsin	January 2001
Frey, A.P., M.A. Bozek, C.J. Edwards, and S.P. Newman. December 2001. Predation and dietary competition between walleye and smallmouth bass in a northern Wisconsin lake. 63rd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2001
Frey, A.P., M.A. Bozek, C. Edwards, and S. Newman. December 2000. Predation and diet overlap between walleye and smallmouth bass in a northern Wisconsin lake. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2000
Frey, A.P., M. A. Bozek, C. Edwards, and S. Newman. June 2001. Food habits and predations between walleye and smallmouth bass in a northern Wisconsin lake. Aquatic Ecology Workshop. Eastern Region of the U.S. Forest Service. Eagle River, Wisconsin.	June 2001
Frey, A., M.A. Bozek, and C. Edwards. January 2000. Feeding interactions between walleye and smallmouth bass in a northern Wisconsin lake. Annual meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Manitowoc, Wisconsin.	January 2000
Frey, A., M.A. Bozek, and C. Edwards. December 1999. Trophic relations between walleye and smallmouth bass in a northern Wisconsin lake. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Chicago, Illinois.	December 1999
Frey, A., M.A. Bozek, and C. Edwards. August 2000. Trophic interactions between walleye and smallmouth bass in a northern Wisconsin lake. Black Bass Symposium. Annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. St. Louis, Missouri.	August 2000
Franckowiak, R.P., S.L. Sloss, M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. August 2004. Dynamics of genetic change in a Northern Wisconsin walleye population: genetic analysis of sequential walleye cohorts. 134th Annual American Fisheries Society Meeting. Madison, WI.	August 2004
Franckowiak, R.P., N. Billington, R.N. Koigi, B.L. Sloss, J. Xiong, and W. Gardner. December 2006. Genetic structure of Upper Missouri River sauger (Sander canadensis). 67th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Omaha, Nebraska.	December 2006
Franckowiak, R.P., B.L. Sloss, and T. Kittel. December 2007. Fragmentation in Menominee River lake sturgeon. 68th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Madison, Wisconsin.	December 2007
Franckowiak, R.P., B.L. Sloss, and M.A. Bozek. January 2006. The impact of stocking on the genetic integrity of the walleye population in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society Wisconsin and Iowa Chapters. Dubuque, Iowa.	January 2006
Franckowiak, R.P., B.L. Sloss, and M.A. Bozek. February 2009. Walleye exploitation, population demography, and the effective population size. Joint meeting of the Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario American Fisheries Society Chapters. Duluth, Minnesota.	February 2009
Franckowiak, R.P., B.L. Sloss, M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. March 2006. Walleye supplementation and genetic integrity. Dakota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Chamberlain, South Dakota.	March 2006
Franckowiak, R.P., B.L. Sloss, M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. December 2003. Microsatellite analysis of the temporal genetic stability of a northern Wisconsin walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) population. 64th Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference, Kansas City, Missouri.	December 2003
Franckowiak, R.P., B.L. Sloss, M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. December 2008. Walleye exploitation and the effective population size. 69th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference Columbus, Ohio.	December 2008
Franckowiak, R.P., B.L. Sloss and M.A. Bozek. January 2005. Temporal Genetic Change in the Escanaba lake Walleye Population: Implications for Managing the Genetic Resources of Naturally Reproducing Populations. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Lacrosse, WI.	January 2005
Franckowiak, R.P, B.L. Sloss, M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. July 2003. Temporal genetic stability in a northern Wisconsin walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) population. Percis III, the Third International Percid Fish. Symposium. Madison, WI.	July 2003
Franckowiak, R., B.L. Sloss, M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. August 2004. Dynamics of genetic change in a northern Wisconsin walleye population: genetic analysis of sequential walleye cohorts. 134th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Madison, Wisconsin.	August 2004
Franckowiak, R., B.L. Sloss, M. Bozek, and S. Newman. 2005. Temporal genetic change in the Escanaba lake walleye population: implications for managing the genetic resources of naturally reproducing walleye populations. Annual Meeting of the North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society Walleye Technical Committee. Cloquet, MN.	July 2005
Franckowiak, R., B.L. Sloss, M. Bozek, and S. Newman. 2005. Genetic Impacts of Supplemental Stocking of Walleye in Escanaba Lake , WI. 135th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Anchorage, AK.	September 2005
Franckowiack, R.P., B.L. Sloss, M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. December 2005. Genetic implications of supplemental stocking in a naturally recruiting walleye population: a case study of Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	December 2005
Foley, K., J.K. Raabe, J.J. Homola, and T.P. Parks. 2022. Evaluating brook trout connectivity and spring pond use within the Plover River system, Wisconsin. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Virtual Meeting.	February 2022	This work will evaluate whether reproductive isolation and/or demographic connectivity exists between river and spring pond resident brook trout. Knowledge of the nature of connectivity between these habitat types will help fishery managers understand whether the spring ponds serve as climate refugia or support independent populations.
Ferry, M., and M.A. Bozek. December 2011. Initial observations on zebra mussels (Dressena polymorpha) in two lakes in the Menominee River Watershed, Wisconsin/Michigan. 72nd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2011
Everson, J.M., D.A. Isermann, D.J. Dembkowski, S. Hansen, J. Smith, D. Caroffino, and T. Zorn. February 2022. Spatial variation in Lake Whitefish recruitment in Lake Michigan: the potential roles of zooplankton prey and the relative fitness of age-0 fish. 82nd Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, IA.	February 2022	This research will provide information on factors that potentially inhibit or promote successful recruitment of Lake Whitefish in Lake Michigan. This may aid in management decisions on harvest, stocking, and habitat manipulation, and will allow managers to better guide policy maker and stakeholder expectations.
Everson, J.M., D.A. Isermann, D.J. Dembkowski, S. Hansen, J. Smith, D. Caroffino, and T. Zorn. February 2022. Spatial variation in Lake Whitefish recruitment in Lake Michigan: the potential roles of zooplankton prey and the relative fitness of age-0 fish. 51st Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Virtual.	February 2022	This research will provide information on factors that potentially inhibit or promote successful recruitment of Lake Whitefish in Lake Michigan. This may aid in management decisions on harvest, stocking, and habitat manipulation, and will allow managers to better guide policy maker and stakeholder expectations.
Erdman, B., W. Larson, K. Turnquist, M. Mitro, and J. Griffin. June 2018. Genetic population structure of Wisconsin brook trout: the ghosts of propagation past. 9th International Charr Symposium. Duluth, Minnesota.	June 2018	Brook trout are an important native species in Wisconsin that provide substantial recreational fisheries opportunities and are an indicator of habitat quality. We used genetic tools to identify native populations of brook trout that can be conserved and used as broodstock to rebuild other populations.
Eastman, R., J. Breeggemann, R. Davis, D. Dembkowski, and D. Isermann. Identifying potential sources of natural recruitment of muskellunge in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. 85^th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. St. Louis, MO.	January 2025	Identifying whether muskellunge hatch in habitats outside of tributaries and the characteristics of these habitats is important for assessing restoration efforts within southern Green Bay and identifying future stocking locations. Understanding the recruitment success and behavior of the Sturgeon Bay muskellunge population will help determine if these fish are contributing to the southern Green Bay population.
Eastman, R., D. Isermann, D. Dembkowski, R. Davis, and J. Breeggemann. January 2024. Identifying potential sources of natural recruitment of muskellunge in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. 84^th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Sioux Falls, South Dakota.	January 2024	Identifying whether muskellunge hatch in habitats outside of tributaries and the characteristics of these habitats is important for assessing restoration efforts within lower Green Bay and identifying future stocking locations. Understanding the recruitment success and behavior of the Sturgeon Bay muskellunge population will help to determine if these fish are contributing to the southern Green Bay population.
Eastman, R., D. Isermann, D. Dembkowski, R. Davis, and J. Breeggemann. January 2024. Identifying potential sources of natural recruitment of muskellunge in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. 53^rd Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Green Bay, WI.	January 2024	Identifying whether muskellunge hatch in habitats outside of tributaries and the characteristics of these habitats is important for assessing restoration efforts within lower Green Bay and identifying future stocking locations. Understanding the recruitment success and behavior of the Sturgeon Bay muskellunge population will help to determine if these fish are contributing to the southern Green Bay population.
Easterly, E., D. Isermann, M. Donofrio, and D. Dembkowski. Comparison of Lake Sturgeon Growth and Survival Using Fin Rays and Capture-Recapture Data. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	February 2019	This project will allow for a better understanding of how estimating growth and survival from capture-recapture information might influence management decisions for lake sturgeon compared to using growth and survival estimated from fin rays.
Easterly, E., D. Isermann, J.Pyatskowit, J. Raabe. September 2017. Brook trout movements in the West Branch of the Wolf River, Wisconsin. Wild Trout Symposium. West Yellowstone, Montana.	September 2017	This project will allow for a better understanding of how brook trout move through the West Branch of the Wolf River after the removal of two dams. A better understanding of the fishes’ movement will aid in management of the brook trout population.
Easterly, E., D. Isermann, J. Pyatskowit. March 2017. Brook trout movements in the West Branch of the Wolf River, Wisconsin. 46th Annual Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	February 2017	The portion of the West Branch of the Wolf River (WBWR) that resides within the Menominee Indian Reservation is classified as a class I trout stream with naturally-reproducing brook trout. Little is known regarding movement of brook trout within this section of the WBWR and seasonal movements could have important implications for management. Information obtained from the project will help tribal biologists in managing the brook trout population.
Easterly, E., D. Isermann, J. Pyatskowit, and J. Raabe. January 2018. Brook trout movements in the West Branch of the Wolf River, Wisconsin. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	This project will allow for a better understanding of how brook trout move through the WBWR after the removal of two dams. Additionally, this study will help Menominee Tribe biologists to determine if additional habitat changes or other management actions such as changes in bag or length limits could be implemented to benefit the brook trout population in the WBWR and possibly in other streams on the Menominee Reservation.
Donofrio, M.C., E.A. Baker, K. Scribner, R.F. Elliott, and B.L. Sloss. August 2012. Adult lake sturgeon movements associated with the large rivers of Green Bay, Lake Michigan. 142nd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. St. Paul, Minnesota.	August 2012
Dembkowski, D.J., R.P. Koenigs, and D.A. Isermann. January 2018. Microelemental signatures of tributaries to the Lake Winnebago system. 78th Annual Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	This study is a pilot project to establish whether spatial differences in trace element concentrations exist throughout tributaries to the Lake Winnebago system. Preliminary findings suggest that spatial differences in collective trace element signatures exist among primary (i.e., higher-order) tributaries, but further study is needed to determine if differences in microelemental signatures are sufficient to allow discrimination among sites and accurate assignment (e.g., of individual fish) to
Dembkowski, D.J., R.J. Eastman, and D.A. Isermann. 2020. Yellow perch recruitment synchrony in six northern Wisconsin lakes. 80th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Springfield, IL.	January 2020	This research was a cursory evaluation of the potential for synchronous recruitment of yellow perch in northern Wisconsin. Preliminary results suggest that recruitment is asynchronous, indicating that recruitment dynamics are likely influenced by localized factors rather than factors acting over a broad spatial scale.
Dembkowski, D.J., J. Miazga, and D.A. Isermann. 2020. Replicating Northern Pike cleithra ages using otoliths, pelvic fin rays, and scales: precision and sampling guidelines based on sex and total length. 80th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Springfield, IL.	January 2020	This study evaluated the consistency of Northern Pike ages estimated using four structures in relation to sex and total length. Results can be used to develop sampling and age estimation structure guidelines; specifically, our results suggest that pelvic fin rays can be used to estimate ages of Northern Pike ≤ 400 mm TL, whereas cleithra be used to estimate ages of Northern Pike > 400 mm TL.
Dembkowski, D.J., D.A. Isermann, and T. Parks. 2021. Cisco population characteristics in Wisconsin lakes. 81^st Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference; St. Paul, MN.	February 2021	This study describes current variation in Wisconsin cisco populations in relation to variation in biotic and abiotic characteristics and provides insight to how cisco population dynamics and demographics may change in response to changing environmental and land-use conditions.
Dembkowski, D.J., D.A. Isermann, and R.P. Koenigs. January 2018. Walleye age estimation using otoliths and dorsal spines: insights on precision at a statewide level. 78th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	This study suggests that although among-reader precision of walleye ages estimated using otoliths and dorsal spines is lower than previously thought, levels of precision can be improved through development of reference collections and implementation of group age estimation training exercises.
Dembkowski, D.J., D.A. Isermann, and L.D. Eslinger. 2019. Temporal stability of adult muskellunge abundance in northern Wisconsin lakes. Joint Technical Committee Meetings. Webster, South Dakota.	July 2019	This research will help refine methods used to estimate muskellunge population abundance and establish safe harvest levels in northern Wisconsin lakes. Stability in muskellunge populations for periods > 2 years could lessen reliance on indirect methods of estimating abundance and guide better allocation of limited agency resources for muskellunge management.
Dembkowski, D.J., D.A. Isermann, and C.S. Vandergoot. 2017. Short-term survival of lake whitefish following surgical implantation of acoustic transmitters using two forms of anesthesia. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	February 2017	This project provides a novel assessment of methods related to surgical implantation of acoustic transmitters in lake whitefish. Methods identified in this study will be used in future projects involving acoustic telemetry of lake whitefish in Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
Dembkowski, D.J., D.A. Isermann, T. Hayden, C. Vandergoot, S. Hogler, T. Zorn, and C. Krueger. 2020. Fishery contributions, seasonal movements, and spawning site fidelity of Green Bay Walleyes. 80th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Springfield, IL.	January 2020	This study is a preliminary analysis of fishery contributions, seasonal movements, and spawning site fidelity of Walleyes in Green Bay. Results will help determine if inferences made using acoustic telemetry are consistent with those made from conventional tagging studies and can be used to develop spatially relevant stock assessments and harvest regulations.
Dembkowski, D.J., D.A. Isermann, S.R. Hogler, K.N. Turnquist, and W.A. Larson. January 2018. Walleye movements in Green Bay: testing assumptions of the current conceptual model for management. 78th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	This study tests assumptions related to the current conceptual model for Walleye management in Green Bay. Results suggest that Walleye spawning in the Fox, Menominee, Oconto, and Peshtigo rivers do not function as separate stocks and do not significantly contribute to the fishery outside of southern Green Bay; further research is needed to determine fishery contributions from other unknown spawning locations.
Dembkowski, D.J., D.A. Isermann, C.S. Vandergoot, S.P. Hansen, and T.R. Binder. 2017. Short-term survival of lake whitefish following surgical implantation of acoustic transmitters using two forms of anesthesia. 13th International Coregonid Symposium. Bayfield, Wisconsin.	September 2017	This project provides a novel assessment of methods related to surgical implantation of acoustic transmitters in lake whitefish. Methods identified in this study will be used in future projects involving acoustic telemetry of lake whitefish in Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
Dembkowski, D.J., D.A. Isermann, A.W. Latzka, and Z.S. Feiner. 2022. Potential shifts in angler effort in response to implementation of more restrictive panfish regulations 51st Wisconsin Chapter AFS Meeting. Virtual.	February 2022	This study demonstrates potential shifts in angler behavior in response to more restrictive harvest regulations and provides insight to the efficacy of using restrictive regulations to improve panfish size structure at a landscape scale.
Dembkowski, D., T. Binder, T. Hayden, B. Buechel, D. Isermann, D. Hanson, K. Keretz, R. Kraus, and R. Oldham. 2024. Effects of mussel biofouling on receiver detection range. GLATOS Annual Meeting, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.	February 2024	Results from this study can be used to guide acoustic telemetry methods to minimize negative impacts of biofouling on telemetry infrastructure and data.
Dembkowski, D., L. Allex, S. Baeckman, D. Gillman, K. Reed, R. Zwiers, M. Wilkinson, and D. Isermann. 2025. Diet composition and overlap of walleye and largemouth bass in northern Wisconsin lakes: implications for walleye recruitment and size structure of prey fish. 85^th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. St. Louis, MO.	January 2025	Results of this study will provide important insight to mechanisms underlying declines in walleye recruitment in some lakes and implications of shifts in predatory assemblages for size structure of prey fish.
Dembkowski, D., J. Everson, D. Isermann, S. Hansen, J. Smith, S. Pothoven, T. Zorn, and D. Caroffino. 2023. Spatial variation in lake whitefish recruitment in Lake Michigan: potential roles of zooplankton prey and the relative fitness of age-0 fish. 153^rd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	August 2023	This research will provide insight to factors contributing to spatial variation in lake whitefish recruitment in Lake Michigan and can provide information to assist managers ensure sustainability of lake whitefish stocks.
Dembkowski, D., D. Isermann, S. Hansen, T. Zorn, Z. Slagle, P. Euclide, and J. Homola. 2024. Defining connectivity of Great Lakes smallmouth bass populations using genomics and telemetry. GLATOS Annual Meeting. Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.	February 2024	Results from this study will be used to identify an appropriate spatial scale for management of smallmouth bass in the Great Lakes.
Dembkowski, D., D. Isermann, S. Hansen, T. Zorn, Z. Slagle, P. Euclide, and J. Homola. 2024. Defining connectivity of Great Lakes smallmouth bass populations using genomics and telemetry. 84^th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Sioux Falls, South Dakota.	January 2024	Results from this study will be used to identify an appropriate spatial scale for management of smallmouth bass in the Great Lakes.
Dembkowski, D., D. Isermann, S. Hansen, T. Zorn, Z. Slagle, P. Euclide, and J. Homola. 2024. Defining connectivity of Great Lakes smallmouth bass populations using genomics and telemetry. 53^rd Wisconsin Chapter AFS Meeting. Green Bay, WI.	January 2024	Results from this study will be used to identify an appropriate spatial scale for management of smallmouth bass in the Great Lakes.
Dembkowski, D., D. Isermann, L. Izzo, S. Hansen, B. Eggold, and C. Vandergoot. 2023. Using acoustic telemetry to assess potential latent mortality of walleye and sublegal lake whitefish in the southern Green Bay trap net fishery. 2023 GLATOS Coordination Meeting. Ypsilanti, Michigan.	February 2023	This study addresses an immediate research need for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and provides an important example of using acoustic telemetry to address questions directly relevant to fishery management.
Dembkowski, D., D. Isermann, L. Eslinger, T. Cichosz, J. Hennessy, and J. Kubisiak. 2023. Temporal stability of adult muskellunge populations in northern Wisconsin lakes. 153^rd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	August 2023	This research will help refine methods used to estimate muskellunge population abundance and establish safe harvest levels in northern Wisconsin lakes.
Dembkowski, D., D, Isermann, J. Breeggemann, and T. Zorn. 2025. Understanding and building resilience in Green Bay walleye populations. 85^th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. St. Louis, MO	January 2025	Understanding factors contributing to resilience of Green Bay walleye populations can be used to guide management of other prominent walleye populations and fisheries.
Dembkowski, D., B. Davis, R. Eastman, and D. Isermann. 2024. Yellow perch population characteristics in Wisconsin inland lakes. 84^th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Sioux Falls, South Dakota.	January 2024	This study provides critical information regarding yellow perch demographics and dynamics that is currently lacking at a statewide level in Wisconsin.
Dembkowkski, D., and D.A. Isermann. July 2017. Wisconsin walleye research. 2017 Joint Meeting of the Centrarchid, Esocid, and Walleye Technical Committees-North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society.	July 2017	The mixed stock assessment and evaluation of movements of Green Bay walleye based on telemetry data will add further insight to patterns in movement and fishery contributions inferred from tag returns. Specifically, this additional study will seek to determine the contribution of different spawning stocks to the walleye populations in northern and southern Green Bay, if stock contributions in each zone vary among seasons, and if a measurable proportion of walleye leave Green Bay after spawning
Davis, R.P., and D. Isermann. June 2023. Factors affecting stocking success in walleye fisheries in the Midwestern United States: implications of a changing climate. 2023 Joint Meeting of the Esocid, Centrarchid, and Walleye Technical Committees, North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society. Minocqua, Wisconsin.	June 2023	Walleye support important fisheries in the Midwestern USA with declining natural stocks. This study will elucidate important factors related to stocking success, aiding fisheries managers in the stocking allocation process.
Davis, R.P., Simmons, L.M., Homola, J.J., Shaw, S.L., Sass, G.G., Isermann, D.A., and W. A. Larson. May 2022. Analyzing patterns in parental reproductive success in walleye Sander vitreus using genetic parentage analysis in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin. Joint Aquatic Science Meeting. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	May 2022	Understanding factors that influence recruitment success in walleye will be important for the maintenance of self-sustaining populations as factors such as climate change influence sustainability of walleye populations. Here, we examine factors that influenced the success of producing immature walleye by adult walleye in Escanaba Lake between 2017-2020.
Davis, R.P., Isermann, D., Hansen, G., Shaw, S., Lawson, Z., Hennessy, J., Latzka, A., Logsdon, D., Hoxmeier, J., Shultz, D., Blackwell, B., Herbst, S., Gangl, S., Krogman, R., Koupal, K., and J. Conroy. February 2022. Supply-and-demand dynamics associated with using stocking to maintain walleye fisheries in the face of climate change. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Des Moines, IA.	February 2022	Walleye support important fisheries in the Midwestern USA with declining natural stocks. This study will elucidate important factors in successful stockings, aiding fisheries managers in identifying candidate lakes/reservoirs with a strong probability of success.
Davis, R.P., Isermann, D., Hansen, G., Shaw, S., Lawson, Z., Hennessy, J., Latzka, A., Logsdon, D., Hoxmeier, J., Shultz, D., Blackwell, B., Herbst, S., Gangl, S., Krogman, R., Koupal, K., and J. Conroy. February 2022. Supply-and-Demand Dynamics Associated with Using Stocking to Maintain Walleye Fisheries in the Face of Climate Change. 51^st Wisconsin American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Virtual	February 2022	Walleye support important fisheries in the Midwestern USA with declining natural stocks. This study will elucidate important factors in successful stockings, aiding fisheries managers in identifying candidate lakes/reservoirs with a strong probability of success.
Davis, B., D. Dembkowski, R. Eastman, and D. Isermann. 2024. Population demographics and factors influencing abundance of yellow perch in inland Wisconsin lakes. 53^rd Wisconsin Chapter AFS Meeting. Green Bay, WI.	January 2024	This study provides critical information regarding yellow perch demographics that is currently lacking at a statewide level in Wisconsin.
D. Blumstein, W. Stott, and W. Larson. January 2018. Development of a genetic linkage map for cisco (Coregonus artedi) to facilitate integrated studies of adaptive diversity. 47th Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Green Bay, WI.	February 2019	Cisco are an important resource economically and ecologically and current abundance is well below historic levels. This research will improve our understanding of the current highly variable phenotypic traits that are present in the Laurentian Great Lakes region.
Cross, B.K., and M.A. Bozek. October 2007. Effects of managing riparian vegetation to increase length of suitable trout water. Wild Trout IX West Yellowstone, Montana.	October 2007
Cross, B.K., M.A. Bozek., and M. Mitro. August 2008. Riparian vegetation and stream temperature relationships; Opportunities for trout management. 138th Annual American Fisheries Society Meeting. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.	August 2008
Cross, B.K., M.A. Bozek, and M. Mitro. February 2008. Increasing suitable trout stream length in central Wisconsin through riparian vegetation management. Wisconsin Chapters of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting Wausau, Wisconsin.	February 2008
Cross, B.K., M.A. Bozek, and M. Mitro. December 2007. Managing riparian vegetation to increase the length of suitable trout water in Wisconsin?s north central hardwood forests ecoregion. 68th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Madison, Wisconsin.	December 2007
Cristan, E.T., P.T. Euclide, C.C. Wilson, D.D. Carl, and J.J. Homola. September 2024. Delineation of Lake Superior walleye stock structure. American Fishery Society Annual Meeting. Honolulu, Hawai’i.	September 2024	This work is important for aiding Lake Superior walleye rehabilitation efforts. The delineation of walleye stocks throughout Lake Superior can inform stocking and management objectives by providing biologically grounded units and serve as a baseline for future genomic research.
Cristan, E.T., P.T. Euclide, C.C. Wilson, D.D. Carl, and J.J. Homola. August 2023. Delineation of walleye stock structure in Lake Superior. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	August 2023	This work is important for aiding Lake Superior walleye rehabilitation efforts. The delineation of walleye stocks throughout Lake Superior can inform stocking and management objectives by providing biologically grounded units and serve as a baseline for future genomic research.
Crane, D.P., M. Cornett, C. Bauerlien, M.L. Hawkins, J.L. Hansbarger, D.A. Isermann, J.M. Kampa, T.D. Simonson, M.P. Rennicke, K.L. Kapuscinski, and J.R. Meerbeek. January 2018. Use of fin rays for estimating age of muskellunge. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	Results from this work can be used to guide future population assessments and research on Muskellunge biology and ecology.
Crane, D.P., J.L. Hansbarger, D.A. Isermann, J.M. Kampa, K.L. Kapuscinski, J.R. Meerbeek, M.P. Rennicke, and T.D. Simonson. February 2017. Development of a standardized protocol for use of fin rays in estimating age of Muskellunge. 77th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Lincoln, Nebraska.	February 2017	Accurate and precise age estimation are essential for understanding Muskellunge population characteristics such as growth and mortality. Counting annuli on cleithra is believed to provide accurate age estimates for Muskellunge, but removal of cleithra requires sacrificing fish. Previous research suggests that counting annuli on sectioned fin rays may be a reliable, non-lethal technique for estimating age of Muskellunge.
Coppola, G., H. Embke, C. J. Sullivan, S. Carpenter, M. J. Vander Zanden, Z. J. Lawson, and D. A. Isermann. January 2020. Effects of large scale centrarchid removal on walleye and centrarchids in a Wisconsin lake. 80th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Springfield, Illinois.	January 2020	Results of our study may provide a greater understanding on the interspecific relationships between centrarchids and Walleyes and may inform active management strategies for Wisconsin’s recreational fisheries that are being impacted by changing climatic conditions.
Coppola, G., C. J. Kelling, and D. A. Isermann. January 2020. Extent of piscivory for age-0 largemouth bass cohorts in Wisconsin lakes. 80th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Springfield, Illinois.	January 2020	Determining the size that age-0 largemouth bass begin piscivory in Wisconsin lakes and how that differs between cohorts will aid in understanding and predicting how changing climatic conditions are potentially altering bass fisheries in the upper Midwest.
Coppola, G., C. J. Kelling, D. Dembkowski and D. A. Isermann. February 2021. Effects of climate-induced shifts in hatch timing on early life history of largemouth bass in Wisconsin. 81^st Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, virtual.	February 2021	Determining the size that age-0 largemouth bass begin piscivory in Wisconsin lakes and how shifting hatch dates may influence growth and extent of piscivory among cohorts will aid in understanding and predicting how changing climatic conditions may alter bass fisheries in the upper Midwest.
Coppola, G., C. J. Kelling, D. Dembkowski and D. A. Isermann. February 2021. Effects of climate-induced shifts in hatch timing on early life history of largemouth bass in Wisconsin. 50^th Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, virtual.	February 2021	Determining the size that age-0 largemouth bass begin piscivory in Wisconsin lakes and how shifting hatch dates may influence growth and extent of piscivory among cohorts will aid in understanding and predicting how changing climatic conditions may alter bass fisheries in the upper Midwest.
Catalano, M.J., T.D. Pellett, and M.A. Bozek. January 2003. Effects of low-head dam removal in the Baraboo River, Wisconsin: Initial response patterns in fish community structure. Wisconsin Chapter American Fisheries Society. Madison, Wisconsin.	January 2003
Catalano, M.J., M.A. Bozek, and T.D. Pellett. June 2001. Fish-habitat relations and initial response of the Baraboo River fish community to dam removal. Annual Meeting of the North American Benthological Society. LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Invited presentation.	June 2001
Catalano, M.J., M.A. Bozek, and T.D. Pellet. December 2000. Effects of dam removal on the distribution and migration of fishes in the Baraboo River, Wisconsin. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2000
Catalano, M.J., M.A. Bozek, and T.D. Pellet. August 2002. Response of Baraboo River fish community to dam removal. 132nd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Baltimore, Maryland.	July 2002
Catalano, M.J., M.A. Bozek, and T.D. Pellet. August 2002. Response of Baraboo River fish community to dam removal. 132nd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Baltimore, Maryland.	August 2002
Catalano, M.J., M.A. Bozek, and T.D. Pellet. August 2000. Effects of dam removal on the longitudinal distribution and migration of fishes in the Baraboo River, Wisconsin. Annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. St. Louis, Missouri.	August 2000
Catalano, M.J, T.D. Pellett, and M.A. Bozek. December 2003. Fish community recovery and recolonization dynamics following low-head dam removal in the Baraboo River, Wisconsin. 64th Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference, Kansas City, Missouri.	December 2003
Catalano, M. J., M. A. Bozek, and T. D. Pellett. December 2001. Fish-habitat relations and initial response of the Baraboo River fish community to dam removal. Symposium: Approaches to understanding and restoring habitat in lotic systems. 63rd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2001
Catalano, A., D. Isermann, I. Tsehaye, S. Hansen, T. Paoli, and S. Hogler. January 2018. Preliminary assessment of walleye, lake whitefish, and yellow perch diets in Green Bay. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	Lake whitefish, walleyes, and yellow perch support some of the most important fisheries in Green Bay, but managers have limited information on how these three species interact in terms of predation and diet overlap. In 2016, we initiated a collaborative effort to gain more information on diets and potential interactions among these three species
Catalano, A., D. Isermann, I. Tsehaye, S. Hansen, T. Paoli, S. Hogler. March 2017. Preliminary Assessment of Walleye, Lake Whitefish, and Yellow Perch Diets in Green Bay. 46th Annual Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	February 2017	Lake whitefish, walleyes, and yellow perch support some of the most important fisheries in Green Bay, but managers have limited information on how these three species interact in terms of predation and diet overlap. In 2016, we initiated a collaborative effort to gain more information on diets and potential interactions among these three species.
Carpenter, S., H. Embke, G. Hansen, D. Isermann, G. Sass, L. Sikora, and J. Vander Zanden. February 2022. Safe operating space for walleye fisheries: Applications & tests. 52nd Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of American Fisheries Society. Virtual.	February 2022	This research provides insights on walleye population responses to system change and highlights potential strategies that might be employed to meet walleye management objectives in the future.
Carpenter, K., T. Zorn, D. Isermann, C. Isermann, and D. Dembkowski. March 2017. Precision of Otolith and Dorsal Spine Age Estimates for Walleye Sander vitreus in Northern Lake Michigan. 46th Annual Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	February 2017	This study will assist MI-DNR professionals with determining the most effective aging protocol for Northern Lake Michigan Walleye management.
Carden, K.M. and M.A. Bozek. January 2001. Responses of fish communities to structural complexity of macrophyte beds in littoral zones of north temperate lakes. Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Superior, Wisconsin.	January 2001
Carden, K.M. and M.A. Bozek. December 2001. Effects of macrophytes morphology and bed complexity on fish species distributions in north temperate lakes. 63rd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2001
Carden, K.M. and M.A. Bozek. December 2000. Relations between macrophyte bed structure and fish communities in littoral zones of north temperate lakes. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2000
Carden, K.M. and M.A. Bozek November 2001. Macrophytes as fish habitat: the role of macrophyte morphology and bed complexity in fish species distributions. North American Lakes Management Society 2000 International Symposium. Madison, Wisconsin.	November 2001
Canny, L.L., M.A. Bozek, J.Hauxwell, and K. Wagner. December 2004. Response of macrophyte communities to human development along lakeshores and in watersheds of Wisconsin lakes. 65th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Indianapolis, IN.	December 2004
Canny, L.L., M.A. Bozek, J.A. Hauxwell, and K.I. Wagner. December 2005. Macrophyte response to human development along lakeshores and in watersheds of Wisconsin lakes. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	December 2005
Canny, L., M.A. Bozek, and J. Hauxwell. August 2005. Response of macrophytes to human perturbation in Wisconsin lakes. American Fisheries Society National Meeting. Anchorage Alaska.	August 2005
Candy, J., W. Larson, R. Waples, I. Winther, K. Jonsen, and T. Beacham. June 2018. Monitoring genetic diversity from marine fisheries: using GSI assigned individuals to estimate effective population size. Coastwide Salmonid Genetics Meeting, Mukilteo, Washington.	June 2018	Estimating the number of effective breeders contributing to a mixed-stock fishery has important conservation implications. Here, we explore methods to estimate this important metric of population health from fishery samples.
Brown, P.J., M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. August 2003. Ontogenetic Shifts in Habitat Selection by Young-of-Year Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu)) in Northern Wisconsin Lakes. American Fisheries Society, Quebec City, Canada.	August 2003
Brown, P.J., M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. August 2002. Anomalous spawning by smallmouth bass in a north temperate lake: a contradiction in centrarchid ecology. 132nd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Baltimore, Maryland.	August 2002
Brown, P.J., M.A. Bozek, S. Newman, M. Jennings, and C. Edwards. January 2002. Nest site selection and larval habitat use by smallmouth bass in two northern Wisconsin lakes. 31st Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Wausau, Wisconsin.	January 2002
Brown, P.J., M.A. Bozek, S. Newman, M. Jennings, and C. Edwards. December 2001. Smallmouth bass nesting dynamics and larval habitat use in two northern Wisconsin lakes. 63rd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2001
Brown, P.J., M. A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. December 2002. Habitat use and selection by young-of-year smallmouth bass in two north temperate lakes. Midwest Fisheries Conference, Bettendorf, Iowa.	December 2002
Brown, M.S., C.L. Thomas, M.A. Bozek, and J.R. Keir. December 2003. Demographics of citizens participating in Wisconsin's prairie chicken booming ground census. 64th Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference, Kansas City, Missouri.	December 2003
Brandt., E.J., Z.S. Feiner, A.W. Latzka, and D.A. Isermann. January–February 2021. Evidence for synchrony between Yellow Perch and Walleye recruitment dynamics and temporal trends in northern Wisconsin lakes. 81st Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference. St. Paul, Minnesota.	February 2021	This research will help to guide management decisions by utilizing a model to predict Yellow Perch recruitment as a function of temperature. Additionally, this research will help to determine if Yellow Perch and Walleye recruitment is synchronous and if lakes with different Walleye recruitment histories differ in terms of juvenile Yellow Perch abundance.
Brandt., E.J., Z.S. Feiner, A.W. Latzka, and D.A. Isermann. February 2021. Evidence for synchrony between Yellow Perch and Walleye recruitment dynamics and temporal trends in northern Wisconsin lakes. 50th Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Virtual.	February 2021	This research will help to guide management decisions by utilizing a model to predict Yellow Perch recruitment as a function of temperature. Additionally, this research will help to determine if Yellow Perch and Walleye recruitment is synchronous and if lakes with different Walleye recruitment histories differ in terms of juvenile Yellow Perch abundance.
Brandt., E.J., D.J. Dembkowski, A.W. Latzka, J.M. Hennessy, and D.A. Isermann. January–February 2020. Assessing abundance of centrarchids in northern Wisconsin lakes with different Walleye recruitment histories. 81st Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference. St. Paul, Minnesota.	February 2021	This research will help identify gears to sample centrarchids < 100 mm TL. This will allow us to develop a composite index of centrarchid abundance and to determine if lakes with different Walleye recruitment histories differ in terms of various metrics of centrarchid abundance.
Brandt., E.J., D.J. Dembkowski, A.W. Latzka, J.M. Hennessy, and D.A. Isermann. February 2021. Assessing abundance of centrarchids in northern Wisconsin lakes with different Walleye recruitment histories. 50th Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Virtual.	February 2021	This research will help identify gears to sample centrarchids < 100 mm TL. This will allow us to develop a composite index of centrarchid abundance and to determine if lakes with different Walleye recruitment histories differ in terms of various metrics of centrarchid abundance.
Brandt., E. J., D.A. Isermann, and D.J. Dembkowski. July 2019. Assessing abundance of centrarchids and juvenile Yellow Perch in northern Wisconsin lakes with different Walleye recruitment histories. 2019 Joint Meeting of the Centrarchid, Esocid, and Walleye Technical Committees – North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society. Webster, South Dakota.	July 2019	This research will help identify gears to sample centrarchids and Yellow Perch < 100 mm TL. This will allow us to develop a composite index of centrarchid abundance and to determine if lakes with different Walleye recruitment histories differ in terms of various metrics of centrarchid abundance and juvenile Yellow Perch abundance.
Brandt., E. J., D.A. Isermann, and D.J. Dembkowski. January 2020. Assessing abundance of centrarchids and juvenile Yellow Perch in northern Wisconsin lakes with different Walleye recruitment histories. 80th Annual Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference. Springfield, Illinois.	January 2020	This research will help identify gears to sample centrarchids and Yellow Perch < 100 mm TL. This will allow us to develop a composite index of centrarchid abundance and to determine if lakes with different Walleye recruitment histories differ in terms of various metrics of centrarchid abundance and juvenile Yellow Perch abundance.
Bozek, M.A., and K. Frey. October 2003. Dam Inspection and Maintenance. Nearshore fish habitat (Littoral Zone Management). Pennsylvania Lake Management Society, 14th Annual Conference. State College, Pennsylvania.	October 2003
Bozek, M.A., T. Haxton, and J.K. Raabe. September 2011. Walleye habitat: management and research needs. American Fisheries Society 141st Annual Meeting. Seattle, Washington.	September 2011
Bozek, M.A., P.J. Brown, and R.R. Piette. May 2006. Comparison of two scuba trip surveys assessing the abundance and distribution of razor back suckers in the Colorado River below Hoover Dam: 1983 versus 2003. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society Western Division. Bozeman, Montana.	May 2006
Bozek, M.A., N.T. Scribner, and M.G. Newbrey. June 2010. Relations between structure of coarse woody habitats and fish in the littoral zone of a north temperate lake. Joint Meeting with American Society of Limnology and Oceanography and North American Benthological Society. Santa Fe, New Mexico.	June 2010
Bozek, M.A., N.T. Scribner, J.E. Cook, and K.W. Rice. December 2005. Sustainability of natural sources of fish habitat in north temperate lakes: forecasting recruitment of coarse woody structure. . Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	December 2005
Bozek, M.A., N. Scribner, and M.A. Newbrey. August 2005. Sustaining production of fish habitat in forested watersheds: managing the riparian area-littoral zone ecotone. American Fisheries Society National Meeting. Anchorage Alaska.	August 2005
Bozek, M.A., M.J. Jennings, E.E. Emmons, and C. Edwards. December 2000. Approaches to sampling fish habitat in littoral zones of lakes. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota. Invited presentation.	December 2000
Bozek, M.A., D. Neuswanger, T. Margenau, and H. Benike. December 2004. A review of artificial spawning habitat for walleye in Wisconsin north temperate lakes. 65th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Indianapolis, IN.	December 2004
Bozek, M.A., B.M. Mann, and M.G. Newbrey. November 2008. Use and partitioning of complex coarse woody habitats by fish in the littoral zone of a north temperate lake. 28th International Symposium of the North American Lake Management Society Lake Louise, Canada.	November 2008
Bozek, M.A. and W.A. Hubert. December 1999. A conceptual framework for generalizing habitat models that predict standing stocks of salmonids in streams. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Chicago, Illinois.	December 1999
Bozek, M.A. and P.J. Brown. 2005. Limnological changes in Big Soda Lake, Nevada: Forecasting the end to meromixis induced by anthropogenic effects. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography. Santiago de Compostela, Spain.	June 2005
Bozek, M.A. October 2002. Evaluating fish community structure, fish/habitat relations and the effects of dam removal in the Baraboo River, Wisconsin. Fish Passage Design and Management in Midwest Streams Workshop. USFWS National Conservation Training Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin.	October 2002
Bozek, M.A. November 2004. A review of attempts to create artificial spawning habitat for walleye in north temperate lakes of Wisconsin. 24th International North American Lake Management Society Annual Meeting. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.	November 2004
Bozek, M.A. November 1999. Research initiatives of the Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Ecological Systems Section Meeting. Stevens Point, Wisconsin.	November 1999
Bozek, M.A. March 2000. Assessment of fish habitat in lakes. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection Statewide Training Conference. Madison, Wisconsin.	March 2000
Bozek, M.A. December 1999. Effects of shoreline development on riparian areas and littoral zone habitats. Cooperative Research Units/U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Meeting in conjunction with the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Chicago, Illinois.	December 1999
Bozek, M.A. August 2003. A statistically valid approach to quantifying the effects of substrate particle size on survival-to-Emergence in Salmonids. American Fisheries Society, Quebec City, Canada.	August 2003
Bozek, M.A. April 2004. Good Fishing - Good Habitat. Wisconsin Lakes Convention, Green Bay, Wisconsin.	April 2004
Bozek, M.A. March 2010. Structure and functional dynamics of coarse woody habitats in littoral zones of lakes. 32nd Annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention. Green Bay, Wisconsin. Invited.	March 2010
Bozek, M.A. April 2010. Occupancy of coarse woody habitats by fish in the littoral zone of a lake. 2010 AFS Western Division Annual Meeting. Salt Lake City, Utah.	April 2010
Bozek, M., B. Achuff, M. Newbrey, and J. Cook. June 2002. A dynamic model linking riparian area tree recruitment to submerged woody habitat in lakes. Annual Meeting of the American Society for Oceanography and Limnology. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Invited presentation.	June 2002
Bozek, M., B. Achuff, M. Newbrey, and J. Cook. January 2002. Development of a dynamic model linking riparian area wood recruitment with submerged woody habitat. 31st Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Wausau, Wisconsin.	January 2002
Bozek, M., B. Achuff, M. Newbrey, and J. Cook. August 2002. Development of a dynamic model linking riparian area wood recruitment with submerged woody fish habitat. 132nd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Baltimore, Maryland.	August 2002
Bozek, M. August 2010. Overview of the role and importance of large wood in lake systems. Eastern Region Stream and Lake Riparian Restoration Using Large Wood Materials Workshop. Eagle River, Wisconsin.	August 2010
Bootsma, M., Turnquist, K., Sass, G., and Larson, W. January 2018. Developing a high-throughput SNP panel for walleye in Wisconsin and Minnesota. 78th Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	Walleye comprise a large portion of the recreational and tribal fishery within Wisconsin, which has significant economic, cultural, and ecological importance. Our study will advance the understanding of walleye stocking needs in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and improve future management efforts.
Bootsma, M., Turnquist, K., Sass, G., and Larson, W. February 2019. High throughput genetic stock identification and parentage assessment for Wisconsin and Minnesota walleye using single nucleotide polymorphisms. 47th American Fisheries Society Meeting (Wisconsin Chapter). Green Bay, Wisconsin.	February 2019	With the Wisconsin Walleye Initiative allocating over two million dollars annually towards walleye hatchery production programs that are used to stock Wisconsin water bodies, it is important that we produce the best product possible for Wisconsin anglers and ecosystems. Our study will advance walleye stocking best-management practices in Wisconsin and Minnesota, and establish a baseline genomic data set capable of improving future management efforts.
Bohen, R. M., D. J. Dembkowski, A. W. Latzka, J. M. Hennessy, and D. A. Isermann. Population Characteristics of Buffalo in Wisconsin: Contribution and Resiliency to Bowfishing Harvest. 154^th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Honolulu, HI.	September 2024	This research describes landscape-level population information of two understudied species (bigmouth and smallmouth buffalo) and is the first formal assessment of bowfishing harvest in Wisconsin. <i> </i>
Bohen, R. M., D. J. Dembkowski, A. W. Latzka, J. M. Hennessy, J. J. Homola and D. A. Isermann. Population Characteristics of Buffalo in Wisconsin: Contribution and Resiliency to Bowfishing Harvest. 85^th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. St. Louis, MO.	January 2025	This research describes landscape-level population information of two understudied species (bigmouth and smallmouth buffalo) and is the first formal assessment of bowfishing harvest in Wisconsin. <i> </i>
Bohen, R. M., D. J. Dembkowski, A. W. Latzka, J. M. Hennessy, J. J. Homola and D. A. Isermann. Bigmouth and Smallmouth Buffalo in Wisconsin: Population Characteristics and Contribution and Resiliency to Bowfishing Harvest. 84^th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Sioux Falls, South Dakota	January 2024	This research will help describe landscape-level population information of two understudied species (bigmouth and smallmouth buffalo) and be among the first formal assessments of bowfishing harvest in Wisconsin.
Boehm, H., and D.A. Isermann. August 2014. Comparison of sampling techniques for capturing larval walleyes in northern Wisconsin lakes. American Fisheries Society. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.	August 2014	This work will provide sampling guidance for collecting larval walleyes.
Boehm, H., and D. Isermann. November 2014. Identifying Recruitment Bottlenecks for Walleye in Northern Wisconsin Lakes. Riveredge Nature Center's Student Research Symposium. Saukville, Wisconsin.	November 2014	This presentation summarizes preliminary results after the first year of a master’s thesis project, and provides recommendations for the second year of the study.
Boehm, H., and D. Isermann. November 2014. Comparison of sampling techniques for capturing larval percids in northern Wisconsin lakes. Riveredge Nature Center’s Student Research Symposium, Saukville, Wisconsin.	November 2014	This work will provide sampling guidance for collecting larval walleyes.
Boehm, H., and D. Isermann. January 2016. Evaluation of sampling techniques for capturing age-0 walleyes in northern Wisconsin lakes. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	January 2016	This work will provide sampling guidance for collecting age-0 walleyes in northern Wisconsin.
Boehm, H., and D. Isermann. February 2016. Evaluation of sampling techniques for capturing age-0 walleyes in northern Wisconsin lakes. Wisconsin AFS Annual Meeting. LaCrosse, Wisconsin.	February 2016	This work will provide sampling results for collecting age-0 walleyes in northern Wisconsin.
Boehm, H., D. Isermann, and G. Hansen. July 2015. Identifying recruitment bottlenecks for age-0 walleye in northern Wisconsin lakes. North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society – Walleye Technical Committee Meeting, Brookings, South Dakota.	July 2015	This presentation will document progress made on a graduate research project by summarizing findings of the first year of research and some of the second year.
Boehm, H., D. Isermann, and G. Hansen. January 2016. Identifying recruitment bottlenecks for age-0 walleye in northern Wisconsin lakes. Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Grand Rapids, Michigan.	January 2016	This work summarizes a graduate research project on walleye recruitment in northern Wisconsin. It suggests timing of recruitment bottleneck, and provides sampling recommendations. This information will help managers develop potential solutions to address declining walleye recruitment.
Boehm, H., D. Isermann, and G. Hansen. February 2016. Identifying recruitment bottlenecks for age-0 walleye in northern Wisconsin lakes. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. LaCrosse, Wisconsin.	February 2016	This work summarizes a graduate research project on walleye recruitment in northern Wisconsin. It suggests timing of recruitment bottleneck, and provides sampling recommendations. This information will help managers develop potential solutions to address declining walleye recruitment.
Boehm, H., D. Isermann, and G. Hansen. February 2015. Identifying recruitment bottlenecks for age-0 walleye in northern Wisconsin lakes. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Eau Claire, Wisconsin.	February 2015	This work will document the progress made on a graduate research project by summarizing findings of the first year of research. Our results will provide recommendations for the second year of the project.
Boehm, H., D. Isermann, and G. Hansen. February 2015. Identifying recruitment bottlenecks for age-0 walleye in northern Wisconsin lakes. Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference. Indianapolis, Indiana.	February 2015	This work will document the progress made on a graduate research project by summarizing findings of the first year of research. Our results will provide recommendations for the second year of the project.
Blumstein. D. , W. Stott, and W. Larson. June 2018. Development of a genetic linkage map for cisco (Coregonus artedi) to facilitate integrated studies of adaptive diversity. Coastwide Salmonid Genetics Meeting 2018. Mukileto, Washington.	June 2018	Cisco are an important resource economically and ecologically and current abundance is well below historic levels. This research will improve our understanding of the current highly variable phenotypic traits that are present in the Laurentian Great Lakes region.
Blumstein, D., W. Stott, and W. Larson. January 2018. Development of a genetic linkage map for cisco (Coregonus artedi) to facilitate integrated studies of adaptive diversity. 78th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.	January 2018	Cisco are an important resource economically and ecologically and current abundance is well below historic levels. This research will improve our understanding of the current highly variable phenotypic traits that are present in the Laurentian Great Lakes region.
Blumstein D., W. Stott, and W. Larson. April 2018. Development of a genetic linkage map for cisco (Coregonus artedi) to facilitate integrated studies of adaptive diversity. Great Lakes Science Center Seminar Series. Ann Arbor, Michigan.	April 2018	Cisco are an important resource economically and ecologically and current abundance is well below historic levels. This research will improve our understanding of the current highly variable phenotypic traits that are present in the Laurentian Great Lakes region.
Billington, N., R. N. Koigi, B. L. Sloss, R. Franckowiak, J. Xiong, and W. Gardner. 2007. Genetic structure of Upper Missouri River sauger populations. 137th Annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society. San Francisco, CA.	September 2007
Belnap, M., D. Isermann, B. Sloss, and J. VanDeHey. June 2013. Stock characteristics of lake whitefish in Lake Michigan. International Association of Great Lakes Research 56th Annual Meeting. West Lafayette, Indiana.	June 2013	Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) support important recreational, commercial, and tribal fisheries in the Great Lakes, including Lake Michigan. Genetic analyses indicate at least six distinct lake whitefish stocks exist in Lake Michigan resulting in a mixed-stock fishery.
Belnap, M., D. Isermann, B. Sloss, and J. VanDeHey. January 2013. Stock characteristics of lake whitefish in Lake Michigan. 74th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Kansas City, Missouri.	January 2014	Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) support important recreational, commercial, and tribal fisheries in the Great Lakes, including Lake Michigan. Genetic analyses indicate at least six distinct lake whitefish stocks exist in Lake Michigan resulting in a mixed-stock fishery. Biological characteristics could vary among these stocks, which could result in stock-specific responses to exploitation.
Belnap, M., D. Isermann, B. Sloss, and J. VanDeHey. February 2014. Stock characteristics of lake whitefish in Lake Michigan. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	February 2014	Genetic analyses indicate at least six distinct lake whitefish stocks exist in Lake Michigan, resulting in a mixed-stock fishery. The objective of our study was to determine if stocks differ in terms of growth, maturation, age structure, condition, and fecundity.
Belnap, M., D. Isermann, B. Sloss, and J. VanDeHey. February 2013. Stock characteristics of lake whitefish. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Rothschild, Wisconsin.	February 2013	Lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis support important recreational, commercial, and tribal fisheries in the Great Lakes, including Lake Michigan. Genetic analyses indicate at least six distinct lake whitefish stocks exist in Lake Michigan resulting in a mixed-stock fishery. Biological characteristics could vary among these stocks, which could result in stock-specific responses to exploitation.
Belnap, M., D. Isermann, B. Sloss, and J. VanDeHey. April 2013. Stock characteristics of lake whitefish in Lake Michigan. Western Division of the American Fisheries Society. Boise, Idaho.	April 2013	Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) support important recreational, commercial, and tribal fisheries in the Great Lakes, including Lake Michigan. Genetic analyses indicate at least six distinct lake whitefish stocks exist in Lake Michigan resulting in a mixed-stock fishery. Biological characteristics could vary among these stocks, which could result in stock-specific responses to exploitation.
Belnap, M., D. Isermann, B. Sloss, and J. VanDeHey. April 2013. Stock characteristics of lake whitefish in Lake Michigan. Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Convention. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	April 2013	Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) support important recreational, commercial, and tribal fisheries in the Great Lakes, including Lake Michigan. Genetic analyses indicate at least six distinct lake whitefish stocks exist in Lake Michigan resulting in a mixed-stock fishery.
B. Schleppenbach, K. Turnquist, A. Nickel, and W. Larson. 2018. Genetic Analysis of Sauger (Sander canadensis) Populations in the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan Drainages, WI. College of Natural Resources, Undergraduate Research Symposium.	April 2018	Sauger were once an important fishery in Lake Winnebago but have decreased substantially in abundance. We used genetic techniques to identify the best broodstock for sauguer restoration.
Andvik, R.T., B.L. Sloss, J.A. VanDeHey, and S. Hansen. December 2011. Genetic origins of a re-established lake whitefish population in the Menominee River. 72nd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2011
Andvik, R.T., B.L. Sloss, J.A. VanDeHey, T.M. Sutton, S. Hansen, and R.M. Claramunt. May 2011. Proportional stock harvest of the lake whitefish commercial fishery in Lake Michigan. 54th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research. Duluth, Minnesota.	May 2011
Andvik, R.T., B.L. Sloss, J.A. VanDeHey, T.M. Sutton, S. Hansen, and R. Claramunt. February 2011. Mixed-stock analysis of Lake Michigan’s lake whitefish commercial fishery. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Stevens Point, Wisconsin.	February 2011
Andvik, R.T., B.L. Sloss, J.A. VanDeHey, T.M. Sutton, S. Hansen, and R. Claramunt. December 2010. Mixed-stock analysis of Lake Michigan’s lake whitefish commercial fishery. 71st Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota.	December 2010
Andvik, R.T., B.L. Sloss, J.A. VanDeHey, T.M. Sutton, R.M. Claramunt, and S. Hansen. December 2009. Mixed stock analysis of the Lake Michigan lake whitefish commercial fishery. 70th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Springfield, Illinois.	December 2009
Andvik, R.T., B.L. Sloss, J.A. VanDeHey, S. Hansen, and R. Claramunt. December 2011. Seasonal stock contributions of lake whitefish to Big Bay de Noc. 72nd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2011
Albosta, P.M., and Homola, J.J. February 2022. Applications of parentage-based tagging in stocking evaluations. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Virtual Meeting.	February 2022	The best practice for conservation analyses should minimize impact on resources being studied while maximizing accuracy. Parentage-based tagging achieves both goals with minimal initial effort and low cost.
Adams, N.E., J.J. Homola, J.D. Robinson, and K.T. Scribner. 2022. Genetic structure and multiple paternity in invasive Red Swamp Crayfish in southeastern Michigan, USA. Population, Evolutionary, and Quantitative Genetics Conference. Pacific Grove, California.	June 2022	Red swamp crayfish are an emerging invasive species in Michigan that is actively being managed toward eradication. This research provides critical information on reproductive tendencies and dispersal capacities for the species that will aid in control efforts.
Ackiss, A., Larson, W., Stott, W., Turnquist, K., and G. Sass. February 2018. Using a rapture panel to investigate genetic diversity in inland cisco across the Great Lakes region. Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Green Bay, Wisconsin.	February 2019	Abundance surveys have shown the number of inland lakes with extirpated cisco populations is growing. An understanding of genetic differentiation and diversity can provide scientists and resource managers with valuable information on the basis of resilience in extant cisco populations and aid in the preservation of these fisheries resources.
Ackiss, A., Donner, K., Jonas, J., Stott, W., Larson, W. June 2019. Using Genomics Tools to Investigate Adaptive Diversity in Great Lakes Cisco. International Association of Great Lakes Research. Brockport, New York.	June 2019	Recent increases in Great Lakes cisco populations has led to a growing interest in restocking lost populations. An understanding of genetic differentiation and diversity among the various forms found within the Great Lakes can provide scientists and resource managers with valuable information for the preservation and remediation of these fisheries resources.
Achuff, B.J., M.A. Bozek, J. Cook, and M.G. Newbrey. December 2001. Linking riparian forest complexity and littoral zone habitat in a northern temperate lake. 63rd Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Des Moines, Iowa.	December 2001
Achuff, B., M. Bozek, M. Newbrey, and J. Cook. December 2003. Modeling linkages between riparian land and the littoral zones of lakes: the recruitment and decomposition of coarse woody structures. 64th Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference, Kansas City, Missouri.	December 2003
Achuff, B., M. Bozek, M. Newbrey, and J. Cook. December 2002. Development of a riparian land-use model for the sustainable recruitment of coarse woody structure to lakes as fish habitat. North Central Division of the American Fisheries Society Meeting. Bettendorf, Iowa.	December 2002
Achuff, B., M. Bozek, J. Cook, and M. Newbrey. August 2002. Developing a dynamic model linking riparian area forests with littoral zone coarse woody structure in a temperate lake. Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America. Tucson, Arizona.	August 2002
Lensing, B., D. Dembkowski, J. Raabe, J. Breeggemann and D. Isermann. Identifying Walleye and Lake Whitefish Spawning Habitat to Inform Habitat Improvements for Lake Sturgeon in the Lower Fox River below De Pere Dam. 85^th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. St. Louis, MO.	January 2025	Spatially identifying where walleye and lake whitefish spawn below De Pere Dam may be used to inform placement of the reef designed to improve lake sturgeon spawning habitat. Determining the precise timing of the spawn and associated environmental cues could help managers better understand reproductive behavior of walleye and lake whitefish.

Theses and Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations	Publication Date
Westbrook, L.J. 2012. Genetic structure of rock bass and johnny darters: implications for gamefish managment in Wisconsin. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 79 p.	May 2012
Wegleitner, E.J. May 2018. Wild juvenile salmonid abundance and outmigration in Wisconsin tributaries to Lake Michigan. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 50 p.	May 2018
Waterhouse, M.D. December 2011. The relation between demographics and genetic integrity of walleye Sander vitreus populations in northern Wisconsin. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 90 p.	December 2011
Vasquez, B. 2024. Evaluating walleye (Sander vitreus) thermal and optical habitat occupancy in northern Wisconsin lakes using two forms of technology. MS thesis, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.	April 2024
VanDeHey, J. A. 2007. Genetic structure among Lake Michigan's lake whitefish spawning aggregates. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. 118 pp.	May 2007
Spude, B.T. October 2010. Contemporary stock structure of muskellunge populations in northern Wisconsin. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 104 p.	October 2010
Snobl, Z.R. 2016. Habitat use and movement of sub-adult lake sturgeon in the lower Wolf River, Wisconsin. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.	January 2016
Shrovnal, J.S. 2021. Estimating mortality of lake surgeon in the Lake Winnebago system using traditional age-based approaches and capture-recapture models. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.	December 2021
Sheffer, R.J. 2019. Movement, habitat use, and reproductive success of muskellunge Esox masquinongy in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point MS Thesis. 113 p.	October 2019
Schulze, J.C. 2017. Lake sturgeon movement after upstream passage of two hydroelectric dams on the Menominee River, Wisconsin-Michigan. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.	May 2017
Schnell, K.E. 2014. Predicted effects of angler harvest on largemouth bass populations in northern Wisconsin Lakes. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point 58 p.	December 2014
Schmidt, S.M. 2010. Development of multi-dimensional littoral zone habitat fingerprints and quantifying structrual habitat in lakes. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 158 p.	May 2010
Rydell, N.J. 2018. Effects of 2, 4-D Herbicide treatments used to control Eurasian Watermilfoil on fish and zooplankton in northern Wisconsin lakes. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 119 p.	June 2018
Ruzich, J.K. 2018. Minimal effects to genetic diversity and population structure in seven fish species isolated by a hydroelectric dam. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 79 p.	August 2018
Proctor, M.E. 2009. Genetic identification of simulated lake trout from Lake Michigan: efficacy of genetic algorithms to determine cross-strain hybrids based on available genetic data. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 128 p.	July 2009
O'Connell, A. 2020. Evaluation of methods for estimating age and growth of Lake Sturgeon. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin.	December 2020
Naas, E. M. 2024. Understanding smallmouth bass recruitment in relation to nest fishing along Wisconsin's Door Peninsula. MS thesis, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.	September 2024
Murphy, E.L. 2009. Contemporary muskellunge genetic resources in northern Wisconsin: impacts of supplemental stocking and genetic management zones. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 120 p.	December 2009
Krebs, J. 2020. Movements and Spawning Habitat of Muskellunge Esox masquinongy in Green Bay,Lake Michigan. Masters Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 93 p.	December 2020
Koenig, L. 2020. Food web interactions among walleye, lake whitefish, and yellow perch in Green Bay, Lake Michigan. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin.	August 2020
Kelling, C.J. August 2014. Largemouth bass in Wisconsin: dietary interactions with walleyes and factors regulating first-year growth and diet. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 59 p.	August 2014
Johnson, J. C. 2024. Stock discrimination of Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the Lake Winnebago System using Otolith and Fin Ray Microchemistry. MS thesis, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.	June 2024
Johnson, E. R. 2024. Evaluating potential factors limiting lake sturgeon reproductive success in the Upper Fox River, MS thesis, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.	February 2024
Henningsen, R. 2024. Centrarchid population responses to intensive removal in a northern Wisconsin lake with an assessment of otolith-based back-calculation methods for estimating growth. MS thesis, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.	September 2024
Hammen, J.L. 2009. Genetic structure of Wisconsin’s naturally recruiting walleye populations. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 102 p.	August 2009
Haglund, Justin. 2013. Evaluation of a 71-cm minimum length limit and a 1-fish daily bag limit for walleye in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 120 .	May 2013
Gostiaux, J.C. 2018. Expanded assessment of recruitment bottlenecks for age-0 walleye in northern Wisconsin. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 74 p.	May 2018
Gillem, A. K. 2023. Yellow perch recruitment and zooplankton availability in northern Wisconsin lakes with different walleye recruitment histories. MS thesis, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.	December 2023
Easterly, E.G. 2018. Brook trout movement and survival in the west branch of the Wolf River, Wisconsin. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 81 p.	August 2018
Brandt, E.J. 2021. Assessing abundance of centrarchids and juvenile yellow perch in northern Wisconsin lakes with different walleye recruitment histories. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.	December 2021
Boehm, H.I.A., 2016, Identifying recruitment bottlenecks for age-0 walleye in northern Wisconsin Lakes. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.	June 2016
Blumstein, D. 2019. The first haploid linkage map in a coregonid improves knowledge of chromosomal evolution and rediploidization across salmonids. M.S. Thesis University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.	May 2019
Belnap, M.J. 2014. Stock characteristics of lake whitefish in Lake Michigan. M.S. Thesis. Univeristy of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 104 p.	December 2014
Andvik, R.T. December 2011. Mixed-stock analysis of Lake Michigan's lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) commercial fishery. M.S. Thesis. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. 58 p.	December 2011

Technical Publications

Technical Publications	Publication Date
Williamson, C.W., and M.A. Bozek. 2006. Tournament-associated mortality and the effects of culling in Wisconsin black bass (Micropterus spp.) tournaments. Final Report to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 67pp.	December 2006
Stephens, T. and M. A. Bozek. 2000. Effects of riparian management on stream channel structure and fish communities. Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit. Agricultural Ecosystems Research Group Annual Winter Meeting. Madison, Wisconsin.	January 2000
Sloss, B.L., and T. Kittel. 2007. Genetic analysis of remnant Menominee River lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) populations: implications for rehabilitation and reintroduction. Final Report to WE Energies Mitigation and Enhancement Fund. 39 pp.	June 2007
Sloss, B.L., J.A. VanDeHey, T.M. Sutton, P. Peeters, and P. Schneeberger. 2007. Genetic structure among Lake Michigan’s lake whitefish spawning aggregates. Final Report to Great Lakes Fishery Commission. 118 pp.	December 2007
Sloss, B.L., J.A. VanDeHey, T.M. Sutton, P. Peeters, and P. Schneeberger. 2007. Genetic structure among Lake Michigan's lake whitefish spawning aggregates. Final Report to Great Lakes Fishery Commission. 118 pp.	June 2007
Sloss, B.L. and R.P. Franckowiak. 2007. Genetic identification of potential cougar (Felis concolor) dung from Michigan. Technical report submitted to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. 11p.	October 2007
Sloss, B.L. 2012. Genetic identity of Wisconsin Gartersnakes using microsatellite Genetic markers. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Research Report Series. 23 p.	May 2012
Sloss, B.L. 2005. Fish handling/propagation of muskellunge issues. Technical report submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 15 pp.	September 2006
Saunders, R., M. A. Bozek, A. Frey, P. Short, C. Edwards, and S. Newman. 2000. An evaluation of changes in population size, size structure, and habitat use of smallmouth bass in lakes at the Dairymen's Country Club. Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit. Dairymen's Incorporated. Boulder Junction, Wisconsin.	January 2000
Newbrey, M.G., M.A. Bozek, and C.J. Edwards. 2006. Effects of stream barriers as impediments to warmwater fish movement with an emphasis on culverts and siltation: An annotated bibliography. Final report to North Central Research Station U.S. Forest Service Grand Rapids, Minnesota. 52 p.	January 2006
Newbrey, M.G., M.A. Bozek, and C.J. Edwards. 2001. Effects of stream barriers as impediments to warmwater fish movement with an emphasis on culverts and siltation: an annotated bibliography. 52 p.	November 2001
Neuswanger, D., and M.A. Bozek. 2004. Preliminary assessment of effects of rock habitat projects on walleye reproduction in 20 northern Wisconsin lakes: a summary of case histories as of March 2004. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Northern Region Survey Report. 12p.	April 2004
Meehan, T.D., R.N. Rosenfield, V.N. Atudorei, J.Bielefeldt, L.J. Rosenfield, A.C. Stewart, W.E. Stout, and M.A. Bozek. 2003. Variation in hydrogen stable-isotope ratios between nestling cooper's hawks. Condor 105:567:572.	July 2003
Kittel, T.A and B.L. Sloss. 2006. Genetic and demographic analyses of remnant Menominee River lake sturgeon populations: implications for rehabilitation and reintroduction. Progress Report to WE Energies and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 3 pp.	September 2006
Jahns, W. and M.A. Bozek. 2000. Upper Wisconsin basin inland lake trout management plan-2000. 12p.	January 2000
Franckowiak, R.P., B.L. Sloss, M.A. Bozek, and S.P. Newman. 2004. Temporal genetic analysis of a naturally reproducing walleye (Sander vitreus) population: A case study of Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin. Technical Report of the Wisconsin Cooperative Fisheries Research Unit, University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 23p.	April 2004
Bozek, M.A. and M.L. Goerlitz. 2002. Guidelines for evaluating habitat in the littoral zone of Wisconsin's inland lakes. Final Report to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.	July 2002
Bozek, M.A. 2004. Book Review for Integrative Studies in Water Management and Land Development. Boreal Shield Watershed: Lake Trout Ecosystems in a Changing Environment. By: J.M. Gunn, R.J. Steedman, and R.A. Ryder. CRC Press LLC. 2004. 501 p.	January 2004
Bozek, M.A. 2001. Book Review for Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. Restoring life in running waters: better biological monitoring. By: J.R. Karr and E.W. Chu. Island Press. Washington. D.C. 1999. 206 pages.	January 2001

Data or Software Releases

Type	Citation	Publication Date
Data Release	Davis, R. and Isermann, D., 2024, Assessing factors related to Walleye stocking success in the midwestern United States - Associated Data: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P13RXZEJ.	September 2024
Software Release	Davis, R. and Isermann, D., 2024, Assessing factors related to Walleye stocking success in the midwestern United States - Associated Data: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P13RXZEJ.	May 2024
Data Release	Coppola, G., Kelling, C., and Isermann, D., 2024, Lengths, hatch dates, and piscivory for age-0 largemouth bass in Wisconsin lakes: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P13LX3Z3.	May 2024

Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Wisconsin Fishery Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Wisconsin Fishery Research Activities

Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Wisconsin Fishery
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources