Identity and Function of Lake Trout Pheromones

Grant: # 1631

Grant Amount: $237,773.00

Board Decision Year: 2016

Michigan State University - Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (East Lansing)

Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

Li, Weiming (liweim@msu.edu) (517) 432-6705

2016 Ecosystem Health and Sustainable Fish Populations: Ecological and Biological Research to Inform Management - Ecological and biological fisheries research to inform management

Project Summary

This project will characterize the pheromones used by lake trout to locate spawning reefs and mates; this research may be significant for overcoming impediments to lake trout rehabilitation in the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Michigan. The expected result of the project—identified lake trout pheromones—will allow for the development of management tactics that enhance natural recruitment, such as applying pheromones via slow-release polymers to encourage use of historically important or newly constructed reefs.