Observations of Spawning Condition Walleye Over near-Shore Reef Structures in Central Basin Lake Erie

Efforts to locate actively spawning walleye (Sander vitreus) in the central basin of Lake Erie have yet to be realized.  Bathymetric data gathered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is evidence to suggest spawning habitat exists in the central basin in the form of near-shore reefs. Compositions of identified reefs are analogous to spawning habitat utilized by walleye in both the west and east basins of Lake Erie.  Recruitment of walleye in the central basin is well documented, as are discrete spawning populations of walleye in the Grand River watersheds near Fairport Harbor, Ohio and Grand River, Ontario.  Our hypothesis is that given the reef habitat’s close proximity to the mouth of the Grand River (<0.5 nautical miles) we will observe walleye using these reefs as spawning substrate.  Results identified spawning condition adult and juvenile walleye in close proximity to near-shore central basin reefs.  Ichthyoplankton tows yielded insight into presence of post-hatch walleye larvae. However, it has yet to be determined if larvae were hatched at lake reef sites or at locations in the Grand River watershed.  Further research is needed to quantify use limits of reefs and deposition and survival of eggs and larvae.