Coastal Wetland-Nearshore Linkages of Green Bay Sportfishes

The sportfish community of Green Bay is mostly made up of transient nearshore species.  These sportfish are known to make feeding excursions into tributaries and associated wetlands and trophically link the two habitats.  To assess the relative importance of wetland derived energy to sportfish (yellow perch, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and northern pike) we collected fish from nearshore and wetland habitats at seven locations (Rapid River, Michigan to Dead Horse Bay, Wisconsin) in 2014 and 2015.  Fish tissue stable isotopes and otolith microchemistry were used to determine relative energy contribution and habitat utilization of Green Bay sportfish. A strong trophic gradient was observed among fish captured at sites near the Fox River,Wisconsin, north to the Bays de Noc, Michigan.  Yellow perch were less transient and are likely either wetland or nearshore resident feeders, while walleye are nearshore residents and make feeding excursion into coastal wetlands of Green Bay.