Identifying spatial distribution and movement patterns of Lake Erie’s East Basin spawning Lake Whitefish

EBLWF

November 2025 - December 2028

Lake Whitefish in Lake Erie have undergone a decline in abundance due to a number of factors, particularly poor recruitment. While most Lake Whitefish spawning occurs in the West Basin, historically there has been spawning populations in the East Basin. Most of the data on Lake Whitefish East Basin spawning locations are decades old. Identifying current spawning locations and assessing the seasonal movement patterns of East Basin spawners will help inform successful efforts to restore Lake Whitefish populations in Lake Erie. Efforts to tag East Basin spawning Lake Whitefish will take place during the spawning season and will focus on sites identified as historical spawning areas, sites that have been identified as potential spawning areas by modelling studies, and recent commercial capture locations of Lake Whitefish during the spawning period.

• Identify East Basin spawning areas for Lake Whitefish
• Assess movement patterns for East Basin spawning Lake Whitefish

• Improve understanding of Lake Whitefish spawning and movement patterns in the East Basin of Lake Erie to inform management and potential recovery of this species

• Heather Dixon (Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry - Lake Erie Management Unit) - heather.dixon@ontario.ca

• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

• Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
• Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health