Institute for Fisheries Research Report No. 1779, 1971

Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Institute for Fisheries Research Report No. 1779, 1971
Serum Protein Analysis of Walleyes

Gerald U. Ulrikson and Percy W. Laarman

Abstract.-Walleyes' Stizostedion vitreum vitreum (Mitchill), were collected during 1969 spawning runs from three sites on Lake Erie; a tributary of Lake St. Clair (Themes River); Manistique Lake, Mackinac County; Muskegon River, Newaygo County; and Huron River, Washtenaw County. Total protein and electrophoretic patterns of serum proteins were determined to identify sub-populations. Six major protein bands were detected for all the fish. Determinations were made for area units, percentage which each band was of the total area units, and milligrams protein per milliliter of serum. Analysis of the data showed the walleyes to be in four groups: I, Muskegon and Huron rivers; II, Sandusky Bay; III, Pointe Mouillee, Port Clinton and Thames River; IV, Manistique Lake. Only Sandusky Bay walleyes could be separated from the other three collections taken from Lake Erie and the Thames River. This suggests that the Sandusky Bay walleyes may be a genetically separate sub-population.