AUTHORS: Christopher I. Rounds, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota; Holly S. Embke, USGS, Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Center; Zachary S. Feiner, Office of Applied Science, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Quinnlan Smith, Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Olaf P. Jensen, Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Jake Vander Zanden, Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Daniel Isermann, USGS, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point; Gretchen J.A. Hansen, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota
ABSTRACT: Many fields rely on the identification and understanding of “bright spots” (i.e., populations that are performing better than predicted based on environmental conditions) to determine successful management approaches and to replicate success elsewhere. Walleye, a culturally and ecologically important cool water species, has declined in many locations where it once thrived, while at the same time other walleye populations have thrived under similar environmental conditions. These heterogeneous responses have raised questions regarding the role of the environment versus management in shaping walleye populations and how to best manage for resilient populations under changing conditions. Here, we discuss a conceptual “bright spot” framework and differentiate it from a related, but different concept of “hot spots” (i.e., populations that are predictably performing better than average for a given metric). We apply a bright spot analysis to lakes in Minnesota to understand where and why certain walleye populations are performing better than expected. We describe walleye “hot spots” and “bright spots” for walleye recruitment to age-0 and adult relative abundance and highlight actionable factors that are associated with “bright spots”. We welcome discussion on our approach and the relevant metrics of success as a part of this presentation.
