Introgression of hatchery rainbow trout in naturalized steelhead populations of western Lake Superior

Abstract

Fisheries managers and anglers in Minnesota have long been concerned that reproduction in the wild by a hatchery strain of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), called kamloops, could reduce the fitness of naturalized steelhead (migratory rainbow trout) populations in Lake Superior. A previous study found no evidence of kamloops introgression, but a new evaluation is warranted in light of continued stocking and genetic advancements over the past 25 years. We used genotypes from 10 microsatellite DNA loci to assess kamloops ancestry in adult and age-0 rainbow trout samples from 40 streams in Minnesota, one stream in Wisconsin, and two adult broodstocks. We also evaluated genetic population structure for impacts of kamlooops introgression. Overall, the average estimated kamloops ancestry was 8% (range 2–44%) in age-0 juveniles and 4% (1–19%) in adults. The average percentages of kamloops descendants in age-0 and adults were 8% (0–54%) and 5% (0–40%), respectively. Kamloops descendants were found in many Minnesota streams and in Wisconsin’s Bois Brule River, but were most prevalent in streams near the source hatchery, near recent stocking locations, and in lower reaches of longitudinally sampled streams. Feral steelhead broodstock had 9% and 6% kamloops descendants in two years while captive broodstock had no kamloops descendants. Minnesota’s populations showed little spatial genetic structure but were distinct from the Bois Brule population and from kamloops, which indicated that kamloops introgression had not substantially altered structure. Kamloops introgression into Minnesota steelhead populations and impacts on other jurisdictions contributed to the decision to discontinue the kamloops stocking program.