Speakers: Greg Sass and Zach Feiner

Climate change-induced variability in ice off dates in north-temperate lakes has the potential to cause phenological whiplash events that may alter food web dynamics and fish recruitment. Variability in ice off date influences limnological conditions, the timing of phytoplankton and zooplankton blooms, and fish spawning and recruitment. Here, we discuss trends and variability in ice-off dates in north-temperate lakes and the potential for these climate-induced changes to influence spawn timing in walleye and subsequent food web mismatches that may negatively influence walleye recruitment.