Philopatry and vagrancy of white bass (Morone chrysops) spawning in the Sandusky River: Evidence of metapopulation structure in western Lake Erie using otolith chemistry

► Otolith chemistry discriminates white bass spawning grounds in western Lake Erie. ► We examined vagrancy of white bass to the Sandusky River using otolith chemistry. ► Vagrancy was sufficient to prevent formation of genetically distinct spawning stocks. ► Vagrancy rates were not influenced by fish age or sex. ► Lake Erie white bass population is a metapopulation linked by vagrant individuals.