To distinguish Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) populations in tributaries of
the Connecticut River, we studied the incorporation and stability of Sr iso
topes in juvenile salmon. We established the geologic basis for unique isot
opic signatures in 29 salmon sites. Stream-specific Sr isotopic ratios (Sr-
87/Sr-86) were found in calcified tissues of salmon parr within 3 months of
stocking. We found little seasonal variation in the Sr signatures of strea
m water or fish tissue. There were no significant differences among the Sr
signatures of otoliths, scales, and vertebrae. For mature salmon raised und
er constant conditions, 70% of the Sr isotopic signature in calcified tissu
es was derived from food sources. We developed a criterion for identifying
moving fish based upon the isotopic variability of genetically marked fish.
Applying this criterion to our streams, 7% of the fish in our study had in
corporated Sr from multiple streams. Strontium isotopes distinguished all 8
regions in the White River basin and 7 of the 10 regions in the West River
basin. When watersheds are considered together, Sr isotopes differentiated
11 unique signatures from 18 regions. We conclude that Sr isotopes are an
effective marking tool and discuss ways in which they can be combined with
other marking techniques over larger spatial scales.