scholarly journals Ecology of the Lake Huron fish community, 1970-1999

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 1432-1451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norine E Dobiesz ◽  
David A McLeish ◽  
Randy L Eshenroder ◽  
James R Bence ◽  
Lloyd C Mohr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Community ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Pacific Salmon ◽  
Lake Huron ◽  
Prey Fish ◽  
Saginaw Bay ◽  
Top Predators ◽  
Sea Lampreys ◽  
The Status ◽  
And Control

We review the status of the Lake Huron fish community between 1970 and 1999 and explore the effects of key stressors. Offshore waters changed little in terms of nutrient enrichment, while phosphorus levels declined in inner Saginaw Bay. Introduced mussels (Dreissena spp.) proliferated and may have caused a decline in Diporeia spp. This introduction could have caused a decline in lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) growth and condition, with serious repercussions for commercial fisheries. Bythotrephes, an exotic predatory cladoceran, and other new exotics may be influencing the fish community. Sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) remained prevalent, but intensive control efforts on the St. Mary's River may reduce their predation on salmonines. Overfishing was less of a problem than in the past, although fishing continued to reduce the amount of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) spawning biomass resulting from hatchery-reared fish planted to rehabilitate this species. Massive stocking programs have increased the abundance of top predators, but lake trout were rehabilitated in only one area. Successful lake trout rehabilitation may require lower densities of introduced pelagic prey fish than were seen in the 1990s, along with continued stocking of hatchery-reared lake trout and control of sea lamprey. Such reductions in prey fish could limit Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) fisheries.

Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) size trends in a salmonid stocking context in Lake Superior

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
pp. 2354-2361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey C Jorgensen ◽  
James F Kitchell
Keyword(s):  
Bayesian Model ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Bayesian Model Averaging ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Pacific Salmon ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Petromyzon Marinus ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Model Averaging ◽  
Sea Lamprey

Fish community objectives for Lake Superior call for restoration such that it resembles its historical species composition, to the extent possible, yet allow for supplementation of naturalized Pacific salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.). To achieve these goals, managers strive to control the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) to levels that cause insignificant (<5%) mortality to host species. While control efforts have been successful, sea lamprey size has increased during the control period. We analyzed long-term sea lamprey size trends and found a significant increase from 1961 to 2003 (F = 36.76, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.473). A local regression revealed two significant size increase periods. We used Bayesian model averaging to find the relationship between sea lamprey size and the stocking of salmonids (lean lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and Pacific salmon). Bayesian model averaging identified 91 models, and several regressors were common features in many of the models. Sea lamprey weight was related to stocked lake trout lagged 3, 9, 11, and 13 years, and stocked Pacific salmon lagged 4 years. If sea lampreys can achieve larger sizes attached to Pacific salmonid hosts, and thus inflict more damage, there may be a trade-off for managers in achieving the fish community objectives for Lake Superior.

Dynamics of lake trout production in the main basin of Lake Huron

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 975-987
Author(s):  
Ji X He ◽  
James R Bence ◽  
Charles P Madenjian ◽  
Randall M Claramunt
Keyword(s):  
Fishery Management ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Round Goby ◽  
Lake Huron ◽  
Prey Fish ◽  
Total Consumption ◽  
Age Structured ◽  
Population Mortality ◽  
Ecosystem Changes

Abstract To inform lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) fishery management in Lake Huron that has undergone rapid ecosystem changes, we quantified lake trout production dynamics by coupling age-structured stock assessment and fish bioenergetics models. Our approach revealed the connection between piscivore production and prey consumption, included growth compensation to reproduction losses, and allowed comparisons between long-term dynamics of fishery harvests and fish production. We found that, despite the collapse of alewives, a major non-native pelagic prey fish, lake trout production appeared to be sustainable. To a certain degree, the effect of recent recruitment declines on lake trout production was offset by the release of harvest pressure from subadult lake trout and reduction in fishing and sea lamprey-induced mortality on adult lake trout. Evidence for sustainability also included the finding that no changes in average ratios of annual production to beginning-of-the-year biomass. Juvenile P:B ratio remained as high as 2.1. The effect of growth declines on adult and subadult production was offset by reduction in population mortality. Body growth and condition did not continue to decline when lake trout became more and more reliant on round goby as food, and the dynamics of total consumption of prey fish continued to be recipient controlled.

Lake Superior Revisited 1984

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (S2) ◽  
pp. s23-s36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne R. MacCallum ◽  
James H. Selgeby
Keyword(s):  
Fish Community ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Pacific Salmon ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Sea Lamprey ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Coregonus Artedii ◽  
Historical Levels

The Lake Superior fish community has changed substantially since the early 1960s, when control of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) became effective. Self-reproducing stocks of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) have been reestablished in many inshore areas, although they have not yet reached pre-sea lamprey abundance; offshore lake trout are probably at or near pre-sea lamprey abundance. Stocks of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) appear to have fully recovered; commercial catches are at or above historical levels. Lake herring (Coregonus artedii) are recovering rapidly in U.S. waters and are abundant in western Canadian waters. The population of rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), which declined in the 1970s, is recovering. Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus) are becoming more abundant as a result of increased stocking in U.S. waters and are reproducing in most suitable tributaries; they have become significant in anglers' creels.

Growth potential and host mortality of the parasitic phase of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) in Lake Superior

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
pp. 2343-2353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey C Jorgensen ◽  
James F Kitchell
Keyword(s):  
Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Pacific Salmon ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Petromyzon Marinus ◽  
Maximum Size ◽  
Sea Lamprey ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Sea Lampreys ◽  
Host Mortality

Landlocked Lake Superior sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) cause a significant but uncertain amount of mortality on host species. We used a sea lamprey bioenergetics model to examine the scope of host sizes vulnerable to death as a consequence of sea lamprey feeding and incorporated the bimodal lake-ward migration of parasitic sea lampreys. At their peak feeding rate and maximum size (P = 1.0, proportion of maximum consumption), spring migrants were capable of killing lean lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) hosts ≤ 2.0 kg, which was larger than fall migrants (1.8 kg). Spring migrants feeding on Pacific salmon (coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)) killed hosts ≤ 2.0 kg, but fall migrants killed hosts as large as 2.8 kg. Although there is no direct empirical evidence, bioenergetics modeling suggests that it is plausible that some of the largest sea lampreys in Lake Superior spent more than one summer as parasites. Two-summer parasites readily attained sizes of sea-run adult anadromous sea lampreys and killed hosts from 3 to >5.5 kg in size. The maximum upper limit number of 2-kg hosts killed by two-summer parasites was nearly twice that of one-summer parasites.

scholarly journals Exploring potential effects of cormorant predation on the fish community in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 387-393
Author(s):  
Robin L. DeBruyne ◽  
David G. Fielder ◽  
Edward F. Roseman ◽  
Peter H. Butchko
Keyword(s):  
Fish Community ◽  
Lake Huron ◽  
Saginaw Bay

Final Observations on the Survival of Planted Lake Trout in South Bay, Lake Huron

1969 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2413-2424 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Budd ◽  
F. E. J. Fry ◽  
P. S. M. Pearlstone
Keyword(s):  
Lake Trout ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Sea Lamprey ◽  
Lake Huron ◽  
Population Estimates ◽  
Natural Mortality ◽  
Sea Lampreys ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Annual Mortality

Yearling lake trout were planted in South Bay, Lake Huron, an area with a sea lamprey population, each year from 1949 to 1955 with the exception of 1950. Fish were recaptured in pound and gillnets. Those recaptured in pound nets were tagged and released. Data from recaptures of tagged fish have been used to calculate yearly population estimates that were used to determine the annual mortality of certain year-classes. The fish were also examined for lamprey wounds and scars and the results tabulated according to the age of the fish.Before age IV annual mortality of South Bay lake trout does not appear to differ significantly from annual mortalities observed in lake trout populations in the absence of sea lampreys. Thereafter, annual mortality rates rise sharply and the population disappears at the age of VI or VII. No spawning population was maintained.Prior to age III no lamprey marks were observed on recaptured lake trout. From ages III to V the percentages of fish bearing lamprey marks increased from 5.2 to 38.8. This trend may continue through age VI but too few data are present to be certain. Before age VI there appears to be a direct correlation between annual lamprey marking rates and annual natural mortality rates.

Prediction of Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) Presence in Low-Alkalinity Lakes near Sudbury, Ontario

1992 ◽  
Vol 49 (S1) ◽  
pp. 95-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Conlon ◽  
John M. Gunn ◽  
J. Robert Morris
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Acidic Deposition ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Species Assemblages ◽  
Fish Community Structure ◽  
The Status ◽  
Measured Water ◽  
Correct Discrimination

Surveys of 30 low-alkalinity lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) lakes near Sudbury, Ontario, were conducted to assess factors that affect lake trout presence under acidification stress. At the time of the surveys the lakes varied widely in pH (4.5–6.9), concentrations of toxic metals (Al 12–300 μg∙L−1), and the status of lake trout populations (extinct–abundant). Fish community structure (species richness, species assemblages) reflected and was readily predicted from measured water quality variables. A PCA factor composed of pH, alkalinity, and conductivity was the variable that best predicted lake trout presence (correct discrimination (> 92%). The results of this study provide managers with easily obtainable predictors for monitoring lake trout status under changing levels of acidic deposition.

New estimates of lethality of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) attacks on lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush): implications for fisheries management

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 535-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles P Madenjian ◽  
Brian D Chipman ◽  
J Ellen Marsden
Keyword(s):  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Petromyzon Marinus ◽  
Sea Lamprey ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Lake Huron ◽  
Lake Champlain ◽  
And Control

Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) control in North America costs millions of dollars each year, and control measures are guided by assessment of lamprey-induced damage to fisheries. The favored prey of sea lamprey in freshwater ecosystems has been lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). A key parameter in assessing sea lamprey damage, as well as managing lake trout fisheries, is the probability of an adult lake trout surviving a lamprey attack. The conventional value for this parameter has been 0.55, based on laboratory experiments. In contrast, based on catch curve analysis, mark–recapture techniques, and observed wounding rates, we estimated that adult lake trout in Lake Champlain have a 0.74 probability of surviving a lamprey attack. Although sea lamprey growth in Lake Champlain was lower than that observed in Lake Huron, application of an individual-based model to both lakes indicated that the probability of surviving an attack in Lake Champlain was only 1.1 times higher than that in Lake Huron. Thus, we estimated that lake trout survive a lamprey attack in Lake Huron with a probability of 0.66. Therefore, our results suggested that lethality of a sea lamprey attack on lake trout has been overestimated in previous model applications used in fisheries management.

Changes in the Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, fish community from 1970–2011

2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 922-933 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori N. Ivan ◽  
David G. Fielder ◽  
Michael V. Thomas ◽  
Tomas O. Höök
Keyword(s):  
Fish Community ◽  
Lake Huron ◽  
Saginaw Bay

Consequences of prey fish community dynamics on lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) foraging efficiency in Lake Superior

1998 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 1273-1284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doran M Mason ◽  
Timothy B Johnson ◽  
James F Kitchell
Keyword(s):  
Fish Community ◽  
Community Dynamics ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Foraging Efficiency ◽  
Prey Fish ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Lake Herring

We used a size-structured model, indexed by age, that combines bioenergetics and foraging theory to evaluate the effects of prey fish community structure (species dominance, size structure, and density) on the diet and net foraging efficiency of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Lake Superior. Prey size structure was important for young lake trout but decreased in importance for older lake trout, especially with increasing prey density. The model predicted that rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) should dominate the diet of young lake trout due to the size-dependent capture limitations of larger prey. In contrast, lake herring (Coregonus artedi) should dominate the diet of oldest lake trout owing to a higher net energy return than rainbow smelt. Model results are consistent with age-specific diet and size-at-age of lake trout during the last 40 years. Diets of intermediate-sized lake trout do not reflect the recent resurgence of lake herring populations. Absence of a dietary switch is probably due to higher capture probability for rainbow smelt. Lake trout growth and production will likely be highest with a mixed prey species assemblage of young rainbow smelt and older lake herring.

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