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.

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.

Predation by Rainbow Smelt (Osmerus mordax) on Lake Herring (Coregonus artedii) in Western Lake Superior

1978 ◽  
Vol 35 (11) ◽  
pp. 1457-1463 ◽  
Author(s):  
James H. Selgeby ◽  
Wayne R. MacCallum ◽  
Donald V. Swedberg
Keyword(s):  
Lake Superior ◽  
Commercial Production ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Western Lake ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Coregonus Artedii ◽  
Historical Levels ◽  
Lake Herring

The stock of lake herring (Coregonus artedii) in the Apostle Islands (Wisconsin) region of western Lake Superior has diminished severely during the past 30 yr, and predation by rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) on herring larvae has been considered a possible cause of this decline. In contrast, the herring stock in Black Bay, 160 km to the northeast, has remained nearly stable despite the presence of large numbers of smelt and high commercial production of herring. Predator–prey interactions were studied in both areas during 1974. Herring larvae and smelt were about 120 and 3 times as dense, respectively, in Black Bay as in the Apostle Islands region. Substantial predation by smelt on young herring was evident in Black Bay, where 17% of 1195 smelt stomachs examined contained herring larvae. From calculations of the relative densities of the two species, and of the daily ration of the predators, we estimated that smelt consumed 3.3–11% of the herring larvae. Nevertheless, the herring stocks have sustained average historical levels of commercial production. In contrast, no herring larvae were found in the stomachs of 1711 smelt collected in the Apostle Islands region. We conclude that predation by smelt on herring larvae is not the major factor controlling or suppressing herring stocks in either region. Key words: lake herring, rainbow smelt, predation, Lake Superior

Fish community change in Lake Superior, 1970–2000

2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 1552-1574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles R Bronte ◽  
Mark P Ebener ◽  
Donald R Schreiner ◽  
David S DeVault ◽  
Michael M Petzold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Community Change ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Community Agencies ◽  
Natural Reproduction

Changes in Lake Superior's fish community are reviewed from 1970 to 2000. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) stocks have increased substantially and may be approaching ancestral states. Lake herring (Coregonus artedi) have also recovered, but under sporadic recruitment. Contaminant levels have declined and are in equilibrium with inputs, but toxaphene levels are higher than in all other Great Lakes. Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) control, harvest limits, and stocking fostered recoveries of lake trout and allowed establishment of small nonnative salmonine populations. Natural reproduction supports most salmonine populations, therefore further stocking is not required. Nonnative salmonines will likely remain minor components of the fish community. Forage biomass has shifted from exotic rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) to native species, and high predation may prevent their recovery. Introductions of exotics have increased and threaten the recovering fish community. Agencies have little influence on the abundance of forage fish or the major predator, siscowet lake trout, and must now focus on habitat protection and enhancement in nearshore areas and prevent additional species introductions to further restoration. Persistence of Lake Superior's native deepwater species is in contrast to other Great Lakes where restoration will be difficult in the absence of these ecologically important fishes.

Interspecific Relations among Fish Species in South Bay, Lake Huron, 1949–84

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (S2) ◽  
pp. s10-s14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan A. Henderson ◽  
F. E. J. Fry
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Lake Huron ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
White Sucker ◽  
Lake Whitefish ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Coregonus Artedii

Of the nine species caught in pound and gill nets in South Bay, Lake Huron (lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), splake (S. namaycush × S. fontinalis), burbot (Lota lota), lake hering (Coregonus artedii), alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens)), only yellow perch, white sucker, and lake whitefish were significantly related to the abundances of all other fish species (multiple regression) from 1965 to 1984. For the longer period (pound nets 1949–84), all but smelt, burbot, and white sucker were dependent upon variations in the abundance of the nine other species. For the same period (1965–84) and species (nine), the abundances only of yellow perch and white suckers were significantly and positively related in two basins of the Bay. None of the inverse correlations between species abundances was significant in both basins. Within the Outer Basin, only the correlations between alewife and lake herring (r = −0.49, r = −0.45) and yellow perch and white sucker (r = +0.55, r = +0.47) were significant in the same direction for both time periods (1949–64 and 1965–84, respectively). We concluded that there was little evidence that the abundances of species were affected significantly by interspecific influences.

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.

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.

Changes in fish populations affected by the construction of the La Grande complex (Phase I), James Bay region, Quebec

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (10) ◽  
pp. 1860-1877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Claude DesLandes ◽  
Sylvie Guénette ◽  
Yves Prairie ◽  
Réjean Fortin ◽  
Dominique Roy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lake Trout ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽  
Lake Whitefish ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Complex Phase ◽  
Coregonus Artedii ◽  
Secondary Productivity ◽  
Longnose Sucker ◽  
The Impact

Catches per unit of effort (CPUE) with experimental gill nets, recruitment, growth, and condition were monitored between 1977 and 1992 to evaluate the impact of impoundment on the main fish species of La Grande 2, Opinaca, and Caniapiscau reservoirs and the Boyd–Sakami diversion. CPUE and recruitment of northern pike (Esox lucius) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) increased markedly at most stations after impoundment and decreased at the end of the series. The lake whitefish and cisco (Coregonus artedii) showed their most striking rise in CPUE at two bay stations of La Grande 2 and Opinaca reservoirs. CPUE and recruitment of the longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) (Caniapiscau) showed a general decrease following impoundment. CPUE for the walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) also decreased at several stations; however, the two most southerly stations in La Grande 2 reservoir and the Boyd–Sakami station showed high CPUE during the series. Concentration–redistribution phenomena explain part of the observed variations in CPUE. Correlation analyses showed that walleyes and white suckers were attracted to the warmer, more turbid stations, and that the high primary and secondary productivity of bay stations attracted the coregonines. Growth and condition of the main species increased during variable time intervals after impoundment and decreased at the end of the series.

Early Life Stage Mortality Syndrome in Fishes of the Great Lakes and Baltic Sea

1998 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Prey Species ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Life Stage ◽  
Species Variation ◽  
Osmerus Mordax ◽  
Alosa Pseudoharengus ◽  
Rainbow Smelt ◽  
Thiamine Content ◽  
Lake Variation

<em>Abstract</em>.—Thiamine concentrations in representative Great Lakes prey fish, including alewives <em>Alosa pseudoharengus</em>, rainbow smelt <em>Osmerus mordax</em>, slimy sculpin <em>Cottus cognatus</em>, bloater chub <em>Coregonus hoyi</em>, and lake herring <em>Coregonus artedi</em>, and their major dietary items, including mysids <em>Mysis relicta</em>, amphipods <em>Diporeia hoyi</em>, and net macroplankton, were measured to assess their potential involvement in depressed thiamine concentrations in lake trout <em>Salvelinus namaycush </em>of the Great Lakes. Mean thiamine concentrations in all biota were greater than the recommended dietary intake of 3.3 nmol/g for prevention of effects on growth, although the adequacy of these concentrations for reproduction is not known. Mean thiamine concentrations decreased in the order alewives > bloater chub, herring > smelt and differed from the order of associated egg thiamine concentrations published for lake trout feeding on these species (herring > alewives, smelt). As a result, these data strongly implicate the high thiaminase content, rather than the low thiamine content, of alewives and smelt as being responsible for the low egg thiamine concentrations of Great Lakes lake trout stocks that feed heavily on these species. Variations in thiamine content among prey species did not appear to be related to levels in their diet, because thiamine concentrations in <em>Mysis</em>, <em>Diporeia</em>, and macroplankton showed little consistency between group or between lake variation. There was no lake to lake variation in mean thiamine concentrations of prey species, but considerable within species variation occurred that was unrelated to size.

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