Relation between Mercury Concentrations in Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) and Northern Pike (Esox lucius) in Ontario Lakes and Influence of Environmental Factors

1991 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. Wren ◽  
W. A. Scheider ◽  
D. L. Wales ◽  
B. W. Muncaster ◽  
I. M. Gray

We examined the relation between mercury levels in walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) and northern pike (Esox lucius) in Ontario lakes. Walleye and northern pike occurred together in 79 of the 346 study lakes. The length-standardized mercury concentrations in coexisting walleye and northern pike in the 79 lakes were highly correlated (r2 = 0.60). The mean mercury concentrations in walleye and northern pike of standardized length from these lakes were 0.65 and 0.52 μg/g, respectively. Lacustrine characteristics associated with lake dystrophy (dissolved organic carbon and iron) were positively correlated with mercury levels in both species. Variables associated with acidity (pH and alkalinity) and hardness (calcium, conductivity, and magnesium) were negatively correlated with mercury concentrations in northern pike but not walleye.

1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1592-1601 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Johnson ◽  
J. H. Leach ◽  
C. K. Minns ◽  
C. H. Olver

Commonest lake types of the 15 combinations of four fish species (walleye, Stizostedion vitreum vitreum; northern pike, Esox lucius; lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush and smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieui) were walleye–pike (22%), pike "only" (19%), lake trout "only" (16%) and smallmouth bass "only" (10%). Lake trout–walleye and lake trout–walleye–smallmouth bass types were extremely rare. Lake depth and area were variables of greatest significance in distinguishing lake types by discriminant analysis. Climatic factors explained the general geographic distribution of smallmouth bass. Hypotheses to explain the low frequency of walleye in small lakes include possibilities of (1) low probability of successful coexistence of pike and walleye, (2) lack of wind fetch to clear spawning areas, and (3) "Lebensraum requirement" of the walleye. Key words: limnology, Percidae, methodology, Ontario lake types, Stizostedion vitreum vitreum, Esox lucius, Salvelinus namaycush, Micropterus dolomieui, distribution, associations


1969 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 3266-3267 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. Lawler

On the basis of the numbers of fish caught per unit of time in Heming Lake during a spring–summer period, the white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) was most active during daylight. The following species were most active during darkness: northern pike (Esox lucius), whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum).


1994 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 2090-2104 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Parks ◽  
P. C. Craig ◽  
G. W. Ozburn

Site-specific and interlake models are developed and tested for predicting mercury levels in walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) and northern pike (Esox lucius). The models are based on empirical relationships from coexisting fish in waters impacted by atmospheric loadings, contaminated sediments, and new reservoir formations. The sizes of fish used in the model (39-cm walleye and 55-cm northern pike) are typical of those caught by sport and commercial fishermen. The relative importance of a number of environmental factors to the accumulation of mercury in coexisting populations was examined by regression of the Biotic Mercury Partitioning Index (BMPI: mercury in species 1 (39-cm walleye)/mercury in species 2 (55-cm northern pike)) on pH, alkalinity, dissolved organic carbon, and other variables that have been identified as important to the accumulation of mercury in either or both species. No species-specific differences in mercury bioavailability were identified. We postulate that development of other biotic relationships on a site-specific, watershed, or broader geographic basis will assist in attempts to model mercury in aquatic ecosystems and reduce sample requirements for biomonitoring programs.


1943 ◽  
Vol 21d (6) ◽  
pp. 160-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard B. Miller

Triaenophorus crassus Forel and T. nodulosus (Pallas) occur in the intestine of the northern pike, Esox lucius. T. crassus is deeply imbedded in the gut wall of the host; T. nodulosus is but lightly attached. Pike weighing three pounds or over are more likely to be infected with the former species and smaller pike more often harbour the latter. The greatest number of mixed infections occur in pike around three pounds in weight.T. crassus liberates viable eggs into the host's intestine from the end of April to the middle of May; T. nodulosus is one month later and appears to liberate its eggs directly into the water. Pike are relatively free of T. crassus from mid-May to mid-June and of T. nodulosus in late June and early July.Data presented are interpreted as indicating that the cauda of T. crassus is produced by the progressive degeneration of the plerocercoid beginning at the posterior end.A third, apparently undescribed, species of Triaenophorus was found in the intestine of the pickerel, Stizostedion vitreum.


1989 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 1581-1586 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Craig ◽  
J. A. Babaluk

An examination of 37 lakes in the central region of Canada revealed that the summer condition of northern pike, Esox lucius, was correlated with Secchi depth but there was no such correlation for walleye, Stizostedion vitreum. A study of the diets of the two predatory fish coexisting in a prairie lake, showed overlap in the food items selected in July. Food density did not appear to be limited. Walleye food consumption rose from about 1% bodyweight in the spring to 2% in late summer and was less than 1% in the late autumn and early winter. Pike food consumption was similar except it rose to over 3% in the early winter when the lake froze over and the water cleared. High turbidity in the prairie lake during the open water period may have reduced the ability of pike to feed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Moslemi-Aqdam ◽  
George Low ◽  
Mike Low ◽  
Brian A. Branfireun ◽  
Heidi K. Swanson

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