Distribution of Waterfowl Broods in Sudbury Area Lakes in Relation to Fish, Macroinvertebrates, and Water Chemistry

1992 ◽  
Vol 49 (S1) ◽  
pp. 122-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. K. McNicol ◽  
M. Wayland

We studied habitat selection by insectivorous waterfowl in 65 small lakes near Sudbury, Ontario. Data on environmental variables (pH, alkalinity, conductivity, calcium, total phosphorus, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and area), fish, and littoral macroinvertebrates indicated that the distribution of broods was influenced by differences in invertebrate prey assemblages in lakes with differing degrees of acid stress and types offish predation. Lakes ranged in pH from 4.2 to 7.7 (mean = 5.8); 40% were fishless, 43% were dominated by yellow perch (Perca flavescens) or white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) (YP/WS), and the remainder contained only small cyprinids, sticklebacks, or darters (C/S). Fishless lakes were more acid than lakes with fish. Compared with fishless lakes, C/S lakes had higher levels of DOC and YP/WS lakes were larger. Macroinvertebrate composition was strongly related to fish composition and suggested increasing predation along a gradient: fishless < C/S < YP/WS. pH-related variables distinguished lakes with a taxonomically rich benthos from those with a taxonomically poorer fauna. Insectivorous waterfowl selected fishless lakes over lakes with fish and C/S over YP/WS lakes. Lakes with species-rich, acid-sensitive invertebrate assemblages were not selected over those typified by species-poor, acid-tolerant ones.

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 464-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd M. Koel ◽  
John J. Peterka

Laboratory-based bioassays were conducted to determine concentrations of sodium-sulfate type salinities that limit the hatching success of several fish species. Survival to hatching (SH) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in sodium-sulfate type waters from Devils Lake, North Dakota, of ≥ 2400 mg/L total dissolved solids (TDS) than in fresh water of 200 mg/L. In waters of 200, 1150, 2400, 4250, and 6350 mg/L TDS, walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) SH was 41, 38, 7, 1, and 0%; northern pike (Esox lucius) SH was 92, 68, 33, 2, and 0%; yellow perch (Perca flavescens) SH was 88, 70, 73, 0, and 0%; white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) SH was 87, 95, 66, 0, and 0%; common carp (Cyprinus carpio) SH was 71, 69, 49, 63, and 25%.


1985 ◽  
Vol 42 (11) ◽  
pp. 1815-1822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Schwalme ◽  
William C. Mackay ◽  
Dieter Lindner

A vertical slot fishway and two Denil fishways (of 10 and 20% slope) built into a weir on the Lesser Slave River (55°18′N, 115°45′W) were studied from May 12 to June 25, 1984, to determine how effectively these designs pass north-temperate, nonsalmonid fishes. Thousands of spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius), substantial numbers (> 100) of northern pike (Esox lucius), longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), immature yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and lesser numbers of burbot (Lota lota), adult yellow perch, lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), and trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus) ascended the fishways. Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) and goldeye (Hiodon alosoides), although probably moving extensively through the river, did not use the fishways. Although high water levels allowed most fish to surmount the weir, of those that chose the fishway, pike strongly preferred to ascend the Denil fishways and the two sucker species preferred to ascend the vertical slot. Therefore, a combination of several different fishways may be required for the most efficient passage of a wide variety of species. Plasma glucose and lactate measurements on pike revealed that ascending the Denil fishways was only moderately stressful for these fish.


2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (12) ◽  
pp. 2706-2715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Bertolo ◽  
Pierre Magnan

We used data from a survey of 36 headwater lakes of the Canadian Shield to investigate the relationship between piscivory and growth, abundance, and longevity of white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens). The occurrence of northern pike (Esox lucius) and walleye (Sander vitreus) explained variations in the abundance of both white sucker and yellow perch, suggesting strong predation-induced mortality. The longevity of both species tended to be negatively related to increased piscivory. White sucker grew better and had a better condition in lakes with piscivores. Yellow perch showed only small among-lake differences in growth and condition. The superior competitive ability of white sucker over yellow perch could explain why yellow perch did not show improved growth or longevity where population densities were low in lakes with piscivores and white sucker. Furthermore, yellow perch growth was inversely related to the biomass of piscivorous fish in their first year of life. Stomach content data suggest that small yellow perch, which rely on zooplankton, might restrict their use of pelagic resources to reduce their predation risk by piscivores, thus reducing their growth. Our results show that the effects of piscivores can be species-specific and dependent on community structure.


1976 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. M. Kelso

The thermal discharge from the Nanticoke Generating Station caused both yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) to increase sharpness of turns, decrease distance between turns, and to orient into the current generated by the discharge. Conversely, fish released in thermally unaffected habitats referenced movement to the shoreline, turned less sharply, and swam greater distances between turns. The tendency for localization of movement was increased for both species when in the influence of the discharge. Swimming speeds were less for fish encountering the discharge; however, these fish had to contend with currents generated by the effluent thus making comparisons anomalous. Exposure of fish to elevated temperatures was brief and ranged from a few excursions into thermally elevated areas to approximately 9 h. Fish transplanted from unaffected areas to the discharge area showed behavior similar to fish caught and released at the discharge site. Two fish tracked when cooling water was discharged at ambient temperature suggested that current had a role in causing the observed changes in behavior.


1990 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly O. Ahlgren

The ash-free dry mass (AFDM) of detritus, invertebrates, and algae in the diet of juvenile white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) was determined by quantitative microscopy. Fish were collected from a northern Michigan pond from January through October 1986 and their seasonal diet was compared with benthc invertebrate abundance. The quantity of detritus in sucker foreguts was inversely related to benthic microcrustacean densities. In July, microcrustacean densities were high and they comprised 95% of the AFDM in foregut contents. By October, microcrustacean densities had declined to 13% of their maximum density and detritus comprised over 90% of the sucker's diet AFDM. In laboratory aquaria, sucker that were fed detritus mixed with four different densities of Artemia ingested significantly more detritus from diets that provided lower Artemia densities. In the presence of high Artemia densities, sucker completely rejected detritus and ingested only Artemia, The fact that juvenile sucker can separate detritus from invertebrates that they swallow demonstrates that detritus is not ingested incidentally. Both laboratory and field data support the hypothesis that detritus is ingested intentionally when preferred invertebrate prey are scarce.


1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1633-1642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fritz H. Johnson

In a northeastern Minnesota lake subject only to sportfishing, removal of 85% of the estimated standing crop (34 kg/ha) of adult white suckers, Catostomus commersoni in 1966 was followed by marked changes in community structure and interrelations. During 7 yr alter the removal: catch indices for adult suckers remained far below those before the sucker removal but juvenile suckers increased about 17-fold; yellow perch, Perca flavescens, increased about 15-fold; walleye Stizostedion vitreum vitreum, standing crop increased about one-third; mayflies increased in diet of adult perch and smaller invertebrates decreased; micro-crustaceans increased in diet of young-of-the-year and juvenile perch; young-of-the-year perch increased in diet of adult walleye; walleye angling yield increased from an average of 3.0 kg/ha before the removal to an average of 4.9 kg/ha in 1970–73; the rate of exploitation of adult walleye did not change with increase in angling effort; and the increased walleye harvest consisted mostly of fish recruited to the catch during the fishing season. The average annual harvest of walleye in 1970–73 exceeded estimated potential production for all fish by 81.5% and probably cannot be sustained. Removal of white suckers from lakes with limited fish species diversity appears to benefit percid populations. Key words: Percidae, species interactions, (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum), Perca flavescens, Catostomus commersoni, harvests, community response, community ecology, food, competition


1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant A. Fraser ◽  
Harold H. Harvey

White sucker (Catostomus commersoni) exposed to soft water ([Ca2+] = 0.207 mequiv./L) below pH 5 showed [Na+] and [Cl−] losses, that were approximately the same in plasma and whole body. At pH 4.5 (6- to 19-day exposure), body and plasma [Na+] were approximately 17% lower than in white sucker held at pH 6.6, and 42% lower in fish at pH 4 (<2 days). Since plasma ions are known to be affected by handling stress, whole-body [Na+] and [Cl−] in fishes may be a more useful indicator of ionoregulation status under field conditions. Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) were clearly more acid tolerant, as indicated by greater survival and reduced ion loss in the same acid environments as white sucker. After 19 days exposure at pH 4.5, body Na+ was reduced by 8%; at pH 4 body Na+ was reduced by 38%. Hence, at pH 4, the net Na+ loss experienced by this acid-tolerant fish was similar to that observed in white sucker; however, the rate of loss in white sucker was 11-fold greater. White sucker in acidified, decarbonated hard water ([Ca2+] = 2.110 mequiv./L) at pH 4 (6 or 19 days), showed a 35% lower whole-body [Na+] than in fish held at pH levels of 4.5, 5, and 6.3; [Cl−] was 39% less. However, at pH 4 the ratio of whole-body Na+:Cl− losses was 1.4:1 in hard water and 1.08:1 in soft water. Total Na+ loss at pH 4 was similar to that in white sucker held at the same pH in soft water; however, the rate of loss in soft water was 15-fold greater.


1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1602-1612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth D. Carlander

Compilation of available data indicated that walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) biomass in lakes averaged 16 kg/ha, but the data were not adequate to show relationships with mean depth, alkalinity, latitude, or morphoedaphic indexes of the lakes. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) biomass also failed to show relationships with these factors. In small lakes and ponds with only perch, biomass ranged from 39 to 215 kg/ha, but in lakes with other species, perch biomass was under 65 kg/ha. Annual production of walleye was from 1.2 to 4.1 kg∙ha−1∙yr−1 and that of yellow perch was 21.9 kg∙ha−1∙yr−1. Average commercial yields of walleye ranged up to 3.06 kg∙ha−1∙yr−1, and sport fish yields averaged 3.7 kg∙ha−1∙yr−1. Annual commercial and sport yields decreased with latitude. Area of lake was negatively correlated with sport yield, but positively with commercial yield. The latter situation is believed to be an artifact of the sample and not a general trend. Commercial yield increased with total dissolved solids of the lakes. Lack of other correlations may be related to the fact that walleye biomass and yield do not bear a constant relationship to total biomass and yield. Key words: Percidae, Stizostedion, Perca, biomass, production, yield


1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1703-1709 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. D. Anthony ◽  
C. R. Jorgensen

Analysis of the 1960–76 creel survey data for Lake Nipissing and relevant data collected by the Lake Nipissing Fisheries Assessment Unit from 1969 to 1976 showed a generally declining walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) contribution to the Lake Nipissing fishery. Variable year-class strengths alone did not adequately account for the changes. Overexploitation of the resource was strongly suggested by decreased catches per unit of effort, recruitment of younger walleye (many of which probably never spawned) into the fishery at least after 1968, and increased growth rate. The population is probably affected as well by climatic factors, interactions with white suckers (Catostomus commersoni), northern pike (Esox lucius), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and by technology and watershed influences. Key words: walleye, Lake Nipissing Ontario, Lake Nipissing fishery, Percidae, Stizostedion


1990 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly O. Ahlgren

The nutritional significance of detritus in the diet of the juvenile white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) was evaluated by experiments designed to assess assimilation efficiency and growth of sucker fed detritus and other foods. Sucker in laboratory aquaria assimilated detritus with the following efficiencies: dry mass = 19.6%, ash-free dry mass (AFDM) = 59.7%, total amino acids = 68.9%, energy = 69.4%. Assimilation efficiencies calculated for invertebrates and natural field diets were slightly higher. Diatom assimilation was low (5.5%). In growth experiments, sucker fed detritus ad libitum lost weight, while those fed Artemia ad libitum grew rapidly. However, detritus increased the growth rate of sucker fed a limited invertebrate ration and reduced the rate of weight loss relative to unfed fish. The ratio of digestible protein to digestible energy calculated for natural detritus diets (3.2 mg amino acid/kj) indicates that the protein content of detritus is too low to support growth. Detritus provides energy which complements limited invertebrate protein to enhance growth or reduce the rate of weight loss when invertebrate prey are not available.


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