Percids in the Canadian Waters of Lake Huron

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Percids have never dominated the commercial catch from Canadian waters of Lake Huron but coincident with declining salmonid production, they contributed about 17% of the commercial landings from 1940 to 1975. Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) production declined gradually over the past century whereas yellow perch (Perca flavescens) production increased irregularly since 1910.Walleye occur in relatively discrete stocks associated with rivers, inlets, and estuaries in the North Channel and Georgian Bay whereas southern Lake Huron stocks are seasonal residents of the southeastern rim of the main basin. Yellow perch are ubiquitous throughout the littoral waters of the lake. Growth rates of walleye are similar to those for more southerly populations in the Great Lakes and year-class strength is highly variable. Angling and commercial fishing contribute significantly to mortality rates in exploited stocks but deteriorating environmental conditions are probably more important to the persistence of walleye stocks in Lake Huron. At least one stock is presently threatened by industrial acidification of the watershed. Key words: Percidae, Lake Huron, production, population biology, Stizostedion, Perca

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: