The Significance of Food Habits in the Biology, Exploitation, and Management of Algonquin Park, Ontario, Lake Trout

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Abstract
Algonquin Park lake trout may be piscivorous or planktonivorous dependent on available food supply in the summer months. Plankton-feeding lake trout grow more slowly, do not reach as great a size or age as fish-feeders, and mature at a smaller size and younger age. Trout transferred from a plankton-feeding to a fish-feeding population grow at a faster rate and extend their life-span. Fisheries in planktonivorous populations return larger numbers of smaller and younger fish to the angler. A higher percentage of mature fish occurs in these fisheries. The catch is dependent on fewer year classes and year-class strength is more variable. Yields in numbers per acre is higher in plankton-feeding populations but is comparable with fish-feeding populations in terms of pounds per acre. The implications of these findings in such management practices as size limits, catch limits and quotas, lake closures, and forage fish introductions are discussed.

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