Distribution and abundance of young fish in Chenal Ecarte and Chematogen Channel in the St. Clair River delta, Ontario

Abstract

Samples of fish larvae collected in 1983, 1984, and 1986 in two distributary channels of the St. Clair River delta were characteristically rich in species (a total of 48) and low in abundance (generally less than a mean of 5 100 m-3 of water filtered). Most species were residents of the delta; others apparently hatched in tributaries of the St. Clair River or in southern Lake Huron, and drifted into the delta. Highest species diversity was nearshore, although largest catches of larvae were of rainbow smelt, gizzard shad, and alewife, which were found mainly in mid-channel. Cyprinids (17 species) were better represented than other families.