Production of brook charr and ouananiche in a large rapid, tributary of the Caniapiscau River, northern Quebec

Abstract

The age structures of brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) and ouananiche (Salmo salar) stocks inhabiting a large rapid the river Meo, tributary to the Caniapiscau River were used to compare population stability and production of these species in north central Quebec. The brook chart stock was stable whereas ouananiche showed considerable variation in year class strength. Stock estimates were not significantly different for the two species although the brook charr estimate was 1.5 that of the ouananiche. Production estimates differed by a greater margin because of different growth patterns. Brook chair production was estimated at 19.4 kg ha−1 yr−1. Above age 2+ it was 11.4 kg ha−1 yr−1 which compares with 4.8 kg ha−1 yr−1 for the same age groups of ouananiche.