Temporal spawning migration patterns of landlocked Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in a constructed stream

Abstract

AbstractLandlocked Atlantic salmon (ouananiche, Salmo salar) spawning migration timing varies throughout its range and is influenced by a variety of environmental variables. This study examined the spawning migration time of landlocked Atlantic salmon in a small (4 ha) constructed stream linked to a large reservoir (32,600 ha) in Newfoundland, Canada. Salmon use of the stream was passively monitored using Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) Tags from 2006 to 2012. Of the salmon tagged throughout the reservoir, 48% entered the stream during the spawning season and remained there for 18–36 days from late September to November before they returned to the reservoir. Most fish entered the stream at dusk (32%). The lunar cycle influenced the timing of migration each year. Mean stream discharge (cubic metres per second) influenced migration timing in some years, and water temperature appeared to have minimal impact on migration timing. Twenty per cent of fish migrated to the stream in multiple years and 51% of these individuals appeared to use the stream on a biennial or alternate year cycle. These results demonstrate that small constructed streams can attract salmon from throughout a large reservoir and can provide valuable habitat in areas where spawning habitat is limited.