Nonnative Lake Trout Salvelinus Namaycush Research Articles

Inferred Trophic Characteristics and Ecological Roles of Native and Nonnative Fishes in Odell Lake, Oregon

AbstractIntroduction and establishment of nonnative fishes can negatively affect native species and ecosystems through a variety of ecological interactions. For example, competition between species that occupy a similar trophic guild can result in extirpation or reduced abundance of native fishes. We used a combination of standard sampling methods and stable isotope analysis to evaluate relative abundance and isotopic niche overlap among native and nonnative species in Odell Lake, Oregon. Our primary focus was on interactions between native Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus and nonnative Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush; however, we also evaluated relative abundance and isotopic niche characteristics of other native and nonnative species. Overall, the relative abundance of nonnative fishes was greater than that of native fishes. For example, Lake Trout outnumbered Bull Trout 27:1, and the numerically most dominant species in our sample was nonnative Tui Chub Siphateles bicolor. We also observed isotopic niche overlap among a variety of native and nonnative fishes. Bull Trout and Lake Trout are both top‐level predators in Odell Lake and the probability that Bull Trout were within the isotopic niche of Lake Trout was 0.23. The probability that nonnative kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka and Tui Chub were within the isotopic niche of native Mountain Whitefish Prosopium williamsoni exceeded 0.95, and the probability that Tui Chub were within the isotopic niche of Rainbow Trout O. mykiss was 0.90. Based on data presented here and rangewide patterns for Bull Trout, we conclude that competition with Lake Trout is plausible and has the potential to influence the persistence of Bull Trout in Odell Lake. Further, we discuss ecological interactions potentially influencing the abundance of other native fishes in Odell Lake.

Two Ocean Pass: An Alternative Hypothesis for the Invasion of Yellowstone Lake by Lake Trout, and Implications for Future Invasions

Preventing the interbasin transfer of aquatic invasive species is a high priority for natural resource managers. Such transfers can be made by humans or can occur by dispersal through connected waterways. A natural surface water connection between the Atlantic and Pacific drainages in North America exists at Two Ocean Pass south of Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri used this route to cross the Continental Divide and colonize the Yellowstone River from ancestral sources in the Snake River following glacial recession 14,000 bp. Nonnative lake trout Salvelinus namaycush were stocked into lakes in the Snake River headwaters in 1890 and quickly dispersed downstream. Lake trout were discovered in Yellowstone Lake in 1994 and were assumed to have been illegally introduced. Recently, lake trout have demonstrated their ability to move widely through river systems and invade headwater lakes in Glacier National Park. Our objective was to determine if lake trout and other nonnative fish were present in the connected waters near Two Ocean Pass and could thereby colonize the Yellowstone River basin in the past or future. We used environmental DNA (eDNA), electrofishing, and angling to survey for lake trout and other fishes. Yellowstone cutthroat trout were detected at nearly all sites on both sides of the Continental Divide. Lake trout and invasive brook trout S. fontinalis were detected in Pacific Creek near its confluence with the Snake River. We conclude that invasive movements by lake trout from the Snake River over Two Ocean Pass may have resulted in their colonization of Yellowstone Lake. Moreover, Yellowstone Lake may be vulnerable to additional invasions because several other nonnative fish inhabit the upper Snake River. In the future, eDNA collected across smaller spatial intervals in Pacific Creek during flow conditions more conducive to lake trout movement may provide further insight into the extent of non-native fish invasions in this stream.

Food Web Interactions Associated With a Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Reintroduction Effort in an Alpine Lake

Abstract Fisheries managers have stocked Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi into Fallen Leaf Lake, California, since 2002 in an attempt to reestablish a naturally reproducing lacustrine population. However, the food web in Fallen Leaf Lake has been altered by the past introduction of nonnative species that may prey on or compete with reintroduced Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. Therefore, we used a combination of stomach content and stable isotope analyses to evaluate trophic characteristics within the aquatic species assemblage in Fallen Leaf Lake. Lahontan Cutthroat Trout preyed on mysid shrimp Mysis diluviana, aquatic insects, terrestrial arthropods, signal crayfish Pacificus leniusculus, and fishes. Diet overlap was greatest between Lahontan Cutthroat Trout and Mountain Whitefish Prosopium williamsoni; however, these species exhibited a generalized feeding strategy that may allow them to partition prey resources in order to avoid competitive interactions. Nonnative Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush and Brown Trout Salmo trutta are top-level predators in Fallen Leaf Lake and both consumed Lahontan Cutthroat Trout during this study. Lake Trout δ13C and δ15N increased following Lahontan Cutthroat Trout stocking, a change consistent with incorporating isotopically enriched Lahontan Cutthroat Trout into their diet. Managers should consider the effects of predation by Lake Trout and Brown Trout on Lahontan Cutthroat Trout when developing future management and stocking programs for Fallen Leaf Lake. Additionally, intentional manipulation of the isotopic composition of hatchery-reared fish prior to stocking may be useful for evaluating predation in Fallen Leaf Lake and other systems.

Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) suppression for bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) recovery in Flathead Lake, Montana, North America

Non-native lake trout Salvelinus namaycush displaced native bull trout Salvelinus confluentus in Flathead Lake, Montana, USA, after 1984, when Mysis diluviana became abundant following its introduction in upstream lakes in 1968–1976. We developed a simulation model to determine the fishing mortality rate on lake trout that would enable bull trout recovery. Model simulations indicated that suppression of adult lake trout by 75% from current abundance would reduce predation on bull trout by 90%. Current removals of lake trout through incentivized fishing contests has not been sufficient to suppress lake trout abundance estimated by mark-recapture or indexed by stratified-random gill netting. In contrast, size structure, body condition, mortality, and maturity are changing consistent with a density-dependent reduction in lake trout abundance. Population modeling indicated total fishing effort would need to increase 3-fold to reduce adult lake trout population density by 75%. We conclude that increased fishing effort would suppress lake trout population density and predation on juvenile bull trout, and thereby enable higher abundance of adult bull trout in Flathead Lake and its tributaries.

Comparison of Harvest Scenarios for the Cost‐Effective Suppression of Lake Trout in Swan Lake, Montana

AbstractGiven the large amount of resources required for long‐term control or eradication projects, it is important to assess strategies and associated costs and outcomes before a particular plan is implemented. We developed a population model to assess the cost‐effectiveness of mechanical removal strategies for suppressing long‐term abundance of nonnative Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush in Swan Lake, Montana. We examined the efficacy of targeting life stages (i.e., juveniles or adults) using temporally pulsed fishing effort for reducing abundance and program cost. Exploitation rates were high (0.80 for juveniles and 0.68 for adults) compared with other lakes in the western USA with Lake Trout suppression programs. Harvesting juveniles every year caused the population to decline, whereas harvesting only adults caused the population to increase above carrying capacity. Simultaneous harvest of juveniles and adults was required to cause the population to collapse (i.e., 95% reduction relative to unharvested abundance) with 95% confidence. The population could collapse within 15 years for a total program cost of US$1,578,480 using the most aggressive scenario. Substantial variation in cost existed among harvest scenarios for a given reduction in abundance; however, total program cost was minimized when collapse was rapid. Our approach provides a useful case study for evaluating long‐term mechanical removal options for fish populations that are not likely to be eradicated.Received January 25, 2013; accepted July 3, 2013

Use of a Seismic Air Gun to Reduce Survival of Nonnative Lake Trout Embryos: A Tool for Conservation?

Abstract The detrimental impacts of nonnative lake trout Salvelinus namaycush in the western USA have prompted natural resource management agencies in several states to implement lake trout suppression programs. Currently, these programs rely on mechanical removal methods (i.e., gill nets, trap nets, and angling) to capture subadult and adult lake trout. We conducted a study to explore the potential for using high-intensity sound from a relatively small (655.5 cm3 [40 in3]) seismic air gun to reduce survival of lake trout embryos. Lake trout embryos at multiple stages of development were exposed to a single discharge of the seismic air gun at two depths (5 and 15 m) and at two distances from the air gun (0.1 and 2.7 m). Control groups for each developmental stage, distance, and depth were treated identically except that the air gun was not discharged. Mortality in lake trout embryos treated at 0.1 m from the air gun was 100% at 74 daily temperature units in degrees Celsius (TU°C) at both depths. Median mo...

Diet Overlap of Top-Level Predators in Recent Sympatry: Bull Trout and Nonnative Lake Trout

Abstract The establishment of nonnative lake trout Salvelinus namaycush in lakes containing lacustrine–adfluvial bull trout Salvelinus confluentus often results in a precipitous decline in bull trout abundance. The exact mechanism for the decline is unknown, but one hypothesis is related to competitive exclusion for prey resources. We had the rare opportunity to study the diets of bull trout and nonnative lake trout in Swan Lake, Montana during a concomitant study. The presence of nonnative lake trout in Swan Lake is relatively recent and the population is experiencing rapid population growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diets of bull trout and lake trout during the early expansion of this nonnative predator. Diets were sampled from 142 bull trout and 327 lake trout during the autumn in 2007 and 2008. Bull trout and lake trout had similar diets, both consumed Mysis diluviana as the primary invertebrate, especially at juvenile stages, and kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka as the primary vertebrate prey, as adults. A diet shift from primarily M. diluviana to fish occurred at similar lengths for both species, 506 mm (476–545 mm, 95% CI) for bull trout and 495 mm (470–518 mm CI) for lake trout. These data indicate high diet overlap between these two morphologically similar top-level predators. Competitive exclusion may be a possible mechanism if the observed overlap remains similar at varying prey densities and availability.

Spatiotemporal Distribution and Population Characteristics of a Nonnative Lake Trout Population, with Implications for Suppression

AbstractWe evaluated the distribution and population characteristics of nonnative lake trout Salvelinus namaycush in Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park, Montana, to provide biological data in support of a potential suppression program. Using ultrasonic telemetry, we identified spatial and temporal distribution patterns by tracking 36 adult lake trout (1,137 relocations). Lake trout rarely occupied depths greater than 30 m and were commonly located in the upper hypolimnion directly below the metalimnion during thermal stratification. After breakdown of the metalimnion in the fall, lake trout primarily aggregated at two spawning sites. Lake trout population characteristics were similar to those of populations within the species’ native range. However, lake trout in Lake McDonald exhibited lower total annual mortality (13.2%), later maturity (age 12 for males, age 15 for females), lower body condition, and slower growth than are typically observed in the southern extent of their range. These results will be useful in determining where to target suppression activities (e.g., gillnetting, trap‐netting, or electrofishing) and in evaluating responses to suppression efforts. Similar evaluations of lake trout distribution patterns and population characteristics are recommended to increase the likelihood that suppression programs will succeed.Received March 24, 2009; accepted November 23, 2010