Northern Lake Michigan Research Articles

Assessment of Renibacterium salmoninarum infections in four lake whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis) stocks from northern Lakes Huron and Michigan

Lake whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis) from four stocks in northern Lakes Michigan and Huron were collected seasonally from fall 2003 through summer 2006 and examined for the presence of Renibacterium salmoninarum, the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease (BKD), using culture techniques on modified kidney disease medium (MKDM) and the quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Q-ELISA). R. salmoninarum was detected in 62.31% (according to Q-ELISA) of the 1284 examined lake whitefish, with some fish displaying the typical signs of BKD, such as renal congestion, swelling, and whitish nodules. Kidney cultures on MKDM yielded bacteria with morphological and biochemical characteristics identical to those of R. salmoninarum recovered from other Great Lakes fish species, as well as those from other parts of the world. Isolate identification was confirmed via nested polymerase chain reaction. Antibiograms demonstrated high sensitivity to enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, sensitivity to oxytetracycline, erythromycin, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, novobiocin, and carbenicillin, and resistance to polymyxin B, clindamycin, and kanamycin. Statistical analysis of R. salmoninarum prevalence and intensities revealed significant interactions among stocks, years and sampling seasons, with highest prevalence generally in fall and frequent wide variation in prevalence and intensity from one season to the next for a particular stock. It was surprising to find that the prevalence of R. salmoninarum exceeded 50% in the four stocks, much higher than originally thought. Moreover, a positive association between R. salmoninarum intensity and the abundance of the swimbladder nematode, Cystidicola farionis, was identified. Our findings suggest that Great Lakes lake whitefish are vulnerable to serious fish pathogens.

Widespread infection of lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis with the swimbladder nematode Cystidicola farionis in northern lakes Michigan and Huron

We estimated the prevalence, intensity, and abundance of swimbladder nematode infection in 1281 lake whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis) collected from four sites in northern lakes Huron (Cheboygan and DeTour Village) and Michigan (Big Bay de Noc and Naubinway) from fall 2003 through summer 2006. Morphological examination of nematode egg, larval, and mature stages through light and scanning electron microscopy revealed characteristics consistent with that of Cystidicola farionis Fischer 1798. Total C. farionis prevalence was 26.94%, while the mean intensity and abundance of infection was 26.72 and 7.21 nematodes/fish, respectively. Although we detected C. farionis in all four stocks that were examined, Lake Huron stocks generally had higher prevalence, intensity, and abundance of infection than Lake Michigan stocks. A distinct seasonal fluctuation in prevalence, abundance, and intensity of C. farionis was observed, which does not coincide with reported C. farionis development in other fish species. Lake whitefish that were heavily infected with C. farionis were found to have thickened swimbladder walls with deteriorated mucosa lining, which could affect swimbladder function. Whether C. farionis infection may be negatively impacting lake whitefish stocks in the Great Lakes is unclear; continued monitoring of C. farionis infection should be conducted to measure responses of lake whitefish stocks to infection levels.

Spatio-temporal trends in the food habits of age-0 lake whitefish

We compared diets of juvenile lake whitefish among six sites in Lake Michigan and one in Lake Superior during 2005 and 2006 to assess spatial and temporal patterns in food habits and evaluate if ontogenetic diet shifts occur that may influence growth and survival. A total of 262 and 496 juveniles were captured in 2005 and 2006, the majority of which were captured during June and July. Sites in southern Lake Michigan tended to have larger juveniles, and the smallest juveniles were observed at Naubinway, northern Lake Michigan, and Whitefish Point, Lake Superior. The mean number of prey items per stomach differed among sampling sites and years. Copepods were the most prevalent prey item, and were present in greater than 70% of juvenile stomachs from most sites. However, the percent by number of copepods decreased during July as chironomids and other benthic macroinvertebrates increased in number. There was a significant positive relationship between percent of benthic prey items and mean length of juvenile lake whitefish. A substantial increase in the percent of benthic prey consumed after 40 mm (total length) was observed and likely resulted from juvenile lake whitefish crossing a size threshold for benthic feeding relating to morphological changes (i.e., transition of mouth opening from terminal to sub-terminal) in addition to a potential increase in the availability of emergent macroinvertebrates. Timing of the transition to benthic feeding is likely regulated by the number of prey per juvenile and the overlap with peak emergence of important benthic aquatic invertebrates such as chironomids. A better understanding of these factors will increase our understanding of juvenile lake whitefish growth and survival, which are necessary for improving year-class strength predictions.

Estimates of fishing and natural mortality rates for four Lake Whitefish stocks in Northern Lakes Huron and Michigan

We analyzed tag-recovery data to estimate instantaneous fishing ( F) and natural mortality ( M) rates of four lake whitefish stocks in lakes Michigan and Huron during 2004–2007. We tagged and released 22,452 adult lake whitefish of which 8.7% were subsequently recovered. Annual tag-reporting rates ranged from 17.8% to 56.2%. Tag retention was high for the first 5–6 months after tagging, but tag loss increased substantially thereafter. Nine tag-recovery models were evaluated with respect to whether F and/or M varied among stocks, lakes, or years. There was support for three models based on Akaike information criteria. The best model had yearly and stock-specific estimates of F of 0.03 to 0.79 and lake-specific estimates of M of 0.35 for Lake Michigan and 0.60 for Lake Huron. The second best model had yearly and stock-specific estimates of F of 0.04 to 0.71 and a constant estimate for M of 0.52. The third model had yearly and stock-specific estimates of F of 0.04 to 0.85 and stock-specific estimates of M of 0.32 to 0.67. Model-averaged estimates of F ranged from 0.04 to 0.78 and were substantially different than statistical catch-at-age estimates of F. Model-averaged estimates of M ranged from 0.40 to 0.59 and were greater than estimates obtained from prediction equations, possibly due to sea lamprey-induced mortality. We recommend that tag-recovery estimates of F and M be used as Bayesian priors in future lake whitefish stock assessments to help refine mortality estimates for the stocks.

Infection of Lake Whitefish ( Coregonus clupeaformis) with motile Aeromonas spp. in the Laurentian Great Lakes

Infections with motile Aeromonas species were detected in lake whitefish collected over a one-year period from four stocks within lakes Michigan and Huron, USA. Sixty-nine isolates were recovered from the kidneys and swim-bladders of sixty-four infected fish. Representative isolates were Gram-negative bacilli that produced cytochrome oxidase, grew in the absence of salt, were facultative anaerobes, and were resistant to the vibriostatic agent 2,4-diamino,6,7-di-isopropylpteridine. Phenotypic characterization placed twenty-two isolates into the A. hydrophila complex, twelve into the A. sobria complex, and one into the A. caviae complex, while six isolates were characterized as A. allosaccharophila, two as A. veronii bv. veronii, and one as A. popoffi. The prevalence of infection by motile aeromonads varied by site and season, with lake whitefish sampled in the summer having a significantly higher prevalence. Clinical signs in lake whitefish infected only with Aeromonas spp. included congestion and hemorrhaging in the fins and musculature; generalized pallor; congestion, hemorrhaging, and multifocal necrotic foci within the liver; moderate to severe splenomegaly; congestion and swelling of the kidneys; ascites within the peritoneal cavity; and hemorrhagic enteritis. This study provides evidence on the wide spread prevalence of motile aeromonad infections in lake whitefish stocks inhabiting northern lakes Michigan and Huron.

Benthic biogeochemical cycling, nutrient stoichiometry, and carbon and nitrogen mass balances in a eutrophic freshwater bay

Green Bay, while representing only ~7% of the surface area and ~1.4% of the volume of Lake Michigan, contains one‐third of the watershed of the lake, and receives approximately one‐third of the total nutrient loading to the Lake Michigan basin, largely from the Fox River at the southern end of the bay. With a history of eutrophic conditions dating back nearly a century, the southern portion of the bay behaves as an efficient nutrient and sediment trap, sequestering much of the annual carbon and nitrogen input within sediments accumulating at up to 1 cm per year. Depositional fluxes of organic matter varied from ~0.1 mol C m22 yr21 to >10 mol C m−2 yr−1 and were both fairly uniform in stoichiometric composition and relatively labile. Estimates of benthic recycling derived from pore‐water concentration gradients, whole‐sediment incubation experiments, and deposition‐burial models of early diagenesis yielded an estimated 40% of the carbon and 50% of the nitrogen recycled back into the overlying water. Remineralization was relatively rapid with ~50% of the carbon remineralized within ~15 yr of deposition, and a mean residence time for metabolizable carbon and nitrogen in the sediments of 20 yr. On average, organic carbon regeneration occurred as 75% CO2, 15% CH4, and 10% dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Carbon and nitrogen budgets for the southern bay were based upon direct measurements of inputs and burial and upon estimates of export and production derived stoichiometrically from a coupled phosphorus budget. Loadings of organic carbon from rivers were ~3.7 mol m−2 yr−1, 80% in the form of DOC and 20% as particulate organic carbon. These inputs were lost through export to northern Green Bay and Lake Michigan (39%), through sediment burial (26%), and net CO2 release to the atmosphere (35%). Total carbon input, including new production, was 4.54 mol m−2 yr−1, equivalent to ~10% of the gross annual primary production. Nitrogen budget terms were less well quantified, with nitrogen export ~54% of total inputs and burial ~24%, leaving an unquantified residual loss term in the nitrogen budget of ~22%.

Suitability Modeling of Lake Sturgeon Habitat in Five Northern Lake Michigan Tributaries: Implications for Population Rehabilitation

Abstract The availability of lotic spawning, staging, and nursery habitats is considered a major factor limiting the recovery of Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in Lake Michigan. Despite efforts to better understand the population biology and habitat use of remnant Lake sturgeon stocks, little information exists on the quantity, quality, and spatial distribution of habitats for riverine life stages. We applied georeferenced habitat information on substrate, water depth, and stream gradient to a Lake sturgeon habitat suitability index in a geographic information system to produce spatially explicit models of life stage–specific habitat characteristics in the Menominee River, Michigan–Wisconsin; the Peshtigo, Oconto, and lower Fox rivers, Wisconsin; and the Manistique River, Michigan. High‐quality Lake sturgeon spawning habitat associated with coarse substrates (≥2.1 mm) and moderate‐ to high‐stream gradients (≥0.6 m/km) comprised 1–6% of the available habitat in each system. Staging habitat characterized by water depths greater that 2 m located near potential spawning habitat comprised an additional 17–41%. However, access to a majority of these habitat types (range 30–100%) by Lake sturgeon from Lake Michigan is currently impeded by dams. High‐quality juvenile Lake sturgeon habitat associated with finer substrates, lower stream gradients, and a broad range of water depths (i.e., 0.5–8 m) was relatively ubiquitous throughout each system and comprised 69–100% of the available habitat. Our study suggests that efforts to rehabilitate Lake sturgeon populations should consider providing fish passage and creating supplemental spawning habitat to increase reproductive and recruitment potential.

Bioaccumulation and Trophic Magnification of Short- and Medium-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins in Food Webs from Lake Ontario and Lake Michigan

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are complex mixtures of chlorinated alkanes used in a myriad of industrial applications as flame retardant plasticizers and additives. In this study, the distribution and bioaccumulation/biomagnification of short-chain CPs (C10-C13, SCCPs) and medium-chain CPs (C14-C17, MCCPs) were investigated in samples collected between 1999 and 2004 from Lake Ontario and northern Lake Michigan. Total (sigma) SCCPs and sigmaMCCPs concentrations in water from Lake Ontario were 1190 pg/L and 0.9 pg/L (data from 2004 only), respectively. CPs were also detected in invertebrates and fish from both lakes. SCCP predominated in organisms from Lake Michigan with the highest mean concentrations found in lake trout [Salvelinus namaycush, 123 +/- 35 ng/g wet weight (ww)]. In Lake Ontario, MCCPs predominated in most species with the highest levels detected in slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus, 108 ng/g ww) and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax, 109 ng/g ww). Bioaccumulation and biomagnification of CPs was evaluated on an isomer basis (i.e., C10H17Cl5, C10H16Cl6, etc). Log bioaccumulation factors for lake trout (lipid based) ranged from 4.1 to 7.0 for SCCPs and 6.3 to 6.8 for MCCPs. SCCPs and MCCPs were found to biomagnify between prey and predators from both lakes with highest values observed for Diporeia-sculpin (Lake Ontario, C15Cl9 = 43; Lake Michigan, C10Cl5 = 26). Trophic magnification factors for the invertebrates-forage fish-lake trout food webs ranged from 0.41 to 2.4 for SCCPs and from 0.06 to 0.36 for MCCPs. Given the prominence of CPs, particularly in lake waters and in lower food web organisms, further investigation is needed to evaluate the magnitude of their distribution and accumulation/magnification in the Great Lakes environment.

Bioenergetics and Prey Consumption of Breeding Double-crested Cormorants in the Beaver Archipelago, Northern Lake Michigan

Colonial waterbirds are an important component of Great Lakes ecosystems. In order to investigate the role these birds play in an aquatic food web, bioenergetics models, using allometric equations, were applied to breeding double-crested cormorants ( Phalacrocorax auritus) and their offspring in the Beaver Archipelago, northern Lake Michigan. These models were parameterized using detailed information collected during the 2000 and 2001 breeding seasons, as well as literature values. Each breeding season was divided into stages in the models to reflect changes in cormorant diet and population size documented in the study area. The models estimated the total prey biomass consumed as 1,445 metric tonnes (mt) of prey in 2000, and 1,585 mt of prey in 2001. Each year, the majority of the prey biomass was alewife ( Alosa pseudoharengus), with these fish comprising a greater percentage of prey biomass consumed in 2001. An increase in cormorant reproductive success in 2001 may be linked to this increase in alewife biomass consumed; the breeding bird population size, however, declined in 2001 as compared to 2000. The other prey items, which are not considered to be species of commercial or sport value, were also important contributors to bird diet and consumption of these species did tend to vary from year-toyear. Overall, the application of bioenergetics models allows for greater understanding of the role of cormorants as predators and as energy links in the system.

Potential for reintroduction of lake sturgeon in five northern Lake Michigan tributaries: a habitat suitability perspective

1. Conservation and rehabilitation efforts for lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens throughout the Great Lakes include the re-establishment of self-sustaining stocks in systems where they have been extirpated. 2. Information on the suitability of potential lake sturgeon habitat in tributaries is important for determining their capacity to support lake sturgeon stocking and to develop system-specific rehabilitation strategies. 3. Geo-referenced habitat information characterizing substrate composition, water depth, and stream gradient were applied to a life-stage specific lake sturgeon habitat suitability index in a geographic information system to produce spatially explicit models of life-stage specific habitat characteristics in five northern Lake Michigan tributaries from which lake sturgeon have been extirpated. 4. Habitat models indicated that high quality lake sturgeon spawning and staging habitat comprised 0 to 23% and 0 to 9% of the available habitat, respectively, whereas high quality juvenile lake sturgeon habitat was relatively ubiquitous throughout each river and comprised 39 to 99%. 5. Comparison of these data to lake sturgeon habitat availability in Lake Michigan tributaries currently supporting populations indicated that spawning and staging habitats may limit the ability of these systems to support spawning. Efforts to re-establish lake sturgeon populations in these systems should consider the creation of spawning and staging habitat to increase reproductive and recruitment potential prior to the initiation of stocking efforts. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Relative Abundance, Site Fidelity, and Survival of Adult Lake Trout in Lake Michigan from 1999 to 2001: Implications for Future Restoration Strategies

AbstractWe compared the relative abundance of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush spawners in gill nets during fall 1999–2001 in Lake Michigan at 19 stocked spawning sites with that at 25 unstocked sites to evaluate how effective site‐specific stocking was in recolonizing historically important spawning reefs. The abundance of adult fish was higher at stocked onshore and offshore sites than at unstocked sites. This suggests that site‐specific stocking is more effective at establishing spawning aggregations than relying on the ability of hatchery‐reared lake trout to find spawning reefs, especially those offshore. Spawner densities were generally too low and too young at most sites to expect significant natural reproduction. However, densities were sufficiently high at some sites for reproduction to occur and therefore the lack of recruitment was attributable to other factors. Less than 3% of all spawners could have been wild fish, which indicates that little natural reproduction occurred in past years. Wounding by sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus was generally lower for Seneca Lake strain fish and highest for strains from Lake Superior. Fish captured at offshore sites in southern Lake Michigan had the lowest probability of wounding, while fish at onshore sites in northern Lake Michigan had the highest probability. The relative survival of the Seneca Lake strain was higher than that of the Lewis Lake or the Marquette strains for the older year‐classes examined. Survival differences among strains were less evident for younger year‐classes. Recaptures of coded‐wire‐tagged fish of five strains indicated that most fish returned to their stocking site or to a nearby site and that dispersal from stocking sites during spawning was about 100 km. Restoration strategies should rely on site‐specific stocking of lake trout strains with good survival at selected historically important offshore spawning sites to increase egg deposition and the probability of natural reproduction in Lake Michigan.

Shell-free Biomass and Population Dynamics of Dreissenids in Offshore Lake Michigan, 2001–2003

The USGS-Great Lakes Science Center has collected dreissenid mussels annually from Lake Michigan since zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) became a significant portion of the bottomtrawl catch in 1999. For this study, we investigated dreissenid distribution, body mass, and recruitment at different depths in Lake Michigan during 2001–2003. The highest densities of dreissenid biomass were observed from depths of 27 to 46 m. The biomass of quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) increased exponentially during 2001–2003, while that of zebra mussels did not change significantly. Body mass (standardized for a given shell length) of both species was lowest from depths of 27 to 37m, highest from 55 to 64 m, and declined linearly at deeper depths during 2001–2003. Recruitment in 2003, as characterized by the proportion of mussels < 11 mm in the catch, varied with depth and lake region. For quagga mussels, recruitment declined linearly with depth, and was highest in northern Lake Michigan. For zebra mussels, recruitment generally declined non-linearly with depth, although the pattern was different for north, mid, and southern Lake Michigan. Our analyses suggest that quagga mussels could overtake zebra mussels and become the most abundant mollusk in terms of biomass in Lake Michigan.

Relative Abundance, Site Fidelity, and Survival of Adult Lake Trout in Lake Michigan from 1999 to 2001: Implications for Future Restoration Strategies

We compared the relative abundance of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush spawners in gill nets during fall 1999–2001 in Lake Michigan at 19 stocked spawning sites with that at 25 unstocked sites to evaluate how effective site-specific stocking was in recolonizing historically important spawning reefs. The abundance of adult fish was higher at stocked onshore and offshore sites than at unstocked sites. This suggests that site-specific stocking is more effective at establishing spawning aggregations than relying on the ability of hatchery-reared lake trout to find spawning reefs, especially those offshore. Spawner densities were generally too low and too young at most sites to expect significant natural reproduction. However, densities were sufficiently high at some sites for reproduction to occur and therefore the lack of recruitment was attributable to other factors. Less than 3% of all spawners could have been wild fish, which indicates that little natural reproduction occurred in past years. Wounding by sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus was generally lower for Seneca Lake strain fish and highest for strains from Lake Superior. Fish captured at offshore sites in southern Lake Michigan had the lowest probability of wounding, while fish at onshore sites in northern Lake Michigan had the highest probability. The relative survival of the Seneca Lake strain was higher than that of the Lewis Lake or the Marquette strains for the older year-classes examined. Survival differences among strains were less evident for younger year-classes. Recaptures of coded-wire-tagged fish of five strains indicated that most fish returned to their stocking site or to a nearby site and that dispersal from stocking sites during spawning was about 100 km. Restoration strategies should rely on site-specific stocking of lake trout strains with good survival at selected historically important offshore spawning sites to increase egg deposition and the probability of natural reproduction in Lake Michigan.

A post-Calumet shoreline along southern Lake Michigan

The southern shore of Lake Michigan is the type area for many of ancestral Lake Michigan’s late Pleistocene lake phases, but coastal deposits and features of the Algonquin phase of northern Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior are not recognized in the area. Isostatic rebound models suggest that Algonquin phase deposits should be 100 m or more below modern lake level. A relict shoreline, however, exists along the lakeward margin of the Calumet Beach that was erosional west of Deep River and depositional east of the river. For this post-Calumet shoreline, the elevation of basal foreshore deposits east of Deep River and the base of the scarp west of Deep River indicate a slightly westward dipping water plane that is centered at ∼184 m above mean sea level. Basal foreshore elevations also indicate that lake level fell ∼2 m during the development of the shoreline. The pooled mean of radiocarbon dates from the surface of the peat below post-Calumet shoreline foreshore deposits indicate that the lake transgressed over the peat at 10,560 ± 70 years B.P. Pollen assemblages from the peat are consistent with this age. The elevation and age of the post-Calumet shoreline are similar to the Main Algonquin phase of Lake Huron. Recent isostatic rebound models do not adequately address a high-elevation Algonquin-age shoreline along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, but the Goldthwait (1908) hinge-line model does.

Foraging Locations of Double-crested Cormorants in the Beaver Archipelago of Northern Lake Michigan: Potential for Impacts on Smallmouth Bass

Abstract The breeding population of Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) increased in the Beaver Archipelago of northern Lake Michigan, while simultaneously, a Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieui) population in the region declined. However, the role that cormorants played in this decline has remained uncertain. During summer 2003, VHF radiotelemetry and rafting locations were used to determine whether birds foraged primarily in bass habitat. The foraging activities of ten breeding cormorants were monitored by radiotelemetry from both land and water on a daily basis, weather permitting, throughout the breeding season. In addition, cormorant foraging raft locations were documented by boat survey throughout the breeding season. Radiotelemetry indicated that cormorants typically foraged 2.5 km away from their colonies, at the northeastern end of Beaver Island. This area overlaps with the area determined from rafting locations; however the latter were centered further south. These data allow fo...

Modeling the 1998–2003 summer circulation and thermal structure in Lake Michigan

A three‐dimensional primitive equation numerical model was applied to Lake Michigan on a 2 km grid for 6 consecutive years to study interannual variability of summer circulation and thermal structure in 1998–2003. The model results were compared to long‐term observations of currents and temperature at seven moorings and two NOAA buoys. The accuracy of modeled currents improved considerably relative to previous summer circulation modeling done on a 5 km grid, while the accuracy of temperature simulations remained the same. Particle trajectory model results were also compared with satellite‐tracked surface drifter observations. Large‐scale circulation patterns tend to be more cyclonic (counterclockwise) toward the end of summer as the thermocline deepens and density effects become more important. Circulation in southern Lake Michigan appears to be more variable than circulation in northern Lake Michigan. An important new feature not previously seen in observations was found in southern Lake Michigan: an anticyclonic gyre extending northward from the southern shore of Lake Michigan, sometimes occupying the entire southern basin.

A comparison of three methods to investigate the diet of breeding double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) in the Beaver Archipelago, northern Lake Michigan

A comparison of three methods to investigate the diet of breeding double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) in the Beaver Archipelago, northern Lake Michigan

Spatial Patterns and Rankings of Contaminant Concentrations in Herring Gull Eggs from 15 Sites in the Great Lakes and Connecting Channels, 1998–2002

Mean values of eight contaminants in Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) eggs were calculated for 15 Great Lakes sites for the 5 year period 1998-2002. The sites were ranked according to the concentrations of each of seven compounds relative to fish flesh criteria for the protection of piscivorous wildlife, and a single overall rank of contamination was calculated for each site. Based on this weighted ranking scheme, we found that sum PCBs, dioxin and DDE contributed the most (60.2, 30.5% and 8.5%, respectively) to the overall rankings. The weighted ranking scheme showed that eggs from Channel-Shelter Island (Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron), Strachan Island (St. Lawrence River) and Gull Island (northern Lake Michigan) ranked as the three most contaminated sites, while Agawa Rocks (eastern Lake Superior), Chantry Island (southern Lake Huron) and Port Colborne (eastern Lake Erie) ranked as the three least contaminated sites. Two of the three most contaminated sites are Areas of Concern; none of the three least contaminated sites are Areas of Concern.

Estimates of egg deposition and effects of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) egg predators in three regions of the Great Lakes

Excessive mortality from spawning through the first year of life is likely responsible for recruitment failures in many lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) populations. We evaluated relationships between interstitial predator species and lake trout egg deposition in three regions of the Great Lakes. The introduced crayfish Orconectes rusticus dominated the nearshore zone in northern Lake Michigan, whereas other sites in Lake Michigan and Parry Sound were dominated by native Orconectes propinquus. In Lake Champlain, sculpin (Cottus spp.) were the most common interstitial predator, yet densities were comparable with those in Lake Michigan. Predator densities in Lake Michigan (mean ± standard error = 15.5 ± 0.4 predators·m–2) were twice those in Lake Champlain or Parry Sound (6 ± 1 predators·m–2). Densities of eggs were higher in Lake Champlain (2994.1 ± 398.3 eggs·m–2) and Parry Sound (454.7 ± 36.3) than in Lake Michigan (7.5 ± 1.3; Kruskal-Wallis, P ≤ 0.05). Ratios of eggs to predator provide simple measures of the effectiveness of lake trout rehabilitation efforts. The average ratio calculated from 10 successful spawning locations is 190 eggs·predator–1·m–2. Ratios may help establish target egg densities for restoration efforts and the concentration of spawning adults required to allow survival to the fry stage.

A Comparison of Lake Trout Spawning, Fry Emergence, and Habitat Use in Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Champlain

Restoration of self-sustaining populations of lake trout is underway in all of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, but restoration has only been achieved in Lake Superior and in Parry Sound, Lake Huron. We evaluated progress toward restoration by comparing spawning habitat availability, spawner abundance, egg and fry density, and egg survival in Parry Sound in Lake Huron, in Lake Michigan, and in Lake Champlain in 2000–2003. Divers surveyed and assessed abundance of spawners at 5 to 15 sites in each lake. Spawning adults were sampled using standardized gill nets, eggs were sampled using egg bags, and fry were sampled using emergent fry traps and egg bags left on spawning reefs overwinter. Spawning habitat was abundant in each lake. Adult lake trout abundance was low in Lake Michigan and Parry Sound, and very high at one site in Lake Champlain. Egg deposition was lowest in Lake Michigan (0.4–154.5 eggs•m −2, median = 1.7), intermediate in Parry Sound (39–1,027 eggs•m −2, median = 278), and highest in Lake Champlain (0.001–9,623 eggs•m −2, median = 652). Fry collections in fry traps followed the same trend: no fry in Lake Michigan, 0.005–0.06 fry•trap −1 day −1 in Parry Sound, and 0.08–3.6 fry•trap −1 in Lake Champlain. Egg survival to hatch in overwinter egg bags was similar in Lake Michigan (7.6%) and Parry Sound (2.3–8.9%) in 2001–02, and varied in Lake Champlain (0.4–1.1% in 2001–02, and 1.8–18.2 in 2002–03). Lake trout restoration appears unlikely in northern Lake Michigan at current adult densities, and failure of restoration in Lake Champlain suggests that there are sources of high mortality that occur after fry emergence.