Lake Whitefish Nursery Habitat Characteristics in Sand Bay, Beaver Island, Lake Michigan

Session: Poster session

Donald Uzarski, Central Michigan University, [email protected]
Kevin Pangle, Central Michigan University , [email protected]

Abstract

The lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) is a commercially and ecologically important species in Lake Michigan and accounts for the majority of the commercial catch worth roughly $16 million basin-wide in 2002. The benthification of the Great Lakes accompanying the invasion of the dreissenid mussels has led to changes in the food web and ultimately the decline of lake whitefish.  The waters of the Beaver Island Archipelago are shallow with rocky substrate. This is thought to be ideal habitat for spawning. Two potential nursery sites were selected on Sand Bay, Beaver Island as part of a much larger collaborative study. Fish were collected using a 30m seine throughout the summers of 2014 through 2017. Chemical and physical parameters were measured in conjunction with fish collection. The greatest total number of fish and the most whitefish were caught at the northern most site. The northern site tended to have more offshore currents, higher nutrients and warmer waters than the southern site. Bathymetry at the northern site caused waves to break offshore while the southern site experienced more wave action on shore. While very close in proximity, the more benign site seemed to provide better nursery habitat.

1. Keyword
fish populations

2. Keyword
fisheries

3. Keyword
fish management