Home Range and Spatial Distribution of Juvenile Lake Sturgeon In Eastern Lake Superior

Session: 11. - Acoustic Telemetry Applications in the Great Lakes

Lisa O'Connor, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, [email protected]
Thomas Pratt, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, [email protected]
William Gardner, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, [email protected]
Stephen Chong, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, [email protected]

Abstract

Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens Rafinesque, 1917) populations are greatly depressed compared to historic abundance throughout the Great Lakes. Population surveys targeting juveniles at historical spawning tributaries in Lake Superior began in 2010. In Eastern Lake Superior, Goulais and Batchawana Bays were found to have catch rates higher than any other locations within Lake Superior. Beginning in 2014 we began tagging fish in both bays with acoustic telemetry tags.  88 Lake Sturgeon were tagged with 10 year Vemco V16 tags and 19 were tagged with smaller 2 year Vemco V9 tags. A hydroacoustic array was placed in both Goulais and Batchawana Bays and extended around Whitefish Bay, providing binational coverage of approximately 99,000 ha of Eastern Lake Superior. Lake Sturgeon exhibited spatial habitat use patterns based on seasonality, diurnal light and fish size. Overwinter, sturgeon were generally found at depths of 15-25 m and gradually moved shallower during the summer months to depths of 5-8 m. Many of the larger fish utilized the entire area of Whitefish Bay, while others limited their home range to individual bays. Diurnal movements showed sturgeon moved to deeper waters during daylight hours, however, smaller sturgeon were consistently found in deeper waters compared to larger sturgeon.

1. Keyword
hydroacoustics

2. Keyword
Lake Superior

3. Keyword
fish behavior

4. Additional Keyword
Lake Sturgeon