Spatial and Temporal Variability of Lake Trout Diets in Lake Ontario

Session: Poster session

Brent Metcalfe, ON Ministry of Natural Resources, [email protected]
Brian Lantry, U.S.G.S., Lake Ontario Bio Station, [email protected]

Abstract

Restoration of a self-sustaining population of lake trout to Lake Ontario has been a desire of management agencies for nearly half a century now.  Substantial effort has been made to better understand the ecology of this native apex species.  Studying their food habits is intrinsic to the stock assessment routines and can help us to understand their restoration potential.  We will characterize the spatial and temporal variability of the diets of lake trout collected over an approximate 50 year time period using gut content analysis and results will be related to changes in prey fish abundance, distribution, and community composition.

1. Keyword
lake trout

2. Keyword
diets

3. Keyword
Lake Ontario