The status of coldwater fishes in Lake Simcoe

Session: Poster session

Lisa Graham, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, [email protected]
Paul Finigan, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, [email protected]
Todd Langley, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, [email protected]

Abstract

Lake Simcoe is home to one of Ontario’s largest sport fisheries, providing significant social and economic benefits to the province. Soon after the provincial government passed the Lake Simcoe Protection Act in 2008, the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan was put in place. This plan impels the MNRF to oversee an aquatic monitoring program to help protect and restore the ecological health of Lake Simcoe. One of the indicators used to assess ecological health is the state of coldwater fishes due to their sensitivity to water quality changes. The Southern Biodiversity and Monitoring Section and Lake Simcoe Fisheries Assessment Unit have been conducting netting and angler surveys to monitor Lake Simcoe’s coldwater fishes. This research compiles data on lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), cisco (Coregonus artedii) and burbot (Lota lota) to provide insight on the status of the coldwater fish community of Lake Simcoe and to summarize critical information to enhance and guide future management efforts.

1. Keyword
Lake Simcoe

2. Keyword
fish populations

3. Keyword
fisheries