Spatial variation in environmental conditions for larval fish in Lake Huron

Session: 29. - Preliminary Results from the 2017 CSMI Intensive Field Year on Lake Huron

Paris Collingsworth, Purdue University, US EPA, [email protected]
Lauren Eaton, USGS, [email protected]
Patricia Armenio, USGS Great Lakes Science Center, [email protected]
David Bunnell, USGS Great Lakes Science Center, [email protected]

Abstract

High mortality levels during the time period from hatching to exogenous feeding represents a potential recruitment bottleneck for many fish species.  One of the primary goals of the Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI) 2017 effort in Lake Huron was to measure growth rates of fish larvae during this critical period in an attempt to further improve our understanding of the linkages between lower trophic levels and fisheries.  Here, we present the results of high-resolution sensor-based measurements of physical and lower trophic level conditions in the main basin of Lake Huron as well as the North Channel and Georgian Bay.  The Triaxus towed sensor array was used to measure temperature, chlorophyll a and zooplankton size structure, density and biomass along nearshore to offshore gradients during the spring and early summer.  In addition, sensor-based zooplankton data was compared with traditional net samples collected from the same transects as a way of validating these methods.  The results of this sampling will provide high-resolution data to describe spatial variation in environmental conditions available for larval fish in different regions of Lake Huron.

1. Keyword
Lake Huron

2. Keyword
zooplankton

3. Keyword
ecosystems