Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Suitability of habitat for spawning lake trout

  • Published:
Journal of Aquatic Ecosystem Health

Abstract

We provide further insight into the reproductive ecology and spawning requirements of lake trout. New comparative information about substrate characteristics, sediment transport, quality of interstitial water at spawning substrates, and the role of temperature in site selection and time of spawning is given for lakes Simcoe and Manitou (Ontario) and Seneca Lake (New York). Spawning lake trout commonly use stable lag deposits derived from glacial sediments, or relict features such as fans, bars or submerged talus slopes. Artificial breakwaters of broken material may also provide suitable substrates. Optimal particle sizes range from 4 to 10 cm diameter but larger materials to 30 cm are also successfully utilized for spawning. The transport of finer particulates by wind generated water movements may limit the suitability of some substrates and successful spawning sites are usually remote from depositional effects. Successful embryo development is associated with low nutrient conditions, with high dissolved oxygen (>7 mg L-1) and with low un-ionized ammonia (<12.5 μg L-1) in the interstitial water of spawning substrates. Shallow-water spawning appears to be the common strategy of colonizing lake trout. Some deepwater spawning in the Great Lakes may reflect initial colonization in shallow-water and adaptation to later increases in water level, but some may also reflect unique behavioural and physiological adaptations. Temperature is an important cue, and many wild and hatchery stocks spawn at 8 to 13 °C with latitudinal shifts in the actual time of spawning. These requirements are summarized as a dichotomous key for evaluation of approaches to restoration of lost or damaged lake trout stocks.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bascom, W., 1964. Waves and Beaches — the Dynamics of the Ocean Surface. Doubleday, New York, 267 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Birge, E. A. & C. Juday, 1914. A limnological study of the Finger Lakes of New York. Bull. US Bureau Fish. 32: 525–609.

    Google Scholar 

  • Budd, J. C., F. E. J. Fry & J. B. Smith, 1968. Survival of marked lake trout in Lake Manitou; Manitoulin Island, Ontario. J. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada 25: 2257–2268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, A. R. & R. E. Siefert, 1974. Effects of reduced oxygen on the embryos and larvae of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and largemouth bass (Micropterus sabmoides). J. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada 31: 1393–1396.

    Google Scholar 

  • Casselman, J. M., 1996. Survival and development of lake trout eggs and fry in eastern Lake Ontario, in situ incubation, Yorkshire Bar, 1989–1993. J. Great Lakes Res. (in press).

  • Chapman, L. J., 1975. The physiography of the Georgian Bay-Ottawa valley area of southern Ontario. Geosc. Rept. 128. Ont. Div. Mines, Ont. Min. Nat. Resour., Toronto, Ont., 32 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, L. J. & D. F. Putnam, 1984. The Physiography of Southern Ontario. Special Vol. 2 (third edition). Ont. Geol. Surv., Ont. Min. Nat. Resour., Toronto, Ont., 270 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christie, G. C. & H. A. Regier, 1988. Measures of optimal thermal habitat and their relationship to yields for four commercial fish species. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 45: 301–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christie, W. J. & H. A. Regier, 1973. Temperature as a major factor influencing the productive success of fish-two examples. Rapp. P.-V. Reun. Cons. Internat. Explor. Mor. 164: 208–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, R. J. & N. O. Persoage, 1970. Some implications of crustal movement in engineering planning. Can. J. Earth Sci. 7: 628–633.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cuerrier, J.-P., 1954. The history of Lake Minnewanka with reference to the reaction of lake trout to artificial changes in the environment. Can. Fish. Cult. 15: 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, J. C., 1975. Minimal dissolved oxygen requirements of aquatic life with emphasis on Canadian species: a review. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 32: 2295–2332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dorr, A., D. V. O'Connor, N. R. Foster & D. J. Jude, 1981. Substrate conditions and abundance of lake trout eggs in a traditional spawning area in southeastern Lake Michigan. North Am. J. Fish. Manage. 1: 165–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edsall, T. A., C. L. Brown, G. W. Kennedy & T. P. Poe, 1992. Lake trout spawning habitat in the Six Fathom Bank-Yankee Reef lake trout sanctuary, Lake Huron. J. Great Lakes Res. 18: 70–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emerson, K., R. C. Russo, R. E. Lund & R. V. Thurston, 1975. Aqueous ammonia equilibrium calculations: effects of pH and temperature. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 32: 2379–2383.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eshenroder, R. L., T. P. Poe & C. H. Olver, 1984. Strategies for rehabilitation of lake trout in the Great Lakes: proceedings of a conference on lake trout research, August 1993. Great Lakes Fish. Comm. Tech. Rep. 40.

  • Eshenroder, R. L., C. R. Bronte & J. W. Peck, 1996. Comparison of lake trout egg survival at inshore and offshore and shallow-water and deepwater sites in Lake Superior. J. Great Lakes Res. (in press).

  • Evans, D. O. & C. H. Olver, 1996. Introduction of lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush, to inland lakes of Ontario, Canada: factors contributing to successful colonization. J. Great Lakes Res. (in press).

  • Evans, D. O. & P. Waring, 1987. Changes in the multispecies, winter angling fishery of Lake Simcoe, Ontario, 1961–83: invasion by rainbow smelt, Osmerus mordax, and the role of intra-and interspecific interactions. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. (Suppl. 2): 182–197.

  • Evans, D. O. & C. C. Willox, 1991. Loss of exploited, indigenous populations of lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush, by stocking of non-native stocks. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 48(Suppl.1): 134–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, D. O., J. M. Casselman & C. C. Willox, 1991. Effects of exploitation, loss of nursery habitat and stocking on the dynamics and productivity of lake trout populations in Ontario lakes. Ont. Min. Nat. Resour., Lake Trout Synthesis Working Group Rept., Toronto, Ont.

  • Evans, D. O., J. J. Houston & G. N. Meridith, 1988. Status of the Lake Simcoe whitefish, Coregonus clupeaformis, in Canada. Can. Field Nat. 102: 103–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, D. O., K. H. Nicholls, Y. C. Allen & J. J. McMurtry, 1995. Historical land use, phosphorus loading and loss of fish habitat in Lake Simcoe, Canada. Contribution to a workshop on the science and management for habitat conservation and restoration strategies (HabCARES), Barrie, Ontario, November 15–19, 1994. Can. J. Fish Aquat. Sci. (submitted).

  • Ferguson, D., 1981. Report of lake trout population spawning in the Barrie Marina. Ont. Min. Nat. Resour., Huronia Dist., Midhurst. 21 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster, N. R., 1981. Role of olfactory cues in the reproduction of lake trout. In: Progress in Fisheries Research. p. 56. Annual Rept. Great Lakes Fish. Lab., US. Fish and Wildl. Serv., Ann Arbor, Mich.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster, N. R., 1985. Lake trout reproductive behavior: Infiuence of chemosensory cues from young-of-the-yearby-products. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 114: 794–803.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garside, E. T., 1959. Some effects of oxygen in relation to temperature on the development of lake trout embryos. Can. J. Zool. 37: 689–698.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodier, J. L., 1981. Native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) stocks in the Canadian waters of Lake Superior prior to 1955. Can. J. fish. Aquat. Sci. 38: 1724–1737.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodyear, C. S., T. A. Edsall, D. M. Ormsby Dempsey, G. D. Ross & P. E. Polanski, 1982. Atlas of the Spawning and Nursery Areas of the Great Lakes Fishes, Vols 2, 4, 5, 9, 11. US Fish and Wildl. Serv., Washington, DC, FWS/OBS/82/52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunn, J. M., 1996. Spawning behaviour of lake trout: effects of colonization ability. J. Great Lakes Res. (in press).

  • Hansen, M. J., J. W. Peck, R. G. Schorfhaar, J. H. Selgby, M. K. Burnham-Curtis, G. L. Curtis, D. Schreiner, S. T. Schram, B. L. Swanson, W. MacCallum, J. W. Heinreich & R. Young, 1996. Lake trout restoration in Lake Superior. J. Great Lakes Res. (in press).

  • Hayes, F. R. & F. H. Armstrong, 1942. Physical changes in the constituent parts of developing salmon eggs. Can. J. Res. 20(D): 99–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderson, B. A., 1982. The population dynamics of lake trout (Salvelinus namayeush) in Lake Manitou, in relation to the planting and spawn-taking operation. Ont. Fish. Tech. Rept. Ser. No. 5. 14 pp.

  • Hindley, B. A., 1984. Lake trout and lake whitefish egg survival in Lake Simcoe. M.Sc. Thesis, York University, North York, Ontario, 78 pp.

  • Hindley, B. A., D. Speller & R. L. Desjardine, 1977. A winter investigation of three lake trout and whitefish spawning shoals in Lake Simcoe, Ontario. Ont. Min. Nat. Res., Lake Simcoe Fish. Assess. Unit Rept. 38 pp.

  • Hitchins, J. R. & W. G. A. Samis, 1986. Successful reproduction by introduced lake trout in 10 northeastern Ontario lakes. North Am. J. Fish. Manage. 6: 373–375.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horrall, R. M., 1981. Behavioral stock-isolating mechanisms in Great Lakes fishes with special reference to homing and site imprinting. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 38: 1481–1496.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hjulström, F., 1939. Transportation of detritus by moving water. In: Trask, P. D. (ed), Recent Marine Sediments. pp. 5–31. Symposium Am. Assoc. Petrol. Geol., Tulsa, OK.

  • Johnson, M. J. & K. H. Nicholls, 1988. Temporal and spatial trends in metal loads to sediments of Lake Simcoe, Ontario, Water, Air, Soil Poll. 39: 337–354.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jude, D. J., S. A. Klinger & M. D. Enk, 1981. Evidence of natural reproduction by planted lake trout in Lake Michigan. J. Great Lakes Res. 7: 57–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jude, D. J., J. A. Dorr & N. J. Thurber, 1984. Unpublished Rept., Mich. Sea Grant, Univ. Mich. Ann Arbor, MI.

  • Karrow, P. F. & P. E. Calkin (eds), 1985. Quaternary Evolution of the Great Lakes. Special paper # 30, Geol. Assoc. Can., Memorial Univ. Newfoundland, St John's, Nfd. 258 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knight, A. E., 1963. The embryonic and larval development of the rainbow trout. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 92: 344–355.

    Google Scholar 

  • LSEMS., 1985. Lake Simcoe environmental management strategy studies: final report and recommendations of the steering committee. Inter-ministerial Comm. Ontario Gov. Rept., Toronto, Ont. 67 pp.

  • MacCrimmon, H. R., 1958. Observations on the spawning of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and the post-spawning movement of adult trout in Lake Simcoe. Can. J. Fish. Cult. 23: 3–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacCrimmon, H. R. & E. Skobe, 1970. The fisheries of Lake Simcoe. Ont. Dept. Lands and Forests, Toronto, Ont.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacLean, J. A., D. O. Evans, N. V. Martin & R. L. DesJardine, 1981. Survival, growth, spawning distribution, and movements of introduced and native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in two inland Ontario lakes. Can. J. fish. Aquat. Sci. 38: 1685–1700.

    Google Scholar 

  • Machniak, K., 1975. The effects of hydroelectric development on the biology of northern fishes (reproduction and population dynamics), IV, lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush): a literature review and bibliography. Fish. Mar. Serv., Tech. Rept, #530, Environment Canada, Ottawa, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manny, B. A., D. J. Jude & R. L. Eshenroder, 1989. Field test of a bioassay procedure for assessing habitat quality on fish spawning grounds. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 118: 175–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, N. V. & C. H. Olver, 1980. The lake charr, Salvelinus namaycush. In: Balon, E.K. (ed), Charrs, Salmonid Fishes of the Genus Salvelinus. pp. 205–277. Dr. W. Junk Publishers, The Hague.

    Google Scholar 

  • McAughey, S. C. & J. M. Gunn, 1996. Behaviour of lake trout to a loss of traditional spawning sites in a small inland lake. J. Great Lakes Res. (in press).

  • Nicholls, K. H., F. M. Forbes, R. Shaw, J. Humber & L. Nakamoto, 1985. Phytoplankton of Lake Simcoe during the ice-free periods of 1980–82 and potential response to reduced phosphorus loadings. J. Great Lakes Res. 11: 3–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norrman, J. Q., 1964. Lake Vättern. Investigations on shore and bottom morphology. Geog. Ann. 1–2: 1–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peck, J. W., 1978. Population dynamics of lake trout in early life history stages and characteristics of an artificial spawning reef. In: Dingle-Johnson Ann. Rept., Project # F-35-R-4, pp. 257–271. Michigan Dept. Nat. Resour., Fish Div., Lansing, MI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piper, R. G., I. B. Mc Elwain, L. E. Orme, J. P. McCraren, L. G. Fowler & J. R. Leonard, 1982. Fish Hatchery Management. US Fish and Wildl. Serv., Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prevost, G., 1957. Use of artificial and natural spawning beds by lake trout. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 86: 258–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rounsefell, G. A., 1957. Fecundity of North American Salmonidae. Fish. Bull. 57: 451–468.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royce, W. F., 1951. Breeding habits of lake trout in New York. US Fish and Wildl. Serv. Bull. 52: 59–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaffner, W. R. & R. T. Oglesby, 1978. Limnology of eight Finger Lakes: Hemlock, Canadice, Honeye, Keuka, Seneca, Owasco, Skaneateles, and Otisco. In: Bloomfield, J. A. (ed), Lakes of New York State. pp. 313–470. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, W. B. & E. J. Crossman, 1973. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Fish. Res. Bd Can. Bull. 184.

  • Sly, P. G., 1988. Interstitial water quality of lake trout spawning habitat. J. Great Lakes Res. 14: 301–315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sly, P. G., 1989. Sediment dispersion: part 2, characterization by size of sand fraction and percent mud. Hydrobiologia 176/177 (Dev. Hydrobiol. 50): 111–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sly, P. G. & W. J. Christie, 1992. Factors influencing densities and distributions of Pontoporeia hoyi in Lake Ontario. Hydrobiologia 235/236 (Dev. Hydrobiol. 75): 321–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sly, P. G. & J. W. Prior, 1984. Late Glacial and post-glacial geology of Lake Ontario. Can. J. Earth Sci. 21: 802–821.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sly, P. G. & C. P. Schneider, 1984. The significance of seasonal changes on a modern cobblegravel beach used by spawning lake trout, Lake Ontario. J. Great Lakes Res. 10: 78–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sly, P. G. & C. C. Widmer, 1984. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) spawning habitat in Seneca Lake, New York. J. Great Lakes Res. 10: 168–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, K. M. & R. R. Rumer, 1970. Mass oscillation study of Cayuga Lake, New York. In: Proceedings 13th Conference Great Lakes Res. pp. 540–551. Internat. Assoc. Great Lakes Res.

  • Storr, J. F., 1962. Delta structures in the New York finger Lakes and their relation to the effects of currents on sediment distribution and aquatic organisms. In: Proceedings 5th Conference Great Lakes Res. pp. 129–138. Internat. Assoc. Great Lakes Res.

  • Thorn, P.J., D. M. Fulford & R. L. DesJardine, 1979. Characteristics of salmonine-coregonine spawning shoals in Lake Simcoe, Ontario. Ont. Min. Nat. Resour., Fish Assess. Unit Rept. 79-2.

  • Trussell, R. P., 1972. The percent un-ionized ammonia in aqueous ammonia solutions at different pH levels and temperature. J. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada 29: 1505–1507.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, V., 1979. Lake Manitou lake trout spawntaking operation 1958–1978. Unpublished draft report prepared for Ont. Min. Nat. Resour., Espanola District., Ontario.

  • Woodrow, D. L., T. R. Blackburn & E. C. Monahan, 1969. Geological, chemical, and physical, attributes of sediments in Seneca Lake, New York. In: Proceedings 12th Conference Great Lakes Res. pp. 380–396. Internat. Assoc. Great Lakes Res.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Box 2032, K0K 2T0, Picton, Ontario, Canada

    P. G. Sly

  2. Aquatic Ecosystem Research Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Box 5000, L6A 1S9, Maple, Ontario, Canada

    D. O. Evans

Authors
  1. P. G. Sly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. O. Evans
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sly, P.G., Evans, D.O. Suitability of habitat for spawning lake trout. J Aquat Ecosyst Stress Recov 5, 153–175 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00124104

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00124104

Key words

Search

Navigation