Table Of ContentINLAND LAKE TROUT
MANAGEMENT
SOUTHEASTERN ONTARIO
January
Miiiistry of Ministryof
the Environment Natural
Region Ontario Southern Region
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!X!URAIAIIONAVAIIARLL.
January 33, /993
Additional copies of this pub! ication are available from the Ministry of the Environment,
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Ministry of Natural Resources, Kemptvil!e District, Postal Bag 2002, Concession Road, Kemptvil!e,
Ontario, KOG 110.
© 1992, Queen's Printer for Ontario
Printed in Ontario, Canada
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ISBN 0-7778-0224-4
The Lake Trout, Sa!velinus namaycush Photo by K. Feigehnan
INLAND LAKE TROUT
MANAGEMENT
SOUTHEASTERN ONTARIO
January 1993
Ministry of Ministry of
the Environment Natural Resources
Southeastern Region Southern Region
Ontario
A1-"j
Preface
DIMINISHING RESOURCE RESPONSE
outheastern Ontario has the southernmost The Southeastern Region of the Ministry of the
S
representation of inland lake trout lakes in Environment and the former Eastern Region of the
Canada. Lake trout require cold, deep, Ministry of Natural Resources have been co-
oxygenated water for survival. Suitable lakes are operating on programs to protect the future of this
finite and have been dwindling from the time of valuable resource and to ensure lasting benefits.
early settlement due to several major factors that
have acted singly or in combination to eliminate lake In 1975. the two ministries initiated a lakes survey
trout habitat. The subsequent disappearance of program intended to assist land use planners and
native stocks began in the early 1900s and has resource managers in assessing the potential water
continued at an accelerated rate until the present. quality and fisheries implications of shoreline
development proposals. Of primary concern were
If steps are not taken to manage the remaining the relatively few lakes in southeastern Ontario
lake trout resources, the eventual extinction of which had adequate water quality and habitat
lake trout as a self-sustaining species can be conditions to permit deep water fauna such as
predicted in most lakes in eastern Ontario, lake trout to survive.
perhaps before the end of the
The first phase of the program involved studies by
IMPORTANCE the Ministry of the Environment designed to
document existing water quality conditions for
Today, lake trout represent one of the highest historical records as well as for assistance when
quality angling experiences in southeastern commenting on shoreline development. The
Ontario. The fish is esteemed for its sporting results were presented in the Repon on Water
qualities and delicious flesh. The recreational Quality of the Lake Trout Waters of
experience associated with lake trout angling Southeastern Ontario, October 1977' and Volume
probably rivals the food value of the fish itself. Il, February 19801. These reports included interim
Currently anglers spend in excess of 425,000 recommendations to protect the water quality of
hours of effort each year seeking lake trout in the most sensitive waterbodies from the effects of
southeastern Ontario waters. Estimated annual shoreline development.
expenditures, made solely for lake trout fishing,
are believed to exceed I million dollars. The second phase of the program involved studies
by the Ministry of Natural Resources designed to
A further value of lake trout is their use as a assess factors other than water quality which have
biological indicator of a healthy aquatic influenced or could influence the potential of
environment. For example, stresses on lake trout lakes to be managed as lake trout fisheries.
caused by deteriorating water quality are
observable long before conditions such as the
appearance of algae blooms and excessive aquatic
plant growth become objectionable to humans. I Ontario Ministry of the Environment, 1977.
2 Ontario Ministry of the Environment, 1980.
INlAND LAKE TROUT
MANAGEMENT
SOCT}{Lk5TER\OVTkRII)
vi
Since the joint MOE-MNR program was initiated, the The Ministry of the Environment is currently
Ministry of Natural Resources has undertaken the developing a strategy to standardize approaches to
development of a regional lake trout fisheries evaluate lake sensitivity and the setting of
management strategy and the preparation of fisheries provincial water quality objectives Its purpose is
management plans for much of southeastern to provide guidance in terms of water quality
Ontario. These projects provided extensive management and shoreline development
opportunities for public discussion, refinement and decisions for lakes in the future.
review of fisheries management directions.
This report summarizes the original findings and
In addition, a Lake Trout Synthesis exercise was reflects the more recent work on water quality and
initiated to assemble the scientific information fisheries management noted above. It
about take trout and present it in a form that recommends actions with respect to land use and
would facilitate new approaches to ensure the development which will contribute to long-term
future management of the species. This project water quality and fisheries management objectives
was completed in 1991 with the release of several for the lake trout waters of southeastern Ontario.
working group reports. Also, the Strategic Plan for It also will complement the implementation of
Ontario Fisheries (SPOF was revised and approved district fisheries management plans.
updated. After extensive public review SPOF The recommendations in this report are subject to
reaffirms the importance of healthy aquatic revision as new or refined resource information
ecosystems and the need to protect habitat in becomes available and as significant changes
order to maintain healthy fisheries. occur in policies or land use.
3 Ontario NI inistry of Natural Resources and Environment
Canada, 1976.
4 Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 1992.
S Ontario Ministry olthe Environment, 1992.
INLAND LAKE TROUT
MANAGEMENT
SOUTHEASTERN ONTARIO
'.1 I
Acknowledgements
T he work which has culminated in this Policy Branch, NINR; and \Vater Resources
report was initiated by D.F. Aitkins, Branch, NICE.
Southeastern Region, NICE and
\V.G. Niaslen. Eastern Region, NINR both of whom The extensive lake sampling would not have been
are now retired. Their dedication, enthusiasm and possible without the skilful piloting and technical
persistence are recalled. assistance provided by contracted private air
carriers. Special thanks is due to Niadawaska Air
The take Trout Sub-committee of the Eastern Service, Parks Airnautical and Trent Air.
Region Fish and \Vildlife Technical Committee
made significant contributions to the initial The co-operation of NI nistry of Revenue staff in
development of the management strategies. The the property assessment offices at Brockville,
original members were: Paul Bewick, Kingston and Trenton for assistance in
Kerry Coleman, Gary Himburg, Neil MacLean, determining the nature and extent of lakeshore
Alex Palilionis, Lindsay Penney, Gary Raine and development is gratefully acknowledged.
Hans von Rosen. In addition, thanks is extended
to those persons who attended public information Particular thanks is extended to Margaret Carson
forums on fisheries management and those.who who, with the assistance of Pat MacDonald,
contributed written comments which assisted in provided outstanding typing services through
the management decisions for this resource. many revisions of the manuscript; to Laurie Dool
for the cover artwork and her creative desktop
The helpful suggestions and assistance of publishing; and to Sue Martin for final
David Root, NI inistry of Municipal Affairs in production details.
devising practical approaches to land use
development have been much appreciated. Lastly, acknowledgement is given to the generous
and sustained efforts of the ioint NICI/NINIt
Nlanv permanent and casual employees of NICE Recreational 1.akes Committee whose members
and NINR have made valuable contributions to have been: DY. Aitkins, P. Bewick, S.J. Kerr,
various components of the lakes survey program. Fitz, D. Galloway, R. Genge, Nl.J. German,
1hese include the staff of the Westport Fish R. Griffiths, NI.NI. Holy, R. Lingwood,
Culture Station; the Rideau Lakes Fisheries WG. Maslen, \IcCov. J.D. Murray, C. Owen,
Assessment Unit; NINI( offices at Brockville, D. Root, N. Ward and G.R.
Carleton Place, Napanee and Tweed; Fisheries
INLANI) LAKE TROUT
MANAGEMENT
.4)11 \'I IRS OSTARIC
ix
Contents
Preface v
Acknowledgements vii
list of Maps and Figures x
ListofTables xi
THE LAKE TROUT RESOLRCE
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION AND STALLS
I
RATIONALE FOR INLAND LAKE TROUT MANAGEMENT .3
Ministry of Natural Resources Mandate 4
Ministry of the Environment Mandate
S
FISHERIESPOTENTIAL
6
Assessment Methodology 6
Fisheries Role Designation 7
WATER QUALITY 10
Water Quality Requirements for Lake Trout 10
Lake Processes 10
Physical Changes 11
Chemical Changes 11
Biological Changes 12
Description of Study Lakes 13
Morphonietry
13
Measured Water Quality 14
Optimal Habitat Model for Lake Trout 18
Application olthe Model 20
MANAGEMENT DIRECTION 23
MANA(;ENIENT STRATEGIES 23
Fisheries Assessment 23
Purpose 23
Fisheries Assessment in Southeastern Ontario 24
Management Activities 24
Habitat Management 25
Purpose 25
Authority to Protect Fish Habitat 25
The Threats to Lake Trout Habitat 25
Management Activities 26
IN[ANL) IAKETROIJ
MANAGEMENT
ONtARIO
