Surveillance and status of fish stocks in western Lake Erie, 2008

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Abstract

The Lake Erie Biological Station has conducted bottom trawl assessments of fish populations in western Lake Erie near East Harbor State Park, Ohio each summer and autumn since 1961. The catches of most age-0 forage fishes in 2008 were less than their 15-year means. Mean densities for five species exceeded the long term mean. Mean density of age-0 white perch Morone americana was more than double last year’s mean and the long-term mean. Densities of both yellow perch Perca flavescens and walleye Sander vitreus were at or above their long term mean. Catches of round goby Neogobius melanostomus (all ages combined) exceeded the previous five years, but were substantially below the species’ 13-year (1996-2008) mean. For five species, mean total lengths of age-0 individuals captured in 2008 were greater than their respective 20-year means. During 1988-2007, the frequency of occurrence for yellow perch diet items was highest for benthic invertebrates and zooplankton during the summer and benthic invertebrates in autumn. During summer zooplankton and benthic invertebrates were frequently consumed by white perch. Benthic prey for white perch occurred more frequently in the last 5-10 years.
Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Surveillance and status of fish stocks in western Lake Erie, 2008
Year Published 2009
Language English
Publisher Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Contributing office(s) Great Lakes Science Center
Description 18 p.
Conference Title Great Lakes Fishery Commission: Lake Erie Committee Meeting
Conference Location Ypsilanti, MI
Conference Date March 23-24, 2009
Country Canada, United States
Other Geospatial Lake Erie
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