Predicted growth of lake trout and Chinook salmon in a warming lake

Abstract

Warming water temperatures present challenges for ectotherms in freshwater ecosystems through influence on metabolic rate and bioenergetics. Diet, such as the inclusion of high energy prey, can reduce these influences, but accurate temperature profiles are key to improved predictions. Here, using the Wisconsin bioenergetics approach, we modelled lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) growth for two time periods (present [2010–2019] and future 30-year (2041–2070) averaged scenarios) in Lake Ontario with in-situ observed year-round temperatures (obtained through acoustic telemetry and pop-off data storage tags deployed between 2016 and 2019) occupied by the species. For the future, we considered two water temperature scenarios (low and high, where experienced temperature increased by a mean of 0.4 °C and 1.0 °C, respectively) and the effects of a hypothetical diet switch with the inclusion of higher energy prey (bloater, Coregonus hoyi) currently being reintroduced. Under all forecasted warming conditions, lake trout performed well and growth was 41.3 to 82.5 % above present when bloater was re-incorporated in the diet up to 40 %. Chinook salmon maximum attainable growth declined between 11.2 and 29.6 % under forecasted warming scenarios without diet change. However, when bloater comprised ∼ 33 % of their diet, Chinook salmon growth increased 3.7 % under the low future scenario compared to present. These results demonstrate that impacts of future lake warming on predatory fish will vary with life-history characteristics of species and composition and abundance of prey base, and highlights the need for effective management that diversifies and conserves forage fish species in the Great Lakes.