Spatial comparison of two lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) spawning aggregations from the Bay of Quinte and eastern Lake Ontario

Abstract

Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in the Laurentian Great Lakes have experienced major ecological changes and overexploitation throughout the past century. In Lake Ontario, the lake whitefish population was severely reduced and has shown minimal reproductive success since the 1990s. Two spawning aggregations have persisted within the Canadian side of the eastern basin, both of which continue to be targeted by commercial fisheries. The first group utilizes spawning habitat within the Bay of Quinte, while the other uses sections of shoreline on the south side of Prince Edward County in Lake Ontario. There is currently very little known regarding the seasonal distribution of these spawning aggregations, and whether or not they can be considered as isolated groups. Using acoustic telemetry, this study analyzed the spatial distribution and movement patterns of 23 lake whitefish in eastern Lake Ontario to determine whether the two spawning groups were spatially discrete. Spatial analysis revealed clear differences in space use between the spawning aggregations. Mixing of the spawning groups did not occur during the spawning season. Mixing was minimal at other times of the year and primarily occurred in the northwestern area of the eastern basin during August and September. Future research is needed to investigate factors that drive these behavioural differences, and the consequences for stock viability.