Comparative thermal biology and depth distribution of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and northern pike (Esox lucius) in an urban harbour of the Laurentian Great Lakes

Abstract

Understanding how individuals are distributed in space and time, as well as how they interact with dynamic environmental conditions, represent fundamental knowledge gaps for many fish species. Using acoustic telemetry tags, we monitored the temperatures and depths used by northern pike (Esox lucius L., 1758) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède, 1802)) in Toronto Harbour (Lake Ontario). Northern pike and largemouth bass had similar thermal experiences throughout the year, except during summer, when northern pike were observed in cooler waters than largemouth bass. Both species used different depths throughout the year, with northern pike occupying deeper depths. Statistical modelling indicated that depth usage was influenced by all variables (season, species, and body size) and interactions between them, whereas thermal preferences were influenced by the main effects and interactions between species:season and species : body size. Both species were observed at temperatures warmer than those in the vicinity of nearby telemetry stations, but as station temperatures exceeded 20 °C, northern pike moved into cooler water, indicating active thermoregulation. These data will be useful for refining our understanding of the spatial ecology of fish and for informing fisheries and habitat management in this and other urban harbours of the Laurentian Great Lakes.

Intracoelomic Implantation of Transmitters in Longnose Gar

“…Furthermore, electro‐anesthesia has been found to increase mortality in some fishes, particularly those with elongated bodies (i.e., Northern Pike; Peat et al. ). This concern, paired with the limited induction time, likely makes electro‐anesthesia inappropriate for gar surgeries, which require deeper anesthesia; however, this approach may still be valuable for applications where less complete induction is required (i.e., external tagging or to facilitate handling).…”

Assessing the Influence of Tilapia on Sport Fish Species in North Carolina Reservoirs

“…; Peat et al. ), but it is important to note that the presence of tilapia, a potential prey, had no meaningful influence on relative abundance of large Largemouth Bass, which are typically those most sought by anglers (Barnhart ; Noble ). Although we are not aware of other published research linking the presence of tilapia with Largemouth Bass abundance, our results are consistent with previous investigations that have indicated limited effects of interactions among these species (e.g., Gu et al.…”

“…Rather, our results indicated that the abundance of large Largemouth Bass is primarily a function of abiotic factors including temperature and lake zone, a correlate of temperature. This result is not particularly surprising given the large body of literature describing the general effect of temperature on fish abundance, including Largemouth Bass (e.g., Hasler et al 2009;Peat et al 2016), but it is important to note that the presence of tilapia, a potential prey, had no meaningful influence on relative abundance of large Largemouth Bass, which are typically those most sought by anglers (Barnhart 1989;Noble 2002). Although we are not aware of other published research linking the presence of tilapia with Largemouth Bass abundance, our results are consistent with previous investigations that have indicated limited effects of interactions among these species (e.g., Gu et al 1996;Peterson et al 2006).…”

Acoustic telemetry observation systems: challenges encountered and overcome in the Laurentian Great Lakes

“…With few acoustic telemetry projects in the Great Lakes basin, little need existed during the early 2000s for the organization of a telemetry observation system. However, with advancements in telemetry technology combined with the research successes in the marine sector, use of acoustic telemetry in the Laurentian Great Lakes rapidly expanded during the next decade (e.g., Toronto Harbour project; Peat et al 2016;Rous et al 2017; sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus navigation, Meckley et al 2014Meckley et al , 2017, which provided the motivation to organize an observation system and eventually led to the creation of GLATOS.…”