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Influences of life history and environment on lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) growth and longevity in the Husky Lakes of the Western Canadian Arctic

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Abstract

The interaction between an organism and its environment is a major determinant of an individual’s growth rate, longevity, and fitness. Such interactions and resultant variation in growth is particularly prevalent in salmonids where a diversity of life history types and morphotypes can be observed within a single ecosystem. Lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush, are typically considered freshwater residents. However, three life history types within the Husky Lakes estuary and connected lakes, NWT were recently documented, including semi-anadromous, brackish-water resident, and freshwater resident. To understand how use of brackish-water environments influences growth and longevity in lake trout, we assessed otolith increment widths, as a proxy for annual fish growth, and age-at- capture among life history types. Assessment of increments indicated that growth increased in brackish water for semi-anadromous lake trout, and that growth was faster for semi-anadromous and brackish-water residents than for freshwater residents (70 mm larger on average at age 15). In addition, age at capture was significantly older in brackish-water residents (3.8 years older) when compared to the other life histories. Together these results indicate that life in brackish water can have positive effects on growth and longevity for lake trout.

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Acknowledgements

Funding and logistical support for this project was provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada through the Inuvialuit Final Agreement Funding, University of Manitoba (University of Manitoba Graduate Student Fellowship, Faculty of Science Graduate Student Scholarship, H. E. Welch Memorial Graduate Scholarship, International Graduate Student Scholarship) and the Polar Continental Shelf Project (Project# 10414). Project support and approval was given by the Inuvik, Tuktoyaktuk, and Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committees along with Fisheries Joint Management Committee. Permits issued for these surveys include: the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) License to Fish for Scientific Purposes (S-14-15-3004 and S-15-16-3007) and DFO Animal Use Protocol (2014-015 and 2015-010). Furthermore, I sought and received project approvals from local Hunters and Trappers Committees (Inuvik, Aklavik and Tuktoyaktuk) in addition to the Fisheries Joint Management Committee and Gwich’in Renewable Resource Board. Special thanks to Kristin Hynes, Danny Swainson, Ellen Lea, Angus Alunik, and Sarah Buckle for assistance with field preparation and logistics and Kris Maier for sample donations and assistance with GRRB approval applications. The Husky Lakes lake trout monitoring program was assisted by William Day, Joseph Felix, Abraham Klenkenberg, Wayne Thrasher, Tony Stefure, Desmond Nasogaluak, and John Noksana (Sr.). Summer lake sampling assistance was provided by Peter Archie and William Day. Guidance with otolith preparation and techniques was provided by Tracey Loewen, Rick Wastle, and Panseok Yang. Additional support with logistical planning was provided by Neil Mochnacz and Karen Dunmall and assistance with manuscript editing by Amy Flasko.

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  1. University of Manitoba, 50 Sifton Rd., Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada

    Benjamin C. Kissinger, Darren M. Gillis, W. Gary Anderson, Charles Killeen, Norman M. Halden & James D. Reist

  2. Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N6, Canada

    Benjamin C. Kissinger & Charles Killeen

  3. Alberta Environment and Parks, 10320, 99 St., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 6J4, Canada

    Benjamin C. Kissinger

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  1. Benjamin C. Kissinger
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Kissinger, B.C., Gillis, D.M., Anderson, W.G. et al. Influences of life history and environment on lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) growth and longevity in the Husky Lakes of the Western Canadian Arctic. Hydrobiologia 840, 173–188 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-019-3960-5

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