Abstract
The reach of the Rideau River that flows through Ottawa, Ontario supports a recreational fishery for northern pike (Esox lucius) and muskellunge (Esox masquinongy). The reach is unique not only because such a vibrant esocid-based recreational fishery exists in an urban center, but that these two species co-occur. Typically, when these species occur sympatrically, northern pike tend to exclude muskellunge. To ensure the persistence of these esocid populations and the fisheries they support it is important to identify key spawning, nursery, foraging and over-wintering locations along this reach, and to evaluate the extent to which adults of the two species exhibit spatio-temporal overlap in habitat use. Radio-telemetry was used to track adult northern pike (N = 18; length 510 to 890 mm) and adult muskellunge (N = 15; length 695 to 1200 mm) on 73 occasions over one year, with particular focus on the breeding seasons (early April until the end of May [56 % tracking effort]). For the two esocids, we observed 19–60 % overlap in key aggregation areas during each season and during the spawning period. The minimum activity (average linear river distance travelled between consecutive tracking events) and core range (linear river distance within 95 % C.I. of mean river position) were greatest in the winter and fall for northern pike and in the spring for muskellunge. On average, northern pike were considerably smaller than muskellunge and had lower minimum activities and smaller core ranges, which could be a result of thermal biology, limited suitable habitat, prey availability or predation. Results from this study will inform future management of these unique esocid populations and should be considered before any habitat alterations occurs within or adjacent to the Rideau River.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson WG, McKinley RS, Colavecchia M (1997) The use of clove oil as an anesthetic for rainbow trout and its effects on swimming performance. N Am J Fish Manag 17:301–307
Armstrong RA (2014) When to use the Bonferroni correction. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 34:502–508
Baktoft H, Aarestrup K, Berg S, Boel M, Jacobsen L, Jepsen N, Koed A, Svendsen JC, Skov C (2012) Seasonal and diel effects on the activity of northern pike studied by high-resolution positional telemetry. Ecol Freshw Fish 21:386–394
Buss K, Larsen A (1961) The northern pike of Presque Isle Bay, Lake Erie. PA Angler 30:4–6
Casselman JM (1978) Effects of environmental factors on growth, survival, activity, and exploitation of northern pike. Amer Fish Soc Spec Publ 11:114–128
Casselman JM (2007) Determining minimum ultimate size, setting size limits, and developing trophy standards and indices of comparable size for maintaining quality muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) populations and sports fisheries. In: In The Muskellunge Symposium: A Memorial Tribute To EJ Crossman. Springer, Netherlands, pp. 137–154
Casselman JM, Robinson CJ, Crossman EJ (1999) Growth and ultimate length of muskellunge from Ontario water bodies. N Am J of Fish Manag 19:271–290
Chapman CA, Mackay WC (1984a) Direct observation of habitat utilization by northern pike. Copeia 1984:255–258
Chapman CA, Mackay WC (1984b) Versatility in habitat use by a top aquatic predator, Esox lucius L. J Fish Biol 25:109–115
Coelho AVP, Coelho IP, Teixeira FT, Kindel A (2014) Siriema: road mortality software. User’s Manual V. 2.0. NERF, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Retrieved, 23 May 2015 from: http://www.ufrgs.br/siriema.
Conover WJ, Iman RL (1981) Rank transformations as a bridge between parametric and nonparametric statistics. Amer Stat 35:124–129
Cook MF, Bergersen EP (1988) Movements, habitat selection, and activity periods of northern pike in eleven mile reservoir, Colorado. Trans Amer Fish Soc 117:495–502
Cooke SJ, Graeb BDS, Suski CD, Ostrand KG (2003) Effects of suture material on incision healing, growth and survival of juvenile largemouth bass implanted with miniature radio transmitters: case study of a novice and experienced fish surgeon. J Fish Biol 62:1366–1380
Cooper JE, Mead JV, Farrell JM, Werner RG (2008) Potential effects of spawning habitat changes on the segregation of northern pike (Esox lucius) and muskellunge (E. masquinongy) in the Upper St. Lawrence River. Hydrobiologia 601:41–53
Crossman EJ (1956) Growth, mortality and movements of a sanctuary population of maskinonge (Esox masquinongy mitchill). J Fish Res Board can 13:599–612
Diana JS (1980) Diel activity pattern and swimming speeds of northern pike (Esox lucius) in lac Ste. Anne, Alberta. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 37:1454–1458
Diana JS, Mackay WC, Ehrman M (1977) Movements and habitat preference of northern pike (Esox lucius) in lac Ste. Anne, Alberta. Trans Amer Fish Soc 106:560–565
Diana JS, Hanchin P, Popoff N (2015) Movement patterns and spawning sites of muskellunge Esox masquinongy in the Antrim chain of lakes, Michigan. Environ Biol Fish 98:833–844
Dombeck MP (1979) Movement and behaviour of the muskellunge determined by radio-telemetry. Wisconsin Department Of Natural Resources 113: 1–19. Retrieved October 14, 2014 from: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/EcoNatRes.DNRBull113.
Dombeck MP, Menzel BW, Hinz PN (1986) Natural muskellunge reproduction in midwestern lakes. Amer Fish Soc Spec Publ 15:122–134
Eklov P (1997) Effects of habitat complexity and prey abundance on the spatial and temporal distributions of perch (Perca fluviatilis) and pike (Esox lucius). Can J Fish Aquat Sci 54:1520–1531
Environment Canada (EnviroCan) (2014) Canada’s top ten weather stories for 2014. Retrieved, 23 May 2015 from: http://www.ec.gc.ca/meteo-weather/default.asp?lang=En&n=C8D88613-1&offset=2&toc=show
Farrell JM (1991) Spawning ecology of sympatric northern pike and muskellunge in the St. State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, Lawrence River. Master’s thesis
Farrell JM (2001) Reproductive success of sympatric northern pike and muskellunge in an Upper St. Lawrence River bay. Trans Amer Fish Soc 130:796–808
Farrell JM, Werner RG, LaPan SR, Claypoole KA (1996) Egg distribution and spawning habitat of northern pike and muskellunge in a St. Lawrence River marsh, New York. Trans Amer Fish Soc 125:127–131
Gillis NC, Rapp T, Hasler CT, Wachelka H, Cooke SJ (2010) Spatial ecology of adult muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) in the urban Ottawa reach of the historic Rideau Canal, Canada. Aquat Living Resour 23:225–230
Harrison EJ, Hadley WF (1978) Ecologic separation of sympatric muskellunge and northern pike. Amer Fish Soc Spec Publ 11:129–134
Harvey B (2009) A biological synopsis of northern pike (Esox Lucius). Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Science Branch, Pacific Region, Pacific Biological Station
Headrick MR, Carline RF (1993) Restricted summer habitat and growth of northern pike in two Southern Ohio impoundments. Trans Amer Fish Soc 122:228–236
Inskip PD (1986) Negative associations between abundances of muskellunge and northern pike: evidence and possible explanations. managing muskies: a treatise on the biology and propagation of muskellunge in North America. Amer Fish Soc Spec Publ 15:135–150
Jennings CA, Looney GL (1998) Evaluation of two types of anesthesia for performing surgery on striped bass. N Amer J Fish Manag 18:187–190
Jepsen N, Beck S, Skov C, Koed A (2001) Behavior of pike (Esox lucius L.) > 50 cm in a turbid reservoir and in a clearwater lake. Ecol Freshw Fish 10:26–34
Kerr SJ (2004) Characteristics of Ontario muskellunge fisheries based on volunteer angler diary information. Ontario Ministry Of Natural Resources. Peterborough, ON
Kerr SJ (2011) Distribution and management of muskellunge in North America: and overview. Ontario Ministry Of Natural Resources. Peterborough, ON
Knight CM, Gozlan RE, Lucas MC (2008) Can seasonal home-range size in pike Esox lucius predict excursion distance? J Fish Biol 73:1058–1064
Kobler A, Klefoth T, Wolter C, Fredrich F, Arlinghaus R (2008) Contrasting pike (Esox lucius L.) movement and habitat choice between summer and winter in a small lake. Hydrobiologia 601:17–27
Koed A, Balleby K, Mejlhede P, Aarestrup K (2006) Annual movement of adult pike (Esox lucius L.) in a lowland river. Ecol Freshw Fish 15:191–199
Landsman SJ, Wachelka HJ, Suski CD, Cooke SJ (2011) Evaluation of the physiology, behaviour, and survival of adult muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) captured and released by specialized anglers. Fish Res 110:377–386
Lucas MC (1992) Spawning activity of male and female pike, Esox lucius L., determined by acoustic tracking. Can J Zool 70:191–196
Mann RHK (1980) The numbers and production of pike (Esox lucius) in two Dorset rivers. J Anim Ecol 49:899–915
Masters JE, Hodder GKH, Beaumont WRC, Gozlan RE, Pinder AC, Kenward RE, Welton JS (2005) Spatial behaviour of pike Esox Lucius L. in the River Frome, UK. In aquatic telemetry: advances and applications. Proceedings of the fifth conference on fish telemetry held in Europe. Ustica, Italy, 9–13 June 2003. (Spedicato, M. T., Lembo, G. & Marmulla, G., eds), pp. 179–190. Rome: FAO/COISPA.
Miller ML, Menzel BW (1986a) Movement, activity, and habitat use patterns of muskellunge in West Okoboji Lake, Iowa. Amer Fish Soc Spec Publ 15:51–61
Miller ML, Menzel BW (1986b) Movements, homing, and home range of muskellunge, Esox masquinongy, in West Okoboji Lake, Iowa. Environ Biol Fish 16:243–255
Minor JD, Crossman EJ (1978) Home range and seasonal movement of muskellunge as determined by radiotelemetry. In: Kendall RL, (ed.) selected coolwater fishes. Amer Fish Soc Spec Publ 11:146–153
Monfette R, Guenette S, Dubuc N, Fortin R, Fournier H (1996) Northern pike and muskellunge spawning ecology and reproductive success in the lower Ottawa River. In: Kerr SJ, Olver CH (eds), Managing Muskies in the 90s. Workshop Proceedings. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Southern Region Science and Technology Transfer Unit WP-007, 55–66
Murry BA, Farrell JM (2007) Quantification of native muskellunge nursery habitat: influence of body size, fish community composition, and vegetation structure. In: In The Muskellunge Symposium: A Memorial Tribute to EJ Crossman. Springer, Netherlands, pp. 37–47
Midwood JD, Chow-Fraser P (2015) Connecting coastal marshes using movements of resident and migratory fishes. Wetlands 35:69–79
Ottawa Weather Stats (OWS) (2015) Temperature over the last year (monthly data) for Ottawa (Kanata - Orléans). Retrieved, 29 May 2015 from: http://ottawa.weatherstats.ca/charts/temperature-1year.html
Pauwels IS, Goethals PL, Coeck J, Mouton AM (2014) Movement patterns of adult pike (Esox lucius L.) in a Belgian lowland river. Ecol Freshw Fish 23:373–382
Pierce PB (2012) Northern Pike ecology. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN, Conservation and Management History
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) (2001) State of the River report. Retrieved, 25 September 2014 from: http://www.rvca.ca/programs/rrr/State_River_2001.pdf
Rust AJ, Diana JS, Margenau TL, Edwards CJ (2002) Lake characteristics influencing spawning success of muskellunge in northern Wisconsin lakes. N Am J Fish Manag 22:834–841
Scott WB, Crossman EJ (1973) Freshwater fishes of Canada. Fish Res Board of Can Bulletin 184, Ottawa
Sokal RR, Rohlf FJ (1995) Biometry the principles and practice of statistics in biological research, 3rd edn. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York, p. 887
Sternberg D (1992) Northern pike and muskie. the hunting and fishing library. Cy DeCosse Incorporated, Minnetonka, Minnesota
Strand RF (1986) Identification of principal spawning areas and seasonal distribution and movements of muskellunge in leech Lake Minnesota. Amer Fish Soc Spec Publ 15:62–73
Stronks TR (1996) Seasonal movements of muskellunge in Lake Scugog, Ontario. In Kerr SJ, Olver CH (eds), Managing Muskies in the 90s. Workshop Proceedings. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Southern Region Science and Technology Transfer Unit WP-007, 47–54
Teixeira FZ, Coelho IP, Esperandio IB, Oliveira RN, Peter FP, Dornelles SS, Delazeri NR, Tavares M, Martins MB, Kindel A (2013) Are road-kill hotspots coincident among different vertebrate groups? Oecologia Australis 17:36–47
Vehanen T, Hyvärinen P, Johansson K, Laaksonen T (2006) Patterns of movement of adult northern pike (Esox lucius L.) in a regulated river. Ecol Freshw Fish 15:154–160
Wagner CP, Wahl DH (2007) Evaluation of temperature-selection differences among juvenile muskellunge originating from different latitudes. In: In The Muskellunge Symposium: A Memorial Tribute to EJ Crossman. Springer, Netherlands, pp. 85–98
Webb PW, Skadesen JM (1980) Strike tatics of esox. Can J Zool 58:1462–1469
Werner RG, Lapan SR, Klindt R, Farrell JM (1990) Identification of muskellunge spawning and nursery habitat. St. Lawrence River muskellunge. Final Report. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY
Younk JA, Cook MF, Goeman TJ, Spencer PD (1996) Seasonal habitat use and movements of muskellunge in the Mississippi River. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Section of Fisheries
Zorn SA, Margenau TL, Diana JS, Edwards CJ (1998) The influence of spawning habitat on natural reproduction of muskellunge in Wisconsin. Trans Amer Fish Soc 127:995–1005
Acknowledgments
The Ottawa Chapter of Muskies Canada and the Becker Foundation provided funding to support this study. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry kindly provided a scientific collection permit. All work was conducted in accordance with the guidelines of the Canadian Council of Animal care as administered by Carleton University (protocol number B12-10). Additional support was provided by NSERC, the Canada Research Chairs Program and Carleton University. We thank Maja Cvetkovic, Taylor Ward, Daniel Struthers, Graham Raby, Shannon Brower, Ryan Pusiak, Kathryn Dufour, Sofia Jain-Schlaepfer, Florence Poon, Sarah Richardson, Melody Sabourin, Oda Waldeland, Maxime Veilleux, Ian Byerley, Alice Wilson and Jennifer Lamoureux for their assistance.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pankhurst, K., Midwood, J.D., Wachelka, H. et al. Comparative spatial ecology of sympatric adult muskellunge and northern pike during a one-year period in an urban reach of the Rideau River, Canada. Environ Biol Fish 99, 409–421 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-016-0482-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-016-0482-0