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Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) suppression for bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) recovery in Flathead Lake, Montana, North America

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Abstract

Non-native lake trout Salvelinus namaycush displaced native bull trout Salvelinus confluentus in Flathead Lake, Montana, USA, after 1984, when Mysis diluviana became abundant following its introduction in upstream lakes in 1968–1976. We developed a simulation model to determine the fishing mortality rate on lake trout that would enable bull trout recovery. Model simulations indicated that suppression of adult lake trout by 75% from current abundance would reduce predation on bull trout by 90%. Current removals of lake trout through incentivized fishing contests has not been sufficient to suppress lake trout abundance estimated by mark-recapture or indexed by stratified-random gill netting. In contrast, size structure, body condition, mortality, and maturity are changing consistent with a density-dependent reduction in lake trout abundance. Population modeling indicated total fishing effort would need to increase 3-fold to reduce adult lake trout population density by 75%. We conclude that increased fishing effort would suppress lake trout population density and predation on juvenile bull trout, and thereby enable higher abundance of adult bull trout in Flathead Lake and its tributaries.

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Acknowledgments

Edward B. Brothers provided age estimates for otolith samples collected in 1986–1995 and Craig P. Stafford provided age estimates for otolith samples collected in 2005 and 2008. Use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. This article is Contribution 1990 of the U.S. Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center, Hammond Bay Biological Station, 11188 Ray Road, Millersburg, MI, 49759, USA

    Michael J. Hansen

  2. Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, Box 278, Pablo, MT, 59855, USA

    Barry S. Hansen

  3. U.S. Geological Survey, Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA

    David A. Beauchamp

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  1. Michael J. Hansen
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Guest editors: M. Power, R. Knudsen, C. Adams, M. J. Hansen, J. B. Dempson, M. Jobling & M. Ferguson / Advances in Charr Ecology and Evolution

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Hansen, M.J., Hansen, B.S. & Beauchamp, D.A. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) suppression for bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) recovery in Flathead Lake, Montana, North America. Hydrobiologia 783, 317–334 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-016-2703-0

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