Spring migratory synchrony of salmonid, catostomid, and cyprinid fishes in Rivière à la Truite, Québec

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Authors: Montgomery, W. Linn, McCormick, Stephen D., Naiman, Robert J., Whoriskey Jr., Frederick G., Black, Geoff A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1983
• Subjects: Atlantic salmon; Catostomus catostomus; Longnose sucker; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z83-331; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z83-331

During May–June 1980 and June–July 1982, six fish species exited Rivière à la Truite, a major tributary of the lower Moisie River, Quebec, in highly synchronized emigrations. Species included longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), white sucker (C. commersoni), lake chub (Couesius plumbeus), juvenile sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr and smolt, and anadromous brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). In 1980, emigration for all species except the lamprey began on 27 May and ended by 9–11 June; lamprey movements began on 4–5 June and peaked on 10 June. Similar but slightly later patterns occurred in 1982. Onset of the runs in each year coincided with declining water levels and discharge. Thus species of widely different habits exhibit similar and highly synchronized migratory patterns, possibly in response to strong changes in stream environment.