Seasonal variation in activity and nearshore habitat use of Lake Trout in a subarctic lake ...

• Main Authors: Blanchfield, Paul J., McKee, Graydon, Guzzo, Matthew M., Chapelsky, Andrew J., Cott, Peter A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: figshare 2023
• Subjects: Ecology; FOS Biological sciences; Subarctic
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6815579.v1; https://springernature.figshare.com/collections/Seasonal_variation_in_activity_and_nearshore_habitat_use_of_Lake_Trout_in_a_subarctic_lake/6815579/1

Abstract Background In lake ecosystems, predatory fish can move and forage across both nearshore and offshore habitats. This coupling of sub-habitats, which is important in stabilizing lake food webs, has largely been assessed from a dietary perspective and has not included movement data. As such, empirical estimates of the seasonal dynamics of these coupling movements by fish are rarely quantified, especially for northern lakes. Here we collect fine-scale fish movement data on Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush), a predatory cold-water fish known to link nearshore and offshore habitats, to test for seasonal drivers of activity, habitat use and diet in a subarctic lake. Methods We used an acoustic telemetry positioning array to track the depth and spatial movements of 43 Lake Trout in a subarctic lake over two years. From these data we estimated seasonal 50% home ranges, movements rates, tail beat activity, depth use, and nearshore habitat use. Additionally, we examined stomach contents to quantify seasonal ...