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Reproductive status of walleye (Sander vitreus) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in two large, shallow Canadian subarctic lakes

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Abstract

The reproductive status of walleye (Sander vitreus) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) is largely unstudied in the northern extent of their ranges. Tathlina Lake and Kakisa Lake are large, shallow lakes in the Northwest Territories, Canada, supporting important commercial and subsistence fisheries for these species while being threatened by climate change. Fish were sampled in both lakes across multiple years in the spring and autumn to assess differences in reproductive status in the pre- and post-spawning periods for both species. Condition factor (K), gonadosomatic index (GSI), liversomatic index (LSI), and fecundity were calculated, and plasma samples were also taken from each fish to determine levels of reproductive hormones, specifically 17β-estradiol in females, and 11-ketotestosterone in males. Significant temporal (intra- and interannual) and spatial (between lakes) variation was found for both species and both sexes for all metrics. Expected differences in hormones and indices of reproductive success between pre- and post- spawning periods were demonstrated. When compared with previously published data, a latitudinal gradient for LSI, GSI and fecundity was evident for walleye, but not for lake whitefish. The differences in the reproductive biology of lake whitefish and walleye in these two neighbouring lakes highlights limitations in the use of a reference lake approach in biomonitoring studies. The data in this study can be used and expanded upon to provide information for the sustainable management of these fish stocks for the future.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge those who provided laboratory and field assistance, particularly members of the KTFN, including F. Simba, C. Chicot, D. Simba, T. Chicot, and notably M. Simba, as well as research technicians and associates from Wilfrid Laurier University (L. Jones, B. Pomeroy), the University of Waterloo/Environment Canada and Climate Change (G. Tetreault), the Dehcho Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management Program (AAROM) (M. Low, G. Low), and the Government of the Northwest Territories (M. Palmer, P. Cott). Funding for this study came from The Cumulative Impacts Monitoring Program (CIMP), The Northern Contaminants Program (NCP), and Wilfrid Laurier University. This project benefited from its collegial participation in the GNWT-Laurier (2008–2018) agreement to further community-based environmental research in the Northwest Territories. Grant Harrison was funded by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Collaborative Research and Training Experience (NSERC CREATE) grant awarded to the Canadian Rivers Institute at the University of New Brunswick (Co-I, D. MacLatchy).

Funding

Funding for this study came from The Cumulative Impacts Monitoring Program (CIMP), The Northern Contaminants Program (NCP), and Wilfrid Laurier University. This project benefited from its collegial participation in the GNWT-Laurier (2008–2018) agreement to further community-based environmental research in the Northwest Territories. Grant Harrison was funded by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Collaborative Research and Training Experience (NSERC CREATE) grant awarded to the Canadian Rivers Institute at the University of New Brunswick (Co-I, D. MacLatchy).

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  1. Heather J. Dixon and Grant Harrison contributed equally to this work

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  1. Department of Biology and Canadian Rivers Institute, Wilfrid Laurier University, 75 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3C5, Canada

    Heather J. Dixon, Grant Harrison, Andrea L. Lister & Deborah L. MacLatchy

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Conceived and designed the investigation: D.L.M. and A.L.L., performed fieldwork and/or laboratory work: A.L.L. and G.H., contributed materials, reagents, and/or analysis tools: A.L.L. and D.L.M., analysed the data: H.J.D., wrote the paper: H.J.D., G.H., A.L.L. and D.L.M.

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Correspondence to Heather J. Dixon.

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Dixon, H.J., Harrison, G., Lister, A.L. et al. Reproductive status of walleye (Sander vitreus) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in two large, shallow Canadian subarctic lakes. Environ Biol Fish 103, 1119–1136 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-020-01010-6

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