Autumn sampling for evidence of northern pike (Esox lucius) recruitment in Hamilton Harbour watersheds / by Erin Budgell, David T. Reddick, Christine M. Boston, and Jonathan D. Midwood. : Fs97-4/3270E-PDF

"As top predators, Northern Pike (Esox lucius) provide important top-down control on littoral areas in freshwater systems. In the Hamilton Harbour Area of Concern, Northern Pike populations have declined well below historic (pre-20th century) levels and their recovery is deemed critical for more holistic recovery of fish populations in the harbour. In the autumn of 2020 and 2021, nearshore areas in Cootes Paradise, Grindstone Creek Marsh, Hamilton Harbour, Spencer Creek, and Red Hill Creek were sampled with the objective of looking for evidence of Northern Pike recruitment by identifying areas used by young-of-year (YOY) or juveniles. Fyke nets were used as the primary method of capture for both years, while light traps were also used in year one and seine nets in year two. Across all sites only one Northern Pike was captured in Van Wagner's Pond in Red Hill Creek. A variety of other fishes were captured and spatial differences in fish community assemblage are discussed. The lack of capture of YOY and limited capture of juvenile Northern Pike is a concern, and while other sampling programs have detected them recently they are typically observed in low densities. Paired with observed low capture rates of adult Northern Pike in electrofishing surveys in the main basin of Hamilton Harbour and recent declines in numbers arriving at the Cootes Paradise fishway, the near-term potential for natural recovery of Northern Pike populations seems limited"--Abstract, page vi.

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