Sport Fish Stock Assessment of Gods Lake, Alberta 2004

Author(s)

Greg Fortier, John Tchir

Summary

In recent years, improved access to lakes with populations of walleye (Sander vitreus) and northern pike (Esox lucius) has raised concern about increased pressure on relatively unexploited fish populations. Strategies to maintain or recover northern pike and walleye populations have been implemented by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (Berry 1995, 1999). These strategies prescribe regulatory measures that can be used to maintain or recover a fishery. Regular evaluation of the sport fishery and regulations are necessary to ensure fisheries management goals are being achieved.


Improved access (upgraded and new roads) into lakes in the Red Earth area, including Gods Lake, in recent years has raised concern about the potential for increased angling pressure. The purpose of this stock assessment conducted from 12 to 16 September 2004 was to describe the size and age structure as well as growth of walleye (Sander vitreus), northern pike (Esox lucius), lake whitefish (Corregonus clupeaformis) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens).


Walleye accounted for 16.6% of the total catch. The total catch per unit effort (TCUE) was 1.75 fish/100 m2/24 hrs. Of all walleye sampled where sex could be determined, 59.5% (n=22) were female. Fork lengths ranged from 278 mm to 679 mm (n=37, mean=485.2 mm). Ages ranged from two to 18 years (n=37, mean=8.4).


Northern pike accounted for 29.1% of the total catch. The total catch per unit effort (TCUE) was 3.07 fish/100 m2/24 hrs. Of all northern pike sampled where sex could be determined, 47.7% (n=31) were female. Fork lengths ranged from 464 mm to 941 mm (n=65, mean=619.4 mm). Ages ranged from four to 13 years (n=65, mean=7.0).


Lake whitefish accounted for 9.0% of the total catch. The total catch per unit effort (TCUE) was 0.95 fish/100 m2/24 hrs. Of all lake whitefish sampled where sex could be determined, 55.6% (n=10) were female. Fork lengths ranged from 448 mm to 618 mm (n=20, mean=497.4 mm). Ages ranged from six to 17 years (n=20, mean=12.5).


Yellow perch accounted for 30.5% of the total catch. The total catch per unit effort (TCUE) was 3.22 fish/100 m2/24 hrs. Of all yellow perch sampled where sex could be determined, 61.8% (n=42) were female. Fork lengths ranged from 131 mm to 172 mm (n=68, mean=144.3 mm). Ages ranged from two to five years (n=64, mean=3.1).


The stock assessment conducted provides information for fisheries managers to track potential effects of increased pressure on priority fish populations into the future. Increased monitoring of fish populations at Gods Lake and other lakes in the Red Earth area will become more important with the development of the proposed highway extending from Red Earth to Fort McMurray.

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