A Comparison of Fish Communities from 32 Inland Lakes in Isle Royale National Park, 1929 and 1995-1997
Kallemeyn LW. 2000. A Comparison of Fish Communities from 32 Inland Lakes in Isle Royale National Park, 1929 and 1995-1997. Biological Science Report USGS/BRD/BSR-2000-004. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. Washington, DC
Fish communities in 32 of Isle Royale National Park's inland lakes were surveyed in 1995-1997 to determine if their composition had changed significantly since 1929 when the last complete survey was conducted. Standard water quality parameters were measured from each lake. The 1995-97 collections contained 28 of the 30 fish species reported in 1929. No new fish species were collected. Species richness was 2-15 species per lake with 24 lakes having 5 or fewer species. Significant positive relations existed between the number of species and lake area and maximum depth. Isle Royale lakes contained moderate to high densities of northern pike and yellow perch. Data concerning fish length, weight, and sex were recorded. Food habits of fish were observed in the field. Ages of fish were determined by studying scales, pectoral fin rays, cleithra, and otoliths. Mercury and selenium levels were analyzed from selected fish from each lake. The average mercury concentration in standard-sized northern pike from 25 inland lakes was 304 ng/g. Fish communities in Isle Royale's inland lakes have changed relatively little since 1929.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Kallemeyn, Larry
- Date of Issue
- 2000-09
- Publisher
- U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey
- Units
- ARD , ISRO
- Keywords
- Aquatic Sciences, ARD_Park-Air-Info_Collection, Contaminants, Creel Survey, Deposition, ecological contaminants, Fish Communities, Inventory And Monitoring, Isle Royale National Park, lake morphometry, Lakes and Ponds, Limnology, Mercury, Michigan, Selenium, size structure, Species Richness, Toxics, trophic state, Water Quality