Lynx require a mix of early and late seral habitats to meet their food and cover needs. Early seral habitats provide the lynx with a prey base, while mature forests provide denning space and hiding cover. Pockets of dense forest must be interspersed with prey habitat. Lynx den in rotten logs, beneath tree roots, and in rock crevices. Lynx prey primarily on snowshoe hare.
Lynx also feed on deer, moose, and caribou carcasses.
Lynx can be managed by managing for snowshoe hare, their primary prey. Hare populations increase dramatically following disturbance, particularly fire. This depends on site conditions and type of treatment. There is no apparent and probably no significant direct fire-related mortality of lynx. Fire may have negative short-term effects by eliminating cover for snowshoe hare and lynx.