Lake trout studies in the AYK region, and burbot index of abundance in Galbraith Lake, 1994
By: by John M. Burr.
Contributors: Alaska. Division of Sport Fish. Statewide Research and Technical Services Unit.
Series: Fishery data series -- no. 95-30.
Publisher: Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish, Research and Technical Services
Published: 1995
Place of publication: Anchorage
Language: eng
Number of pages: 52
Subjects: Trout -- Alaska -- Interior Region -- Statistics.; Burbot -- Alaska -- Interior Region -- Statistics.; Fish populations -- Alaska -- Interior Region -- Statistics.
Genres: Statistics.
Description: Stock status of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush in Galbraith Lake was described by estimates of population abundance, size composition, and catch per unit effort (CPUE) during June 1994. Estimated abundance of lake trout in Galbraith Lake was 236 fish (SE 41 fish) > 499 mm FL. Lake trout less than 500 mm FL were rare in catches with all gear types and were assumed to have low abundance. CPUE from standardized (Index) gillnet catches were also very low; 0.21 lake trout per gillnet hour. Most (63%) lake trout were between 500 and 600 mm FL with few (5%) fish larger than 700 mm. Index gillnetting was conducted at Irgnyivik, Nanushuk, and Itkillik lakes on the north slope to characterize length distribution of lake trout and to estimate CPUE. Bimodal length distributions, which are believed to be characteristic of unexploited lake trout populations, were not observed in the samples. The CPUE of lake trout from the three lakes which are remote from road access was much higher than results from road accessible lakes: Irgnyivik Lake, 2.9 fish/net h, Nanushuk Lake, 7.4 fish/net h, and Itkillik Lake, 9.6 fish/net h. Lake area, depth and temperature data were obtained from 14 Arctic lakes. Estimates of potential yield of lake trout calculated from the limnological data ranged from 0.2 to 5.0 kg/hectare/year. Only one yearling lake trout was captured in Sevenmile Lake during September 1994. In September 1993, 107,000 fertilized eggs were taken from the population for rearing in Clear hatchery. Lake trout of known age were sampled for an ongoing age validation study. CPUE of burbot Lota lota > 450 m TL captured in hoop nets in Galbraith Lake, used as an index of abundance, was 0.216 fish/net set indicating low population abundance.
Notes: "November 1995."

Also issued online.