Trout monitoring at Kingsmere Lake. (Submitted photo/Prince Albert National Park)

By Ian Gustafson

Decade long decrease

P.A. National Park investigating sharp decline in lake trout population in Kingsmere Lake

Apr 3, 2021 | 8:00 AM

As ongoing research continues, the Prince Albert National Park (PANP) has discovered a sharp decline in lake trout in Kingsmere Lake.

Since 2009, they found the lake trout population has decreased by 45 per cent, but are currently exploring different factors as to why it’s happening.

PANP aquatic ecologist Heather Mariash told paNOW they’ve been studying the decline from both natural and human causes. She explained they look at variables such as if there has been a shift in climate or water chemistry.

“We’re also looking at lake-specific causes such as changes in the lake temperature or the oxygen concentrations within the water column which could hinder the lake trout habitat,” she said.

They also have done angler surveys to help understand how many people are fishing, how many hours they’re spending on the lake, and what species they are targeting. The most recent survey was done in 2019. She said they feel now they have enough information to at least present it to the public.

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“In ecology, it’s hard to say whether there’s a definitive answer. There’s always unknown but what we can tell you is a few of the knowns that are around,” she explained.

They’re confident the decline is outside of a natural mortality decline, meaning there has been no major climate factors. They’re seeing in Wassegam Lake, in similar conditions and climate, their populations have been stable. They’re discussing ways to slow the decline or completely reverse it at Kingsmere Lake.

She said the 45 per cent decline in the last decade is very significant.

“We are concerned with this amount of drop. We don’t want to see another 45 per cent decline in another 10 years,” she said. “Ten years would be two sampling points, so we’re scheduled to go out next summer five years is up for another population assessment and we hope we’ve maintained or stabilized that, but we’re very concerned we will keep seeing a decline.”

Despite the drop, fishing will continue at Kingsmere as normal but Mariash said anglers have an important role in helping them understand population dynamics.

“I would say if you’re fishing for lake trout in Kingsmere, it’s important to pick up your trout tags from the visitor centre and the importance of returning your endorsement slip,” she said.

This information is gathered through these tags. The used tags indicate a caught trout, and the unused tags show no trout have been caught. This helps the ecologists better understand the numbers.

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Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @iangustafson12