Tracking Lake Trout and Brook Trout across the north shore of Lake Superior, focusing on the LSNMCA Boundaries

NSLCT

May 2024 - November 2027

This project aims to fill knowledge gaps on char movement, habitat use and behaviour on the north shore of Lake Superior. Char are salmonid species that fall within the genus Salvelinus and this project will specifically be focusing on lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) which are species that have a strong cultural, recreational and commercial importance in Lake Superior. Although these top predators are key components to the natural foodweb structure there are many knowledge gaps on the different stocks, and spawning habitat. Utilizing existing telemetry infrastructure deployed by the MNRF and building upon their grid array we will be able to track the movement of these species along the north shore from the US border in the west to the Pukaskwa National Park boundary in the east.

• 2024: Tag 20 Lake Trout with V16 transmitters
• 2025: Tag 10 Lake Trout (V16) and 20 Brook Trout (V13) with transmitters
• Ongoing: Supplement the existing MNRF array (LSNSA) with additional receivers (VR2Tx) where gaps exist or important habitat areas are identified

• Marissa Wegher (Parks Canada) - marissa.wegher@pc.gc.ca

• Parks Canada