Research Document - 2006/022
Using Harvest, Growth and Age to Assess the Efficacy of Bag Limits as a Management Option for Lake Trout, Salvelinus namaycush for Labrador, Canada
By Perry, R.C.
Abstract
This paper describes a bi-annual point access creel and gill net sampling program established between 1997 and 2002 to monitor a lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush, fishery at Lobstick Lake, Labrador Canada. During this period the length and age of anglers catch declined. Mean length dropped from 69.4 cm in 1997 to 63.1 cm in 2002. Age fell from 18.6 to 12.7 years. This same trend was observed from lake trout taken with gill nets. The length of the netted catch dropped from 76.1 cm in 1997 to 60.1 cm in 2001. We established that lake trout in the watershed mature between 48 and 60 cm (between 8 and 13 years of age). We suggest that current regulations based on bag limits may be inadequate for preserving a viable fishery and therefore make recommendations for regulative amendments that account for lake trout sexual maturity.
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