Enhancing Recreational Fisheries Management and Stocking at Kenauk Nature

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Water temperature interacts with coldwater trout populations in a number of ways. For example, trout that are captured in recreational fisheries during warm summer temperatures or in the winter during ice fishing may experience elevated post-release mortality. In the case of managed waterbodies, suitable summer thermal habitat may become limiting for trout. Stocking decisions that do not adequately consider temperature can lead to mortality such that resources are wasted and fisheries supplementation targets are not met. From a biodiversity perspective, trout can be obligate hosts for imperiled freshwater mussels to complete their life cycle such that if thermal conditions exclude trout, mollusc populations may be extirpated. All of these issues are salient to Kenauk Properties LP which is a tourism outfitter that owns and operates the largest private nature reserve in Canada. They have concerns about how to better manage rainbow and brook trout populations (e.g., which fish to stock, where to invest in habitat restoration, how to optimize hatchery operations). We will conduct a multi-year study to consider the relevance of the thermal biology of trout to the management of fisheries resources at Kenauk. Objectives include 1). Characterize the thermal biology and oxygen conditions of ten fishing lakes within Kenauk reserve; 2). Determine how stocked trout use lakes of different thermal conditions with a particular focus on thermal habitat and depth selection. 3). Determine how exogenous stressors (such as fishing) influence thermal selection, physiological state, and survival of stocked trout. 4). Identify biomarkers that influence thermal selection and survival of stocked fish. 5). Characterize the seasonal habitat selection, movement and thermal biology of wild trout in the Kinonge River. The project ideas were developed using a co-production model that will extend throughout the project to ensure relevance of research to Kenauk. Collectively this research will generate new knowledge that will help Kenauk to better manage their stocked recreational fisheries resources in the face of climate change so they can continue to provide exceptional angling opportunities for their clients and also conserve remaining wild fish populations.