GROWTH AND OVERPOPULATION OF YELLOW PERCH AND THE APPARENT EFFECT OF INCREASED COMPETITION ON BROOK TROUT IN LONG LAKE, HALIFAX COUNTY, NOVA SCOTIA

Abstract

A fish survey was conducted on Long Lake, Woodens River, Halifax County, Nova Scotia during May 2005. A total of 2711 yellow perch were captured over a twelve day period and were the most abundant fish. Fifty-eight yellow perch were sampled for length, weight, scales, and sex. Total length of yellow perch ranged from 81mm to 276 mm with a mean of 133mm. Ages determined from scale analysis ranged from 2 to 13 years but 95% were younger than 8 years of age. Age at maturity was 2 years. The Von Bertalanffy growth relationship for yellow perch described slow growth and suggested stunting which is consistent in crowded populations. Increased abundance of yellow perch and reduced abundance of brook trout has been reported by anglers in the Woodens River system and was evident from our catches. The apparent effect of increased, intraguild competition on the brook trout population is discussed.
Keywords: yellow perch, brook trout, overpopulation, stunting, intraguild competition.