Lake Trout Suppression in Western Lakes

Although lake trout Salvelinus namaycush are often popular with anglers in the western USA, this voracious nonnative predator has become a major concern to fisheries managers in at least seven states in the region.  This charr was original stocked to support and enhance recreational fisheries in many western lakes, and more recently, it has invaded additional lakes in connected stream and lake networks and been illegally transplanted into others.  Recent evidence suggests that lake trout occur in > 200 lakes in the West.  Predation on, and potential competition with, native and introduced sport fishes have altered species assemblages and foodwebs in some systems, and a growing number of states and federal agencies are actively attempting to reduce, if not eliminate nonnative lake trout in some systems.  These activities are not always popular among anglers, but there is growing understanding by the public concerning the need for such programs.  In this portion of the symposium, we will explore suppression programs in several lakes of different sizes and a wide variety of biotic assemblages.  Techniques of removal include angler incentives, directed gillnetting and trap netting by agency personnel and contracted fishers, and removing or killing spawners to interfere with reproduction.  In addition, we will hear presentations concerning growth, feeding, and movement of lake trout in the lakes of the West.