Survival, Growth, and Reproduction of Lake Trout (<i>Salvelinus namaycush</i>) and Yellow Perch (<i>Perca flavescens</i>) after Neutralization of an Acidic Lake Near Sudbury Ontario

Abstract

Bowland Lake, an acidified lake (pH 4.8–5.2), was treated with calcite (CaCO 3 ) in 1983. Neutralization allowed for successful reproduction by reintroduced lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Mortality of lake trout embryos and juveniles in field toxicity tests decreased from 52–99% preneutralization to 0–30% postneutralization. The resident yellow perch (Perca flavescens) appeared unaffected by the chemical treatment. Both inter- and intra-specific competition were evident in the growth and body condition of perch and stocked lake trout in the years after neutralization. Springtime acid episodes continued to occur in the nearshore areas after the lake was neutralized, but no adverse effects on fish species were detected.