Updated 2023-11-21 16:44:31
Lake Ontario -> 2.0 Offshore Pelagic Zone Goal -> Rainbow Trout
Reporting Interval
2014 - 2019
Area
Meeting Target?
Does Not Meet
Indicator Trend
Downward trend
Confidence?
High
Maintaining or increasing catch rates of Rainbow Trout in the lake and tributary fisheries
In the open lake in and in the tributaries, Rainbow Trout catch rates during the 2014-2019 reporting period declined from the previous 2008-2013 reporting period. In the open water fishery of Lake Ontario, Rainbow Trout catch rates declined 46% and 31% in NY and ON waters (respectively) compared to the previous reporting period where anglers experienced record high catch rates (Fig. 1). It is possible that Rainbow Trout were targeted less by anglers in 2018 and 2019 as a result of record high catch rates for Chinook Salmon in those years. Anglers will often target Rainbow Trout by going further offshore when Chinook Salmon fishing is less productive. NYSDEC conducted an extensive tributary creel survey in 2015-2016 and the fall of 2019, while in the previous reporting period (2008-2013) this survey was conducted once (2011-2012). In three major eastern tributaries, Rainbow Trout catch rates in the Salmon and Black Rivers declined 69% and 53% (respectively) from the previous reporting period, while catch rates in the Oswego River were unchanged. At two major western tributaries (Oak Orchard and Eighteen Mile Creeks), catch rates during the current reporting period were 8% lower and 87% higher (respectively) than in the previous reporting period.
Rainbow Trout catch rates (fish / ang-hour) in New York and Ontario waters of Lake Ontario (1990 – 2019).
Methodology
Rainbow Trout catch rates in the open water fishery of Lake Ontario are evaluated annually by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and intermittently by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF). Both agencies interview anglers throughout the open water season (April to October) to determine the number of fish caught and harvested as well as the amount of time spent fishing. Catch rates in the tributary fishery are estimated in a similar fashion with field staff interviewing anglers streamside to determine number of fish caught and time spent fishing. Catch rates are determine by dividing the number of Rainbow Trout caught by the number of hours spent fishing for each interview and then averaged across the fishing season.
Other Resources
Connerton, M.J.., N.V. Farese and R. J. Moore. 2020. Lake Ontario Fishing Boat Survey 1985-2019. Section 2 In NYSDEC 2019 Annual Report, Bureau of Fisheries, Lake Ontario Unit and St. Lawrence River Unit to the Great Lake Fishery Commission’s Lake Ontario Committee.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. 2020. Lake Ontario Fish Communities and Fisheries: 2019 Annual Report of the Lake Ontario Management Unit. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Picton, Ontario, Canada.
Prindle, S.P. and D.L. Bishop 2020. Population Characteristics of Pacific Salmonines Collected at the Salmon River Hatchery 2019. Section 9 In NYSDEC 2019 Annual Report, Bureau of Fisheries, Lake Ontario Unit and St. Lawrence River Unit to the Great Lake Fishery Commission’s Lake Ontario Committee
Contributing Author(s)
- Michael Yuille - OMNRF
- Michael Connerton - NYDEC
- Scott Prindle - NYDEC