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Spatial ecology of adult muskellunge (Esoxmasquinongy) in the urban Ottawa reach of the historic Rideau Canal,Canada

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 July 2010

Nathan C. Gillis ,
Tobias Rapp ,
Caleb T. Hasler ,
Hedrik Wachelka  and
Steven J. Cooke
Nathan C. Gillis
Affiliation:
Carleton University, Institute of Integrated Science, Ottawa ON, K1S 5B6, Canada Carleton University, Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
Tobias Rapp
Affiliation:
Humboldt-University of Berlin, Inland Fisheries Management Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture and Horticulture, Humboldt-University of Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
Caleb T. Hasler*
Affiliation:
Carleton University, Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
Hedrik Wachelka
Affiliation:
Muskies Canada Inc., Ottawa Chapter, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
Steven J. Cooke
Affiliation:
Carleton University, Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada Institute of Environmental Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
*
a Corresponding author:chasler@connect.carleton.ca
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Abstract

The Rideau Canal in Canada was constructed in the 1800s to enable strategic military andcommercial transport in eastern Ontario between Lake Ontario and the Ottawa River. Today,the Rideau Canal is managed by Parks Canada and remains an engineered ecosystem,particularly in the urban Ottawa reach (7 km long) where it is largely channelized and ispartially drained during the winter to protect canal infrastructure (i.e., locks) andprovide recreational opportunities (i.e., skating). Interestingly, the Ottawa reach of theRideau Canal supports one of the few wild urban muskellunge (Esoxmasquinongy) fisheries in North America supported by natural reproduction.However, little is known about the spatial ecology, residency patterns or survival of thisapex freshwater predator in urban environments or canal systems. Radio-telemetry was usedto study adult (N = 10; total size range of 64 to 122 cm) muskellunge inthe Ottawa reach of the Rideau Canal over a multiple year period. The seasonal movementsand home range of muskellunge were greatest during spring corresponding with the periodwhen water levels in the canal were raised and muskellunge were presumably seeking outsuitable spawning habitats following ice-off. During the summer fish ranged throughout theentire 7 km urban reach of the canal and by early fall muskellunge moved to the deeperparts of the reach and became largely restricted to an embayment known as Dow’s Lake priorto the lowering of the canal where they stayed for the entire winter. The same pattern ofseasonal movements persisted across several years. None of the tagged muskellunge werestranded from the fall canal drainage. One fish emigrated from the urban reach of thecanal during the study period, moving upstream through a lock to an exurban reach. Inaddition, a single tagged fish died from a winterkill event. Environmental influences suchas seasonality and water depth (associated with canal operations) are believed to be theprimary mechanisms contributing to habitat selection and movement patterns of muskellungein this reach of the Rideau Canal. Data on the spatial ecology of muskellunge in the urbanreaches of the Rideau Canal will inform management of this unique population of fish toensure that the historic and ecological values are balanced to preserve this iconicCanadian natural heritage site and its biota.

Keywords

Radio-telemetryHome RangeSeasonal BehaviourEsocidae
Type
Note
Information
Aquatic Living Resources , Volume 23 , Issue 2 , April 2010 , pp. 225 - 230
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, IFREMER, IRD 2010

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