Basin specific condition, growth and diet of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Lake George, New York

Abstract

Von Bertalanffy growth models were determined using total length versus age, as determined by microscopic examination of otolith annuli. Growth models of the basins showed variation in growth of yellow perch and lake trout. The diets of yellow perch from the different basins had similar overlap (Schoener Index >0.6). However, mean percent count analysis of the prey items revealed differences in consumption. A significantly higher mean percent count of clams was consumed by yellow perch in the North and Narrows basins than in the South basin. Zooplankton had a significantly higher mean percent count consumed in the North basin than in the Narrows basin. Lake trout diet overlap was not considered similar. However, the mean percent count analysis of prey items exhibited no significant differences. The differences in condition and growth may be due to a difference in prey consumption. Another factor that may be influencing these differences is the biological and chemical differences within the basins of Lake George.

Lake George is a 28,000 acre meso-oligotrophic lake located in the southeast portion of the Adirondack Park, New York, U.S. Gill netting was carried out in conjunction with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 25 sites to determine interbasin differences of yellow perch, Perca flavescens and lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush, in Lake George, New York. Health condition, growth and diet were analyzed for 267 yellow perch and 132 lake trout. The length-weight relationship exhibited significant differences amongst the basins for condition constants (b). The yellow perch from the North basin exhibited allometric growth, while those in the South and Narrows displayed isometric growth. Lake trout from the North basin exhibited allometric growth, while those in the South and Narrows displayed isometric growth. Relative weights were found to be below the general target range and had significant differences among the basins for yellow perch. Lake trout were also below the target range but exhibited no significant differences between the basins.