The Brook Trout and Coaster information gathered here at Brook Trout Heaven, focus on Northwestern Ontario fly fishing and sport fishing in Lake Nipigon, Lake Superior and it's tributaries.
(all Brook Trout posted on this site were released)
Summary:
The historical records indicate a healthy spawning population from 1923 to '33. Studies in the 80's to 2003 indicate the population has leveled off around 200 to 300 fish at South Bay. At West Bay, the records indicate a more abundant population estimate, but the fact remains...the current population is holding at around 300+ fish.
Lake Nipigon Fisheries Assessment Unit
Estimated numbers of brook trout from which spawn was collected are based on historical spawn collection records 1923 to 1984 and assume fecundity ranging from 300 - 2800 eggs per female (OMNR 1999, Ritchie and Black 1988) and a 1:1 sex ratio. Total netting effort and proportion of total fish handled during spawn collection is unknown.
Population estimates from tagging studies are calculated using the Schumacher-Eschmeyer method and include 95% Confidence limits.
Simplified interpretation:
Cutting through the biologist jargon on the left, it means there were large populations of lake brook trout recorded in the 30's then the stocks took a dive...WHY???
Number of brook trout present at two spawning sites, South Bay and West Bay, Lake Nipigon, 1923 to 2003.
Lake Nipigon Populations 1923-2003
