Assessment of lake trout stocks in Great Bear Lake
Principal Investigator: Howland, Kimberly (3)
Licence Number: 14036
Organization: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Licensed Year(s): 2007 2006 2005
Issued: Jul 24, 2006
Project Team: Simon Wiley (Field camp supervisor), Mellissa McPherson (Field camp supervisor), 2-6 locally hired Sahtu Beneficiaries (Field technichians and camp managers)

Project Description: Two projects will be conducted on Great Bear Lake. The first is a continuation of the lake-wide assessment of the stock structure, population characteristics and movements of lake trout involving the collection of up-to-date data from Dease, Smith, McTavish and McVicar Arms (last assessed in the early 1980’s). Smith Arm (66° 20’ N, 123° 16’ W, 280 km from Deline) will be studied in 2006. Data has already been collected from McVicar, McTavish and Dease Arm. The second project is to examine stocks in Russel Bay and Manitou Island area of Keith Arm. Russel Bay (65° 29’ N, 123° 44’ W, 60 km from Deline) will be studied in 2006. Manitou Island area was studied in 2005. This study will provide baseline information and determine structuring of lake trout stocks within Keith Arm from which future changes can be monitored. Fish will be caught using angling or gillnets. Location data, time of year, time of day, net depth, water temperature, weather and other environmental conditions will be recorded for each set. To determine the catch-per-unit effort, net type, set time, lift time and soak time will be recorded. The fork length, round weight, gonad weight, egg number per female, sex and maturity stage, age determining structures and stomach contents of each fish will be taken. Sub-sampling of the carcasses for contaminants (mercury and radium) may also be done. Trout movements and stock structure will be determined through molecular genetic techniques. Data will be used to assess fishing policy on the lake. Results of the research will be communicated to the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board, Deline Renewable Resource Committee and Deline Land Corporation. Fieldwork will take place from July 24 to August 15, 2006.