Great Lakes Fishery Commission

Maintain the Chinook Salmon fishery

Maintain Chinook Salmon as the top offshore pelagic predator supporting trophy recreational lake and tributary fisheries through stocking, accounting for natural reproduction.

The objective to maintain the Chinook Salmon fishery was met during the reporting period. Chinook salmon are the most sought after species by Lake Ontario anglers and fishing was excellent during the reporting period. The status indicator for maintaining the fishery exceeded expectation for angler catch rates but the average size of the fish declined to near record lows. A declining Alewife population prompted concerns over predator prey balance in Lake Ontario during the reporting period and Chinook salmon stocking was reduced. Stocking reductions may lead to lower angler catch rates but a significant portion of the Chinook salmon in Lake Ontario result from natural reproduction (approximately 50% from 2008-2012). Natural reproduction of Chinook salmon presents a unique challenge to Lake Ontario, as these fish may continue to support outstanding fishing after stocking reductions, but the they may also limit the impact of stocking reductions on predator prey management.

Restore Atlantic Salmon populations and fisheries

Restore naturally produced populations to levels supporting sustainable recreational fisheries in the lake and selected tributaries and also provide recreational fisheries where appropriate through stocking.

Atlantic Salmon, once abundant and native to Lake Ontario, became locally extinct by 1898 due to habitat loss, overfishing and ecosystem changes. Ontario and New York are both working towards re-establishing Atlantic Salmon to Lake Ontario’s diverse fish community. Ontario’s approach is focused on establishing self sustaining populations that could support sustainable fisheries. New York has focused on providing angling opportunities through stocking that may lead to species restoration. Progress towards both restoration and fisheries targets have not been met. Adult returns from stocking in Ontario streams remain lower than expected. Catch rates in the open lake fishery and tributaries remain very low relative to other trout and salmon species.

Increase prey fish diversity

Maintain and restore a diverse prey fish community that includes Alewife, Lake Cisco, Rainbow Smelt, Emerald Shiner, and Threespine Stickleback.

The objective to maintain and restore a diverse prey fish community that includes Alewife, Cisco, Rainbow Smelt, Emerald Shiner, and Threespine Stickleback was met during the reporting period. However, Alewife biomass declined during the reporting period due to lower than average year classes produced in 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2018; and pelagic prey fish diversity continued to be low and unchanged because a single species, Alewife, dominates the community.

Maintain predator/prey balance

Maintain abundance of top predators (stocked and wild) in balance with available prey fish.

The objective to maintain Chinook Salmon growth and condition at or above levels observed in 2007 was met during the reporting period. The average weight of age-3 Chinook Salmon from 2014-2019 in the open lake was above the 2007 level, however, it showed a declining trend and was near the 2007 value in 2018. The Alewife population in Lake Ontario declined markedly during the reporting period which prompted concern about predator prey balance. A 20% stocking reduction for Chinook Salmon and Lake Trout was implemented in 2017, followed by another 20% reduction in Chinook salmon in 2019, and an additional 20% reduction for Chinook Salmon and Lake Trout that was implemented in 2020. The Lake Ontario Committee is hopeful that the stocking reductions implemented during the reporting period will maintain Chinook salmon growth and condition above 2007 levels in the future.

Maintain Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) fisheries

Maintain fisheries through stocking and, where appropriate, enhance naturally produced populations supporting recreational lake and tributary fisheries for Rainbow Trout.

The objective to maintain Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) fisheries was not met during the reporting period. Rainbow Trout abundance and fishing quality declined compared to the previous reporting period. The Lake Ontario Rainbow trout fishery is supported by stocking and natural reproduction. Rainbow Trout abundance (wild and stocked), growth and condition and returns to the lake and tributary fisheries generally declined during this reporting period. This general decline may be related to a suspected low thiamine event in 2014. Rainbow trout fishing quality in the open lake fishery may have been negatively influenced by excellent fishing for Chinook Salmon, as anglers simply target Rainbow Trout less frequently when Chinook fishing is good. However, tributary fishing was also down in several locations during the reporting period, indicating that the Rainbow Trout abundance was lower than the previous reporting period. The declining trend appears to have stabilized and there are signs of recovery in the wild population.

Maintain Brown Trout and Coho Salmon fisheries

Maintain the recreational lake and tributary fisheries for Brown Trout and Coho Salmon through stocking.

The objective to maintain Brown Trout and Coho Salmon fisheries was met during the reporting period. The Brown Trout fishery is assumed to be primarily supported by stocking. The status of the Brown Trout fishery is very different between NY and Ontario waters. Catch rates in the open waters of NY declined 32% in this reporting period, however, Brown Trout remained the 2nd most caught species by NY anglers behind Chinook Salmon. In Ontario waters, Brown Trout catch rates in the boat fishery were very low, however, most targeted Brown Trout effort occurs in early April and May prior to the lake wide creel program. Brown Trout do provide popular tributary and shore fisheries with variable catch rates depending on location. The Lake Ontario Coho Salmon fishery is supported by stocking and natural reproduction. Coho Salmon enhance the diversity of the fishery and offer a unique experience for anglers. The NY creel survey provides the best long term data for trend analysis. During this reporting period, NY Coho catch rates in the open lake were lower than the previous reporting period but were also quite variable year to year. Overall catch rate can be influenced by angler preference for other species such as Chinook Salmon, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. NY and Ontario initiated a mass marking study of all stocked Coho Salmon to assess the relative contribution of wild fish. The results of this study will provide new insight into the status of the Coho fishery.