Using Northern Pike and Yellow Perch to Attempt a Trophic Cascade

Authors

Bryan Sea

Document Type

Article

Abstract

In the midwestern USA, water clarity has decreased in shallow lakes as a result of large populations of Fathead Minnow Pimephales promelas and agriculture that impact the life that depend on shallow habitats, such as waterfowl, fish, and aquatic plants. Northern Pike Esox lucius and Yellow Perch Perca flavescens were stocked in a few lakes in attempt to create a tropic cascade and reduce populations of nuisance Fathead Minnows. Northern Pike were stocked as fry and Yellow Perch were stocked as adults either pre-spawn or post-spawn. Lake managers hypothesized adult Yellow Perch would spawn and the age-0 Perch would feed age-0 Northern Pike. After age-0, Northern Pike diets would switch to predominately Fathead Minnow and produce a trophic cascade. We used bioenergetics modeling to estimate relative consumption rates in three study lakes in Southern Minnesota to determine if Fathead Minnow was a primary diet item of the stocked fishes. Northern Pike diets based on mass consisted mainly of Yellow Perch (60-78%), some Fathead Minnow (8-39%), and some invertebrates (2- 25%). The age-1 Northern Pike were feeding on both Yellow Perch and Fathead Minnow, but the older Northern Pike were feeding almost exclusively on Yellow Perch, which did not support the hypothesis. Yellow Perch diets based on mass highly varied, ranging from 100% invertebrates in age-0 and juveniles to nearly 100% fish in adults. Although creating a tropic cascade failed, highly desirable Northern Pike and Yellow Perch fisheries were created for the public to enjoy.

Publication Date

2020

Comments

Faculty Co-Sponsors: Dr. Danelle M. Larson (MN DNR) and Dr. Andrew W. Hafs

Recommended Citation

Sea, Bryan, "Using Northern Pike and Yellow Perch to Attempt a Trophic Cascade" (2020). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 18.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/18