Burbot Growth Rates in a Northern Mesotrophic Lake

Authors

Samuel J. Peterson

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Burbot Lota lota has a circumpolar distribution throughout cold-water areas and is the only freshwater member of the family Gadidae. There are currently very few management techniques applied to Burbot throughout their northern extent. Growth is an indicator of fish health, biomass, and habitat quality; therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the growth rate of Burbot in Lake Bemidji. Burbot (n = 45) were collected along three sites on Lake Bemidji for years 2015-2017. Age was determined from sagittal otoliths, the marginal zones of which were opaque from December to May and translucent from June to November. Mean total lengths for each age group were estimated and a von Bertalanffy growth model was fitted. Burbot grew 186 and 153 mm in their first and second years, respectively. Later, an annual growth increment of 17 mm was exhibited by age-8 fish. Male and female Burbot were both sexually mature by age five with first maturity at age three (male). Burbot in Lake Bemidji demonstrate a comparable growth rate to other fisheries, suggesting there should be no immediate concern about the population.

Publication Date

2017

Comments

Faculty sponsor: Dr. Andrew Hafs, Department of Biology, Aquatic Biology Program

Recommended Citation

Peterson, Samuel J., "Burbot Growth Rates in a Northern Mesotrophic Lake" (2017). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 33.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/33