Fish habitat assessment output from Bay of Quinte

Fish habitat assessment output from Bay of Quinte suitability modelling

S. Doka, E. Gertzen, J. MacEachern, and J. Dosen

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

867 Lakeshore Rd., P.O. Box 5050

Burlington, ON L7S 1A1 CANADA

2018


By

S. Doka, E. Gertzen, J. MacEachern, and J. Dosen

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

867 Lakeshore Rd.

Burlington, ON CANADA


Background

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Dr. Susan Doka’s lab) conducted a modelling exercise using the Habitat Ecosystem and Assessment Tool (HEAT), temperature algorithms, vegetation models,

and water level input to assign habitat suitabilities to the Bay of Quinte Area of Concern. Base

maps included:

1) a digital elevation model that was assembled using elevation data from various sources,

including Canadian Hydrographic Services (CHS) and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF);

2) a substrate layer based on Wentworth scale classifications (combinations of clay, silt,

sand, gravel, cobble, boulder, bedrock, hardpan clay);

3) modelled emergent wetland vegetation within known polygon extents;

4) modelled submerged aquatic vegetation distribution, and;

5) modelled surface temperature given depths and temperature zones in the Bay of Quinte.

The final suitability maps were based on documented habitat and temperature associations of the fish in the area* during different life stages (spawning requirements, nursery habitat, adult

habitat) from the years of 1972-2011. Suitability values are scaled from 0 (very low suitability)

to 1 (highly suitable). The final maps for each guild – life stage combination (e.g., coldwater –

adult fish) are the maximum values from the 39-year period modelled. High suitability is mapped in red and reflects a range of 0.67 to 1.00, moderate suitability is 0.34 to 0.66 and low suitability is 0.01 to 0.33. True zeros represent areas that are unlikely to be suitable, however more research is needed to confirm this assumption, and so we have referred to such areas as having very low suitability. Suitability maps are an aggregation across groups and species within the lists

provided. Suitability levels are presented using both the average (75.0 m) and highest (75.4 m)

water level recorded during the 39-year period modelled. This allows us to present the maximum suitable habitat in the Bay of Quinte under high water levels, as well as the amount of habitat lost under average water levels (the areas denoted as ‘Dry Land’). Highly suitable areas should be interpreted as those used by the bulk of the species on each list for the life function specified. Spawning habitat was only calculated during appropriate thermal windows. Nursery habitat was calculated after predicted hatch to first overwintering. Adult habitat should be interpreted as average feeding and/or refuge habitat based on generalized habitat associations and annual average water temperatures (i.e., these maps are not specific to early spring distributions).

*A fish species list was generated for the Bay of Quinte Area of Concern based on known distribution information and expert opinion from those involved with the fish populations and habitat assessments, including Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ontario Minestry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Environment Canada and Climate Change, Ontario Minestry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks, Quinte Conservation, and Lower Trent Conservation.

Figure 1: Lake high-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Each thermal-spawning-window group was modelled separately as a suite of species however, final maps were so similar they were merged by using the maximum suitability value across all thermal groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth, and temperature are used in suitability assignments. High water level based on the 39-year period modelled (1972–2011). Low suitability means habitats are still used. Blue areas were not modelled.

Grass PickerelMuskellunge

Ninespine Stickleback

Northern Pike

White Perch

Yellow Perch

Bigmouth Buffalo

Black Crappie

Brook Stickleback

Central Mudminnow

Common Carp

Fathead Minnow

Spottail Shiner

Blackchin Shiner

Bluegill

Bluntnose Minnow

Bowfin

Bridle Shiner

Brook Silverside

Gizzard Shad

Goldfish

Largemouth Bass

Longnose Gar

Rudd

Banded Killifish

Brown Bullhead

Golden Shiner

Pumpkinseed

Tadpole Madtom

18 Early Summer

24 Mid-summer

Spawning Timing

14 Late Spring

SPAWNING GROUPS

Fish Species

Average Spawning

Temperature

Window (°C)

10 Early Spring

Very Low

High Water Level (75.4m ASL) - Spawning Habitat - High Vegetation Association Species (All Temperature Windows)

Figure 2: Lake low-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Each thermal-spawning-window group was modelled separately as a suite of species however, final maps were so similar they were merged by using the maximum suitability value across all thermal groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth, and temperature are used in suitability assignments. High water level based on the 39-year period modelled

(1972–2011). Low suitability means habitats are still used. Blue areas were not modelled.

Burbot

Cisco

Lake Trout

Lake Whitefish

Round Whitefish

Mottled Sculpin

Quillback

Rainbow Smelt

Rainbow Trout

Round Goby

Sauger

Shorthead Redhorse

Silver Redhorse

Slimy Sculpin

Walleye

White Sucker

Longnose Dace

Alewife

Fallfish

Fantail Darter

Johnny Darter

Lake Sturgeon

Logperch

Smallmouth Bass

Threespine Stickleback

Trout-Perch

White Bass

Channel Darter

Common Shiner

Freshwater Drum

Greater Redhorse

Rock Bass

Striped Shiner

Channel Catfish

Emerald Shiner

Sand Shiner

Spotfin Shiner

Stonecat

18

24

Spawning Timing

Fall / Winter

Late Spring

Early Summer

Mid-Summer

14

Fish Species

Average Spawning

Temperature

Window (°C)

SPAWNING GROUPS

<10

10

Northern Hog Sucker

Very Low

High Water Level (75.4m ASL) - Spawning Habitat - Low Vegetation Association Species (All Temperature Windows)

Figure 3: Lake high-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Each nursery group was modelled separately as a suite of species however, final maps were so similar they were merged by using the maximum suitability value across all thermal groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth and temperature are used in suitability assignments. High water level based on the 39-year period modelled (1972–

2011). Low suitability still means habitats are used. Blue areas were not modelled.

Very Low

High Water Level (75.4m ASL) - Nursery Habitat - High Vegetation Association Species (All Temperature Windows)

Grass Pickerel

Muskellunge


Northern Pike

Quillback

Round Goby

Silver Redhorse

White Perch

White Sucker

Yellow Perch

Bigmouth BuffaloBlack Crappie

Brook Stickleback

Central Mudminnow

Common Carp

Fantail Darter

Fathead Minnow

Johnny Darter

Logperch

Spottail Shiner

White Bass

Blackchin Shiner

Bluegill

Bluntnose Minnow

Bowfin

Common Shiner

Freshwater Drum

Gizzard Shad

Goldfish

Largemouth Bass

Longnose Gar

Rock Bass

Striped Shiner

Banded Killifish

Brown Bullhead

Emerald Shiner

Golden Shiner

Pumpkinseed

Sand Shiner

Tadpole Madtom

14

18

24

Late Spring / Early

Summer

Summer

Mid-Summer

Fish Species Nursery Timing

NURSERY GROUPS

10 Mid-Spring

Average Spawning

Temperature

Window (°C)

Northern Hog Sucker

Figure 4: Model output for lake low-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Each nursery group was modelled separately as a suite of species however, final maps were so similar they were merged by using the maximum suitability value across all thermal groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth and temperature are used in suitability assignments. High water level based on the 39-year period modelled (1972–2011). Low suitability still means habitats are used. Blue areas were not modelled.

Very Low

High Water Level (75.4m ASL) - Nursery Habitat - Low Vegetation Association Species (All Temperature Windows)

Figure 5: Model output for lake high-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Each adult group was modelled separately as a suite of species however, final maps were so similar they were merged by using the maximum suitability value across all thermal groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth, and temperature are used in suitability assignments. High water level based on the 39-year period modelled (1972–2011). Low suitability still means habitats are used. Blue areas were not modelled.

Fish Species Trophic Level Thermal Guild

Mottled Sculpin nonpisc Cold

American Eel piscivore

Banded Killifish nonpisc

Black Crappie nonpisc

Bridle Shiner nonpisc

Brook Silverside nonpisc

Common Carp nonpisc

Golden Shiner nonpisc

Johnny Darter nonpisc

Log Perch nonpisc

Longnose Gar piscivore

Ninespine Stickleback nonpisc

Northern Pike piscivore

Quillback nonpisc

Round Goby nonpisc

Rudd nonpisc

Spottail Shiner nonpisc

Striped Shiner nonpisc

Threespine Stickleback nonpisc

White Sucker nonpisc

Yellow Perch nonpisc

Bigmouth Buffalo nonpisc

Blackchin Shiner nonpisc

Bluegill nonpisc

Bluntnose Minnow nonpisc

Bowfin piscivore

Brook Stickleback nonpisc

Brown Bullhead nonpisc

Central Mud Minnow nonpisc

Common Shiner nonpisc

Fathead Minnow nonpisc

Goldfish nonpisc

Grass Pickerel piscivore

Largemouth Bass piscivore

Muskellunge piscivore

Pumpkinseed nonpisc

Rock Bass nonpisc

Tadpole Madtom nonpisc

ADULT GROUPS

Cool

Warm

Very Low

High Water Level (75.4m ASL) - Juvenile/Adult Habitat - High Vegetation Association Species (All Thermal Guilds)

Figure 6: Lake low-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Final map presents maximum suitability for warm thermal guild adult groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth, and temperature are used in suitability assignments. High water level based on the 39-year period modelled (1972–2011). Low suitability means habitats are still used. Blue areas were not modelled.

Fish Species Trophic Level

Channel Catfish nonpisc

Channel Darter nonpisc

Freshwater Drum nonpisc

Gizzard Shad nonpisc

Northern Hog Sucker nonpisc

Sand Shiner nonpisc

Spotfin Shiner nonpisc

Stonecat nonpisc

White Perch nonpisc

Smallmouth Bass piscivore

White Bass piscivore

ADULT GROUPS

Very Low

High Water Level (75.4m ASL) - Juvenile/Adult Habitat - Low Vegetation Association Species (Warmwater Guild)

Figure 7: Lake low-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Final map presents maximum suitability for cool thermal guild adult groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth, and temperature are used in suitability assignments. High water level based on the 39-year period modelled (1972–2011). Low suitability means habitats are still used. Blue areas were not modelled.


Emerald Shiner nonpisc

Fallfish nonpisc

Fantail Darter nonpisc

Greater Redhorse nonpisc

Lake Sturgeon nonpisc

Longnose Dace nonpisc

Mooneye nonpisc

River Redhorse nonpisc

Sauger nonpisc

Sea Lamprey nonpisc

Shorthead Redhorse nonpisc

Silver Redhorse nonpisc

Walleye piscivore

ADULT GROUPS

Very Low

High Water Level (75.4m ASL) - Juvenile/Adult Habitat - Low Vegetation Association Species (Coolwater Guild)

Figure 8: Lake low-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Final map presents maximum suitability for cold thermal guild adult groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth, and temperature are used in suitability assignments. High water level based on the 39-year period modelled (1972–2011). Low suitability means habitats are still used. Blue areas were not modelled.


Alewife nonpisc

Cisco nonpisc

Lake Whitefish nonpisc

Rainbow Smelt nonpisc

Round Whitefish nonpisc

Slimy Sculpin nonpisc

Trout-Perch nonpisc

Brown Trout piscivore

Burbot piscivore

Chinook Salmon piscivore

Coho Salmon piscivore

Lake Trout piscivore

Rainbow Trout piscivore

ADULT GROUPS

Very Low

High Water Level (75.4m ASL) - Juvenile/Adult Habitat - Low Vegetation Association Species (Coldwater Guild)

Figure 9: Lake high-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Each thermal-spawning-window group was modelled separately as a suite of species, however final maps were so similar they were merged by using the maximum suitability value across all thermal groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth, and temperature are used in suitability assignments. Average water level based on the 39-year period modelled (1972–2011). Low suitability means habitats are still used. Blue areas were not modelled.

Grass PickerelMuskellunge


Northern Pike

White Perch

Yellow Perch

Bigmouth Buffalo

Black Crappie

Brook Stickleback

Central Mudminnow

Common Carp

Fathead Minnow

Spottail Shiner

Blackchin Shiner

Bluegill

Bluntnose Minnow

Bowfin

Bridle Shiner

Brook Silverside

Gizzard Shad

Goldfish

Largemouth Bass

Longnose Gar

Rudd

Banded Killifish

Brown Bullhead

Golden Shiner

Pumpkinseed

Tadpole Madtom

18 Early Summer

24 Mid-summer

Spawning Timing

14 Late Spring

SPAWNING GROUPS

Fish Species

Average Spawning

Temperature

Window (°C)

10 Early Spring

Very Low

Average Water Level (75.0m ASL) Spawning

- Habitat - High Vegetation Association Species (All Temperature Windows)

Figure 10: Lake low-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Each thermal-spawning-window group was modelled

separately as a suite of species however, final maps were so similar they were merged by using the maximum suitability value across all thermal

groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth, and temperature are used in suitability assignments. Average water level based on the 39-year

period modelled (1972–2011). Low suitability means habitats are still used. Blue areas were not modelled.

Burbot

Cisco

Lake Trout

Lake Whitefish

Round Whitefish

Mottled Sculpin

Quillback

Rainbow Smelt

Rainbow Trout

Round Goby

Sauger

Shorthead Redhorse

Silver Redhorse

Slimy Sculpin

Walleye

White Sucker

Longnose Dace

Alewife

Fallfish

Fantail Darter

Johnny Darter

Lake Sturgeon

Logperch

Smallmouth Bass


Trout-Perch

White Bass

Channel Darter

Common Shiner

Freshwater Drum

Greater Redhorse

Rock Bass

Striped Shiner

Channel Catfish

Emerald Shiner

Sand Shiner

Spotfin Shiner

Stonecat

18

24

Spawning Timing

Fall / Winter

Late Spring

Early Summer

Mid-Summer

14

Fish Species

Average Spawning

Temperature

Window (°C)

SPAWNING GROUPS

<10

10

Northern Hog Sucker

Average Water Level (75.0m ASL) - Spawning Habitat - Low Vegetation Association Species (All Temperature Windows)

Figure 11: Lake high-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Each nursery group was modelled separately as a suite of species however, final maps were so similar they were merged by using the maximum suitability value across all thermal groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth and temperature are used in suitability assignments. Average water level based on the 39-year period modelled (1972–

2011). Low suitability still means habitats are used. Blue areas were not modelled.

Grass Pickerel

Muskellunge


Northern Pike

Quillback

Round Goby

Silver Redhorse

White Perch

White Sucker

Yellow Perch

Bigmouth BuffaloBlack Crappie

Brook Stickleback

Central Mudminnow

Common Carp

Fantail Darter

Fathead Minnow

Johnny Darter

Logperch

Spottail Shiner

White Bass

Blackchin Shiner

Bluegill

Bluntnose Minnow

Bowfin

Common Shiner

Freshwater Drum

Gizzard Shad

Goldfish

Largemouth Bass

Longnose Gar

Rock Bass

Striped Shiner

Banded Killifish

Brown Bullhead

Emerald Shiner

Golden Shiner

Pumpkinseed

Sand Shiner

Tadpole Madtom

14

18

24

Late Spring / Early

Summer

Summer

Mid-Summer


NURSERY GROUPS

10 Mid-Spring

Average Spawning

Temperature

Window (°C)

Northern Hog Sucker

Very Low

Average Water Level (75.0m ASL) - Nursery Habitat - High Vegetation Association Species (All Temperature Windows)

Figure 12: Model output for lake low-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Each nursery group was modelled separately as a suite of species however, final maps were so similar they were merged by using the maximum suitability value across all thermal groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth and temperature are used in suitability assignments. Average water level based on the 39-year period modelled (1972–2011). Low suitability still means habitats are used. Blue areas were not modelled.

Brown Trout

Burbot

Chinook Salmon

Cisco

Lake Trout

Lake Whitefish

Longnose Dace

Mottled Sculpin

Rainbow Smelt

Rainbow Trout

Round Whitefish

Sauger

Shorthead Redhorse

Slimy Sculpin

WalleyeAlewifeFallfish

Lake Sturgeon

Mooneye

Sea Lamprey

Smallmouth Bass


Trout-Perch

Bridle Shiner

Brook Silverside

Channel Darter

Greater Redhorse

Channel Catfish

Spotfin Shiner

Stonecat

14

18

24

Early / Mid-Spring

Late Spring / Early

Summer

Summer

Late Summer


NURSERY GROUPS

Average Spawning

Temperature Window

(°C)

10

Very Low

Average Water Level (75.0m ASL) - Nursery Habitat - Low Vegetation Association Species (All Temperature Windows)

Figure 13: Model output for lake high-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Each adult group was modelled

separately as a suite of species however, final maps were so similar they were merged by using the maximum suitability value across all thermal groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth, and temperature are used in suitability assignments. Average water level based on the

39-year period modelled (1972–2011). Low suitability still means habitats are used. Blue areas were not modelled.

Fish Species Trophic Level Thermal Guild

Mottled Sculpin nonpisc Cold

American Eel piscivore

Banded Killifish nonpisc

Black Crappie nonpisc

Bridle Shiner nonpisc

Brook Silverside nonpisc

Common Carp nonpisc

Golden Shiner nonpisc

Johnny Darter nonpisc

Log Perch nonpisc

Longnose Gar piscivore

Ninespine Stickleback nonpisc

Northern Pike piscivore

Quillback nonpisc

Round Goby nonpisc

Rudd nonpisc

Spottail Shiner nonpisc

Striped Shiner nonpisc

Threespine Stickleback nonpisc

White Sucker nonpisc

Yellow Perch nonpisc

Bigmouth Buffalo nonpisc

Blackchin Shiner nonpisc

Bluegill nonpisc

Bluntnose Minnow nonpisc

Bowfin piscivore

Brook Stickleback nonpisc

Brown Bullhead nonpisc

Central Mud Minnow nonpisc

Common Shiner nonpisc

Fathead Minnow nonpisc

Goldfish nonpisc

Grass Pickerel piscivore

Largemouth Bass piscivore

Muskellunge piscivore

Pumpkinseed nonpisc

Rock Bass nonpisc

Tadpole Madtom nonpisc

ADULT GROUPS

Cool

Warm

Very Low

Average Water Level (75.0m ASL) - Juvenile/Adult Habitat - High Vegetation Association Species (All Thermal Guilds)

Figure 14: Lake low-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Final map presents maximum suitability for warm thermal guild adult groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth, and temperature are used in suitability assignments. Average water level based on the 39-year period modelled (1972–2011). Low suitability means habitats are still used. Blue areas were not modelled.


Channel Catfish nonpisc

Channel Darter nonpisc

Freshwater Drum nonpisc

Gizzard Shad nonpisc

Northern Hog Sucker nonpisc

Sand Shiner nonpisc

Spotfin Shiner nonpisc

Stonecat nonpisc

White Perch nonpisc

Smallmouth Bass piscivore

White Bass piscivore

ADULT GROUPS

Very Low

Average Water Level (75.0m ASL) - Juvenile/Adult Habitat - Low Vegetation Association Species (Warmwater Guild)

.

Figure 15: Lake low-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Final map presents maximum suitability for cool thermal guild adult groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth, and temperature are used in suitability assignments. Average water level based on the 39-year period modelled (1972–2011). Low suitability means habitats are still used. Blue areas were not modelled.


Emerald Shiner nonpisc

Fallfish nonpisc

Fantail Darter nonpisc

Greater Redhorse nonpisc

Lake Sturgeon nonpisc

Longnose Dace nonpisc

Mooneye nonpisc

River Redhorse nonpisc

Sauger nonpisc

Sea Lamprey nonpisc

Shorthead Redhorse nonpisc

Silver Redhorse nonpisc

Walleye piscivore

ADULT GROUPS

Very Low

Average Water Level (75.0m ASL) - Juvenile/Adult Habitat - Low Vegetation Association Species (Coolwater Guild)

Figure 16: Lake low-vegetation-affinity species’ habitat-use in the Bay of Quinte. Final map presents maximum suitability for cold thermal guild adult groups. Vegetation, substrate type, depth, and temperature are used in suitability assignments. Average water level based on the 39-year period modelled (1972–2011). Low suitability means habitats are still used. Blue areas were not modelled.


Alewife nonpisc

Cisco nonpisc

Lake Whitefish nonpisc

Rainbow Smelt nonpisc

Round Whitefish nonpisc

Slimy Sculpin nonpisc

Trout-Perch nonpisc

Brown Trout piscivore

Burbot piscivore

Chinook Salmon piscivore

Coho Salmon piscivore

Lake Trout piscivore

Rainbow Trout piscivore

ADULT GROUPS

Very Low

Average Water Level (75.0m ASL) - Juvenile/Adult Habitat - Low Vegetation Association Species (Coldwater Guild)

Documents

Fish habitat assessment output from Bay of Quinte