Brook Trout: An Ontario Perspective-One of Trout Unlimited Canada’s areas of focus is fish community management. For us, this means to protect and restore existing native coldwater fish species and their communities.
One species of interest to TUC are Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Brook Trout are native to Eastern North America and are one of the only self-sustaining, native Salmonid species in Ontario. Brook Trout are a sensitive, cold-water fish that requires cold, clean water and groundwater upwellings for spawning, feeding and overall habitat needs. Due to their habitat requirements, they are essential bioindicators. A bioindicator is a species that are particularly sensitive to the quality of their habitat and whose changes in population can point to problems in the environment.
Climate change, invasive or stocked species, habitat fragmentation, and land use changes all pose threats to Brook Trout habitat. For example, increases in impervious surfaces such as paved roads in urbanized areas mean there is less opportunity for groundwater recharge, which results in reduced baseflows and warmer stream temperatures. It has been estimated that approximately 80% of historical populations in Southern Ontario have been lost!
TUC is working hard to restore Brook Trout habitat in Ontario. Efforts include (but are not limited to):
Narrowing streams to help decrease water temperatures and give the stream the carrying capacity to move sediment
Removing instream migration barriers
Installing habitat structures and creek-side plantings
We are also actively monitoring stream temperatures in several watersheds across Ontario. This helps inform management planning by bringing increased water temperatures to our attention, allowing us to mitigate the problem.
If you are interested in getting involved with any of TUC’s rehabilitation initiatives, join a local TUC chapter, volunteer at one of our workdays or donate to the cause!
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