Management of Lake Huron
Objectives for Management
The overall objective for Lake Huron is to:
- over the next two decades restore an ecologically
balanced fish community dominated by top predators and
consisting largely of self-sustaining, indigenous, and
naturalized species capable of sustaining an annual
harvest of 8.9 million kg.
Specific objectives include:
- Establish a diverse salmonine community that can sustain
an annual harvest of 2.4 million kg with the lake trout (Salvelinus
namaycush) as the dominant species and
anadromous species also having a prominent place.
- Reestablish and/or maintain the walleye (Stizostedion
vitreum vitreum) as the dominant cool-water predator in
its traditional area with populations capable of
sustaining a harvest of 0.7 million kg.
- Maintain the yellow perch (Perca flavescens) as the
dominant nearshore omnivore and sustain a harvestable
annual surplus of 0.5 million kg.
- Maintain the northern pike (Esox lucius) as a prominent
predator throughout its natural range.
- Maintain the muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) in numbers
and sizes that will safeguard and enhance the species
status and appeal.
- Sustain a harvestable annual surplus of 0.1 million kg of
esocids. Maintain the channel catfish (Ictalurus
punctatus) as a prominent predator throughout its natural
habitat while sustaining a harvestable annual surplus of
0.2 million kg.
- Maintain the present diversity of coregonines. Manage the
lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) and ciscoes
(Coregonus spp.) at levels capable of sustaining annual
harvests of 3.8 million kg. Restore the lake herring
(Coregonus artedi) to a significant level and protect,
where possible, rare deepwater ciscoes (Coregonus
reighardi).
- Sustain the smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) and
the largemouth bass (M. salmoides) and the remaining
assemblage of sunfishes (Centrarchidae) at recreationally
attractive levels in their natural range.
- Increase abundance of the lake sturgeon (Acipenser
fulvescens) so that the species is removed from its
threatened status in United States waters. Maintain or
rehabilitate sturgeon populations in Canadian waters.
Maintain a diversity of prey species at population levels
matched to primary production and predator demands.
- Reduce sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) populations to
allow achievement of other fish-community objectives.
- Achieve a 75% reduction of the parasitic sea lamprey by
the year 2000 and a 90% reduction by the year 2010.
- Recognize and protect the array of other indigenous fish
species because they contribute to the richness of the
fish community. These fish-cyprinids, rare ciscoes,
suckers (Catostomus spp.), burbot (Lota Iota), gars
(Lepisosteidus spp.) and sculpins (Cottidae)-are
important for three reasons. They have ecological
significance; intrinsic value; and social, cultural, and
economic worth.
- Maintain and promote genetic diversity by conserving
locally adapted strains.
- Ensure that strains of fish being stocked are matched to
the environments they will inhabit.
- Protect and enhance fish habitat and rehabilitate
degraded habitats. Achieve no net loss of the productive
capacity of habitat supporting Lake Huron fish
communities and restore damaged habitats.
- Support the reduction or elimination of contaminants.
Current Status of Lake Huron 
Back to Historical State of Huron
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