Title: Comparison of scale and otolith ages for lake whitefish from the south shore of Lake Superior.

Student: Jason Meacham

Advisor(s): Derek Ogle

Collaborator(s): Bill Mattes (Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission)

Abstract: I compared sagittal otolith and scale age estimation methods for lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) collected from along the south shore of Lake Superior during 2007. Whitefish less than nine years of age (from otoliths) were determined to have a greater age interpretation from scales than otoliths, and whitefish greater than nine years of age were determined to have a greater interpretation from otoliths than scales. This study has demonstrated that age estimation varies according to methodology, and that the variation depends on the age of the fish. I recommend with this outcome further study is needed to determine the effects the difference in age estimation between scales and otoliths has on whitefish population dynamics; and to validate older scale age interpretations than otolith age interpretations for younger whitefish.

Other: Jason's Final Report to GLIFWC (PDF 1mb)