Assessment of Sea Lamprey Habitat and the Sea Lamprey Population of the Pike River and Morpion Stream, Quebec, Canada, LCBP Technical Report #37B

Dean, M., & Zerrenner, A. (2001). Assessment of Sea Lamprey Habitat and the Sea Lamprey Population of the Pike River and Morpion Stream, Quebec, Canada (Technical Report No. 37B). Grand Isle, VT: Lake Champlain Basin Program

This report presents a study which attempted to quantify sea lamprey populations in the Pike River and Morpion Stream in Quebec, Canada. The report states that if a long-term sea lamprey control program is developed, it is essential to understand the relative contribution of the uncontrolled sea lamprey population from Pike River and Morpion Stream to the overall sea lamprey population in Lake Champlain. The study first classified habitat into one of four types at 100 transects in the wadable waters of each stream and at 16 transects in non-wadable waters of Pike River. Sea lamprey ammocoetes (larvae) were then sampled in the wadable waters using an AbP-2 backpack electro-fisher in optimal (type I) and sub-optimal (type II) habitat. Similarly, in non-wadable waters of the Pike River, sea lamprey ammocoetes were sampled using a standard deep-water electro-fishing boat. Mean ammocoete densities from sampled habitats were extrapolated for the total available habitat to determine the abundance of ammocoetes and transformers. Sea lamprey nests were also counted throughout each stream as an index of adult abundance. The percent contribution of sea lamprey transformers from Pike River and Morpion Stream cannot be determined because quantitative assessment surveys have not been conducted on other tributaries. Sea lamprey ammocoete abundance in Pike River and Morpion stream appears high enough for these streams to be included in a long-term sea lamprey control program.