The relationship between northern pike (Esox lucius ) and wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) in boreal Alberta

A number of studies have demonstrated that the stocking of fish into a fishless waterbody can have a negative impact on the local amphibian population. This study focuses on interactions between northern pike ( Esox lucius) and populations of wood frog (Rana sylvatica ) in boreal Alberta. In experimental ponds stocked with both northern pike and wood frog tadpoles, northern pike were found to have a negative impact on the activity and survival of wood frog tadpoles to metamorphosis. However, 9 years of monitoring amphibian abundance at a boreal Alberta lake show a different trend. This fishless lake was stocked with northern pike in 2001, but this has not had a visible effect on the adult and metamorph abundance of the local wood frog population. These conflicting results pose a problem when making recommendations for conserving amphibian populations while maintaining recreational fishing opportunities in Alberta.