Assessing the sustainability of fish communities in glacial lakes: Habitat inventories and relationships between lake attributes and fish communities (South Dakota)

The objectives of my research were to: (1) quantify the available aquatic habitats in 15 South Dakota large lakes, and (2) determine the relation of abiotic and biotic habitat characteristics to fish population characteristics. Habitat types were surveyed during the summers of 2000, 2001, and 2002. Correlation analysis suggested that several relationships existed. Submergent vegetation was negatively correlated with yellow perch relative weight (Wr), proportional stock density (PSD), and northern pike PSD. Lake basin ruggedness was negatively correlated with black crappie PSD, northern pike Wr, and walleye Wr. Lake surface area was positively correlated with walleye Wr, walleye length at age 3, and yellow perch Wr. Nitrate levels were positively correlated with black bullhead CPUE and northern pike CPUE, but negatively correlated with northern pike PSD and walleye Wr. Total phosphorous levels were positively correlated with black bullhead Wr and black crappie Wr. Chlorophyll-a levels were positively correlated with black crappie CPUE.