Observations on the seaward migration of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) smolts through a large lake as determined by radiotelemetry and Carlin tagging studies

Abstract

Seaward movements of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) smolts through Red Indian Lake were studied using radiotelemetry and Carlin tagging. Movements of smolts through the lake occurred between the hours of 20:00 and 04:30 as determined from radiotelemetry. Carlin tagging revealed a net swimming speed ranging from 1.8 to 15.6 km/day; radiotelemetry revealed a rate of <1.0 to 11.2 km/day. Smolt movement through Red Indian Lake and other large insular Newfoundland lakes might be achieved through active migration as opposed to passive displacement. This aspect is discussed in the context of insular Newfoundland stocks for which extensive use of lakes by juveniles for rearing has been demonstrated.