Fisheries Classification of Michigan Lakes
James C. Schneider
Abstract.-The characteristics of lakes useful in assessing their fisheries potential are reviewed. Michigan lakes may be typed according to geology, alkalinity, climate and mid-summer temperature -oxygen profiles - -in addition to other lake characteristics. Multiple correlation and regression analyses showed that fish productivity, as measured by sport fish catch in pounds per acre per year, was strongly related to (1) the relative abundance of bluegills (the panfish index)--an indicator of the trophic structure of the fish population, (2) climate--an index of biological turnover rate, (3) Secchi disk transparency--an index of plankton standing crop and, (4) the relative abundance of submerged vegetation--an index of macrophyte standing crop. Mean depth and area were of minor importance to fish productivity, alkalinity, amount of shoal area and temperature-oxygen type were unimportant factors. The distribution and relative abundance of bluegills, largemouth bass, black crappies, yellow perch, walleyes, smallmouth bass and trout were related to climate and to temperature-oxygen type.