Great Lakes Fishery Commission

Updated 2025-09-24 19:25:13

Lake Huron -> 1.0 Salmonine (Salmon and Trout) -> Salmonine Yield

1.1.1. Combined commercial and recreational yield of 2.4 million kg

Average annual yield of salmonines in Lake Huron during the current reporting period (2018-2022) was 0.44 million kg (range: 0.42-0.49 million kg per year), which was 14% less than the 2011-2017 period mean of 0.52 million kg (Figure 1). Average yield for lake trout and all introduced salmonines (mainly chinook salmon, rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, and coho salmon) declined similarly by about 37 thousand kg per year. Lake trout comprise 77% of the yield of salmonines, followed by chinook salmon (16%), while all other introduced species accounted for only 7% total yield during the current reporting period. Commercial fisheries are the most significant source of yield for salmonines in Lake Huron (>70%). Note that harvest from the Onatario recreational and indigenous fisheries are likely underestimated.  Comparing current yields to the FCO benchmark has limited value given that Lake Trout rehabilitation varies by area and harvest continues to be managed to allow lake trout stocks to rebuild and achieve self-sustainability. Furthermore, ecosystem productivity may be insufficient to achieve the sustained yields identified in the salmonine FCO.

Combined commercial and recreational yield of salmonines in Lake Huron, 1985-2022.