Aspects of the Life History of the Pond Smelt (Hypomesus olidus) in the Yukon and Northwest Territories

The pond smelt (Hypomesus olidus) has a limited North American distribution, being restricted to the west coast of Alaska and the drainage of the lower Mackenzie River, N.W.T. This study examined an isolated population in a small tundra lake on the Yukon coastal plain. Otolith interpretation revealed that most adult fish sampled in Lake 100 were age 4+ and 5+ years, but a few individuals lived to age 8+ and 9+. Full maturity was not reached until age 5+ and repeat spawning was common. The sex ratio was skewed in favour of females. Growth was found to be slower in the Yukon population than in Alaskan and Japanese lakes. Some stunting was evident in Lake 100 pond smelt, but otherwise their meristic and morphometric characteristics corresponded with those from elsewhere. The pond smelt were primarily planktivorous in Lake 100 and there appeared to be no significant predation on them, but in the Mackenzie delta and elsewhere they are utilized as a forage species.Key words: pond smelt, life history, food habits, Hypomesus olidus, YukonMots clés: éperian à petite bouche, biologie, alimentation, Hypomesus olidus, Yukon, cycle vita