| Following more than a century of industrial and metropolitan pollution, Onondaga Lake, New York, has shown signs of recovery. Water quality, macrophyte abundance and trophic state have improved in recent years. Gill net and trap net catches demonstrate catch-per-effort of sunfishes, basses, and walleye that are equal to or greater than lakes in New York and Minnesota. The near shore fish assemblage is characteristic of a typical warmwater fish community, and offshore catches show substantial numbers of desirable sportfish. Tagging studies confirmed linkage to the Oswego River Watershed, identified potential origins of migratory fish species, and suggested the extent of migration. High mercury concentrations in fish tissues coupled with watershed connectivity are issues for further management. Migratory fish augment the resident spawning fish community in Onondaga Lake. Natural recovery, water quality improvements, and the planned lake bottom remediation may facilitate further species establishment.;Keywords. Onondaga Lake, near shore fish community, off shore fish community, catch per unit effort, migration, mercury. |
