Twelve species of fish occur in the waters of Kejimkujik. Neither distribution nor abundance of fish species is uniform throughout Kejimkujik. Both are influenced by conditions of the waters such as pH and water temperature. Lakes are shallow and become quite warm during the summer months, thus limiting cool water species, such as brook trout, to the deeper holes. The remaining species are warm water tolerant.
Brook trout © Parks Canada/J. Steeves
This is the species most sought by fishermen in Kejimkujik. In the spring when the water is cold, Brook trout can be found in streams and rivers throughout Kejimkujik.
In order to manage the trout, Kejimkujik’s Resource Conservation staff have studied the trout population and monitored what anglers catch with creel censuses. Tagging studies have shown that trout can travel widely within, and even outside, Kejimkujik.
White perch © Parks Canada/J. Steeves
Yellow perch © Parks Canada/J. Steeves
White and Yellow perch are more common than trout as they can tolerate the warmer water. Perch are carnivores and can be found lurking in the shallows, hunting for insects and small “minnows.” Yellow perch, which are tolerant of a wide range of pHs, are found in all lakes and are often abundant.
Brown bullhead © Parks Canada/J. Steeves
Brown bullheads are a catfish, which thrive in Kejimkujik’s warm waters. They scavenge for food in the bottom muck. Unlike many species, catfish tend their eggs, and during late summer you may see the adults guarding schools of young in the shallows near shore.
Fish Management and Protection