Rehabilitation of a Stunted Population of Arctic Char by Intensive Fishing

Before 1984, Takvatn, a 14.2-km2 oligotrophic lake in northern Norway, held a dense population of stunted Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus. A large-scale, intensive fishing program with baited funnel traps was initiated in 1984. In the 6-year period from 1984 to 1989, 666,000 individuals or 31.3 tonnes of Arctic char were removed from the lake. The effects of the program were substantial and positive. The age and size structures of the Arctic char stock changed, and individual growth rates increased. Management by mass removal with funnel traps is recommended in other lakes containing stunted Arctic char.