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Hydroacoustic acquisition was performed by means of two different single beam systems, the Simradmodel EK15 from 2015 and the Simrad model EY-M from the 1980s to explore potential differences of fish density and target strength (TS) distribution between EK15 and EY-M-based estimates. The oligotrophic Lake Storsjøen (48 km2) with steep shores, was chosen for the survey. The pelagic fish stock is dominated by whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus L), and, recently, illegally stocked smelt (Osmerus eperlanus L), and a low proportion of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus L.). The total density was estimated at two depth layers (18–32 and 32–48 m), and was quite similar for TS ≥ −56 dB: 755 and 498 fish ha−1, respectively for the EK15-based estimates and similarly 766 and 490 fish ha−1 for the EY-M estimate. Target strength distributions were similar for TS > −48 dB. The proportion of single fish detected with EK15 was negatively affected by the long pulse duration. Six acquisitions from 1986 to 2016 showed a dramatic increase of density of TS = −46 to −44 dB echoes (>10 cm) between 2013 and 2016. This was due to the growth of the introduced smelt population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density estimation of pelagic fish was performed by means of single beam echosounding in 17 lakes within a period of 34 years, from 1985 to 2018. Surveys were performed repeatedly (two to fourteen times) in five lakes. The density estimates ranged from 34 to 4720 fish/ha and were significantly correlated with total phosphorus concentration. The high density in relatively phosphorus rich lakes (TP > 10 µg/L) was comprised of small fish (<20 cm) and was partly due to the higher number of pelagic fish species. The number of pelagic species varied from one, Arctic charr, in the most elevated and oligotrophic lakes, and whitefish dominated in less elevated oligotrophic lakes. In lowland lakes characterized as mesotrophic or tending to mesotrophy, smelt, vendace, and two to three cyprinids comprised the pelagic fish stock. These fish species predate zooplankton effectively, and species composition and body size of planktonic cladocerans was affected by fish density. Large species of Daphnia were lacking in lakes with high fish density, and body size of present species, D. galeata, D. cristata, and Bosmina spp. were negatively correlated with pelagic fish density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]