Spatial and temporal variation in the fish community of a South Island, New Zealand coastal lake.

The article presents a study that assesses the diel and seasonal variation over one year in the composition, abundance and distribution of fish in Lake Waihola, a shallow coastal lake in New Zealand. A total of eight fish species were collected between January 1998 and January 1999, which includes the common bully, juvenile perch, smelt and inanga. The study shows that the variation in abundance was attributed to life history and ontogenic shifts and habitat use and changes in habitat structure.