Influence of a pulp and paper mill effluent on aspects of distribution, survival and feeding of Nipigon Bay, Lake Superior, larval fish.

Surface distribution of Nipigon Bay larval fish was characterized by high abundance, between 500 and 2100 larval fish/10,000 m3 near shore, particularly in proximity to the pulp and paper mill effluent discharge, and low abundance, less than 100/10,000 m3 away from shore. Static bioassay indicated that approximately 60% effluent concentration was intolerable to the natural mixed larval fish community. No wood fibre was found among stomach contents and no difference was apparent in stomach contents of fish caught in influenced and uninfluenced areas. Data therefore suggest that larval fish either were not greatly influenced by plume conditions or were transients.