Ecology of Overwintering Fishes in Alaskan Freshwaters

Abstract

This chapter describes Alaskan freshwaters as winter habitat for fish, and summarizes the results of Alaskan studies of freshwater fish populations during winter. Scientific and common names of fishes referenced in this chapter are listed. Much of the work by government agencies is excellent, but the resulting reports remain part of the "gray" literature; these sources have been used only when no published source was available to support a particular point. Fortunately, a number of key studies have been published in the peer-reviewed literature; these serve as the primary source of information for this chapter. In addition, relevant studies in Canada, the continental United States, and elsewhere are cited, not as an exhaustive review, but as needed to support and complement the purpose of this review (i.e., to synthesize what is known about overwintering fishes in Alaskan freshwaters)