Table 3. Summary of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) for breeding area characteristics of brook charr reported by local experts of the community of Mistissini. When information was unavailable from particular experts, blank spaces are used. #, each informant. Asterisks denote where community fishers and/or fishing guides made similar comments. Population group Informant # Breeding time Return to lake Breeding site locations Description of appearance Rupert Outflow 1, 2 Mid- to late October, generally in breeding aggregations February Main river, side channels, 0–15 km from rivermouth Short, deep-bodied, very colorful 3 Mid- to late October, later than charr captured along the lake’s island chain February Main river, side channels, 0–15 km from rivermouth Very wide with thick tails 4* Mid- to late October, as late as the end of November January Side channels Very wide with thick tails 5 Mid- to late October, to the end of November, when ice forms in backwaters Main river, side channels, 0–15 km from rivermouth Short and fat; those near the river mouth more lean Cheno, Pepeshquasati, Takwa Inflows 6 Late August to mid-September, as late as the end of October End of November Main river, 35–75 km from rivermouth; Pepeshquasati 7 Late August to mid-September End of November Mouths of feeder streams and side channels Long 8, 9, 10 Late August to mid-September 11 Late August to early October December Takwa Pool below falls Sometimes silvery 12 Late August to early October Large, slow pools, 35 km+ from rivermouth; Cheno Long, very colorful 13 Late August to mid-September December Long and fat