2005 Dakota Chapter American Fisheries Society Abstracts

 

Professional

 

Post-Stocking Movements of Juvenile Pallid Sturgeon in the

Missouri River below Fort Randall Dam, South Dakota

 

Robert Klumb, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Plains Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance Office, 420 South Garfield Avenue, Suite 400, Pierre, South Dakota; Phone 605-224-8693 ext 28; FAX 605-224-9974; robert_klumb@fws.gov.

 

George Jordan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2900 4th Avenue North, Room 301, Billings, Montana, 59101-1228; Phone 406-247-7365; FAX 406-247-7364; george_jordan@fws.gov

 

Wayne Stancill and Greg Wanner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Plains Fish and Wildlife Management Assistance Office, 420 South Garfield Avenue, Suite 400, Pierre, South Dakota; Phone 605-224-8693; FAX 605-224-9974; wayne_stancill@fws.gov, greg_wanner@fws.gov,

 

Ultrasonic telemetry was used to track seasonal and diel movements of age-3 hatchery-reared juvenile pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus stocked in the Missouri River below Fort Randall Dam, South Dakota during 2000 to 2002.  The riverine section of the Missouri River was extensively sampled at approximately two week intervals to relocate as many fish as possible from spring through fall.  Thirteen individual fish were intensively followed for 24 hours (total trackings = 21) to assess diel movements.  A total of 227 relocations were observed from 22 tagged fish; 20 fish were relocated at least once with 16 fish found multiple times.  In 2000, fish were found only upstream of the stocking site, whereas; in 2001 and 2002 the entire riverine portion of the Missouri River was used.  In all years, no fish were relocated in the reservoir.  Mean (± 2 SE) homerange size, defined as the distance (km) between the furthest upstream and downstream locations, was significantly smaller in 2000 (8.3 ± 5.8) compared to 2001 (29.3 ± 8.8) and 2002 (28.9 ± 15.0).  Intensive tracking of individual fish found no significant difference in daily movements (km/d) among years and diel periods (i.e. dawn, daytime, dusk, night); however, fish were significantly more active in fall compared to spring and summer.  Our three year study indicates that movements of juvenile pallid sturgeon based on shorter studies (i.e. < 1 year) should be interpreted cautiously as hatchery-reared fish may not have acclimated to the Missouri River environment until the second year after stocking.

 

Professional

 

Partial Covers on top of Circular Tanks Improve

Salmonid Rearing Performance

 

Michael E. Barnes1, William A. Sayler1, Rick J. Cordes1, Dan J. Durben2, Jess Miller3

 

1South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, McNenny State Fish Hatchery, 19619 Trout Loop, Spearfish, SD  57783, 605-642-6920; mike.barnes@state.sd.us

 2Black Hills State University, 1200 University, Spearfish, SD, 57799, 605-642-6505

3 South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 E St Joseph St, Rapid City, SD

 

Juvenile brown trout Salmo trutta and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were grown in circular tanks either completely open on top or partially (29%) covered.  In each of four trials, fish reared in tanks with partial covers were significantly larger than those reared in completely uncovered tanks. The use of partial tank covers also improved total tank weight gain and feed conversion, although these means were significantly different in only 2 or the four trials.  No significant differences in percent mortality between open and partially-covered tanks were observed. The use of partial tank covers is recommended to improve the growth of juvenile trout in circular tanks during hatchery rearing.

 

Professional

 

Seining Effort needed to Estimate Species Richness of Small

Littoral Zone Fishes in Wyoming Reservoirs

 

Paul Bailey, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, 3030 Energy Lane, Ste. 100 Casper, WY 82604

 

Kenneth Gerow, Department of Statistics, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071

 

Seining is commonly used to determine species distributions and to estimate species richness of small fishes in littoral zones of lentic habitats. However, little guidance exists on the seining effort required to properly estimate species richness for lentic habitats. Our objective was to determine the seining effort needed to estimate species richness for three Wyoming reservoirs. We conducted a simulation study based upon seining data collected from three reservoirs in order to define the sampling effort needed to estimate species richness. A range of 18-38 seine hauls was needed to have a 90% probability of detecting approximately 90% of the species present and a range of 42-66 seine hauls was needed to have a 90% probability of detecting all of the species present. Seining appears to be an effective tool for estimating species richness for Wyoming reservoirs even though considerable effort is required for precise estimates.

 

 

Professional

 

Recent Developments in the Introduction of the

European Pike-Perch, Sander lucioperca, in North America.

 

Gene Van Eeckhout, North Dakota Game & Fish Department. 3320 East Lakeside Road, Jamestown, North Dakota  58402-6490

 

Amid considerable regional and international controversy, the European pike-perch (zander) was introduced at Spiritwood Lake, North Dakota, in 1989.  Two age-0 fish were recovered in February and May of 1990.  During the following decade however, thousands of hours of netting effort failed to recover a single zander.  During that same time frame, numerous “strange looking” walleyes were reported by the angling public, but none were officially verified.  In August 1999 the first photo documentation of an immature zander was submitted by an angler.  Evidence of survival/reproduction continued to mount in 2000 when fisheries personnel netted a zander in June and a second photograph of a juvenile fish was submitted by an angler in August.  Two years elapsed without any further zander activity.  Then in June of 2002, more physical evidence accrued when a second zander was netted.  Another two year hiatus ensued.  Zander reports resumed in earnest in June 2004 and continued into early September.  Seven fish of various sizes were turned in by anglers.  Genetics testing of all specimens is ongoing. Reproductive strategies and potential establishment of the species in North America will be discussed.

 

 

  

Professional

 

Development of Macroinvertebrate Indexes of Biotic Integrity

for the Wadeable Streams of North Dakota

 

Neil Haugerud, North Dakota Department of Health.   1200 Missouri Avenue, Bismarck, North Dakota 58506

 

The North Dakota Department of Health has been involved with the development of multi-metric Indexes of Biotic Integrity (IBI) for well over a decade. A total of 485 samples from 399 sites were sampled across the state for macroinvertebrates. Macroinvertebrate IBI’s have been developed for the Lake Agassiz Plain, Northwestern Glaciated Plains and Northwestern Great Plains ecoregions in the state. A Human Disturbance Index (HDI) was developed to determine reference and impaired sites. Rapid Bioassessment Protocol (RBP) visual habitat scores and a customized GIS land use index were combined to form the final HDI. Reference and impaired sites were determined respectively at the 90th and 10th percentile of the HDI scores for all sites. Potential IBI metrics were evaluated using a series of statistical tests. First, Mann-Whitney U tests were used to determine a potential metric’s ability to distinguish reference and impaired sites. Second, a Spearman Rank correlation determined whether a potential metric responded to human disturbance (HDI). Finally, those metrics that distinguish reference and impaired sites and responded to human disturbance were evaluated for colinearity with a correlation matrix. If two potential metrics had high correlations (r>0.80) the metric that better distinguished reference and impaired was retained in the final IBI. Final IBI metrics were scored on a 0-100 scale with 100 being the best possible biological integrity. The final IBI score was the average of all metric scores. These scores were used to assess aquatic life use support for the state’s wadeable streams.

 

Student

 

An Evaluation of Electrofishing Catchability and Changes in

Seasonal Catch Rates of Five Wisconsin Game Fishes

 

Casey W. Schoenbeck, Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, South Dakota State University, Box 214B Brookings, SD  57007, USA

 

Michael J. Hansen, College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point 800 Reserve Street, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481, USA

Abstract.-Fisheries surveys often rely on the assumption that catch rate (C/f; number of fish caught per shoreline mile) is linearly related to population density (N/A; number of fish per acre), and therefore, that catchability does not change with population density.  We sought to determine if electrofishing catchability was density dependent for walleye Sander vitreus, largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu, northern pike Esox lucius, and muskellunge Esox masquinongy in Wisconsin lakes and if electrofishing catchability varied with physical and biological factors in Wisconsin lakes.  Electrofishing catch rate was linearly related to population density in spring for three of five species examined and in fall for all three species examined in Wisconsin lakes.  In contrast, electrofishing catch rate was non-linearly related (hyperstable) to population density for walleye during spring and smallmouth bass during spring because of gear saturation.  Catchability was higher in spring than fall for walleye, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass.  Catchability of walleyes in fall was positively related to the percent littoral zone among Wisconsin lakes whereas catchability of largemouth bass in spring, smallmouth bass in spring, and muskellunge in spring was negatively related to the shoreline development index among Wisconsin lakes.  Other physical and chemical variables failed to describe significant additional residual variation in catchability of any other species in any other seasons.  We conclude that population density can be accurately estimated from electrofishing catch rates of walleye in fall, largemouth bass in spring and fall, smallmouth bass in fall, northern pike in spring, and muskellunge in spring.  In contrast, population density cannot be accurately estimated from electrofishing catch rates for walleye or smallmouth bass in spring, so mark-recapture methods must still be used to estimate population density for those species during spring in Wisconsin lakes.

Professional

 

Survival of Rainbow Trout Sac-fry Subjected to Various Formalin and Hand-picking Treatment Regimes During Rearing in Vertical-flow tray incubators

 

Michael E. Barnes, William A. Sayler, and Rick J. Cordes, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks McNenny State Fish Hatchery: 19619 Trout Loop, Spearfish, SD  57783, Spearfish, SD:  (605)-642-6920

 

Rainbow trout sac-fry cultured in vertical-flow incubators were subjected to various combinations of physical (hand-picking) and chemical (formalin) anti-fungal treatments starting at either the eyed stage of egg development or at hatch and continuing until removal from the incubator trays at fry swim-up.  In all experiments, increases in the frequency of hand-picking resulted in increased mortality.  The elimination of hand-picking by the use of daily formalin treatments consistently produced the greatest fry survival percentages.  Attempts to determine the effect of no fungal control measures were unsuccessful due to excessive fungal growth.  Unless there are overriding human health or environmental concerns, we recommend daily formalin treatments of 1,667 mg/L for 15 min throughout the entire residence of salmonid eggs and sac-fry in vertical-flow incubators to achieve substantial labor reductions and maximize fry survival.

 

Professional

 

Potential Effects of Stream Crossing Construction on the Topeka Shiner, Notropis Topeka

 

Nathan Morey. South Dakota Department of Transportation, Becker-Hansen Building, 700 E. Broadway Ave., Pierre, SD 57501 (605) 773-5679

 

Agencies administering federal actions that could negatively affect an endangered species must formally consult with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) before proceeding.  An important function of formal consultation is to mandate measures that reduce the impact of “incidental take” on the listed species.  Formal consultation between South Dakota Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and USFWS found that stream crossing projects in eastern South Dakota may negatively affect the federally endangered Topeka shiner, Notropis topeka.  A biological opinion was issued that allowed some “take” of individual Topeka shiners and stream habitat incidental to bridge and culvert construction.  The opinion also included nondiscretionary measures to reduce the impact of “take” on the Topeka shiner.  Measures included, minimizing alterations to channel morphology, rigorous erosion and sediment control, restricted construction during the Topeka shiner spawning period, reduced fish mortality during construction, and unrestricted fish passage.   Purposes of this presentation are to review objectives of Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, discuss potential effects of stream crossing construction on the Topeka shiner, and comment on the biological validity of measures implemented to reduce negative impacts on the Topeka shiner.

 

Professional

 

Sampling “Freshwater Shrimp” at Devils Lake, North Dakota

 

Randy Hiltner, Fisheries Biologist - North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Devils Lake, ND 58301

 

“Freshwater shrimp” or scuds are an important food item for all sizes and species of game fish in Devils Lake.  Devils Lake game fish consistently have high Wr’s.  Considering the importance of scuds as forage, the ND Game and Fish Department contracted with University of North Dakota and Dr. Steve Kelsch to design and fabricate traps and also recommend a sampling design that can be repeated annually to collect scuds.  The survey objective is to provide an estimate of scud relative abundance among sample sites from year to year.  A better understanding of scud abundance will help determine their effects on the fish community.  This presentation will provide an update on the methods and equipment used as well as results observed during the winter of 2004-2005.

Student

 

Gizzard Shad in Angostura Reservoir

 

Matthew J. Ward, Quinton E. Phelps, Christopher M. Longhenry, and David W. Willis

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Box 2140B, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007.  matthew.ward@sdstate.edu  (605)688-6121 tel    (605)688-4515 fax

 

Gene F. Galinat, and Bill H. Miller

South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, 3305 W. South St., Rapid City, SD 57702

(605)394-2391 tel

 

Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum were introduced into Angostura Reservoir in the early 1990s to increase prey resources for walleye Sander vitreus.  Currently, little is known about gizzard shad reproductive biology in this part of their range.  Adult gizzard shad (N=100) were collected from Angostura Reservoir using day-time electrofishing during May 2004.  Sagittal otoliths indicated that recruitment to the adult stage was erratic (four cohorts sampled) with age-3 individuals composing over 80% of the sample.  Larval gizzard shad were collected using a 1.0-m diameter surface ichthyoplankton net from mid-May through June at 7- to 10-d intervals.  Peak larval gizzard shad abundance (29/100 m3) occurred on June 19.  Shoreline electrofishing was used to collect juvenile gizzard shad (N=153).  Following collection, sagittal otoliths were removed (~20/cm group) and daily rings were enumerated to obtain hatch date and daily growth information.  Gizzard shad hatch dates ranged from May 24 through July 1 with peak hatch occurring on June 8.  Age-0 gizzard shad mean daily growth was 1.1 mm/day.  Walleye food habits were examined monthly from April 2004 through September 2004.  The percentage of walleye containing prey was lowest in April (1%) and greatest in August (93%). By weight (g), prey fish were the primary item in walleye diets during every month except June when Diptera pupae were more prevalent.  Gizzard shad were not observed in walleye diets until early August; however, during August and September walleye food habits were nearly 100 percent shad.  Thus, age-0 gizzard shad, when available, contributed substantially to walleye food habits in Angostura Reservoir.

 

Professional

 

Walleye Tagging and Creel Results at Angostura Reservoir

 

Gene F. Galinat, and Bill H. Miller, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks, 3305 W. South St., Rapid City, SD 57702  (605)394-2391 tel

                                                                                NA

 

Professional

 

 

Initial and Delayed Mortality of Largemouth Bass Caught During a B.A.S.S. Sanctioned Tournament at Lewis and Clark Reservoir, South Dakota

 

Todd St. Sauver, Dave Lucchesi, Bruce Johnson, Kevin Hoffmann: South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks 4500 South Oxbow Sioux Falls, SD  57106 (605)-362-2700

Initial and delayed mortality were determined for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) caught on September 15, 2004, during a B.A.S.S. sanctioned tournament at Lewis and Clark Reservoir, South Dakota. Tournament-caught bass and a similar number of control fish, electrofished from nearby Lake Yankton and fin clipped for identification, were held in three, 1.3-acre hatchery ponds at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery.  After 4 days, the ponds were drained and the bass were counted and measured.  No control fish died during the study.  Two tournament-caught bass died before being placed into the hatchery ponds and one was found dead on the bottom of a drained pond. Two other bass were not found and were assumed to have died and been carried away by scavengers.  Total mortality of largemouth bass caught during this tournament was low (4.2%),

Professional

 

SWG: Not Just Another Acronym for Wildlife Conservation

 

Patrick T. Isakson, and Sandra K. Hagen.  North Dakota Game & Fish Department, 100 North Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501. pisakson@state.nd.us (701) 328-6338

 

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department is the primary agency responsible for implementation of management and conservation programs for all species of wildlife in the state.  This includes both game and nongame species of wildlife.  For over 60 years the source of revenue for the Department has come largely from sportsman’s dollars, rightly so, that money is used on the management of sport fish and wildlife.  In 2001, the Department was awarded with new Federal Aid grants, now known as State Wildlife Grants (SWG), to be directed at those species which typically receive no monetary support.  These Federal Aid dollars were also to be directed at those species in the greatest need of conservation.  States retain the authority to identify those species which are declining in the state and need additional research and management to avoid listing as a Federally Threatened or Endangered species.

 

Under condition of accepting these funds, North Dakota and all other 49 states are required to complete a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan/Strategy (CWCS) by October 1, 2005.  Congress has identified eight required elements to be included in the Strategy. The CWCS must identify and focus on “species in greatest need of conservation,” yet address the “full array of wildlife.”  The Department continues to receive federal funds through SWG to develop the state’s comprehensive plan which will include birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and freshwater mussels.  Funding is also being used for several research projects which will provide information relating to the eight required elements of the CWCS.

 

Professional

 

Missouri River Land Protection Work

Keith Trego North Dakota Natural Resources Trust. 1605 E. Capitol Ave., Ste. 101, Bismarck, ND 58501-2102, 701-223-8501 (W), 701-223-6937 (F), nrtkeith@btinet.net;

 

Terry Allbee, North Dakota Natural Resources Trust. 1605 E. Capitol Ave., Ste. 101, Bismarck, ND 58501-2102, 701-223-8501 (W), 701-223-6937 (F), nrtterry@btinet.net.

 

The approximately 87 miles of free flowing Missouri River from Garrison Dam to the headwaters of the Oahe Reservoir just below Bismarck/Mandan is under dramatic change. Traditional agricultural operations have dominated the landscape in the river corridor for the past century.  Within the last two decades a significant urban/rural interface has developed, especially immediately north of the two cities.  Non-agricultural development is beginning to adversely impact wildlife habitat, alter view sheds, reduce open space and create soil disturbance.  The Friends of the Missouri River has begun a conservation effort to protect Missouri River corridor land for its variety of values, including fish and wildlife, water quality, agricultural, open space and viewshed protection.  Many riverine systems in proximity to urban centers have lost this battle in the United States, but with coordinated planning, development could occur while still protecting the public=s interest in the Missouri River.  Our first partnership in land protection along the Missouri River began in May 2003, when a coalition of conservation groups submitted North Dakota=s first successful application for protection of agricultural lands under the Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) administered by the US Department of Agriculture=s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).  Phase 1, a nearly $1.4 million land protection effort, culminated in easement closing on March 8, 2004.   A multi year effort is now underway to raise $6 million to accomplish land protection in the Missouri River corridor.  A partnership opportunity currently exists with USDA=s FRPP that may not exist in the future, so progress made in the next 1-3 years is critical.

 

 

 

 

Student

 

Reproductive Ecology of Sauger

Mark A. Kaemingk, Brian D.S. Graeb, Michael L. Brown, and David W. Willis, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Box 2140B, Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007

 

Sauger Sander canadensis are a native predator in the Missouri River and an important game fish.  Little is known about the reproductive ecology of sauger in Missouri River reservoirs.  We collected prespawn female sauger by electrofishing on the Missouri River in the Lewis and Clark reservoir system.  Eggs from these females were measured and counted to determine fecundity and egg diameter.  We then examined energy content of eggs by quantifying caloric density and lipid content.  These measurements were compared with sauger total length to determine if maternal energy contribution increased with increasing sauger size.  Larger sauger were more fecund and produced larger eggs with higher caloric content.  In addition, size of female was positively related with the amount of calories in eggs.  Thus, large female sauger produced more and larger eggs with higher energy content.  These characteristics may enable larvae from larger females to better survive the switch to exogenous feeding than larvae from smaller females. However, one large female sauger produced much smaller eggs with lower caloric density than other similarly sized females, indicating that factors other than total length may also influence maternal contribution.  This information is useful for developing management plans for sauger.  We suggest that large females may be an important component of sauger populations because of their increased parental contribution and increased potential reproductive success.

 

Student

 

Early Life History of Fishes in Missouri River Reservoirs

 

Michael J. Weber1, Brian D.S. Graeb1, John P. Lott2, Skippy D. Potter2, and David W. Willis1,

 

1.  Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Box 2140B, Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007.

 

2.  South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Ft. Pierre, SD 57625.

 

Larval fish are an important aspect to the ecology and management of fisheries.  Larval fish are an indication of reproduction, may predict year-class strength, and provide prey for other fishes.  We determined timing, abundance, and hatching dynamics of larval fishes in two Missouri River reservoirs, with particular emphasis on gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum. Larval abundance for all fishes was estimated utilizing larval surface trawls.  Gizzard shad were the most abundant larval fish sampled in both Lake Francis Case (93%) and Lake Sharpe (97%).  Gizzard shad abundance peaked during the third week of June in both reservoirs.  Further, gizzard shad abundance was generally higher in the upper reaches of both reservoirs.  The second most abundant species captured in Lake Francis Case was Sander spp., which peaked during mid-May and Cyprinidae spp. in Lake Sharpe, which peaked mid-late July.  Interestingly, Hipple Lake, a backwater area in upper Lake Sharpe, produced larval gizzard shad densities 20 -200 times higher than any other area in either reservoir.  We suspect that this shallow lacustrine habitat warmed faster and provided the most suitable habitat for gizzard shad reproduction at this northern latitude.  Gizzard shad in upstream reservoirs also appeared to hatch earlier and grow faster than gizzard shad in downstream reservoirs.  As such, gizzard shad in upstream reservoirs provided an earlier and larger prey source for predators. Understanding the timing and abundance of larval fishes, especially gizzard shad, will provide insight to year class strength of fishes and improve sport fish management in Missouri River reservoirs.

 

 

 

 

 

Professional

 

What About Walleye Fry on Fort Peck, an OTC Story.

 

Jeff Remus and Mike Ruggles, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Fort Peck, MT

 

NA

 

Professional

 

Survival Rates of Walleye in Lake Sakakawea

 

Jeff Hendrickson, North Dakota Game & Fish Department, Riverdale, ND

 

Rainbow smelt became abundant in Lake Sakakawea in the late 1970’s.  Since this time, the abundance and size of walleye have increased significantly and Lake Sakakawea has become a premier walleye fishery in North America.  Since 1965, tagging studies of spawning run walleye have been conducted to determine the survival rates in Lake Sakakawea.

 

Spawning run walleye (>350 mm) were tagged at spawning locations from 1965-1975 (pre-smelt) and from 1984-1985, 1995-1997,  and 2002-2004 (post-smelt) to determine survival.  Ricker’s method was used to estimate survival.  Natural mortality was extrapolated from estimates of survival and exploitation.

 

Survival rates have increased significantly over time and are significantly higher since rainbow smelt became abundant.  Consequently, natural mortality rates have decreased significantly over time and are significantly lower since rainbow smelt became abundant.  Exploitation has remained relatively stable over time.  These finding highlight the importance of rainbow smelt to the walleye fishery in Lake Sakakawea.  The current drought and water management regiment have brought about declines in rainbow smelt abundance, which has the potential to impact the abundance and size of walleye in Lake Sakakawea

 

 

Professional

 

2004 Fort Peck Creel Survey, What Is New-What Is Not

 

Mike Ruggles, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Fort Peck, MT

Larry Brooks WATERS, Bottineau ND.

                                                                                NA

 

 

 

Professional

 

A Summary of Recent Findings on the use of Length Limits to

Manage Walleye Fisheries across the Midwest.

 

Dave Lucchesi, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, 4500 S. Oxbow Ave, Sioux Falls, SD  57106-4114

 

Length limits have commonly been used to manage walleye fisheries over the last 20 years.  Long-term (> 10 years) monitoring of the fisheries under these length limits has been completed.  This information is now being used to evaluate the effectiveness of length limits at producing the desired objectives.  In this paper, I will briefly summarize recent findings from evaluations done in several states and discuss the resulting management actions being taken or considered.

 

 

 

Professional

 

Bacterial Numbers Determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Bacteriological Culture Methods from Landlocked Fall Chinook Salmon Eyed Eggs Subjected to Various Formalin Treatments

 

Michael E. Barnes1, David Bergmann2, Hans Stephenson2, Mark Gabel2, and Rick J. Cordes1: mike.barnes@state.sd.us

 

1South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, McNenny State Fish Hatchery, 19619 Trout Loop, Spearfish, SD  57783, 605-642-6920

 

2Department of Biology, Black Hills State University, 1200 University, Spearfish, SD, 57799, 605-642-6426

 

This study examined external egg membrane bacterial numbers obtained by the direct counting of bacteria using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) compared to the number of colony forming units obtained from established bacterial culture methods on landlocked fall chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha eggs subjected to different formalin treatments from egg eye-up to fry hatch.  The daily 15‑min formalin treatments were either 500 mg/L, 1,667 mg/L, no formalin initially with 1,667-mg/L formalin starting 7 days after eye‑up, or no formalin treatments at all.  No significant correlation was observed between the number of colony forming units/mm2 of egg membrane (CFU/mm2) as determined by plate culture and the number of bacteria/mm2 counted with the SEM.  Bacterial numbers determined by SEM were 40 to 120 times greater than that obtained by plate culture.  SEM bacterial numbers were also correlated to embryo survival, but CFUs determined by plate culture were not.  Bacterial numbers obtained by either method appeared to increase over time with no formalin treatments. Three species of bacteria were identified (Flavobacterium columnare, Sphingobacterium spp., and Pseudomonas spp.) with F. columnare being the predominant species cultured. Embryo survival in the trays that did not receive any formalin was significantly less than survival in all of the other treatments, but there was no significant difference in survival between any of the three formalin treatment regimes.  Anti-microbial chemical treatments are recommended during egg incubation, even if not required for fungal control.

 

Professional

 

Under-Ice Movements of Northern Pike

and Walleye in an Aerated Lake.

 

Gene Van Eeckhout, North Dakota Game & Fish Department. 3320 East Lakeside Road, Jamestown, North Dakota  58402-6490

 

Radio telemetry was used to assess winter movement patterns of northern pike, Esox lucius and walleye, Sander vitreum, in Lake Hoskins, an artificially aerated, shallow, eutrophic lake in south central North Dakota.  Transmitters were surgically implanted into 10 fish (4 pike, 6 walleye) during the fall of 1999 and 10 fish (5 pike, 5 walleye) in autumn 2000. Under-ice tracking started in December and continued until ice conditions deteriorated in March.  Fish location and water quality surveillance occurred weekly.  Water temperature, dissolved oxygen and ice thickness were measured at each fish contact location and at five random sites throughout the lake.  Ambient weather patterns were vastly different between years.  Yet, with the exception of ice thickness, environmental parameters trended similarly both winters.  As spatial and temporal hypoxia occurred, fish movements became constricted near open water created by the aeration system.  Both pike and walleye demonstrated tolerance of low dissolved oxygen concentrations over extended periods of time.  Aeration efficacy as a fish management tool will be discussed.

 

 

 

 

 

Professional

 

Initial and Delayed Mortality of Largemouth Bass Caught During a B.A.S.S. Sanctioned Tournament at Lewis and Clark Reservoir, South Dakota

 

Todd St. Sauver, Dave Lucchesi, Bruce Johnson, Kevin Hoffmann: South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks 4500 South Oxbow Sioux Falls, SD  57106 (605)-362-2700

Initial and delayed mortality were determined for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) caught on September 15, 2004, during a B.A.S.S. sanctioned tournament at Lewis and Clark Reservoir, South Dakota. Tournament-caught bass and a similar number of control fish, electrofished from nearby Lake Yankton and fin clipped for identification, were held in three, 1.3-acre hatchery ponds at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery.  After 4 days, the ponds were drained and the bass were counted and measured.  No control fish died during the study.  Two tournament-caught bass died before being placed into the hatchery ponds and one was found dead on the bottom of a drained pond. Two other bass were not found and were assumed to have died and been carried away by scavengers.  Total mortality of largemouth bass caught during this tournament was low (4.2%),

 

2005 Dakota Chapter American Fisheries Society Posters

Comparison of Scale and Otolith Age Estimates for

Two South Dakota Bluegill Populations

 

Quinton E. Phelps, Jamie L. Shepherd, and David W. Willis, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, South Dakota State University

 

Jason D. Jungwirth, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Mobridge, SD

 

Bluegills Lepomis macrochirus were collected from Little Moreau Lake (Dewey County) and Lake Louise (Hand County) during standard trap-net surveys conducted by the South Dakota Department of  Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP).  Bluegills were assigned an identification number, weighed, and measured.  Scales were removed at the tip of the pectoral fin, below the lateral line, and sagittal otoliths were removed from each fish.  Scales were aged by SDGFP personnel, while otoliths were aged at South Dakota State University.  The Little Moreau population sample (N=45) was dominated by young fish; 91% of the fish were ages 2-5 and only one exceeded age 6.  Agreement between scale and otolith ages was very high; disagreements occurred for only five fish, and in all cases the age difference was one.  The Lake Louise population sample (N=59) had a more extended age structure from 2 to 11, and 29% of the fish were age 6 and older.  We found high agreement between scale and otolith age assignments for ages 2-5; only three disagreements occurred for these 32 fish.  However, scale ages were consistently lower than otolith ages for age-6 and older fish.  In addition, scale ages were as much as 5 years lower than otolith ages for these older fish.  Thus, scales provided age assignments similar to those from otoliths over the first 5 years.  However, scale ages were consistently underestimated for older bluegills when compared with otolith ages.

 

 

Notropis stramineus missuriensis (Cope): A Forgotten Subspecies?

 

C. W. Hoagstrom, A. C. DeWitte, N. J. C. Gosch, J. P. Duehr, & C. R. Berry, Jr. South Dakota State University, Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences Box 2140B, Room 138 SNP Brookings, SD 57007

 

There are two subspecies of the sand shiner Notropis stramineus and both are found in South Dakota, with the eastern form east of the Missouri River Valley and the western (plains) form in the Missouri River Valley and to the west.  The two subspecies vary primarily in scale size.  The plains sand shiner N. stramineus missuriensis normally has > 25 body circumference scale rows, averaging 27 to 30.  The head shape also may vary between subspecies.  Ichthyologists still recognize both subspecies but they are not commonly differentiated in field studies, which is unfortunate because opportunities to learn about their differences are missed.  We assessed N. stramineus of the Cheyenne River Basin in South Dakota to verify which subspecies is present and provide commentary regarding the validity of N. stramineus missuriensis as a subspecies.  We compared scale size and head shape among populations from a variety of stream types to see if the distinguishing characters were stable among different stream environments of the basin.  Geographic stability would suggest characters are genetically determined and provide support for the validity of the subspecies.  We made collections from all stream types of the Cheyenne River Basin where N. stramineus is found and also studied specimens from the South Dakota State University fish collection for a total of 451 N. stramineus from 18 different collections.  Mean body circumference scale rows per collection ranged from 25 to 29.  Three collections that represented a total of only 5 individuals had mean counts that were not statistically higher than 25 rows.  Mean head width was statistically < 15.5 times standard length for all collections.  Notropis stramineus collected from the Cheyenne River Basin between 1994 and 2004 fit the description of N. stramineus missuriensis based on body circumference scale rows and head width.  Individuals from different study sites had statistically similar counts on average, indicating that the number of body circumference scale rows is a geographically stable trait.  Notropis stramineus of the Cheyenne River Basin support the recognition of the subspecies.  Researchers that collect N. stramineus from North and South Dakota are encouraged to retain specimens wherever the species is encountered to identify them to subspecies.  Researchers that collect N. stramineus but do not have resources to perform counts and measures themselves are encouraged to send specimens to the senior author.

Effects of Two External Radio Transmitters Types

on Two Size Classes of Bluegill

 

Eric J. Weimer, Jeremy Duehr, and Michael L. Brown; Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings

 

External transmitters are commonly used on small-bodied fish due to ease of attachment, short handling time, and decreased risk of tag loss.  Effects of two styles of external transmitters were compared on two size classes of bluegill Lepomis machrochirus and yellow perch Perca flavescens.  Fish were collected and acclimated in 975-L tanks containing artificial vegetation for three weeks and fed fathead minnows Pimephales promelas ad libitum.  Large and small fish were measured for length and weight, Floy-tagged and randomly assigned to single-side, saddle, or no transmitter groups.  Transmitter weights were < 2% (1.7 + 0.2 SE) body weight and > 2% (2.6 + 0.3 SE) body weight for large and small fish, respectively.  Fish were weighed every five days through day 20, and every ten days from day 20 to day 40.  Transmitter type had no effect on large bluegill growth (P = 0.23).  Both transmitter types negatively affected small bluegill growth (P < 0.05), but no difference existed between transmitter types (P = 0.89).  Large yellow perch were negatively affected by transmitter attachment (P = 0.0004), but no difference existed between transmitter types (P = 0.1093).  No treatment effect was present for small yellow perch.  Few differences were observed in organosomatic and condition index values among treatments.  These results support the “two percent rule” for telemetry studies on bluegills.  Results for yellow perch suggests older perch from the northern Great Plains may not be hardy enough for telemetry studies.

 

 

Hatch Timing, Daily Growth and Cohort Composition of Age-0

Common Carp in Two Glacial Lakes

 

Kris R. Edwards , Quinton E. Phelps, Matthew J. Ward, and David W. Willis, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Box 2140B, Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007.

 

Many researchers have indicated that year-class strength is determined during the early life history in some fishes, and factors determining survival during early life history often are size dependent. Further, hatch timing and growth may influence survival and subsequent recruitment of age-0 common carp Cyprinus carpio however this has not been analyzed for common carp in natural lakes.  Therefore in order to more thoroughly understand common carp early life history and thus recruitment patterns, we examined age-0 common carp hatch timing, daily growth, and cohort composition. Age-0 common carp were collected at two-week intervals beginning in early June and continued throughout 2004 growing season from Campbell and Brant lakes in eastern South Dakota.  Hatching occurred from May 17 through July 3 and May 9 through June 14 in Brant and Campbell lakes respectively.  Overall age-0 common carp in Brant lake grew approximately 0.96 mm/day (N=78 SE=0.02). Further, hatch date was negatively related to total length (r = -0.84, df = 77, P =< 0.001) indicating that earlier hatched common carp attained greater total lengths at time of capture than their later hatched counterparts.  Campbell lake age-0 carp grew 1.03 mm /day (N=79 SE=0.01) and also exhibited a negative relationship between hatch date and total length (r = -0.87, df = 78, P = <0.001).  Individual variability in daily growth of age-0 individuals should be considered in future studies of population dynamics and recruitment patterns in common carp populations.

Population Characteristics of Lotic Orangespotted Sunfish

 

Ryan A. Rasmus, Quinton E. Phelps, and Jeremy P. Duehr  Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Box 2140B, Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007.

 

Growth and relative condition of fish populations can provide insight into overall fish community characteristics.  However, few studies have researched population characteristics of warmwater lotic centrarchids.  More specifically, no research to date has been conducted investigating population characteristics of orangespotted sunfish Lepomis humilis in South Dakota streams.  Orangespotted sunfish were collected utilizing a mesh bag seine (15.3-m long, 6.4-mm bar mesh) from two geographically distinct watersheds and their associated streams/tributaries in eastern (Big Sioux River watershed) and western (Cheyenne River watershed) South Dakota. All orangespotted sunfish were counted, measured to the nearest mm total length, and weighed to the nearest 0.1g.  After collection, sagittal otoliths were removed to analyze age and growth characteristics.  Relative condition factors were calculated to describe the overall well-being of the populations.  The 53 orangespotted sunfish data from the Big Sioux River watershed in eastern South Dakota had a mean length of 54 (SE = 1.57) mm, included relative condition values that ranged from 0.77-1.35, and exhibited relatively consistent recruitment up to age 4.  The 73 orangespotted sunfish population characteristics from the Cheyenne River Watershed in western south Dakota had a mean length of 58 (SE = 1.04) mm, exhibited relative condition values that ranged from 0.72-1.19, and consistent recruitment through age 5. This study provides baseline data from two diverse regions with a wide array of biotic and abiotic conditions that may be valuable for future comparative studies conducted on orangespotted sunfish populations in the upper Midwest.

 

 

A Comparison of Fall Movement Patterns of Adult Yellow Perch in Dissimilar Glacial Lakes

 

William (B.J.) F. Bauer, Nicholas B. Radabaugh, and Michael L. Brown, Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, South Dakota State University - Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, South Dakota State University,

Box 2140B, Brookings, SD 57007  Phone: 605-688-4787

 

 

Fish movement may be influenced by many factors including biotic conditions such as predator avoidance and prey availability and abiotic conditions such as limnological conditions and habitat features.  These variables can vary greatly among glacial lakes in South Dakota.  Differences in habitat features may elicit different behavioral responses and varied movement patterns in yellow perch.  The biology of yellow perch has been studied extensively, yet little is known about movement as it relates to the morphological characteristics of a lake basin.  In this study, the movement of yellow perch was examined simultaneously in a lake with simple (Madison) and complex (Sinai) basin morphometry.  Acoustic tags were externally attached to the dorsum of adult yellow perch in two size groups.  Tracking was conducted during two 24 h time periods on each lake during fall 2004.  Among lakes, movement rates were significantly higher in Lake Madison.  We found no difference in movement rates between size groups, and within lakes the nocturnal movement rates were significantly lower than other diel periods.  The large size group of yellow perch were located consistently closer to shore than the small group, and Lake Sinai yellow perch displayed onshore migrations during low light periods.  Between lakes, differences in movement rates and distances to shore may be related to habitat heterogeneity, predator avoidance, and prey availability.

 

 

 

 

Fishes Collected During the Environmental Monitoring and

Assessment Program in South Dakota

 

Jason Kral, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Research Assistant and Charles R. Berry, Jr. U.S. Geological Survey South Dakota Cooperative Research Unit South Dakota State University Brookings, South Dakota 57007

 

One hundred and ten wadeable tributaries and mainstem reaches of South Dakota streams were sampled over a four-year span funded by the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP).  We collected 34,310 fishes of 56 species by seining or electrofishing.  Cyprinids made up 84% of the catch with fathead minnows Pimephales promelas (24.2%), sand shiner Notropis stramineus (21.2%), and common shiners Luxilus cornutus (7.7%) composing the majority.  Thirty-five sites sampled in eastern South Dakota produced 23,278 fish and 76 sites sampled in western South Dakota produced 10,819 fish.  Combined with other recent data, the EMAP data provide a more comprehensive understanding of the distribution and abundance of riverine ichthyofauna of South Dakota.  For example 6 of the 12 state listed species of concern were collected including: blacknose shiner Notropis heterolepis (n=8), central mudminnow Umbra limi (n=27), northern redbelly dace Phoxinus eos (n=53), pearl dace Margariscus margarita (n=9), sturgeon chub Macrhybopsis gelida (n=10), and Topeka shiner Notropis topeka (n=783).  The fish data and associated hydrological, physical, and chemical characteristics will be used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assess the status of western streams and identify regional and international impacts (e.g. acid rain, climate change, cumulative impacts) to water quality and biological resources.

 

 

Professional

 

Little Missouri River Sampling in North Dakota

Ryan Wilson, Wade King, Steve Krentz, US Fish and Wildlife Service, 3425 Miriam Ave, Bismarck, ND.  701-250-4419.

 

Sampling on the Little Missouri River began in 1997 in advance of reintroduction of sturgeon chub (Macrhybosis gelida).  Primary goal of this project was to ascertain the existing species diversity and abundance, document the occurrence of sturgeon chub, and develop a long term data set that can be used to assess future impacts to this valuable resource. For each sampling period, standardized sites were utilized when accessible.  The sampling sites extend from the North and South Dakota state line to near the mouth, at Lake Sakakawea.  Sampling utilized seining, collection of habitat information (flows, depth, temperature, substrate), species identification, and effort.  Over 20 species of fish have been sampled during this project, however, no sturgeon chub (M. gelida) have been collected to date, despite a trap and transport effort of 976 adults that occurred from 1998 through 2000.

 

Professional

 

Mussels of the Missouri National Recreational River

 

Jeff Shearer and Doug Backlund, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Pierre, SD 57501; 

 

Stephen Wilson, National Park Service, Yankton, SD 57078

 

Mussel (Bivalvia:Unionoida) surveys of the 59- and 39-mile stretches of the Missouri National Recreational River (MNRR) were completed in 1999 and 2004.  A total of 1709 dead shells (16 species) and 355 live mussels (8 species) were collected at 47 sites on the 59-mile stretch.  One hundred seventy-one dead shells (7 species) and 51 live mussels (5 species) were collected at 12 sites on the 39-mile stretch.  Mussel beds immediately below Gavin’s Point Dam had the highest abundance and diversity within the MNRR.  Gravel substrates within the main channel and silt / clay substrates in backwater and side channel areas provided the best areas for mussel colonization.  Shifting sand substrates, such as those found at the Niobrara River delta, were devoid of mussels.  Management actions that alter habitat and flow conditions have the potential to impact South Dakota’s most diversity mussel community.