POPULATION DYNAMICS OF PADDLEFISH IN THE LOWER MISSOURI RIVER SUB-BASIN

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: TERMINATED
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0209132
• Project No.: NEB-38-051
• Project Start Date: Nov 1, 2006
• Project End Date: Oct 31, 2011

Project Director
Pegg, M. A.

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
(N/A)
LINCOLN,NE 68583

Performing Department
SCHOOL OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Non Technical Summary
Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) are one of the few pre-historic, native fishes that inhabit large rivers in the Central United States. While very abundant in some areas, this species is of special concern nationally because many of the impoundments built on the rivers it inhabits have limited certain life-history aspects, primarily movements associated with successful spawning and recruitment. Paddlefish have been relatively well studied, but many of the studies have been localized or address a specific management issue within a single state. Here I will expand on existing knowledge to gain insight into the inter-jurisdictional nature of these highly mobile fish. Furthermore, there is considerable effort being put into water management issues (e.g., spring rise to facilitate spawning and nesting habitat for endangered species) that could also have significant implications for other native species. This is especially true for species of concern like paddlefish and knowing how they respond to current pressures and proposed water level management scenarios will be vital to maintain and improve viable populations. Specifically, this project will provide support for management decisions made to sustain paddlefish populations in the entire Lower Missouri River regarding flow management, habitat restoration, and socio-economic issues. Therefore, the information I gather through this study will provide valuable insight and tools for managing paddlefish across multi-jurisdictional boundaries in an area where their populations are relatively strong.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

20%

Applied

80%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
135	0310	1070	25%
135	0810	1070	50%
135	0812	1070	10%
135	0819	1070	15%

Knowledge Area
135 - Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife;

Subject Of Investigation
0810 - Finfish; 0812 - Fish habitats; 0819 - Natural fisheries, other; 0310 - River basins;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;

Keywords

fish

missouri river

paddlefish

population dynamics

telemetry

habitat use

Goals / Objectives
My overall program involves a variety of studies on aquatic community responses to environmental conditions like hydrology, climate, habitat availability; aspects of fish population dynamics like survival, age, growth, and exploitation and most recently river restoration techniques through both space and time. The initial focus of this project will be on population dynamics of paddlefish in the Lower Missouri River Sub-Basin. Although the focus will be on paddlefish, work on other species will be conducted as time, need, and resources allow. In this project, I propose a five-year study of paddlefish in the entire sub-basin as well as specific regional areas (primarily the South Dakota-Nebraska reach). This study will provide much needed information to understand the underlying mechanisms of paddlefish population dynamics and will also provide management recommendations that will facilitate sustainable paddlefish populations. Specifically, my objectives are to: Objective 1. Determine population size, angler pressure and harvest rates of paddlefish in the Missouri River along the Nebraska and South Dakota reach; Objective 2. Determine the influence of natural and human induced spring rises and other flow extreme events on paddlefish populations; Objective 3. Determine habitat use and interaction in sediment deposition and tributary delta areas; Objective 4. Determine movements and habitat use of paddlefish in the Lower Missouri River Basin including identification of spawning locations and spawning timing. Objective 5. Determine population dynamics and responses to biotic/abiotic factors of other riverine species as time, need, and resources allow.

Project Methods
The field work involved in data collection for each objective is not mutually exclusive, where data collected for one objective can provide valuable insight into aspects of other objectives. Population dynamics. I will use the software program MARK (White and Burnham 1999) to develop population estimates for each reservoir and for the entire reach. Program MARK, provides parameter estimates from marked animals when they are re-encountered at a later time using standard population estimators like the Jolly-Seber model. Response to natural and human induced flows - Young-of-year paddlefish data have been collected by state and federal agencies in the Missouri River for over 40 years. I will use these data to determine what environmental variables influence year-class strengths. Delta usage (pre-flushing). Paddlefish use of sediment deposition areas (deltas) will largely focus on a paired study of the White River and Niobrara River confluence deltas. Sampling will follow a multi-gear sampling approach in an attempt to collect all life-stages of paddlefish and the associated fish community using these habitats. Gears will likely include trammel nets, ichthyoplankton nets, mini-fyke nets, seining, and possibly trawling. Sampling sites will be randomly selected within available microhabitats (stratified-random design) in each delta area on a seasonal basis where each available microhabitat type will be sampled at least five times on a seasonal basis (four to eight sampling episodes per year per delta). Our primary focus will be on paddlefish, but all other fish collected will be identified, weighed and measured to investigate associations with paddlefish at varying life-stages as well as to document fish use in these unique habitats. When possible, these sampling efforts will be conducted before and after flood-pulses to gain further insight on resilience and persistence of paddlefish and other fishes to higher flows. Movements and habitat use. I will use telemetry techniques to assess movements and habitat use by paddlefish in the Lower Missouri River Sub-Basin using two related, but separate approaches. The first approach will focus on movements in Lake Francis Case and Lewis and Clark Lake and the second effort will follow fish throughout the Lower Missouri River Sub-Basin. Lake Francis Case and Lewis and Clark Lake. About 20 CART tags will be surgically implanted into paddlefish in each reservoir. The CART tags will not exceed 2-3% of the paddlefish body weight, but will still be large enough to transmit a signal for over two years to get multiple annual migration patterns. Implantation will be timed to use resident fish (i.e., when not in spawning migration), to the best of our knowledge, to ensure that the fish represent movements within the area. This timeframe will likely be fall or early winter. Lower Missouri River Sub-Basin. Here, I propose to capitalize specifically on the USGS listening stations to gather much of the movement information. However, I will also rely on collaboration and support from the sub-basin states and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to implant transmitters and to conduct follow-up tracking as needed.

Progress 11/01/06 to 10/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research for this project have focused examining the fish populations and their management in the Missouri River. Field work continues with summer and fall fish sampling. Specific output information includes sample data to estimate abundance, condition, and movements as well as age and growth structure data for targeted species. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Natural resource managers, public, and policy makers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Recent publications have focused on putting movements of fishes in rivers into perspective so that they are appropriately managed. These recommendations could influence state, regional, and national management strategies in the future.

Publications

• Steffensen, K.D., L.A. Powell, and M.A. Pegg. 2012. Using mark-recapture to estimate population size of pallid sturgeon in the upper channelized Missouri River. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 32:159-166.
• Pracheil, B.M., L.A. Powell, G.E. Mestl, and M.A. Pegg. 2012. Movement and survival of paddlefish on a range-wide scale: how movement and time-scale can influence migratory fish management outcomes. Fisheries 37:449-457.

Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Results from this study have been shared with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission biologists and biologists associated with the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Research Association (MICRA)to help identify future management approaches to conserve and protect paddlefish populations in Nebraska and throughout their native distribution. Personnel working on this project are also disseminating information to local resource users through press releases, local news articles, and public presentations. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Implications for paddlefish and highly migratory species of riverine fishes include not only habitat quantity and quality, but also require avenues of connection to large portions of rivers to complete their life cycle. We are just now beginning to understand the interconnectedness of riverine fishes to mainstem rivers and their tributaries and how conflicting management strategies could play a role in disrupting fish population dynamics. Our findings suggest a larger than state jurisdictional scale, cohesive management strategy may be required to fully ensure population sustainability in large, migratory fishes.

Publications

• Pracheil, B.M. 2010. Multi-scale perspectives on paddlefish populations: implications for species conservation and management. PhD Dissertation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Results from the study have been shared with Nebraska Game and Parks biologists to help identify future management areas and to also highlight habitat protection sites to facilitate young-of-year recruitment in the future. Preliminary analyses from data analyses on the year-class strength data in relation to hydrologic regime, sediment toxicity issues, and entrainment through dams have also been shared with state and federal fisheries biologists. These data are providing valuable information on how the Missouri River and at a larger scale, the Mississippi River Basin population dynamics. Personnel working on this project are also disseminating information to local communities through press releases and postings at access points along the Missouri River that highlight the nature of the project and at scientific meetings. PARTICIPANTS: Mark Pegg, PI Brenda Pracheil, Graduate Student(PhD) TARGET AUDIENCES: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Nebraska Environmental Trust U.S. National Park Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Implications for paddlefish and highly migratory river fishes include not only habitat availability and quality on the Missouri River, but may also play a large role for in-stream flow rights along the Niobrara River and other mainstem and tributary systems. We are just now begining to understand the interconnectedness of these fish populations throughout their distributional range. Our findings suggesting a larger scale, cohesive management strategy that likely will require multi-state and federal agency participation to ensure the sustainability of paddlefish and other large river species.

Publications

• Pracheil, B.M., D.D. Snow, and M.A. Pegg. 2010. Distribution of selenium, mercury, and methylmercury in surficial Missouri River sediments. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 84:331-335.
• Pracheil, B.M., M.A. Pegg, and G.E. Mestl. 2009. Effects of mainstem and tributary flows on paddlefish recruitment. Ecology of Freshwater Fishes 18:603-609.
• Pegg, M.A., J.H. Chick, and B.M. Pracheil. 2009. The influence of non-native species on paddlefish. Proceedings of the 2006 Paddlefish Symposium 66:185-201.

Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Field work for paddlefish collections in Lewis and Clark lake were completed during the reporting period. Preliminary results of the data collection efforts from the past three years have been distributed through public outlets like Outdoor Nebraska and several technical presentations at scientific meetings. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Results from the publication listed below are redefining how river water management could be used to protect and conserve native fishes like paddlefish. These results have also led to establishment of multistate collaboration between Nebraska and South Dakota to properly manage populations of paddlefish in teh Missouri River.

Publications

• Pracheil, B.M., M.A. Pegg, and G.E. Mestl. 2009. Effects of mainstem and tributary flows on paddlefish recruitment. Ecology of Freshwater Fishes 18:603-609.

Progress 11/01/07 to 10/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Results from the paddlefish movement portion of the study have been shared with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission biologists to facilitate habitat and population management strategies for Lewis and Clark Lake. These management strategies will likely target protecting spawning and nursery areas for paddlefish in the study reach. Personnel associated with the project also continue to investigate the value of tributary inputs and their ability to influence year-class strength and overall juvenile survival. All personnel associated with the project are disseminating information to local communities through press releases, postings at access points, and through direct contact while sampling to provide insights into the research being conducted and how the results relate to proper population management. PARTICIPANTS: Brenda Pracheil - PhD student working on paddlefish ecology in the Missouri River. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Nebraska Environmental Trust U.S. National Park Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Our assessment of tributary influence on young-of-year paddlefish abundances is being used to evaluate the management of both the Missouri River in the Lewis and Clark Lake area. These data are also being used to evaluate flow needs for tributaries like the Niobrara River which may have a strong influence on successful spawning events. Reduced flows at in appropriate times from the Niobrara could have a major impact on paddlefish populations in the Missouri River. Therefore, state and federal biologists are using data collected through this project to make informed decisions about proper river management.

Publications

• Pegg, M.A. 2008. Bibliography of fish, wildlife, and recreational literature for the Niobrara River Basin. Final report to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and U.S. National Parks Service, Lincoln, NE.

Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Results from the paddlefish movement portion of the study have been shared with Nebraska Game and Parks biologists to help identify future management areas and to also highlight habitat protection sites to facilitate young-of-year recruitment in the future. Preliminary analyses from data analyses on the year-class strength data in relation to hydrologic regime has also been shared with state fisheries biologists. These data are providing valuable information on how the Missouri River and also the Niobrara River contribute to reproductive success in Lewis and Clark Lake. Personnel working on this project are also disseminating information to local communities through press releases and postings at access points along the Missouri River that highlight the nature of the project. PARTICIPANTS: Mark Pegg, PI Brenda Pracheil, Graduate Student(PhD) TARGET AUDIENCES: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Nebraska Environmental Trust U.S. National Park Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Impacts
Implications for the young-of-year recruitment study include not only habitat availability and quality on the Missouri River, but may also play a large role for in-stream flow rights along the Niobrara River. The Niobrara River plays a major role in paddlefish recruitment and proposed withdrawals of water from the Niobrara could alter this relation that could considerably reduce paddlefish numbers in the Lewis and Clark Lake portion of the Missouri River as well as populations further downstream because the affected population is thought to be a source population.

Publications

• Pegg, M.A., J.H. Chick, and B.M. Pracheil. Accepted. The influence of non-native species on paddlefish. Proceedings of the 2006 Paddlefish Symposium.
• Pracheil, B.M., and M.A. Pegg. 2007. Population Dynamics, Habitat Use and Response to Changes in Flow by Paddlefish in the Ft. Randall Dam to Gavins Point Dam Reach of the Missouri River. Annual Performance Report submitted to Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.