SCIENCE TO INFORM ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT OF MISSOURI RIVER FISHERIES

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1012912
• Project Start Date: Oct 31, 2017
• Project End Date: Aug 21, 2019
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
PO BOX 2275A
BROOKINGS,SD 57007

Performing Department
Natural Resource Management

Non Technical Summary
Missouri River fisheries in South Dakota support an estimated $47 million in direct economic impact to South Dakota (Southwick Associates 2017). In fact, this same study estimated that the four reservoirs and associated river stretches account for one third of all angler economic impact in South Dakota. The Missouri River basin has experienced wide fluctuations in water conditions (floods and droughts) that result in dynamic fisheries and periods of boom and bust for anglers. Previous research in our lab has identified spatial ecology of many fishes within the system, and linked climatic variation with sport fish production. The next step in successful adaptive management is to understand how humans interact with dynamic sport fish populations. Specifically, we need to know how angling pressure and harvest varyspatially within and among reservoirs, temporally among seasons and between years, and how anglers respond to changing sport fish populations. The reservoir systems of the Missouri River are a diverse riverscape that offers opportunities to conduct questions-based research with complimentary studies to answer these questions.We will conduct a series of projects using a mark-recapture study design to answer a broad series of questions about angler behavior and walleye ecology. We began with a five-year tagging study on Lake Oahe (largest and most upstream system in South Dakota). This project is 75% complete and thus far, we have tagged and released over 36,000 walleyes. Information from angler returned tags is highlighting vast differences in angler harvest, fish movement, and fish mortality among years, and between different sections of the lake. In short, the lower zone of the lake is functionally distinct from the middle and upper reaches. We will begin a new project on the next reservoir downstream from Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe. Anglers have experienced inconsistent catch rates, and walleye size structure in this lake has declined in recent years. To develop an adaptive management plan for this system, biologists need information on walleye ecology, harvest of walleye by anglers, and temporal and spatial variability of these variables. We anticipate that a 5 year tagging study with the addition of radio telemetry will allow us to answerour research questions. These projects, in combination with ongoing work on Missouri River tributaries, and existing angler data collected by the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks will provide a strong foundation to conduct questions-based research to inform adaptive management.We anticipate that our results will continue to highlight the spatial and temporal variability in sport fish populations and the human anglers that pursue them. Often these dynamics require differing management approaches, even within the same system. For example, our research on Lake Oahe is showing that walleye in the lower zone of the lake had slow growth, higher angler mortality, lower movement rates, and a generally declining abundance compared to the rest of the system. These dynamics can be successfully managed with a variety of length-based harvest regulations. However applying these regulations lake- wide may have the opposite effects in other areas of the system. We are working with managers to develop management plans that address specific zones within Lake Oahe.In addition to regulations, our research will inform the supplemental stocking of walleyes into different area of Lake Oahe. Our research will help public hatchery managers develop stocking plans that will maximize success and efficiency. In addition to regulations, our research will inform the supplemental stocking of walleyes into different area of Lake Oahe. Our research will help public hatchery managers develop stocking plans that will maximize success and efficiency. Ultimately, this will sustain more consistent fish populations and support sustained or increasing levels of anger use.Southwick Associates 2017. Economic impact of outdoor activities managed by South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. Femandina Beach, FL.

Animal Health Component

60%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

40%

Applied

60%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
135	0819	1070	100%

Knowledge Area
135 - Aquatic and Terrestrial Wildlife;

Subject Of Investigation
0819 - Natural fisheries, other;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;

Keywords

walleye

missouri river

reservoir managment

sport fisheries

fisheries management

Goals / Objectives
Our first goal is to conduct basic research on walleye ecology, with particular emphasis on growth, mortality, and movement, combined with research on angler dynamics. This goal has two objectives:Objective 1. Estimate movement patterns, growth, and mortality of walleyes in Lakes Sharpe and Oahe.Objective 2. Estimate angling pressure, angler catch rates, and the harvest rate of walleye.Our second goal is to use this information to identify adaptive management strategies focused on harvest regulations.Objective 3. Develop spatially explicit harvest models that incorporate a range of environmental conditions, angler dynamics, and changes in walleye populations.

Project Methods
Objective 1. Estimate movement patterns, growth, and mortality of walleyes in Lakes Sharpe and Oahe.We will use a mark-recapture multi-year study design to estimate survival, angler harvest, movement, and growth of walleyes in Lakes Oahe and Sharpe. We will capture a minimum of 3000 walleyes per year that will be tagged with individually numbered metal jaw bands. Anglers will recapture fish via angling and will report any tagged fish with an online reporting system that we developed for this project. We will analyze the tagging data using different models in Program Mark to estimate harvest mortality, total mortality, and movement of tagged fish. Our results will be compared with independent sampling datasets (e.g., gill net catch data) from our study lakes, as well as regional comparisons of similar tagging efforts (Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin).Objective 2. Estimate angling pressure, angler catch rates, and the harvest rate of walleye.We will use standardized creel data from South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks to quantify angler pressure, catch rate, and harvest. The Department has had standardized creel on Missouri River reservoirs for several years so we also will be able to examine data over a several year period. This data will be analyzed in a GIS based spatial analysis approach.Objective 3. Develop spatially explicit harvest models that incorporate a range of environmental conditions, angler dynamics, and changes in walleye populations. We will use Fisheries Analysis and Modeling Simulator (FAMS) to examine the relative effectiveness of various management techniques to improve walleye populations and/or angler effort and harvest. This approach allows users to simulate a range of condition with a fisheries yield modeling approach. For example, we can simulate recruitment changes (i.e, stocking) and harvest changes (e.g., creel and size regulations) on size structure and harvest of walleyes. Moreover, we can simulate spatial differences within systems to obtain better resolution on the outcomes of regulations. The outcomes of this objective should be incorporated into the adaptive management plan for Missouri River reservoirs in South Dakota. A larger impact will be achieved if our results are incorporated into the management of other large walleye fisheries, such as Lakes Sakakawea (ND) and Fort Peck (MT) on the Missouri River above South Dakota.

Progress 10/31/17 to 08/21/19

Outputs
Target Audience:The primary target audience for this project is natural resource management professionals. In particular, this work will be used by State and Federal aquatic management specialists. An additional target audience for this work is recreational anglers, and angling groups. South Dakota has a very active group of walleye anglers. Many of them are organized under the group Walleyes Unlimited. My students and I are invited to present our work every year during their annual conference. This research is used during formal classroom instruction in my Fisheries courses (WL 412, Principles of Fisheries Management and WL 431/531, Advanced Fisheries Management). The combined enrollment in these courses generally exceeds 100 students. I also provide experiential learning opportunities by supporting several graduates students, undergraduate technicians and research interns. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?I have three graduate students working on this project. They gave six presentations at Natural resource conferences. Nick Kludt, PhD Candidate. He is working approximately 10% of his time on this project. He has gained substantial experience in GIS modeling, database management, and population modeling. Tanner Davis, MS Student. Tanner joined the project in April 2018. He is working 100% on the project. He is scheduled to gain training in advanced methods in 3-D telemetry. Cade Lyon, MS Student. Cade joined the project in August 2018. He is working 100% on the project. He is scheduled to gain training in advanced methods in 3-D telemetry. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Research results have been distributed through journal articles. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Estimate movement patterns, growth, and mortality of walleyes in Lakes Sharpe and Oahe. (75% Accomplished) We tagged 7,529 walleye in Lake Sharpe in South Dakota during 2017-2019, including 449 with reward tags. We also surgically implanted 20 telemetry tags to estimate movement. We estimated an exploitation rate (angler mortality) rate of 13-14% for 2017, 2018, and 2019. This rate is lower than other walleye fisheries, which can often range 25-35%. This suggests that the impact of angling is low and that other factors, such as recruitment, are structuring the population. Objective 2: Estimate angling pressure, angler catch rates, and the harvest rate of Walleye. (40% Accomplished) We tagged approximately 1,000 walleye in each of three reservoirs in Western South Dakota during 2017 and 2018. Exploitation for 2019 was 15% for Belle Fourche and 18% for Shadehill reservoirs. These estimates are lower than many walleye fisheries, which typically have exploitation of 25-35%. In contrast, Angostura reservoir had exploitation of 32%, which is in line with other walleye fisheries, and suggests that regulating harvest will effect the population. We began a tagging study to estimate delayed angling mortality. We used a combination of nets pens and telemetry to estimate short-term (1-5 day), and long-term (30 days) delayed mortality. This process was conducted in warm water during summer 2019, and a companion study will be conducted in Winter 2020. When complete, we will develop estimates that will allow us to correct exploitation estimates by including delayed mortality. Objective 3. Develop spatially explicit harvest models that incorporate a range of environmental conditions, angler dynamics, and changes in walleye populations. (0% Accomplished) These analysis cannot be conducted until the later years of the study because they require a minimum of 3 years of tagging data. We will begin developing these models in 2020.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Radigan, W.J., A.K. Carlson, M.J. Fincel, and B.D.S. Graeb. 2019. Effects of the 2011 Missouri River flood on walleye natal recruitment and habitat use in Lake Sharpe, SD. Journal of Freshwater Ecology. 34:21-228.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Garcia, C., Schumann, D. A., Howell, J., Graeb, B. D., Bertrand, K. N., Klumb, R. A. 2018. Seasonality, floods and droughts structure larval fish assemblages in prairie rivers. Ecology of Freshwater Fish. 27:389-397.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Radigan, W.J., Carlson, A.K., Fincel, M.J., Graeb, B.D.S. 2018. Assessing the utility of otolith chemistry for management of six freshwater fishes from a river-reservoir system. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 38:316-326.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Radigan, W.J., Carlson, A.K., Fincel, M.J., Graeb, B.D.S. 2018. Otolith chemistry as a fisheries management tool after flooding: The case of the Missouri River Gizzard Shad. River Research and Applications. 34:270-278.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Radigan, W.J., Carlson, A.K., Kientz, J.L., Chipps, S.R., Fincel, M.J., Graeb, B.D.S. 2018. Species- and habitat-specific otolith chemistry patterns inform riverine fisheries management. River Research and Applications. 34:279-287.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Deslauriers, D., Heironimus, L. B., Rapp, T., Graeb, B. D., Klumb, R. A., Chipps, S. R. 2018. Growth potential and habitat requirements of endangered age-0 pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Missouri River, USA, determined using a individual-based model framework. Ecology of Freshwater Fish. 27:198-397.

Progress 10/31/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences The primary target audience for this project is Natural Resource Management Professionals. In particular, this work will be used by State and Federal aquatic management specialists. An additional target audience for this work is Recreational Anglers, and angling groups. South Dakota has a very active group of Walleye anglers. Many of them are organized under the group Walleyes Unlimited. My students and I are invited to present our work every year during their annual conference. This research is used during formal classroom instruction in my Fisheries courses (WL 412, Principles of Fisheries Management and WL 431/531, Advanced Fisheries Management). The combined enrolment in these courses generally exceeds 100 students. I also provide experiential learning opportunities by supporting several graduates students, undergraduate technicians and research interns. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?I have three graduate students working on this project: Nick Kludt, PhD Candidate. He is working approximately 10% of his time on this project. He has gained substantial experience in GIS modeling, database management, and population modeling. Tanner Davis, MS Student. Tanner joined the project in April 2018. He is working 100% on the project. He is scheduled to gain training in advanced methods in 3-D telemetry. Cade Lyon, MS Student. Cade joined the project in August 2018. He is working 100% on the project. He is scheduled to gain training in advanced methods in 3-D telemetry. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Research results have been distributed through journal articles. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: Estimate movement patterns, growth, and mortality of walleyes in Lakes Sharpe and Oahe. I recruited an additional graduate student to this project that started during summer 2018. He is managing the field work (tagging), and analysis. We plan to conduct annual tagging again during Spring 2019. Objective one will be completed by 2020. We also will be able to start conducting analyses for Objectives 2 and 3 during 2019. Objective 2: Estimate angling pressure, angler catch rates, and the harvest rate of Walleye. I recruited a graduate student to this project that started during Fall 2018. He is managing the field work (tagging), and analysis on Lakes Shadehill, Orman, and Angostora. Similar to Objective one, we plan to conduct annual tagging during Spring 2019. Objective 3. Develop spatially explicit harvest models that incorporate a range of environmental conditions, angler dynamics, and changes in walleye populations. Both of the above graduate students will work on this objective during 2019 and 2020.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Estimate movement patterns, growth, and mortality of walleyes in Lakes Sharpe and Oahe. (40% Accomplished) We have tagged a total of 7,529 walleye in Lake Sharpe in South Dakota, including 449 with reward tags. We also surgically implanted 20 telemetry tags to estimate movement. We estimated an exploitation rate (angler mortality) rate of 14% for 2017. Estimates for 2018 will be calculated in January after the end of the angling year. We have just started to get returns from telemetry fish, and thus have not estimated movement patterns. Objective 2: Estimate angling pressure, angler catch rates, and the harvest rate of Walleye. (5% Accomplished) These estimates require coupling our tagging data with independent estimates of angler harvest and effort estimated through creel surveys. The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks is conducting the creel surveys, and during 2019 we will start combining those data with our tagging analysis. Objective 3. Develop spatially explicit harvest models that incorporate a range of environmental conditions, angler dynamics, and changes in walleye populations. (0% Accomplished) These analysis cannot be conducted until the later years of the study because they require a minimum of 3 years of tagging data.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Deslauriers, D., Heironimus, L. B., Rapp, T., Graeb, B. D., Klumb, R. A., Chipps, S. R. 2018. Growth potential and habitat requirements of endangered age-0 pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Missouri River, USA, determined using a individual-based model framework. Ecology of Freshwater Fish. 27 198-397.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Garcia, C., Schumann, D. A., Howell, J., Graeb, B. D., Bertrand, K. N., Klumb, R. A. 2018. Seasonality, floods and droughts structure larval fish assemblages in prairie rivers. Ecology of Freshwater Fish. 389-397.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Radigan, W.J., Carlson, A.K., Fincel, M.J., Graeb, B.D.S. 2018. Assessing the Utility of Otolith Chemistry for Management of Six Freshwater Fishes from a River-Reservoir System. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 38 316-326.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Radigan, W.J., Carlson, A.K., Fincel, M.J., Graeb, B.D.S. 2018. Otolith Chemistry as a Fisheries Management Tool after Flooding: The case of the Missouri River Gizzard Shad. River Research and Applications. 34 270-278.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Radigan, W.J., Carlson, A.K., Kientz, J.L., Chipps, S.R., Fincel, M.J., Graeb, B.D.S. 2018. Species- and Habitat-Specific Otolith Chemistry Patterns inform Riverine Fisheries Management. River Research and Applications. 34 279-287.