lake huron lake sturgeon working group annual report 2018 huron... · 2019. 3. 20. · jason smith...

Prepared by members:

Justin Chiotti (Chair) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Alpena FWCO

Dave Borgeson Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Lori Criger U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Marquette Biological Station

Chris Davis Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Paul Ripple Bay Mills Indian Community

Jason Smith Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

Brad Silet Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians

J. Barry Weldon Little River Band of Ottawa Indians

Erik Olsen Grand Traverse Bay Band of Chippewa Indians

And non‐members:

Ed Baker Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Jim Baker Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Rich Drouin Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Darryl Hondorp U.S. Geological Survey – Great Lakes Science Center

Serena Lake Lake Superior State University

Doug Larson Department of Fisheries and Wildlife – Michigan State University

Kim Scribner Department of Fisheries and Wildlife – Michigan State University

Jeff Speers Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Lexi Sumner Anishinabek/Ontario Fisheries Resource Center

This document is intended to provide an update regarding lake sturgeon activities within the Lake Huron

basin. Please contact the agency leads listed for more information about a specific project. 2018

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Location: Southern Lake Huron and Upper St. Clair River

Project Title: Lake Sturgeon Population Assessment in

Southern Lake Huron

Project Description: Southern Lake Huron (Upper St. Clair

River) contains one of the largest populations of lake sturgeon

in the Great Lakes. In 1995, the Ministry of Natural Resources

and Forestry began a mark‐recapture study to gain a better

understanding of lake sturgeon population demographics at

this location. Tagging operations ceased in 2008. Overall,

1,657 lake sturgeon were marked and it is estimated that the

lake sturgeon population is near 30,000 individuals. In 2012,

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service along with the Ministry of

Natural Resources and Forestry and Purdy Fisheries

resurrected lake sturgeon tagging operations at this location. Lake sturgeon are tagged annually with

the cooperation of Purdy Fisheries. Since 2012, 941 sturgeon have been tagged, with 150 tagged in

2018. The goal of this work is to obtain a more precise estimate of lake sturgeon abundance and

monitor trends in abundance overtime.

Project Duration: Spring 2012 ‐ Annually

Contact Information:

Justin Chiotti, USFWS, Alpena FWCO ‐ Detroit River Substation, 248‐891‐0087, [email protected]

Chris Davis, MNRF, Upper Great Lakes Management Unit ‐ Lake Huron, 519‐371‐8303,

[email protected]

Location: Southern Lake Huron and Upper St. Clair River

Project Title: Lake Sturgeon Gamete Collection in Southern

Lake Huron

Project Description: Beginning in 2017, the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and

Forestry, Michigan Department of Natural Resources,

University of Windsor, and Purdy Fisheries began collecting

lake sturgeon gametes in order to stock fall fingerling lake

sturgeon in the Lake Erie and Huron basins.

The gametes collected will be used to restore the Maumee

River, OH and Saginaw River, MI lake sturgeon populations.

These lake sturgeon restoration programs are a bi‐national

effort between Federal, Provincial, State, and non‐

governmental agencies. The lake sturgeon gametes collected will be reared at either the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service Genoa National Fish Hatchery or a streamside rearing facility operated along the

Maumee River by the Toledo Zoological Society. The upper St. Clair River lake sturgeon population is

being proposed as the stock for this reintroduction effort due the large size of the population, on‐going

monitoring efforts, and is likely similar genetically to what was historically found in the Saginaw and

Maumee Rivers (GSU 1; Welsh et al. 2010). All fall fingerlings stocked will receive a PIT tag.

Project Duration: Spring 2017 ‐ Annually


Justin Chiotti, USFWS, Alpena FWCO ‐ Detroit River Substation, 248‐891‐0087, [email protected]

Rich Drouin, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 519‐873‐4611, [email protected]

Location: Saginaw River Watershed

Project Title: Lake Sturgeon Rehabilitation in the Saginaw

River Watershed

Project Description: In the fall of 2018, the Michigan

Department of Natural Resources began stocking fall

fingerling lake sturgeon in the Saginaw River Watershed.

Gametes were collected by USFWS in southern Lake Huron

and Michigan State University (MSU) in the Black River with

the goal of rearing 500 lake sturgeon fingerlings each at the

Black River facility and Genoa National Fish Hatchery. If

sufficient larval fish are collected in the Black River, these will

replace the collected gametes. During each fall, between

2018 and 2043, a target of 1,000 lake sturgeon will be stocked

in the Saginaw River system. A target of 125 fall fingerlings each from Black River and Genoa hatchery

will be stocked into the Tittabawassee, Shiawassee, Cass, and Flint rivers. All fall fingerlings stocked will

receive a PIT tag.

Objectives:

1. Through annual stocking, build a genetically diverse adult population of lake sturgeon that

return to the Saginaw River system.

2. Determine if there are differences in survival and stream fidelity between Black Lake source

sturgeon reared at a streamside facility (on Black River) and southern Lake Huron sturgeon

reared at a “traditional” hatchery.

3. Build public support for lake sturgeon rehabilitation within the Saginaw River watershed.

Project Duration: Fall 2018 – Annually


Dave Borgeson, MDNR, Fisheries Division, 989‐732‐3541 ext. 5070, [email protected]

Jim Baker, MDNR, Fisheries Division, 989‐684‐9141, [email protected]

Location(s): Detroit‐St. Clair River System; Lake Huron; Lake

Erie

Project Title: Geographic organization and population

structure of lake sturgeon in the Lake Huron‐to‐Lake Erie

corridor as inferred from long‐term, population‐scale

movement patterns.

Project Description: This study uses acoustic telemetry to

describe the spatial structure of lake sturgeon populations

that spawn in the St. Clair and Detroit rivers in order to

provide managers with information on habitat use by

different sturgeon populations as well as on population‐

scale movements and dispersal patterns at ecologically‐

relevant temporal scales. Since 2011, a total of 282 adult lake sturgeon have been captured in the

Detroit and St. Clair rivers, implanted with high‐power acoustic tags with a battery life of 10 years, and

then released near the capture site. Strategically‐located acoustic receivers in the Detroit‐St. Clair river

system, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie (map to the right), are allowing scientists to track sturgeon

movements between feeding, overwintering, and spawning grounds over thousands of square miles.

Study results will be used to test the hypothesis that a number of separate sturgeon populations occur

in the Lake Huron‐to‐Lake Erie corridor rather than one large population.

Results to date have shown that lake sturgeon habitat use varies by

release location. Lake sturgeon released into the Detroit River (black

circles, left) tended to remain in the Detroit River or move up into

Lake St. Clair, whereas lake sturgeon released into the lower St. Clair

River (red circles) either remained in the St. Clair River or moved

down into Lake St. Clair. Lake sturgeon released into the upper St.

Clair river (blue circles) spread out to occupy Lake Huron, the St. Clair

River, and Lake St. Clair. Significant mixing of release groups occurs in

Lake St. Clair, whereas Lake Erie is rarely used by lake sturgeon, even

those released into the Detroit River. The extent and timing of

movements by different release groups suggest the potential for

complex metapopulation dynamics, which could impact conservation

strategies. Year‐round tracking of lake sturgeon movements also has confirmed the existence of

migratory and river‐resident life histories. The high incidence of river residency in Detroit‐St. Clair river

lake sturgeon was a surprise.

Project Duration: 2012‐2022


Darryl Hondorp, USGS ‐ Great Lakes Science Center (Ann Arbor, MI), 734‐214‐7241, [email protected]

Location: Au Sable River, Oscoda, MI

Project Title: Assessment of Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser

fulvescens) Spawning Habitat in the Au Sable River, MI

Project Description: Historically, Lake Sturgeon spawning

was documented in 33 known tributaries throughout the

Lake Huron Basin. Overexploitation, pollution, and habitat

degradation have decimated the species, and slow

maturation rates, coupled with barriers to historic spawning

grounds, have made recovery a slow process. Four rivers

have been identified as potentially highly suitable for Lake

Sturgeon restoration in the Lake Huron Basin; one of which

is the lower 19 km reach of the Au Sable River, located from

the mouth to the first upstream dam. The objective of this

study was to quantify available spawning habitat using side‐

scan sonar technology as well as manual transect methods in the lower reach of the Au Sable River. The

19 km study reach was scanned using a 1197ϲ Humminbird side imaging system in November 2017.

Side‐scan sonar video recordings were collected in multiple longitudinal transects throughout the upper

90% of the river reach and georeferenced with GPS trackpoints. Utilizing a third‐party software,

SonarTRX, the raw images were processed into mosaics and imported into ArcGIS and dominant

substrates were manually delineated. Additional data for depth, velocity, and substrate were collected

manually via transect methods every 250 m throughout the entire river reach in June 2018 and

uploaded into ArcGIS. Spatial queries were performed using GIS, Excel, and R relating delineated

substrate to depth and velocity. Approximately ~18,500 m² to ~78,000 m² of river area contained water

velocities, water depth, and substrates that would support sturgeon spawning based on reported

literature values. Individual female Lake Sturgeon require a minimum of ~13 m² of spawning habitat;

therefore, it is estimated that the Au Sable River could potentially support a female spawning

population between ~1,400 and ~6,000 individuals annually. These findings will help inform decisions

regarding reintroduction strategies and habitat restoration in the Au Sable River.

Project Duration: Spring 2017 – Fall 2018


Serena Lake, Lake Superior State University, [email protected]

Justin Chiotti, USFWS, Alpena FWCO (Detroit River Substation): [email protected]

Location: Garden River/St. Mary’s River

Project Title: Investigation of Lake Sturgeon Spawning

Migration and Larval Drift Dynamics in the Garden River

Project Description: The use of the Garden River as a

spawning tributary for lake sturgeon in the St. Mary’s River

system is being studied by the Anishinabek/Ontario

Fisheries Resource Centre (A/OFRC), in partnership with

Garden River First Nation. Adult lake sturgeon were

captured in the lower reaches of the Garden River in short‐

set gill nets in springs 2016, 2017 and 2018. These sturgeon

were implanted with acoustic telemetry transmitter tags

and their movements were monitored by receivers

deployed in the Garden River, St. Mary’s River and Lake

George. In total, 59 adult lake sturgeon have been tagged.

Receivers in the Garden River have recorded 2 sturgeon moving up river to suspected spawning

locations, one in spring 2016 and in spring 2017. To gain insight into the over‐wintering movement of

sturgeon, telemetry receivers were left in the St. Mary’s River and in Lake George over winter where

water was sufficiently deep. No additional fish will be tagged in spring 2019, however receivers will be

re‐deployed.

Following the spawn, larval lake sturgeon were captured at four locations along the Garden River using

larval drift nets. A total of 85, 243 and 547 larval sturgeon were captured in 2016, 2017 and 2018,

respectively, thus confirming that the Garden River is indeed a spawning tributary for lake sturgeon in

the St. Mary’s River system.


Contact Information: Lexi Sumner, A/OFRC, Phone: 705‐472‐7888 ext. 5, [email protected]

Location: Main Basin Lake Huron

Project Title: Great Lakes Acoustic Transmitter Observation

System (GLATOS)

Project Description: Manually tracking tagged lake

sturgeon in a system as large as Lake Huron is severely

limited by financial constraints and staff resources. Using

automated stationary acoustic receivers allows continuous

tracking of sturgeon throughout the year with minimal staff

involvement. Building upon the success of the receiver

arrays set along the Huron‐Erie corridor, two arrays were

placed in the Ontario waters of the Main Basin targeted at

tracking lake sturgeon tagged in the Detroit‐St. Clair system

and southern Main Basin of Lake Huron. In addition, a third

array was deployed running along much of the boundary

between Georgian Bay and the Main Basin. In 2018 alone 39 unique acoustic tags have been recorded,

36 of which are attached to sturgeon. The remaining tags belong to carp and lake trout. Preliminary

movement analysis demonstrates that sturgeon tagged in the St. Clair River and southern Lake Huron

rarely venture north of the southern Main Basin, although they have been recorded as far north as the

Bruce Peninsula in previous years. Greater certainty regarding sturgeon movement in this area is

pending additional data collection and analysis of 2019 data.

Table: Original tagged location of fish identified by the Main Basin acoustic receiver arrays.

Tagged Location Species Fi

ghting Is

Lake

Huron

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St Clair R

Tham

es R

Total

Common Carp 1 1 2

Lake Sturgeon 4 32 36

Lake Trout 1 1

Total 1 4 1 32 1 39


Contact Information: Jeff Speers, MNRF, Upper Great Lakes Management Unit ‐ Lake Huron

Phone: 519 371 0420 [email protected]

Location: Black Lake, MI Project Title: Migratory behavioral plasticity results in intra‐annual variability of sperm quality in male Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). Project Summary: Intra‐sex competition for access to mates results in spawning migratory behavioral plasticity in male‐biased populations of Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). In this study, radio frequency identification (RFID) antennas placed at the mouth of the Upper Black River and the known spawning grounds were used to calculate migratory behavioral variables, river residence time, upstream migration time, intra‐spawning migrations, and inter‐spawning interval. Sperm samples collected from 180 males in 2017 and 2018 were used to quantify sperm concentration (sperm / mL). Computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA) was used to quantify sperm quality in 2018. Combined 2017‐2018 concentration modeling indicated river residence time had a strong negative influence on sperm concentration. 2018 CASA sperm quality modeling also indicated that residence time strongly negatively influenced principal components quantifying sperm quality. To a lesser degree, intra‐spawning migrations and upstream migration time influenced sperm quality in 2018. Results demonstrate that migratory behavioral plasticity can result in an intra‐annual trade‐off for those males investing in long river residence time. Additionally, many migratory events and faster upstream migration may reduce sperm quality. Project Duration: Spring 2017 – Present Contact Information: Kim Scribner, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 517‐353‐3288; [email protected] or Edward Baker, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 906‐249‐1611, ext 309; [email protected]; Doug Larson, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University; 989‐733‐6176; [email protected]

Location: Black Lake, MI Project Title: Factors Affecting Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) Spawning Migration in the Black River, MI Project Summary: Variation in timing of spawning migrations for lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) and duration of occupancy of spawning areas are often attributed to environmental cues (e.g., temperature, discharge, day length) or biotic factors (e.g., operational sex ratios). Using PIT antenna arrays, spawning migration data was collected from lake sturgeon adults during the 2016 through 2018 spawning seasons in the Black River, MI. Data on body size was obtained for a subset of adults upon capture on the spawning grounds. Timing of migration was most often observed between 20:00 and 10:00. Migration timing did not differ between sexes, but differed significantly between years. Multiple intra‐seasonal migration events were undertaken by individual males and females, contrary to previous reports. An analysis of principal components indicated six axes of significant contribution. Based on Akaike’s Information Criterion, models that included principal component 1 and principal component 2 were the best predictor of daily number of migrating of lake sturgeon. Principal component 1 best correlated with the 48‐hour lagged effects of increasing temperature, while principal component 2 best correlated with the 48‐hour increase in temperature and decrease in discharge. Results suggest that lagged effects including increasing temperature and declining discharge strongly impact spawning behavior. Additionally, preliminary results indicate a tradeoff for future spawning bouts when undertaking multiple spawning migrations in a single season, and as intra‐season river residency time increases. Project Duration: Spring 2016 ‐ Present Contact Information: Kim Scribner, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 517‐353‐3288; [email protected] or Edward Baker, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 906‐249‐1611, ext 309; [email protected]; Doug Larson, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University; 989‐733‐6176; [email protected]

Location: Black Lake, MI Project Title: Evaluation of Optimal Surgical Incision Placement, Closure Methods, and Transmitter Burden on Surgical Outcomes for Intracoelomic Transmitter Implantation in Age‐0 Lake Sturgeon Project Summary: We evaluated the effects of incision placement (midline vs. lateral), closure method (absorbable monofilament suture vs. n‐butyl‐ester cyanoacrylate adhesive, Vetbond®, 3M), and tag burden (PIT‐tag vs. PIT‐tag and acoustic transmitter) on survival, transmitter retention, post‐operative complications, growth, inflammation, incision healing, and apposition quality for intracoelomic transmitter implantation in age‐0 lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens). The risk of death was 5.17 times higher and the risk of viscera expulsion was 6.21 times higher for sturgeon that had midline incisions closed with Vetbond compared to all other treatments. Open incision width and length was minimal for all treatments, except for midline incisions closed with Vetbond. However, incision closure was notably weaker for midline incisions closed with suture. The risk of PIT‐tag loss was 6.21 times higher and the risk of acoustic transmitter loss was 3.06 times higher for midline incisions closed with Vetbond compared to all other treatments. Sturgeon with midline incisions closed with Vetbond gained less weight compared to the other treatments, while sturgeon with lateral incisions closed with Vetbond gained similar amounts of weight relative to both suture treatments and the control group. Inflammation was very low and slightly decreased over time for incisions closed with Vetbond, while incisions closed with suture exhibited significant increases in inflammation levels over time. Time to complete healing was shortest for incisions closed with suture followed closely by lateral incisions closed with Vetbond. However, for incisions closed with suture the healing process was 2‐3 times more likely to relapse because of severe inflammation compared to lateral incisions closed with Vetbond. Collectively, results suggest that Vetbond can be safely used to close small lateral incisions (≤ 8 mm) as effectively as sutures, with a lower risk of severe inflammation. For transmitter implantation, we recommend using a lateral incision through the hypaxial musculature and either closing the incision with suture or Vetbond. Project Duration: 2016 ‐ 2018 Contact Information: Kim Scribner, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 517‐353‐3288; [email protected] or Edward Baker, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 906‐249‐1611, ext 309; [email protected]; Doug Larson, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University; 989‐733‐6176; [email protected]

Location: Black Lake, MI Project Title: Movements and habitat use of juvenile lake sturgeon in a hydroelectric reservoir system Project Summary: Identifying movement and habitat use patterns is essential for fish passage efforts and the conservation of threatened species. We used acoustic telemetry to track the movements of 47 juvenile lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) throughout Kleber Reservoir in northern Michigan. On average lake sturgeon moved 502 meters (SD = 423.18) between telemetry positions, and they moved an average total distance of 1138 meters (SD = 917.07), with age‐2 lake sturgeon making longer distance movements than age‐1 lake sturgeon. The spatial analysis showed that areas with high numbers of lake sturgeon detections were clustered near the forebay, while zones with low numbers of detections were clustered toward the head of the reservoir. Our analyses showed that 66.4% of the variance in habitat use could be explained by physical habitat features. Reservoir areas with ample deep water habitat, fine soft substrates, and limited macrophyte vegetation were the most frequently occupied and, thus, may provide the most optimal habitat conditions to support juvenile lake sturgeon. Lake sturgeon avoided habitat with abundant macrophyte vegetation and used habitat in the vicinity of the hydroelectric dam, potentially making them vulnerable to entrainment. Project Duration: 2015 ‐ 2018 Contact Information: Kim Scribner, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 517‐353‐3288; [email protected] or Edward Baker, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 906‐249‐1611, ext 309; [email protected]; Doug Larson, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University; 989‐733‐6176; [email protected]

Location: Black Lake, MI Project Title: Evaluation of Route Specific Survival Estimates for Juvenile Lake Sturgeon at Two Hydroelectric Dams Project Summary: Reconnecting lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) populations and rivers through the design and use of passage systems at hydroelectric dams is seen as a vital step toward recovery of the species. We used stream‐wide RFID antennas and the juvenile salmonid acoustic telemetry system to monitor downstream passage behavior and route‐specific survival through two hydroelectric dams on the Black River, Michigan over four years. At Kleber Dam the survival rates for passage through the vertical‐shaft Kaplan turbine systems was estimated at 70.9% (SE = 0.093) for age‐0 and 44.9% (SE = 0.138) for age‐1 and age‐2 lake sturgeon. At Tower Dam survival through the Leffel type‐z vertical‐shaft turbine systems was estimated at 86.9% (SE = 0.135) for age‐0 and 59.9% (SE = 0.182) for age‐1 and age‐2 lake sturgeon. Passage survival through the Tower Dam Spillway was estimated at 100% (SE = 0.132) for age‐0 and 100% (SE = 0.188) for age‐1 and age‐2 lake sturgeon. Our results show that spillways are capable of passing lake sturgeon with very limited mortality. Turbine design, fish length, and age at passage are key factors in determining levels of mortality at hydro‐projects and in forecasting potential recruitment benefits from fish passage improvements. Project Duration: 2014 ‐ 2018 Contact Information: Kim Scribner, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 517‐353‐3288; [email protected] or Edward Baker, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 906‐249‐1611, ext 309; [email protected]; Doug Larson, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University; 989‐733‐6176; [email protected]

Location: Black Lake, MI Project Title: Effects of early life stress on behavior, physiology, and fitness in lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) Project Summary: Chronic stress experienced during development can have long term effects on stress‐related physiological and behavioral phenotypes, with consequences for survival. In lake sturgeon, environmental stressors experienced during early life stages may alter antipredator responses, thus changing predation rates during the vulnerable larval drift period. Quantifying effects of stressors on larval behavior and survival will increase our understanding of the impact of climate change and anthropogenic disturbance on the adaptability of lake sturgeon and other threatened species. Three important stressors are being examined in this project: temperature (Experiment 1), elevated egg cortisol, simulating maternal stress (Experiment 2), and hatchery rearing (Experiment 3). Experiment 1: The effect of temperature stress on lake sturgeon development was investigated by dividing eggs from each of four females between 10°C (low‐stress) and 18°C (high‐stress) treatments. At free embryo and larval stages, stress levels for individuals from each treatment were quantified using whole‐body cortisol analysis at baseline and after an acute stressor. Baseline cortisol was higher in individuals reared at 18°C, though the difference was only significant for free embryos. A significant increase in cortisol following an acute stressor, indicating HPI axis functionality, was evident starting at the free embryo stage. At both free embryo and larval stages, individuals reared at 18°C had a lower post‐stressor cortisol increase than individuals reared at 10°C, suggesting that temperature affects stress axis development and associated physiological responses to a stressor. Larvae reared at 18°C had higher activity levels in behavior videos, as well as higher survival in the presence of a crayfish predator. These findings suggest that environmental stressors such as high temperature can alter stress axis development, and that behavioral outcomes including increased activity levels can alter predation rates, thus impacting survival and recruitment. Experiment 2: Maternal provisioning, or the supplying of eggs during oogenesis with hormones, lipids, vitamins, and other components, can trigger developmental trajectories in offspring that are suited to conditions experienced by the female. However, if female and offspring environments fail to match, maternal provisioning may create an evolutionary trap by inducing maladaptive offspring phenotypes. The outcomes of a mismatch in stress levels between lake sturgeon females and offspring was investigated in order to assess the transgenerational effects of rapidly changing environments. Eggs collected from each of four females were divided among cortisol‐treated (to simulate high maternal stress) and untreated (to simulate low maternal stress) treatment groups, and then further divided into two stress treatments: high (unpredictable chronic stress regime applied from hatch to the larval stage) and low (no stress regime applied). At the larval stage, physiological outcomes were quantified using whole‐body cortisol analysis, and behavioral outcomes were assessed in trials that exposed individuals to predator cues. Transgenerational mechanisms such as egg provisioning that mediate offspring

adaptability are important in the contexts of climate change and evolution, and results from this study will further an understanding of the adaptive or maladaptive potential of stress‐induced changes in threatened wildlife species. Experiment 3: Lake sturgeon populations have been decimated by overharvest and in some areas rely on hatchery supplementation. However, studies with other fish species have suggested that the hatchery environment may create chronic stress that alters physical and behavioral phenotypes. For fish destined for release, stress‐related changes induced by the hatchery environment may negatively affect transition to the wild. In addition, hatchery selective pressures may select for phenotypes that are maladaptive post‐release and thus negatively impact wild populations. If the hatchery environment subjects lake sturgeon to chronic stress, the associated developmental effects may have profound impacts on both antipredator behaviors and predator cue learning, leading to reduced survival rates. This study compares hatchery‐reared and wild‐caught individuals over a span of 10 days, encompassing the larval drift period when lake sturgeon are highly vulnerable to predation. Stress levels were compared using whole‐body cortisol samples at baseline and after an acute stressor. Behavioral development was compared in simultaneous trials testing responses to perceived threats. Survival rates were compared in predation trials exposing larvae to a crayfish, both as a naive exposure and after conditioning with crayfish odor. Results will show the physiological and behavioral effects of the hatchery rearing environment in contrast to a wild rearing environment, and reveal consequences for predator cue learning and predator avoidance. These findings will help inform hatchery management and conservation efforts for lake sturgeon and other important fish species. Project Duration: 2016 ‐ Present Contact Information: Kim Scribner, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 517‐353‐3288; [email protected] or Edward Baker, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 906‐249‐1611, ext 309; [email protected]; Doug Larson, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University; 989‐733‐6176; [email protected]

Location: Black Lake, MI

Project Title: Role of light in larval lake sturgeon predation

Project Summary: Given the large diversity and

number of visual predators in river systems and the

nocturnal dispersal tendencies of larval fishes,

including lake sturgeon, more larval sturgeon are

consumed during nights with high lunar illumination.

To evaluate alternative hypotheses underlying

causes of positive associations between mortality

levels and nightly light conditions, we empirically

tested whether differences in predation levels were

attributed to a change in prey selection in darker

environments or whether there was an overall

decrease in the number of organisms consumed by

riverine predators. Larval lake sturgeon, along with

larval catostomids, and larval hetptageniid mayflies,

two taxa that commonly co‐occur with dispersing

lake sturgeon, were released into flow‐through

raceways containing predatory fish. Rock bass and hornyhead chub were selected as they are abundant

predators from two major families in Great Lakes tributary communities and have been demonstrated

to consume lake sturgeon larvae. Two sets of trials were conducted: dimly lit conditions, mimicking a

bright full moon (0.20 lux), and dark conditions (0.00 lux), mimicking a new moon. Both species

consumed significantly less prey items in the dark versus the dim lighting conditions. The prey selection

of rock bass varied with light conditions. Under dark conditions, rock bass consumed approximately

equal amounts of each prey item, whereas in dim light conditions they selected heptageniids and

consumed far fewer catostomids. Light condition did not affect the prey selection of hornyhead chub.

Given inter‐annual variability in timing of lake sturgeon spawning, variability in predator community,

and variation in night time light levels due to lunar cycle and local weather conditions, managers can

expect to see large inter‐annual variation in predation risk and recruitment potential.

Project Duration: 2017 ‐ Present

Contact Information: Kim Scribner, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 517‐353‐3288; [email protected] or Edward Baker, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 906‐249‐1611, ext 309; [email protected]; Doug Larson, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University; 989‐733‐6176; [email protected]

Location: Black Lake, MI Project Title: Testing the match‐mismatch hypothesis with larval lake sturgeon predation

Project Summary: Lake sturgeon spawn in

distinct runs, each with its own set of predictable

environmental conditions. After consuming their

yolk sac, lake sturgeon larvae passively disperse

downstream, where they are vulnerable to

predation from riverine predators. Offspring

resulting from early season spawning runs are

reared in cooler temperatures resulting in a

larger larval body size. These individuals disperse

with a higher density of co‐dispersing sturgeon,

other fish, and insect larvae, and are more likely

to be dispersing under a new moon than

offspring resulting from late season spawning

runs. The match‐mismatch hypothesis predicts

sturgeon larvae from the early dispersal period

are more likely to survive while dispersing under

the set of early season environmental conditions than late season conditions, and vice versa. To test

this hypothesis, lake sturgeon eggs from the same families were reared under two temperature regimes,

10oC, representing early season rearing temperature and 18oC, representing late season rearing

temperature. The resulting larvae, along with larval heptageniid mayflies and larval catostomids, two

commonly co‐dispersing larvae with lake sturgeon, were then exposed to two rock bass, a common

riverine predator, in a flow‐through stream mesocosm. Trials were conducted using high and low

density of prey items, reflecting what is observed during early and late dispersal periods respectively, as

well as low and high light levels, representing expected light during early and late periods respectively.

The match‐mismatch hypothesis predicts survival would be optimized when cool water reared larger‐

bodied larval lake sturgeon are in darker conditions and at high density, and when warm water reared

smaller‐bodied larval lake sturgeon are in lighter conditions and at low density. Preliminary results

support this hypothesis. Smaller bodied larval lake sturgeon have shown higher survival in lower

densities, whereas larger bodied sturgeon are more likely to survive at higher densities. Also, in low

light trials, sturgeon are more likely to survive at higher densities but in dark trials, density does not

seem to play a role. This interaction between light and density was not observed for heptageniid or

catostomid larvae, suggesting it is sturgeon‐specific.

Project Duration: 2017 ‐ Present Contact Information: Kim Scribner, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University, 517‐353‐3288; [email protected] or Edward Baker, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 906‐249‐1611, ext 309; [email protected]; Doug Larson, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University; 989‐733‐6176; [email protected]

Location: St. Mary’s River Rapids

Project Title: Investigation of Lake Sturgeon Spawning and

Larval Drift in the St. Mary’s Rapids

Project Description:

The St. Mary’s River is the Great Lakes connecting channel

connecting Lake Superior to Lake Huron and is the

international border between Michigan, United States, and

Ontario, Canada. The river flow is regulated through the

navigational locks and a series of 16 compensating gates

immediately upstream of the area known as the St. Mary’s

Rapids. To survey fish use upstream and downstream of the

Big Rapids/locks/compensating gates area, we used egg

mats, D‐frame, bongo, and Miller sampler nets to collect

drifting larvae near the bottom and surface during day and night sampling. Viable lake sturgeon eggs

were collected in the outfall from a hydro‐electric power facility adjacent to the rapids in late June 2018

and larvae were collected for several weeks during July. Seventeen eggs were found on egg mats from

28 June through 11 July, and six were collected with D‐frame nets on 3, 6, and 12 July. Lake sturgeon

larvae were found in D‐frame nets from 6 through 26 July when water temperatures were above 13.0 C.

Fish collected on 6, 11, and 12 July were yolk‐sac stage while all others were post‐flexion meso‐larvae.

Eggs were reared in the laboratory until hatching for verification of identity. Even though lake sturgeon

larvae have been documented in the Garden River, a Canadian tributary of the St. Mary’s River, this is

the first contemporary documentation of successful lake sturgeon spawning and larval drift within the

St. Mary’s River proper.


Contact Information: Ed Roseman, U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center, 734‐214‐7237;

[email protected]

Lake Huron Table 1. Observations or general status of lake sturgeon populations in the Lake Huron Basin. Table includes water bodies that historically supported or recent evidence exists lake sturgeon may be present. Population status definitions are: Extirpated or Extant; Re‐I (reintroduced) = fish stocked into a system with an extirpated population; Supp (supplementation) = fish stocked into a system with an extant population, or Unk = unknown. A “Yes” indicates regular observation or presumed annual occurrence. Occasional (Occ) observations are as noted. Successful reproduction was defined as recent capture of larval or juvenile sturgeon. Notes follow the table.

Basin/Site

Number Site Name

Population

Status

Size of Annual

Spawning Run

Observations:

Adults Spawning Larva Juveniles

Juvenile

Index (year)

Repr.

Success?

Lake Huron

1 Carp River, MI Extant Unk Yes Occ Unk Unk Unk

2 St. Marys River, MI ON Extant Unk Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

3 Root River, ON Extirpated

4 Garden River, ON Extant Unk Yes Yes Yes Unk Yes

5 Echo River, ON Extant Unk Yes Unk Unk Occ 1.0 (2012) Unk

6 Thessalon River, ON Extant Unk Yes Unk Unk Unk 0.0 (2012) Unk

7a Mississagi River, ON Extant 150 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

7b Mississagi River

(upriver), ON

Extant Unk Yes Yes Unk Yes Unk

8 Blind River, ON Extirpated Occ 2.2 (2012) Unk

9 Serpent River, ON Extirpated Occ 5.8 (2012) Unk

10 Spanish River, ON Extant Unk Yes Yes Unk Yes 5.3 (2012) Yes

11 French River, ON Extant Unk Yes Unk Unk Occ Unk

12 Key River, ON Unk Unk Unk Unk Unk Unk 0.0 (2012) Unk

13 Magnetawan River, ON Extant Unk Occ Unk Unk Unk 0.0 (2012) Unk

14 Naiscoot River, ON Extant Unk Occ Unk Unk Unk Unk

15 Seguin River, ON Extant Unk Occ Unk Unk Unk Unk

16 Moon River, ON Extant Unk Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

17 Go Home River, ON Extirpated

18 Severn River, ON Extant Unk Occ Unk Unk Unk Unk

19 Sturgeon River, ON Extirpated

20 Nottawasaga River, ON Extant 200 Yes Yes Unk Yes Yes

21 Manitou River, ON Unk Unk Yes Yes Unk Unk Unk

22 Sauble River, ON Unk Unk Occ Unk Unk Unk 0.0 (2012) Unk

23 Saugeen River, ON Unk Unk Occ Unk Unk Unk 0.0 (2012) Unk

24 AuSable River, ON Extirpated 0.0 (2012)

25 Blue Point, ON Unk Unk Yes Unk Unk Occ Unk

26 Musquash River, ON Unk Unk Occ Yes Unk Occ Unk

27 Saginaw River, MI Extant Unk Occ Unk Unk Unk Unk

28 Saginaw Bay, MI Extant Unk Yes Unk Unk Unk Unk

29 AuSable River, MI Extant Unk Occ Unk Unk Unk Unk

30 Thunder Bay River, MI Extirpated

31 Cheboygan River, MI Extant Unk Occ Unk Unk Unk Unk

32 Black Lake, MI Supp 200 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

33 Burt/Mullett Lake

(including lower Black

River downstream

Alverno Dam) MI

Supp Unk Yes Occ Yes Yes 2009‐2011 Unk

34 Rifle River, MI Extant Unk Unk Yes Unk Yes 0.0 (2013) Unk

35 Au Gres River, MI Unk Unk Unk Unk Unk Unk

36 Otsego Lake Re‐I Unk Yes No No Yes No

37 Kawkawlin River, MI Unk Unk Unk Unk Unk Unk

38 Munuscong River, MI Unk Unk Unk Unk Unk Unk

39 Ocqueoc River, MI Unk Unk Unk Unk Unk Unk

40 Pigeon River, MI Unk Unk Unk Unk Unk Unk

41 Tittabawassee River, MI Extant Unk Occ Unk Unk Unk

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