Larval Steelhead Densities in the Muskegon River, Michigan
Presentation Type
Poster/Portfolio
Presenter Major(s)
Biology
Mentor Information
Mark Luttenton
Department
Biology
Location
Henry Hall Atrium 17
Start Date
11-4-2012 9:00 AM
Keywords
Environment
Abstract
Steelhead (Onchorhynchus mykiss) have become an important component of the Lake Michigan ecosystem and provide an important fishery in the region. Currently steelhead populations are heavily supplemented with hatchery stocks due to low production in many coastal Michigan streams. Several studies have evaluated juvenile survival, but no studies have estimated larval steelhead emergence. During spring 2010 and 2011 we found that maximum larval steelhead emergence varied from 0.259/m3 to 0.045/m3 respectively with peak emergence between May 31 and June 7. Larval densities were greatest between 12:00 am and 2:00 am. The total estimated larvae drifting during the two sample periods were higher for 2010 than 2011. Physical factors, notably discharge, may account for some of the variation observed between years. Understanding the relationship between larval emergence and annual year class may provide managers with additional tools to manage steelhead stocks in the Great Lakes region.
Larval Steelhead Densities in the Muskegon River, Michigan
Henry Hall Atrium 17
Steelhead (Onchorhynchus mykiss) have become an important component of the Lake Michigan ecosystem and provide an important fishery in the region. Currently steelhead populations are heavily supplemented with hatchery stocks due to low production in many coastal Michigan streams. Several studies have evaluated juvenile survival, but no studies have estimated larval steelhead emergence. During spring 2010 and 2011 we found that maximum larval steelhead emergence varied from 0.259/m3 to 0.045/m3 respectively with peak emergence between May 31 and June 7. Larval densities were greatest between 12:00 am and 2:00 am. The total estimated larvae drifting during the two sample periods were higher for 2010 than 2011. Physical factors, notably discharge, may account for some of the variation observed between years. Understanding the relationship between larval emergence and annual year class may provide managers with additional tools to manage steelhead stocks in the Great Lakes region.