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Adaptation of lake-origin burbot stocked into a large river environment

  • BURBOT ECOLOGY
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Abstract

Burbot Lota lota maculosa numbers in Kootenay Lake and Kootenai River of British Columbia, Idaho, and Montana have diminished due to habitat changes from the construction of Libby Dam. Recent implementation of a conservation strategy included aquaculture to supplement the population using a donor stock from a self-sustaining lake population within the watershed. Evaluation of release strategies using telemetry and mark recapture through hoop netting suggests lake-origin Burbot have adapted to the Kootenai system and selected riverine over lacustrine habitat. Previous telemetry work identified good survival and dispersal of released Burbot, and vast dispersal distance and lacustrine use. However, our analysis of a broader telemetry dataset indicated that only 24% of age 1–4 Burbot were detected in the lake. Recapture hoop net data indicated that Burbot residing in the river have growth and survival rates comparable to the historical population. Spawning of hatchery origin fish was detected at historical riverine spawning locations. Other than later spawn timing, our evaluations suggest lake-origin fish are mimicking movement and habitat use of the historical riverine population. This study, in combination with others, provides evidence that Burbot progeny from lacustrine brood stock can successfully survive, grow, disperse, and spawn in a riverine environment.

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Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Sue Ireland, Chris Lewandowski, Jose Ponce, Desi Aitken, and others of the KTOI hatchery staff. Thanks to Don Miller of Kootenay Wildlife Services and Valerie Evans from British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Thanks to Dr. Ken Cain, Patrick Blaufuss, Joe Evavold, Nate Jensen, Neil Ashton, and Josh Eagan of the UIARI. We wish to thank the KTOI members for sponsorship of Burbot culture studies at UIARI. Thanks to Shaun Lacy, Brian Simmons, Cathy Gidley, T.J. Ross, Pete Rust, and Corie Laude with the IDFG for their river sampling efforts. We would also like to thank Dr. Dan Schill and Jim Fredericks with IDFG for their helpful suggestions throughout this paper. We thank the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative for Burbot restoration efforts in collaboration with many agencies. Bonneville Power Administration provided the funding for this study and all ongoing Burbot restoration in the basin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2885 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d’ Alene, ID, 83815, USA

    Ryan S. Hardy

  2. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operation, #401-333 Victoria St., Nelson, BC, V1L 4K3, Canada

    Sarah M. Stephenson & Matthew D. Neufeld

  3. Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, 242 Hatchery Road, Bonners Ferry, ID, 83805, USA

    Shawn P. Young

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  1. Ryan S. Hardy
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  2. Sarah M. Stephenson
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  4. Shawn P. Young
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Correspondence to Ryan S. Hardy.

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Guest editors: Martin A. Stapanian & Christopher A. Myrick / Ecology, Culture, and Management of Burbot

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Hardy, R.S., Stephenson, S.M., Neufeld, M.D. et al. Adaptation of lake-origin burbot stocked into a large river environment. Hydrobiologia 757, 35–47 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-015-2226-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-015-2226-0

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