Periodicity and Timing of Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) Movement in the Huron-Erie Corridor

Session: 11. - Acoustic Telemetry Applications in the Great Lakes

Scott Colborne, Michigan State University, [email protected]
Darryl Hondorp, U.S. Geological Survey-Great Lakes Science Center, [email protected]
Charles Krueger, CSIS, Michigan State University, [email protected]

Abstract

Movement ecology is not only a matter of where fish go, but also when they move. Acoustic telemetry has frequently been applied in aquatic environments to understand overall habitat use, but due to the long-term life of some tags it is possible to also examine temporal movement patterns. Within the Huron-Erie Corridor (HEC) of the Laurentian Great Lakes the habitat use of 283 lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) was monitored 2011 – 2015 with 10-year V16 tags, Vemco Ltd.. Extensive spatial coverage of acoustic receivers in the HEC made it possible to record broad movement patterns of reproductively mature male and female lake sturgeon across years to examine seasonal periodicity of movements between multiple habitat types. Lake sturgeon of both sexes showed distinct periodicity in movements around riverine regions of the HEC, peaking in the weeks leading up to spawning, and long-term residency after the spawning season in areas with diverse habitat patches, e.g. St. Clair River delta. This research contributes to ongoing lake sturgeon restoration efforts by identifying the temporal use of different habitats in the HEC.

1. Keyword
acoustics

2. Keyword
habitats

3. Keyword
urbanization

4. Additional Keyword
rivers