Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1982

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Abstract

Distribution and habitat selection of five adult walleyes (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) and one adult muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), in a power plant cooling reservoir, were determined using temperature-sensitive ultrasonic transmitters, A total of 342 locations were obtained during the monitoring period (1 May-13 November 1981). Walleyes exhibited a seasonal distribution pattern; inhabiting the discharge area during the cooler months and the intake area during the warmer months, Summer-fall home ranges of three walleyes were estimated, Maximum home ranges (maximum area covered by an individual) were overlapping and similar in size, ranging from 36, 7-45, 9 ha, Estimates of utilized areas (intensively used portions of the maximum home range) represented less than 38% of the maximum home range of individuals, From May to July most walleye locations were concentrated along the shoreline (sloping rip-rapped areas) in water 2, 0-4, 0 m deep. During late summer and early fall walleyes moved to progressively deeper, offshore areas. Mean daily distance moved peaked during June (186.8 m) followed by declines during July and August (124. 3 m and 112. 7 m, respectively). Fall movement rates fluctuated, averaging 129.3 m/day during September and November, and 65. 5 m/day in October. Walleye body temperatures ranged from 7.0°C in October to 30.0°C in July. The most frequent body temperature recorded was 25.0°C. The muskellunge was considerably more active than the walleyes. From June to July an area of approximately 10.4 ha was utilized by the muskellunge. The fish inhabited offshore areas with water depths of 4.0-7·5 m. Average daily movement of the muskellunge increased from 125.3 m during May to 278.1 m during July. Mean body temperatures ranged from 21.8°c in May to 27.0°C in July. Seventy-two percent of all body temperatures recorded were25.0° From 9 July-24 July, 59 muskellunge including the tagged muskellunge, were found dead. The last recorded body temperature of the tagged muskellunge (4 July) was27.0° C Mean water temperature at the intake and mixing areas during the die-off period ranged from 29.3°C (bottom) to 30.2°C (surface) and 27.5°C (bottom) to 32.4°C (surface), respectively. Water temperatures ranged from 6. 5-42.5°C over the entire period. Highest water temperatures recorded occurred in July, averaging 32.6°C in the discharge area and 27.3°C in the intake area. Dissolved oxygen concentration ranged from 0.0 to 12.5 mg/1. Secchi disk visibility never exceeded 2.0 m during the study.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Fishes -- Effect of temperature on -- South Dakota
Fishes -- Seasonal distribution
Fishes -- Habitat -- South Dakota
Cooling ponds
Walleye (Fish)
Big Stone Power Plant (S.D.)

Description

Includes bibliographical references (pages 64-72)

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

83

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/

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