Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1981

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

First Advisor

Richard L. Applegate

Second Advisor

Charles G. Scalet

Abstract

One Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) and 2 northern pike (E. Lucius) were surgically implanted with untrasonic transmitters and tracked in a South Dakota cooling reservoir from June 1979 to June 1980. The fishes inhabited the intake area of the reservoir during the summer (temperature range, 27.5 – 31.5˚ C) and the discharge area during the winter (temperature range, 4.5 – 31.5˚C). In the spring and fall, the fishes were located throughout the reservoir (temperature range, 12.0 – 28.5˚C). Highest rates of movement for the esocids were recorded during the spring (675 – 1,100 m/day). The lowest rates were recorded during late summer and fall (130-390 m/day). The muskellunge inhabited deeper water (4.5 m, average) than the northern pike (3.9 m, average) during the summer. Both esocid species inhabited the 0.5-3.0 m depth during the winter. Tracks made over a 24 hour period indicated greater distances moved by the muskellunge (2,063 m) than northern pike (487 m). Both the muskellunge and northern pike were most active during daylight periods, but they also moved at night. Echogram recordings indicated that forage fishes were distributed throughout the reservoir during the spring, summer, and fall, and were concentrated in the discharge area during winter.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Cooling ponds
Fishes -- Seasonal Distribution
Pike
Muskellunge
Steam power plants -- Cooling
Forage fishes

Description

Includes bibliographical references (pages 56-61)

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

77

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

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

Download

Share

COinS