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Tuesday, January 21
 

7:00am CST

Continental Breakast with Exhibitors
Tuesday January 21, 2025 7:00am - 8:30am CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 7:00am - 8:30am CST
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7:00am CST

Speaker Ready Room Open
Tuesday January 21, 2025 7:00am - 5:00pm CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 7:00am - 5:00pm CST
TBA

7:00am CST

Conference Registration Desk Open
Tuesday January 21, 2025 7:00am - 6:00pm CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 7:00am - 6:00pm CST
TBA

8:00am CST

Plenary Session 2
Tuesday January 21, 2025 8:00am - 10:05am CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 8:00am - 10:05am CST
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10:05am CST

Coffee Break
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:05am - 10:20am CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:05am - 10:20am CST
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10:20am CST

Fisheries Track: Apples and Oranges? Using radio and acoustic telemetry to evaluate restoration success.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Seth J. Fopma, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Suitable overwintering habitat is considered to be a limiting factor for Centrarchids in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). Lock and dam construction in the 1930’s greatly increased total aquatic area of the UMR and provided deep backwater areas favorable to Centrarchid populations; however, sediment deposition has reduced the quantity and quality of deep water habitats presumably limiting overwinter survival. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program (UMRR) initiated a Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project (HREP) project on Pool 12 of the UMR in 2013. Project objectives included the development of approximately 63 acres of suitable overwintering habitat in four backwater lakes found throughout Pool 12 where insufficient overwintering habitat was thought to limit Centrarchid survival. Habitat restoration in Tippy Lake occurred during 2017 with the goal of increasing the availability of habitat suitable for overwinter survival. Pre-project telemetry efforts utilized radio telemetry during the winter of 2014-2015 to estimate habitat utilization distribution of crappie (n = 50). Telemetry efforts resumed during the winter of 2023/2024 to assess crappie habitat utilization post-project. Relatively recent advances in acoustic telemetry technologies offered researchers the opportunity to compare telemetry methods during the post-project evaluation. Radio (n = 20) and acoustic (n = 20) tags were implanted into crappie November 15-16, 2023 and fish were tracked through the first week of June 2024. Habitat utilization distributions pre and post-project were similar when evaluated using data generated from radio telemetry efforts but differed from estimates calculated using acoustic telemetry data.
Speakers
SF

Seth Fopma

Natural Resource Technician, Iowa DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

Fisheries Track: Determination and Comparison of Morphometrics and Meristics Used to Identify River and Shorthead Redhorse
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Devon C. Oliver, MNDNR; Loren Miller, MNDNR; Anthony Sindt, MNDNR; Cristian Hernandez, University of Minnesota

ABSTRACT: Redhorse species face a diverse array of impacts and conservation issues but often remain overlooked relative to their sportfish counterparts. Furthermore, they often lack constituency groups that advocate for their conservation. River Redhorse is a member of the Catostomidae family that have experienced reductions in abundance and range over the last century and are listed as critically imperiled in Kansas, New York, Louisiana, and Florida, imperiled in Wisconsin, Michigan, Virginia, and North Carolina, and vulnerable in Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, Mississippi, and Georgia; additionally, they are listed as a species of special concern in Canada. Furthermore, like many potentially imperiled or vulnerable catostomid species, River Redhorse suffers from a paucity of demographic and life history information. Additionally, for River Redhorse, there is some ambiguity as to which morphological characteristics should be used to positively identify them relative to Shorthead and Greater Redhorse, which must be addressed first. Morphometrics and meristics used to determine species id can be highly variable, require harvest of the specimen, subjective, or are inconsistent in their determination across metrics both within and across different source material. To address this knowledge gap and to provide clarity in species identification for biologists and conservation hobbyists this study, 1) evaluated and compared morphometrics and meristics used to positively identify River Redhorse relative to Shorthead and Greater Redhorse, 2) determined useful morphometrics and meristics for identification of the three redhorse species within Minnesota based on genetically confirmed specimens.
Speakers
DO

Devon Oliver

Fisheries Scientist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

Wildlife Track: Influence of Raccoon (Procyon lotor) Abundance on Prevalence of Raccoon Roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) in Northern Illinois
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ashley G. McDonald, Southern Illinois University; Jennifer R. Schultze, Southern Illinois University; Clayton K. Nielsen, Southern Illinois University; F. Agustin Jimenez, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Zoonoses are attributed to approximately 75% of emerging infectious diseases. Contraction of zoonotic infections is linked to urbanization, as land development increases the probability of human interaction with wildlife. Omnivorous animals such as raccoons thrive in urban settings due to the abundance of anthropogenic resources such as food and shelter. Racoons are the definitive host of zoonotic pathogens, including the heteroxenous raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis); raccoon synanthropic habits bring these pathogens near human dwellings. The goal of this study is to assess the influence of raccoon abundance on the prevalence of raccoon roundworm in 5 study areas in northern Illinois representing a rural-urban gradient. Raccoons (n=287) were captured and removed from sites by collaborators during April-June 2022-2024. Upon necropsy, intestinal tracts were examined to determine raccoon roundworm prevalence. Capture per unit effort (CPUE), a measure of wildlife population abundance, was calculated as the number of raccoons captured per 100 nights of capture effort at each site. A logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between raccoon abundance and raccoon roundworm prevalence. Raccoon roundworm prevalence decreased with increased raccoon abundance (X2=4.37, P=0.036). Counterintuitively, our findings suggest that disease risk decreases with increasing raccoon abundance, which implies that population reduction of raccoons in areas of high abundance might be an ineffective tool to reduce the risk of roundworm infection to the human population. Land-use can also impact parasite prevalence, as the availability of anthropogenic resources can influence raccoon population dynamics. Future analyses examining the relationship between land-use, raccoon roundworm prevalence, and raccoon abundance might provide a better understanding of the influence of population demographics on raccoon roundworm prevalence.
Speakers
AM

Ashley McDonald

PhD Candidate/Research Assistant, Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
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10:20am CST

Wildlife Track: Response of White-tailed Deer Movement to Exurban Mountain Bike Trails
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Tadao Kishimoto, Southern Illinois University; Michael Egan, Southern Illinois University; Michael Eichholz, Southern Illinois University; Peter Schlichting, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Daniel Skinner, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Human activity can impact wildlife behavior by altering habitat conditions, increasing stress or predation risk, and disrupting natural patterns of movement, foraging, and reproduction. We investigated the impact of non-consumptive recreational activities, specifically mountain biking, on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) space-use in an exurban forest setting in southern Illinois. Using GPS collar data from 37 individual deer collected before and after trail installation, we assessed whether newly introduced mountain bike trails altered key movement metrics: home range size, core area size, and speed.
Home range and core area sizes were estimated using autocorrelated kernel density estimation (AKDE), and scale-insensitive speed estimates were calculated using a continuous-time speed and distance (CTSD) method. Home range size, core area size, and speed estimates were fit to linear mixed-effects models with sex as a covariate and individuals as random intercepts. We found no significant change in home range or core area size following trail installation. We found significant changes in speed for both males and females after trail installation, however, changes were independent of their overlap status with the trails, suggesting the changes were not due to trail installation.
These findings contrast with existing literature suggesting human disturbance typically affects wildlife movement. The low frequency of recreational activity and partial habituation to humans may explain the lack of significant behavioral change. This study demonstrates the value of long-term monitoring and underscores the need for further research in areas with heavier recreational use to inform management practices that mitigate the impact of outdoor recreation on wildlife populations.
Speakers
TK

Tadao Kishimoto

Researcher 1, SIUC - Cooperative Wildlife Research Lab
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
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10:20am CST

S-04: Salmonid diets in Minnesota streams with waterfalls, nuisance algae, and extreme hydrology
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Heidi M. Rantala, MN Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Research; Nick Peterson, MN Department of Natural Resources, Lake Superior Fisheries; David R. Burge, St. Croix Watershed Research Station, Science Museum of Minnesota

ABSTRACT: Minnesota tributaries to Lake Superior are unique systems with glacial relict fish communities, including Brook Trout (BKT). Fish habitat in these streams is vulnerable to change, given the sensitivity of the systems. With limited groundwater inputs, hydrology is driven by precipitation and snow melt, and the streams lack buffering capacity to warming temperatures. Stream conditions are favorable to the mat-forming diatom, Didymosphenia geminata, which was detected in multiple of the northern-most streams along the Minnesota shoreline since 2018. Here, we present analyses of diets from BKT, naturalized Rainbow Trout, and several other fish species in four North Shore streams from three seasons in 2023. Fish diets were sampled from resident and migratory individuals, both young-of-year and older fish, from above (BKT only) and below natural barriers between Lake Superior and upland waters. Additionally, two of the four streams had prolific, localized Didymosphenia mats during the sampling period. As expected, we observed spatial and temporal variability in the both the diet items and amount of prey through the sampling season, as well along a stream reach. These data provide baseline information for managers to increase understanding of the ecology and status of these populations in Minnesota waters.
Speakers
HR

Heidi Rantala

Research Scientist, Minnesota DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

S-07:Cooperative Inter-Agency Management of Invasive Carps in the United States
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Greg Conover, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MICRA Coordinator

ABSTRACT: The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force approved the national Management and Control Plan for Bighead, Black, Grass, and Silver Carps in the United States (National Plan) for implementation in 2007. The Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee (ICRCC), a partnership of state, provincial, and U.S. and Canadian federal agencies and other stakeholders, has coordinated the development and implementation of an annual Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework (now called an Invasive Carp Action Plan) to prevent the introduction and establishment of invasive carp populations in the Great Lakes since 2010. Many of these projects are implemented in the uppermost 175 miles of the Illinois River and the Chicago Area Waterway System. In 2014, the United States Congress charged the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to work in coordination with the Secretary of the Army, the Director of the National Park Service, and the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey to lead a multiagency effort to slow, and eventually eliminate, the spread of invasive carp in the Ohio River Sub-Basin and the Upper Mississippi River Sub-Basin. In FY20, this Congressional direction was substantially expanded to be inclusive of the entire Mississippi River Basin. The USFWS works closely with the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association (MICRA) to facilitate collaborative implementation of the National Plan in the Mississippi River Basin. The MICRA member agencies and their federal partners formed sub-basin invasive carp partnerships to develop and implement Invasive Carp Control Strategy Frameworks to step-down implementation of the National Plan in the Lower Mississippi River Sub-Basin (including Arkansas-Red-White Sub-Basin), Missouri River Sub-Basin, Ohio River Sub-Basin (including Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers Sub-Basin), and the Upper Mississippi River Sub-Basin. The sub-basin invasive carp partnerships provide for collaborative implementation of the regional Frameworks throughout the Mississippi River Basin.
Speakers
GC

Greg Conover

MICRA CoordinatornLarge Rivers Coordination Office, USFWS
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

S-08: Welcome to the MidwestPARC Symposium
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
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AUTHORS: Melissa B Youngquist, John G. Shedd Aquarium

ABSTRACT: This opening talk will welcome attendees to the Midwest PARC symposium and provide an overview of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) and the midwestern regional group, Midwest PARC.
Speakers
MY

Melissa Youngquist

Research Biologist, Shedd Aquarium
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
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10:20am CST

S-09: Welcome, overview of the MAFWA CSS/HD group
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS:

ABSTRACT:
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
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10:20am CST

S-10: Shifting Perspectives: The Role of Aquatic Plants in the Future of Fisheries and Angling
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Steven Bardin, Pro Lake Management/ Major League Fishing

ABSTRACT: Aquatic plant management is no longer exclusively targeted at reactive control. Instead, aquatic plants are considered beneficial habitats impacting the survival, recruitment, foraging success, and growth of fishes while sequestering excess nutrients. These emerging techniques are supported by anglers and strengthened with technological advances.
Speakers
SB

Steven Bardin

Fisheries Biologist, Pro Lake Management LLC/ Major League Fishing
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

S-11: Evaluating the Slenderwrist Burrowing Crayfish, Fallicambarus petilicarpus, for Endangered Species Act listing
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Caitlin Bloomer, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Joel Corush, Illinois Natural History Survey; Mark Davis, Illinois Natural History Survey; Maxwell Hartman, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

ABSTRACT: The Slenderwrist Burrowing Crayfish, Fallicambarus petilicarpus, is a short-range endemic restricted to the Ouachita River drainage in south-central Arkansas and northern Louisiana. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently evaluating this species for listing as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Since 2021, teams of inter-agency biologists have been collecting data on this species to inform the listing decision. We used species distribution modeling to identify habitat associations and estimate the total available habitat within the known range of this species. We used Restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) to establish effective population size and estimate genetic differentiation between populations. Here we will present an overview of our data collection and how our results support the listing of this species under the ESA. We will also highlight the major data gaps that still exist and how we plan to address them through future field studies.
Speakers
avatar for Caitlin Bloomer

Caitlin Bloomer

Teaching Assistant Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA

10:20am CST

S-12: Not Just Ducks...Reframing Wetland Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Frank Nelson, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Biodiversity loss, food insecurity, and climate change are inherently connected challenges. These threats and their potential solutions have both global and local significance. For example, wetlands, which are one of the most productive and biodiverse habitats, have been drastically reduced worldwide. This same food system that has contributed to wetland loss is itself quite fragile, as 75% of global food is dependent on only 12 crops and five animals. Without natural buffers, like wetlands, commodities within floodplains are at risk of natural hazards as the frequency and severity of droughts and floods are increasing worldwide. Finding solutions that are more resilient requires greater integration of social and ecological systems.

Zooming into the Midwest, the states like Ohio, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri, have similarly lost the majority of their historic wetlands through agricultural conversion and urban development. The focal point to preserve what is left and make strides in wetland restoration for the past 90 years has been centered around concern for waterfowl populations and the tradition of hunting. Although progress has been made, this focus isn’t enough to offset on-going alterations, continuing pressures, and remaining separation of land and water.

Native wetland flora and fauna have deep cultural histories around the world and even here in the Midwest. Future wetland conservation cannot just occur in remote public places but must also be integrated into lived spaces. What if rather than just providing wildlife habitat, wetland management encapsulated the tending of water gardens? Perhaps by reframing our connections to wetlands, acknowledging overlooked histories, and including underserved communities we can identify new opportunities where diverse food systems, flood resiliency, and biodiversity can be better intertwined int the future. This presentation will introduce the idea of viewing wetlands as working water gardens rather than just marshes for waterfowl.
Speakers
FN

Frank Nelson

Wetland Ecologist, Missouri Dept. of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 10:40am CST
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10:20am CST

Initial Meeting: Bottomland Forests for Birds Manual (Invitation Only)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
Speakers
TH

Tara Hohman

Conservation Science Manager, Audubon Upper Mississippi River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:20am - 12:00pm CST
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10:40am CST

Fisheries Track: Enhancing the science of age estimation: the creation of fishage.org
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Mark Pegg, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Victoria Davis, University of Georgia; Martin Hamel, University of Georgia; Dave Buckmeier (retired), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ; and Jeff Koch, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

ABSTRACT: Accurate determination of fish age from hard structures is a cornerstone of informing fisheries conservation and management. Further, the need to validate age estimates from calcified structures is commonly identified by scientists faced with the task of age estimation. Appeals for ensuring accuracy of age estimates have been pervasive in recent times, but unfortunately, natural resource agencies charged with managing stocks do not possess resources to build large collections of structures from known-age fish. To circumvent these challenges, we set out to develop a publicly available, web-based repository of digital images of known-age reference structures for North American freshwater fishes. In spring of 2023, we began collecting reference structures (e.g., otoliths, spines, fin rays, etc.) containing annual or daily age confirmation. At website launch (August 2024), calcified structures of known-age fish have been processed and imaged for five freshwater species: Largemouth Bass, American Shad, Muskellunge, Striped Bass, Channel Catfish, and Lake Sturgeon with over 500 images available for public reference. Images have been uploaded onto our new website, www.fishage.org, and will continuously be updated to include additional species, featuring metadata (e.g., source of structure, preparation method), multiple age classes and geographical data. metadata (e.g., source of structure, preparation method) and new structures.  We envision this application being used for training new personnel, quality control, and to advance the science of age estimation.
Speakers
MP

Mark Pegg

Professer, University of Nebraska
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA

10:40am CST

Fisheries Track: Using GPS and Side Scan Sonar Data to Track Yearly Electrofishing Path Variation and Fish Community Assemblages
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Drew Holloway, Muncie Bureau of Water Quality

ABSTRACT: Technology and standardization in electrofishing has come a long way over the years. For this presentation I will be using two of these technologies to help guide future sampling efforts for the Bureau of Water Quality in Muncie, IN. In 2022, we purchased the Smith-Root Apex electrofishing box to replace our outdated and heavily bandaged GPP Electofisher. Now, our historical monitoring stations could be GPS tracked and digitally recorded allowing us to see how yearly variation could affect our electrofishing results. Having previously recorded Side Scan Sonar (SSS) for these same historical sites it gave us the opportunity to not only see if habitats sampled are representative to the species found at each site but if a change in path also changed our fish community diversity. Three years of single pass electrofishing data will be presented from 10 randomly selected West Fork White River sites. The associated habitats will be represented based on SSS categories from previous works done by the Bureau of Water Quality.
Speakers
avatar for Drew Holloway

Drew Holloway

Fisheries Biologist, Bureau of Water Quality
The North Central Division of The American Fisheries Society is comprised of 13 chapters representing 16 states and provinces. The mission of Divisions within the American Fisheries Society is to advance Society goals by coordinating and complementing Chapter activities related to... Read More →
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA

10:40am CST

Wildlife Track: Temporal Dynamics and Potential Niche Separation Amongst Carnivores: A Decadal Analysis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Max R. Larreur, Southern Illinois University; Clayton K. Nielsen, Southern Illinois University; Damon B. Lesmeister, USDA Forest Service, Oregon State University; Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Broad ecological changes can alter species' temporal activity, thereby impacting interspecific interactions. Temporal niche separation promotes coexistence, causing species to adjust activity patterns to avoid direct competition. Although studying carnivore species offers a unique perspective into the stability of their temporal activity and niche, few analyses have been conducted over long-term periods in areas experiencing conspecific population changes. We quantified species-specific and pairwise temporal activity patterns, using kernel density analysis overlap, for 6 native (i.e., bobcat, coyote, gray fox, red fox, striped skunk, and raccoon) and 2 non-native (i.e., domestic dog and cat) carnivore species along with their diel niche between decades. We used camera trap data collected January – April 2008 – 2010 (n = 1,118 camera locations) and January – April 2022 – 2024 (n = 1,325 camera locations) across 16,058-km2 of southern Illinois to identify potential changes in temporal overlap or niche separation between decades. Species-specific activity overlap was high (range = 0.81 - 0.95) between decades, however, activity patterns of striped skunk, raccoon, and domestic dogs were different. Both past and contemporary pairwise comparisons had 6 activity patterns indicating potential avoidance between larger-bodied and smaller-bodied guild members, and 7 activity patterns indicating potential avoidance between native and non-native carnivore species. However, 7 novel pairwise activity patterns have experienced significant changes from the past, 3 between natives and 4 between natives and non-natives. The diel niche of bobcat, gray fox, red fox, and striped skunk indicated minor changes in their diel activity potentially in response to larger-bodied coyote and domestic dog spatial presence throughout the study area. Larger-bodied carnivore species may be altering activity patterns of smaller-bodied members, thereby decreasing competition and negative interspecific interactions. Our results emphasize the importance of considering alterations to activity overlap and potential niche separation amongst carnivores with high resource overlap and propensity for interspecific interactions.
Speakers
ML

Max Larreur

PhD Student, Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA

10:40am CST

Wildlife Track: The power of bats: evaluating protected bats during energy project planning
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Brittany R. Schweiger, HDR Engineering, Inc

ABSTRACT: Four of the seven federally listed bat species in the U.S. occur in the north-central region, and two of the remaining seven are being evaluated for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Regulations at the state and federal level often require consultation to assess the impacts to these species before development occurs. In the energy sector, development is rapidly occurring—from power line upgrades to utility-scale solar. In the U.S., there are over 15,000 miles of power lines throughout the country and, in 2023, solar accounted for 55 percent of new electricity-generation capacity. The electric grid infrastructure is aging and, as the population grows and the demand for reliable, clean energy increases, upgrades to transmission systems and additions of utility-scale solar generation are needed. While energy is essential to society, it can have impacts to protected bat species, including the removal of habitat. Therefore, energy projects must understand how bats can influence projects and how to evaluate impacts to bats as a result of construction activities accurately and appropriately during the planning phase. This presentation will highlight species threats, current regulations, the latest species survey guidelines, issues encountered, conservation measures, approaches toward impact minimization, and lessons learned with respect to solar and energy development in many areas of the north-central region. This presentation will be valuable for developers, consultants, regulators, and those interested in the intersection of energy projects and protected species.
Speakers
BS

Brittany Schweiger

Environmental Scientist, HDR Engineering, Inc.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
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10:40am CST

S-04: Evaluating Lake-Run Brown Trout in Saginaw Bay Using Acoustic Telemetry
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  April Simmons, MI Department of Natural Resources; Jeffrey Jolley, PhD, MI Department of Natural Resources; Christopher Vandergoot, PhD, Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System

ABSTRACT:  Angler reports have indicated a recent increase in lake-run Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) catches in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. This observation has garnered interest because Lake Huron stocking efforts ended in 2011 due to poor recruitment, but stocking has been maintained in some upstream tributary reaches. Genetic analysis of lake-run fish suggest fish observed in Saginaw Bay likely originated from ongoing stockings in the Rifle River. We will present the May 2024 pilot study phase results of an acoustic telemetry study scheduled to begin in spring 2025. The study aims to identify the source, strain, and migration patterns of lake-run Brown Trout, as well as assess their growth. This research may provide insights into future Brown Trout management strategies in the Great Lakes to benefit both river and lake anglers.
Speakers
avatar for April Simmons

April Simmons

Fisheries Management Biologist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
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10:40am CST

S-07: Developing a framework to inform early detection efforts of the next carp invasion in the Missouri River Basin
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Brielle Thompson, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Missouri;
Mike Colvin, US Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center;
Craig Paukert, US Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit;
Sara Reynolds, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Missouri

ABSTRACT: Numerous species of invasive carp are currently established in the Missouri River Basin, causing natural resource managers to grapple with complex decisions involving how to best monitor and manage invasions. A new invasive carp species, the Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio), is established in the Canadian Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan in waterways that provide a potential invasion pathway to the Missouri River. Prussian carp are a concern because they spread rapidly, reproduce asexually, and compete with native fish species for food and habitat. Given the risk of invasion into the Missouri River, US natural resource managers will likely need to develop early detection programs. A framework to track the Prussian carp distribution and project the spread of Prussian carp in Canadian waters is needed to inform allocation of early detection efforts in the US. We developed a dynamic multistate occupancy model that can use data from varying sources to estimate the annual distribution. The model also accounts for hydrologic and other connections among management units to project Prussian carp spread. We evaluated alternative spatial-temporal early detection plans with varying data stream combinations, including anticipated monitoring data such as eDNA data, detection/non-detection data, and presence only data. We compared alternative monitoring plans across varying levels of monitoring effort (i.e., the number of riverine management units monitored, and the types and combinations of data collected) to rank alternative Prussian carp monitoring plans. The modeling framework we developed can be applied to a variety of aquatic invasive species to inform distribution, evaluate monitoring programs within invaded areas, project spread, and inform the development of early detection programs.
Speakers
BT

Brielle Thompson

Postdoc fellow, University of Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
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10:40am CST

S-08: Conservation of Missouri’s State Endangered Amphibian and Reptile Species
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
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AUTHORS: Jeffrey T. Briggler, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Missouri is home for 117 native species of amphibians and reptiles with 33 considered species of conservation concern. Six species of conservation concern (i.e., Hellbenders, Western Chicken Turtles, Blanding’s Turtles, Yellow Mud Turtles, Mississippi Green Watersnakes, and Massasaugas) are listed as state endangered. These species occur in a variety of habitats (e.g., upland and bottomland grasslands, Ozark Highlands rivers and streams, bottomland, forested swamps, etc.). Most of these species have declined due to loss of terrestrial and wetland habitats throughout Missouri. Considerable effort has been devoted to the management and recovery of many of these species for decades. An overview of their status and conservation efforts will be presented with other interesting highlights.
Speakers
JB

Jeff Briggler

State Herpetologist, Missouri Department of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA

10:40am CST

S-09: Engaging Non-traditional Audiences Through Relevancy Messaging (Formal Title: AFWA Relevancy Communication Toolkit Update)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Matt Harlow, DJ Case & Associates; Holly Mauslein, DJ Case & Associates; Tanna Wagner, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

ABSTRACT: A lot of effort has been put into making state fish and wildlife agencies more relevant to broader audiences. To this end, AFWA’s Education, Outreach and Diversity Committee created the National Conservation Outreach Strategy in 2018. This strategy provided a toolkit that enabled each state fish and wildlife agency to increase awareness of its role in protecting and conserving wildlife. In 2019, the “Making It Last” campaign was pilot-tested to help learn how to best “tell the state story” to boost relevancy with the public, followed by a second phase to fine-tune and further test the initiative. However, states’ limited budgets and uncertainty regarding the campaign’s effectiveness reduced the number of states able to implement and evaluate the campaign. With the relevancy topic becoming more critical every year, the need existed to field a rebranded and tested campaign accompanied by improved toolkit materials and evaluations.
With four participating state agencies from Kansas, Vermont, South Carolina, and California, this project advances the public case for why fish and wildlife agencies matter across the nation. This third phase focused on engaging more states by rebranding away from the “Making It Last” theme to a more directly relevant brand and messaging content. These new resources were developed using public testing via focus groups, best practices, and lessons learned in previous phases of this campaign. We focused on updating and upgrading the story of state-based conservation through messaging and materials designed to resonate better with the public and agency staff.
The result is a campaign that more state agencies can utilize to increase public awareness and support, especially among audiences not traditionally engaged in conservation or fish and wildlife-based recreation.
Speakers
HH

Hiroto Hayashi

Engagement Strategist/Project Manager, DJ Case & Associates
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
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10:40am CST

S-10: Aquatic Vegetation Management Challenges and Opportunities
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Nate Long, Aquatic Control

ABSTRACT: Aquatic vegetation management challenges and opportunities and how we move forward. An overview of tools (herbicide) available for aquatic plant management to resource managers stressing the need for management in systems with an overabundance of plants. A look into challenges facing resource managers when deciding to manage either native or non native aquatic plants for fish populations. Lastly, what opportunities aquatic plant management can provide a fishery.
Speakers
NL

Nate Long

Executive Vice President, Aquatic Control, Inc.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
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10:40am CST

S-11: Insights from Multi-locus DNA Sequence Data into Species Boundaries within Hobbseus Crayfishes (Decapoda: Cambaridae)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Patrick F. Allison Jr., University of Mississippi;
Corey G. Dunn, U.S. Geological Survey, North Carolina Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit; North Carolina State University;
Susan B. Adams, USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research;
Jesse W. Breinholt, LGC RAPiD Genomics;
Kenneth A. Sterling, USDA Forest Service;
Devin M. Raburn, North Carolina Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit; North Carolina State University;
Zanethia C. Barnett, USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research;
Ryan C. Garrick, University of Mississippi

ABSTRACT: Recent advancements in morphological data collection and molecular phylogenetics have resulted in numerous updates to crayfish taxonomy. However, there are still problematic taxa among these decapods. The genus Hobbseus is one such group, as the morphological characters traditionally used for species identification can provide ambiguous diagnoses. Given that some Hobbseus species have been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act, this uncertainty is particularly concerning, as it inhibits implementation of effective conservation strategies. We reassess the taxonomy of Hobbseus using an integrative approach to species delimitation that combines morphological and molecular data. We include four complementary datasets: 1) traditional morphometrics; 2) geometric morphometrics; 3) single-locus mitochondrial DNA sequences; and 4) multi-locus hybrid enrichment single copy nuclear DNA sequences. Here, we provide preliminary results from analyses of the DNA sequence datasets.
Speakers
PA

Patrick Allison Jr.

PhD Candidate, University of Mississippi
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:00am CST
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10:40am CST

S-12: Tribal Wisdom on Nibi and Wetlands; Manoomin and the Circle of Life
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:30am CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Kathleen Smith, Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission

ABSTRACT:  Wetlands hold immense importance for the Ojibwe people, particularly in relation to nibi (water), connects all orders of creation and manoomin (wild rice), which is central to their culture and spirituality. Manoomin, native to the Great Lakes region, is more than just a food source; it is a sacred entity deeply intertwined with the identity, traditions, and sustenance of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) people.
According to Anishinaabe oral tradition, their ancestors were guided by a prophecy to find “the place where food grows on water,” leading them to the Great Lakes region where manoomin flourishes. The term “manoomin” translates to “good berry,” reflecting its esteemed status. Harvesting manoomin is a ceremonial act, performed using traditional methods that have been passed down through generations. This process involves using canoes and wooden sticks to gently knock the rice into the boat, ensuring the sustainability of the rice beds.
The Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting the cultural and ecological significance of manoomin. GLIFWC collaborates with member tribes to protect manoomin habitats, advocate for sustainable harvesting practices, and conduct research to support the health of wild rice beds.
Wetlands are essential to the growth and sustainability of manoomin. These ecosystems provide important food and medicines. Wetlands also support a diverse group of plant and animal species, contributing to the overall health and resilience of the environment. The Anishinaabe view wetlands as sacred spaces, integral to their cultural and spiritual practices.
Manoomin is integral to various cultural practices and ceremonies. It is offered in spiritual rituals, feasts, and funerals, symbolizing a connection to the land and the ancestors. The preservation of wetlands is thus not only an environmental concern but also a cultural and spiritual imperative for the Ojibwe people.
Speakers
avatar for Kathleen Smith

Kathleen Smith

Manoomin Ganawendang, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
Kathleen Smith is an enrolled tribal member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She is presently in a new position in the Division of Biological Services at the Great Lake Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC), in northern Wisconsin... Read More →
Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:40am - 11:30am CST
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11:00am CST

Fisheries Track: A Wide Net: Identifying Habitat Across Species and Age Groups of Fish for a Holistic View of the Ecosystem
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kayla Lenz, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission; Douglass Keiser, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission; Aaron Shultz, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission; Adam Ray, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission; Mark Luehring, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission

ABSTRACT: The Anishinaabe worldview teaches us that all things that western society considers to be “resources” are, in fact, living beings that take care of one another as well as us humans. As human disturbances and climate change (Aanji-bimaadiziimagak o'ow aki; loosely, “a changing world”) alter the habitat of the creatures that care for us, we have a responsibility to, in turn, do what we can to help them. The Minocqua Chain of Lakes in the 1842 Ceded Territory in northern Wisconsin are among the most popular destinations for boating and angling in the state. For Minocqua Chain ogaa (walleye Sander vitreus), poor recruitment to the year-1 age class (likely due to a combination of factors) has resulted in a decrease in adult abundance over time. Observations of age-0 and age-1 walleye have been decreasing for years, reaching an all time low in the mid 2000’s. In an effort to alleviate this decrease, the Minocqua chain of lakes have been stocked annually with thousands of fingerling ogaawag since 2013. However, management and population recovery efforts are rarely effective if the focus is placed solely on the species of interest. As part of a holistic approach to assess the effects of changing ecosystems on the Minocqua Chain, we identified juvenile habitat for several fish species in two lakes in this system: Minocqua and Kawaguesaga Lakes. This was accomplished via snorkeling and electrofishing surveys of the two lakes to locate, map, and characterize juvenile fish habitat across all observable species. “Juvenile habitat” included hatching, feeding, and nursery habitat for age-0 and age-1 fish of any species. These surveys identified hotspots of juvenile fish activity that may be critical to protecting aquatic life of all types in the Minocqua Chain. Juvenile fish were observed to occupy about 12.87 km (48.1%) of Minocqua’s shoreline and 11.24 km (63.5%) of Kawaguesaga’s shoreline. While there were strong territorial boundaries between the ranges of juvenile predator species in Minocqua, they were more likely to cohabitate in Kawaguesaga. In both lakes, juvenile fish of all species were likely to be concentrated in areas of the lakes with little to no shoreline development. The results of these surveys may be used to inform fisheries stewardship/management plans, designate critical habitat for these species, and improve shoreline and up land use policies for this beloved waterway.
Speakers
KL

Kayla Lenz

Fisheries Research LTE, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
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11:00am CST

Fisheries Track: Big River Bluegill: How and why bluegill population dynamics vary along a large river gradient
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
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AUTHORS: Kristen Bouska, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center; Levi Solomon, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station; Andy Bartels, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Jim Lamer, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station; Hae Kim, Missouri State University; Quinton Phelps, Missouri State University

ABSTRACT: Vital rates (i.e., recruitment, growth, and mortality) are the processes responsible for changes in abundance and biomass of a population through time. Knowledge of vital rates and the factors that contribute to interannual variability in vital rates can provide critical information in determining why fish population abundances increase or decrease across time and space. Between 2018 and 2020, over 2,500 individual Bluegill were collected from five study reaches on the Upper Mississippi River and one study reach on the Illinois River. Together these study reaches span nearly 1500 river kilometers and 7 degrees of latitude and represent gradients such as temperature, discharge, and clarity. From the collected individuals, otoliths were extracted, and ages were estimated. Hierarchical growth models were used to estimate growth model parameters and mean-length-at-age for each species and study reach. Logistic regression was used to estimate average age and length at maturity. Study reach-specific age-length keys were created to assign ages to unaged fish collected during standardized sampling and used to estimate indices of recruitment, stock and annual mortality. We first investigated patterns in growth, maturity, recruitment, and mortality across study reaches. Next, we sought to understand the relative contribution of stock density, habitat availability, temperature gradients, and disturbance dynamics on population dynamics. With this presentation, we aim to improve our understanding of how and why bluegill populations vary across these two large rivers and plan to extend our analyses to several other species of interest.
Speakers
KB

Kristen Bouska

Research Ecologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
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11:00am CST

Wildlife Track: Bobcat Survival Across North America: A Meta-Analysis Approach
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Katherine M. Buckman, Ellen M. Audia, Brent S. Pease, Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, and Clayton K. Nielsen

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

ABSTRACT: Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are a focal species for carnivore management and research. Although bobcat survival has been studied extensively throughout much of their North-American range, it can be difficult to identify the broader conclusions of such studies based on study-specific factors, such as sample size, harvest status, and study length. We conducted a meta-analysis to estimate mean bobcat survival across the U.S. to document trends, identify knowledge gaps, and inform future study designs. We identified 18 studies across 15 U.S. states conducted during 1985–2023 that reported a single estimate of annual bobcat survival (i.e., effect size) and a corresponding variance (i.e., weight). We assigned an “exploitation level” to each study based on whether the study area and/or adjacent lands were open to bobcat harvest (i.e., zero = no harvest permitted within or outside the study area; indirect = no harvest permitted within the study area but permitted outside the study area; direct = harvest permitted within and outside the study area). Bobcat survival estimates ranged from 0.19–0.93, with a mean annual survival of 0.75 (95% CI = 0.69–0.81). Heterogeneity in reported survival rates was not significantly different across years (Q = 3.29, P = 0.06), however survival rates appeared to increase slightly between 1985–2000 and reported estimates after 2001 were >0.68 (n = 9 studies). The mean number of days monitoring individual survival (range = 188–870 days, n = 12 studies), and the relative exploitation level accounted for 99.98% of heterogeneity in survival rates across studies (Q = 27.13, P
Speakers
KB

Katherine Buckman

Graduate Assistant, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
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11:00am CST

Wildlife Track: Widespread pesticide exposure and plant damage in natural areas in Illinois
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Thomas J. Benson, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Tara A. Beveroth, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Claire A. Johnson, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Edward P. Price, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Timothy A. Rye, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Emily J. Lain, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Brian M. Charles, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; and David N. Zaya, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

ABSTRACT: Starting in the second half of the 20th century, agricultural intensification increasingly involved the use of chemicals for pest control. The development of numerous synthetic pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, led to widespread use and, in some cases, recognition of widespread non-target effects on organisms. Unfortunately, our understanding of the potential effects of these pesticides on non-target organisms generally lags behind their widespread adoption, as does our understanding of the extent to which these chemicals travel beyond the agricultural fields in which they’re applied and end up in natural areas. In 2023, we set out to examine the extent of plant damage consistent with non-target herbicide exposure as well as to quantify concentrations of pesticides from plant tissue and soil from natural areas throughout Illinois. We sampled >180 sites in Illinois 2 times during the growing season of 2023 and found at least moderate damage to plants at almost all sites, with >50% of sites having severe damage and oak species most frequently affected. We found pesticides in nearly all natural areas, with 40 different chemicals detected, primarily from plant tissues. Herbicides were found in the greatest concentrations, with Atrazine and 2,4-D most common, and Dicamba relatively rare. Later in the season, fungicides and insecticides were more commonly detected. The amount of row-crop agriculture in the surrounding kilometer predicted leaf-tissue concentrations of pesticides and severity of plant injury. The longer-term effects of this exposure and plant injury are unknown, as are the effects on insects and insectivorous birds. Given that oaks were the most frequently observed with plant damage, and the disproportionate importance of this group for caterpillars and the migrating and breeding birds that consume them, more work is needed to explore these implications.
Speakers
TB

T.J. Benson

Principal Research Scientist, Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
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11:00am CST

S-04: Salmonid Movement and Habitat Use in Warming North Shore Tributaries to Lake Superior
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Dylan K. Undlin, UW-Stevens Point; Justin A. VanDeHey, UW-Stevens Point; Joshua K. Raabe, UW-Stevens Point; Nick R. Peterson, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Salmonids represent an ecologically, culturally, and economically important fishery in Lake Superior and its tributaries. However, current fluvial conditions and climate projections forecast significant reductions in cold-water habitats in these systems. Salmonids such as native Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis, and non-native Steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss depend on these volatile tributaries for at least a portion of their life. Therefore, our research aims to 1) identify critical habitat (i.e. thermal refugia) for resident and migratory Salmonids across two watersheds, and 2) determine if movements of Salmonids are related to water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and discharge. Salmonid movement was investigated in the Knife and Stewart River watersheds using 16 stationary Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) arrays and active radio telemetry techniques. Data loggers measuring water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and discharge were dispersed across watersheds, and stratified among sub watersheds and natural habitat breaks. To date, we have PIT tagged 1100 wild Salmonids and implanted 15 radio transmitters. Preliminary results suggest Salmonids sought headwater tributaries with groundwater influence and overhead cover during periods of warmer air temperatures. Salmonids used precipitation events and cold fronts as windows for movements during times of low flows and relatively warmer water. Water temperature profiles in the lower reaches of the Knife River periodically surpassed the lethal threshold for Brook Trout, indicating an ephemeral thermal barrier between tributary headwaters and Lake Superior. More data are currently being collected to further assess movement and habitat use in these riverscapes to inform management and restoration efforts.
Speakers
DU

Dylan Undlin

Research Assistant, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
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11:00am CST

S-07: Assessing Variation in Habitat Quality to Inform Preventative Management of Invasive Species
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Brenden Elwer, Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University; Alison Coulter, Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University; Zachary Feiner, Office of Applied Science, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Science Operations Center and Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin-Madison; David Coulter, Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University

ABSTRACT:  Preventative monitoring is an important tool for managing invasive species. Monitoring programs can detect invasions soon after introductions, allowing for rapid response actions that lead to successful containment or eradication. Individuals likely congregate in areas of highest habitat quality, so understanding how habitat quality changes through space and time can be useful for invasive species management by ensuring sampling and response efforts target locations where new invaders are likely to be present. For this work we assessed spatial and temporal trends in habitat quality for Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, in currently uninvaded lakes, rivers, and wetlands in eastern North and South Dakota. We did so by calculating water temperature, water velocity, phytoplankton density, and zooplankton density from observed monthly sampling across 30 m x 30 m grid cells in each water body. Observations were then used in bioenergetics models that calculated growth rate potential, an index of habitat quality, that we compared through space and time. Developing our understanding of how high-quality habitat patches for Silver Carp shift over time enables more effective monitoring and preventative action planning for resource managers.
Speakers
BE

Brenden Elwer

Graduate Research Assistant, South Dakota State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
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11:00am CST

S-08: Conservation Initiatives of the Saint Louis Zoo's Herpetology Department
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
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AUTHORS: Justin M. Elden, Saint Louis Zoo

ABSTRACT: The Saint Louis Zoo has a longstanding commitment to both in situ and ex situ conservation efforts for reptiles and amphibians across the globe. From the highlands of Western Asia to the streams of the Ozarks, the Zoo takes pride in being a conservation-focused institution. This presentation provides an overview of the Zoo's Herpetology department conservation initiatives, highlighting both local and international projects, with a focus on their in situ and ex situ contributions to the preservation of vital species.
Speakers
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Justin Elden

Curator, Herpetology & Aquatics, Saint Louis Zoo
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
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11:00am CST

S-09: Improving Dialogues in Multi-stakeholder Settings: an Experiment
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
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AUTHORS: Kristin F. Hurst, Southern Illinois University; Zachary M. Hurst, Playa Lakes Joint Venture

ABSTRACT: Addressing complex conservation challenges frequently requires collaboration between stakeholders who hold disparate and sometimes incompatible views. To advance solutions, stakeholders need a common understanding of the scope of the problem and other stakeholder’s positions related to it. This requires that they be receptive to information that may not align with their pre-existing positions. We experimentally tested a strategy to foster such receptivity by evaluating the effect of a behavioral intervention on perspective-taking and empathy. Participants (N = 223) who previously expressed opposition to a transition to renewable energy were randomly assigned to write a short, morally grounded essay either in favor of (intervention) or in opposition to (control) a shift to renewable energy. We expected that writing a morally grounded essay in favor of one’s opposing stance would increase perspective-taking, empathy, and support of the energy transition. We found a main effect on support and empathy but not perspective-taking. We also hypothesized that empathy would mediate the relationship between essay writing and support. We tested a serial mediation model where writing a counter-attitudinal essay would result in increased empathy and support, which then results in an intention to act. While we found a significant indirect effect of essay writing on behavioral intention, mediated by support, there was no evidence that empathy helped to explain this relationship. Given the relatively simple intervention and its potential to be easily incorporated into group settings, we suggest that its use may help lay the foundation for a more productive discussion. Future research can help understand the mechanism by which this occurs and its impact on the likelihood of reaching agreements.
Speakers
KH

Kristin Hurst

Assistant Professor, Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
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11:00am CST

S-10: Fisheries Response to Lake Restoration Projects in Northwest Iowa Natural Lakes
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Michael Hawkins, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Lake restoration projects in Iowa focus on improved water quality, nutrient management, and habitat restoration. Many of the management actions taken during these projects focus on long-term improvements and stability, but some actions can produce an immediate impact, shifting a lake between turbid and clear water stable states. This shift can have dramatic impacts on aquatic plant densities and diversity. This shift in aquatic plant communities can then trigger a rapid shift in the fish community. These changes have positive ecological impacts and improve fishing opportunities, but this rapid shift in lake biology may present challenges for some users. The methods for lake restoration on three northwest Iowa natural lakes will be discussed along with the impacts on plant and fish communities. Challenges associated with public perception and invasive species will also be presented.
Speakers
MH

Michael Hawkins

Fisheries Management Biologist, Iowa DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
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11:00am CST

S-11: Conservation and Taxonomic Status of the Spiny Scale Crayfish, with an emphasis on Kentucky Populations
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
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AUTHORS: ZAchary J. Loughman, West Liberty University; Parker Hildreth, Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency; Jonathan D. Eisenhour, Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves; Eric Ng, West Liberty University, Kaleb Norris, West Liberty University; Kathryn Schulz, West Liberty University; Michael C. Compton, Office of Kentucky Nature Preserve.

ABSTRACT: Cambarus jezerinaci, the Spiny Scale Crayfish, is a small headwater species endemic to the central Appalachians of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. Recently C. jezerinaci was petitioned for federal listing, resulting in the need for a Species Status Assessment (SSA). With the exception of C. jezerinaci description, limited surveys have been completed for this taxa. Cambarus jezerinaci has an interesting distribution in Kentucky, with populations known to occur prior to survey efforts in the South Fork of the Kentucky River basin, as well as the Upper Cumberland watershed. In the summer of 2022, a weeklong survey effort procured new C. jezerinaci locations in the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River, as well as the Upper Cumberland. Genetic samples were taken on all animals captured and analyzed with 2 COI genes. Results of this work indicated that multiple lineages existed for C. jezerinaci in Kentucky that differ genetically from type populations, warranting more dedicated work. In the summer of 2024, in accordance with the Kentucky Crayfish Blitz as well as the WLU Crayfish Laboratory, 306 sites were sampled across the entirety of the Kentucky Fork basins, as well as the Upper Cumberland watersheds. Cambarus cf. jezerianci was procured from 28.2% of sites sampled. Genetic samples were acquired from all specimens and will be analyzed using RADSeq methods. Future work will focus on elucidating the conservation genetics and taxonomic standing of C. jezerinaci to support the completion of the SSA.
Speakers
ZL

Zachary Loughman

Professor, West Liberty University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:00am - 11:20am CST
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11:20am CST

Fisheries Track: Long-Term Angling for Black Bass During the Spawning Season Reduces Nest Defense and Responsiveness to Lures
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
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AUTHORS: Justin Lombardo, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Cory D. Suski, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; David P. Philipp, Fisheries Conservation Foundation; Joel Zhang, Carleton University; Joseph Parkos, Illinois Natural History Survey; Steven J. Cooke, Carleton University; Jeffrey A. Stein, Illinois Natural History Survey

ABSTRACT: Spring fishing for spawning black bass is a controversial topic. The aggressive behaviors exhibited by nesting males increases their susceptibility to angling, and should a nesting bass be removed by an angler, all offspring in that nest can be consumed by predators. Over time, this has potential to negatively impact populations, which may suggest the need for regulatory protection for nesting males. Unfortunately, long-term studies that track changes in black bass populations due to angling during the spawn have not been conducted, precluding our ability to make definitive conclusions about the impact on populations. The objective of this study was to quantify how reproductive and behavioral characteristics of spawning black bass in lakes Charleston and Opinicon in southern Ontario have changed due to angling pressure over a 32-year period compared with two control populations that have not received angling pressure. For this, nesting surveys were conducted during two sampling periods by snorkeling along the littoral zone in all four lakes to observe the mating success of nesting males. After snorkeling, nests were angled with 15 standardized casts to quantify susceptibility to angling. Results show that, from the 1990s to 2020s, there was no significant change in mating success in any of the studied lakes. The percentage of strikes on the first cast, however, significantly decreased in smallmouth bass in lakes Charleston and Opinicon, with no significant decreases in the control lakes. Similarly, in lakes Charleston and Opinicon, the percentage of strikes on any cast decreased in largemouth bass, with no significant changes in the control lakes. Results suggest that fisheries induced evolution may be negatively influencing black bass behavior and eroding their response to angling. Results will be further discussed in the context of protected areas to mitigate the consequences of angling.
Speakers
JL

Justin Lombardo

Research Assistant, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
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11:20am CST

Fisheries Track: Microplastic Abundance in Fish Species with Differing Feeding Habits in a Large Midwestern River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
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AUTHORS: Michael Louison, Mckendree University

ABSTRACT: Microplastics have emerged as a major contaminant of concern in a host of ecosystems, including freshwater systems. Previous work has documented the abundance of microplastics in the bodies of various organisms, finding that aspects of an animal’s niche (feeding habits, habitat choice, etc.) may influence exposure to microplastic contamination. To further our understanding of microplastic abundance in freshwater systems, we conducted a survey of freshwater fish taken from the lower Kaskaskia River in Southern Illinois, USA. The first sampling site (done via direct current boat electrofishing) was stationed directly below the Carlyle Lake dam (a heavily used recreational site with abundant pollution from litter) with two additional downstream sites also sampled. Five species of fish (flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris, freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens, smallmouth buffalo Ictiobus bubalus, white crappie Pomoxis annularis, and gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum) of differing feeding ecologies were sampled, dissected, and subsequently examined for microplastics both visually (examinations of gills and stomach contents under microscope) and chemically (analysis of nanoplastic concentration in muscle tissue). Results revealed differences in microplastic load between fish species and between sites, as well as differences in measures of contamination using visual and chemical methods. Our results add to the present knowledge of microplastic abundance in organisms, and specifically how feeding type and proximity to sources of human pollution may impact microplastic abundance in freshwater fish.
Speakers
avatar for Michael Louison

Michael Louison

Assistant Professor of Biology, McKendree University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
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11:20am CST

Wildlife Track: Forest Management Impacts on Bat Health: Insights from Northeast Missouri Conservation Areas
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
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AUTHORS: Katie Fitzgerald, Marcus Jorgensen, Diana Hews, Cory Suski, and Joy O’Keefe

ABSTRACT: Forest management practices aim to improve natural landscapes and provide critical habitat, but their effects on wildlife health are not well understood. This study used non-invasive techniques to quantify health by measuring hair cortisol, a stress hormone, and body mass, in four common bat species in northeastern Missouri. We sampled across three non-managed forests and three managed forests, where small-scale treatments such as girdling, thinning, and prescribed burns were applied. Sampling occurred before and after the application of these treatments, which were implemented in 2022 (sampling 2019-2023). Post-treatment, Indiana bats from managed forests had significantly lower cortisol than those from non-managed forests, while evening bats and Indiana bats from managed forests also had greater body mass. Post-treatment, adult male red bats exhibited higher cortisol levels than pre-treatment, regardless of forest type. For big brown bats, body mass and cortisol levels were similar across all sample years and forest types. These results suggest that small scale forest management could help reduce stress levels and increase body mass, particularly for smaller bat species such as Indiana bats and evening bats, by creating favorable foraging conditions and reducing competition. Overall, our study suggests that hair cortisol and body condition offer a non-invasive method to evaluate the impacts of habitat alterations on wildlife and provide valuable insights into how forest management practices impact bat health.
Speakers
KF

Katie Fitzgerald

PhD student researcher, University of Illinois
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
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11:20am CST

Wildlife Track: Rodents in an Urban Forest: Exploring Small Mammal Ecology and the Impact of Restoration 
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
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AUTHORS: Samantha Dennis, Stephen Blake, Saint Louis University; Stella Uiterwaal, Elizabeth Carlen, Washington University; Zachary Reyes, Saint Louis University, Sabrina Hardy, Purdue University

ABSTRACT: Urban expansion in the Midwest poses significant challenges to wildlife habitats vital to supporting biodiversity. As cities grow, green spaces within urban environments can become important habitat refugia for numerous species. Urban parks often provide mosaics of semi-natural habitats in a matrix of high human use areas within which some native wildlife species may persist. In the midwestern US, the conservation value of urban parks for small mammal communities is poorly understood. We studied the abundance and diversity of small rodent populations in iconic Forest Park, St. Louis, in which habitat restoration has been underway for a decade. We hypothesized that small mammal abundance and diversity would be correlated with restoration effort. Over three months in summer 2024, we used live trapping methods to capture rodents and survey tree and understory vegetation across the restoration gradient of the park. We identified captured mammals to species and sex, collected morphometric data and collected hair and scat samples to characterize diets through stable isotope analysis. We completed 1,646 traps nights capturing 94 individuals. Rodent diversity was extremely low; ninety of the individuals captured were Peromyscus spp. (Deer mice), two Sciurus carolinensis (Eastern gray squirrel), one Tamias striatus (Eastern chipmunk), and 1 Didelphis virginiana (Virginia opossum). Our results showed that older restoration sections with the highest plant density and diversity supported a greater abundance of rodents than younger restoration sections with correspondingly lower plant density and diversity. While restoration duration was correlated with the abundance of small native rodents, it had no effect on rodent diversity. We speculate this may be due to dispersal limitation through the cityscape. Effective restoration management is essential to ensure that the wildlife inhabiting these areas is not only surviving but thriving, providing insights for enhancing biodiversity a long-term sustainability in urban green spaces. 
Speakers
SD

Samantha Dennis

Graduate Student/Reseacher, Saint Louis University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
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11:20am CST

S-04: Assessment of Invasive and Nuisance species in a Nebraska Reservoir Managed as a Trout Fishery
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
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AUTHORS:  Alexandria Keiler-Klein, University of Nebraska at Kearney; Melissa Wuellner, University of Nebraska at Kearney; Keith Koupal, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and University of Nebraska at Kearney

ABSTRACT:  Nuisance and invasive species can, directly and indirectly, affect sport fisheries, but few agencies target these fishes in annual standard surveys. Understanding when and how to sample nuisance and invasive species is important to understanding their abundance and size structures. Determining optimal assessment techniques can provide management insight into interventions to address the impacts of nuisance and invasive fish abundance on salmonid species. The objective of this study was to determine which gear and time of year could be used to assess populations of invasive (Common Carp Cyprinus carpio) and/or nuisance (White sucker Catostomus commersonii) species in one Nebraska reservoir. Experimental gill nets, modified fyke nets, and nighttime boat electrofishing were employed at nine locations across Lake Ogallala monthly from April through September 2023. All individuals of the two species were enumerated and measured for total length (mm). This information was used to calculate catch per unit effort (CPUE), the coefficient of variation around CPUE, and a measure of length variability (Shannon-Weiner diversity based on 10-mm length bins) for each gear, month, and species. Additionally, we calculated the measurement of operational effort. Measurements were ranked across gears for each month and summed. The smallest ranks were used to identify the best gear and month for sampling each species. Preliminary results indicate electrofishing captures the best length diversity and operational effort for Common Carp and White Sucker in June and May respectively. CPUE for White Suckers and Common Carp was highest in April and July fyke netting respectively. Lastly, variability in CPUE was lowest with Common Carp July electrofishing and White Suckers May gill netting. The results from this study can be used by other states and provinces addressing similar and other nuisance and invasive species assessments to allow for more proactive, rather than reactive, management interventions to support salmonid fisheries.
Speakers
AK

Alexandria Keiler-Klein

Graduate Student, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA

11:20am CST

S-07:The Commercial Bait Dealer Program in Kansas: Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations and Inspections
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Michael Parr, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; Chris Steffen, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

ABSTRACT: The transportation of aquatic invasive species (AIS) is often facilitated intentionally or unintentionally through anthropogenic activities. The commercial bait trade represents one potential pathway for AIS introductions as non-target bait species, or contaminates, can be accidently sold to anglers who may release the species while fishing or as excess bait. In order to prevent AIS introductions in the bait trade, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) developed a multifaceted commercial fish bait dealer program that encompasses both regulatory control, education, and outreach programs. Beginning in 2012, several regulations have been enacted or amended that have changed the use of bait, including commercial and wild-caught bait. These regulations have limited the allowable bait species and harvest locations, increased record-keeping and importation requirements, and changed how KDWP permits and regulates individuals involved in the commercial fish bait industry. Without direct oversight, both AIS and diseases can spread quickly with bait. Therefore, KDWP conducts annual inspections of permitted bait retailers to ensure all requirements are being met and aims to improve the retailer’s awareness of AIS issues and baitfish regulations. Most anglers who use live bait purchase it from retail bait shops, presenting a great opportunity for retailers to provide anglers with information regarding AIS awareness and prevention. Thus, during these inspections KDWP provides education and outreach materials to the bait dealers to ensure they have the resources available to educate those anglers. These inspections also give bait dealers the opportunity to have face-to-face interactions with KDWP staff and has helped them develop a positive relationship with the agency.
Speakers
MP

Michael Parr

Aquatic Invasive Species Biologist, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA

11:20am CST

S-08: The Return of Alligator Snapping Turtles to Their Former Range in Kansas
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: J. DAREN RIEDLE1, DAY B. LIGON2, AND TREVOR STARKS1
1Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
2Missouri State University


ABSTRACT: The Neosho and Verdigris rivers were once major corridors for movement of Alligator Snapping Turtles between Oklahoma and Kansas. Historic harvest and the proliferation of impoundments in both states resulted in highly fragmented and reduced populations. Alligator Snapping Turtles have long been considered extirpated from Kansas. The last known living Alligator Snapping Turtle in Kansas was outfitted with transmitters and released in 1991 and has not been located since 1992. A series of surveys were conducted in Kansas from 2016-2020, but no individuals were captured. In concert with these survey efforts a Programmatic Agreement, which includes a Safe Harbor Agreement and Candidate Conservation Agreement, that allows our agency to enter into agreements with private landowners. Using habitat information collected during survey work several interested landowners with adequate habitat were identified and agreed to come on as signatories to our programmatic agreement. In Fall of 2024, forty, 6–10-year-old head-started turtles were released on a Segment of the Neosho River in eastern Kansas. An additional 60 turtles will be released in Spring 2025. The initial 40 turtles will be monitored via ultrasonic and radio-telemetry. Depending on the success of the initial releases, future releases will be planned for the Verdigris River drainage.
Speakers
DR

Daren Riedle

Wildlife Diversity Coordinator, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
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11:20am CST

S-09: Bees, Butterflies, and Busting Silos: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pollinator Conservation Social Network Analysis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Shannon Westlake, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Kiandra Rajala, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Patrick Bixler, The University of Texas at Austin; Nicole Alt, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

ABSTRACT:  Innovation in conservation is required to move from surviving to thriving. As exemplified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Center for Pollinator Conservation (Center), social science innovations can enhance efficacy and resiliency. The Center is a multi-agency science and collaboration hub tasked with helping direct conservation actions that can reverse declining pollinator population trends in a connected and collaborative way. To meet those tasks and recognize and shed light on previous and ongoing USFWS pollinator conservation efforts, we developed and conducted a social network analysis study.

To build knowledge of the existing network and help inform evidence-based decisions to increase efficacy of pollinator conservation efforts, the Center launched a study across the USFWS in Fall 2023. From 1,599 USFWS respondents: 49.9% had never participated in USFWS pollinator conservation efforts); 16.3% previously worked on efforts but do not currently; and 33.8% who currently work on USFWS pollinator conservation efforts. Across these participant categories, our results indicated strong interest in new or re-engagement in pollinator conservation needs or efforts, and a primary scope of work at the local scale (i.e., within one state). Informing how the Center can share information and resources, we learned that emails and targeted meetings are the preferred pollinator communication methods across all three participant categories.

Initial results provide insight into connections across USFWS and external partners and identify key “bridgers” in priority pollinator conservation topics (e.g., conservation planning, partnership coordination, pesticides). These results will not only facilitate easier geographic connections but can also support silo busting efforts across USFWS and with external partners approach in a collaborative approach pollinator conservation. By better understanding relationships and knowledge flows, we can more effectively accelerate knowledge flows and reduce bottlenecks, create connections, leverage support, and adapt strategies to allow for learning and innovation towards a thriving conservation future.
Speakers
SW

Shannon Westlake

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA

11:20am CST

S-10: Why I'm establishing aquatic plants, and you should too!
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
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AUTHORS: Nick Kramer, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

ABSTRACT: It is relatively easy to determine when aquatic vegetation should be removed from an impoundment or stream but when should managers consider establishing or maintaining an aquatic plant community? This presentation aims to answer that question by highlighting the many ecological benefits that aquatic vegetation can provide to our aquatic systems.
Speakers
avatar for Nick Kramer

Nick Kramer

District Fisheries Biologist, Kansas Dept. Wildlife & Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA

11:20am CST

S-11: From streams, swamps, sloughs and roadside ditches: The places you will go while sampling the rare crayfishes of Texas, USA.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Dusty Swedberg, Prairie Research Institute - Illinois Natural History Survey; Archis Grubh, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; Christopher Taylor, Prairie Research Institute - Illinois Natural History Survey

ABSTRACT: Crayfishes are a diverse and ecologically important component in Texas's aquatic ecosystems. Timely information on distribution, abundance, habitat needs, and threats is needed to effectively manage this resource. Texas currently has ten crayfish species of greatest conservation need, five of which were the focus of our sampling: Procambarus brazoriensis, Procambarus nigrocinctus, Procambarus nechesae, Procambarus nueces, and Procambarus texanus. From 2022 to 2024, we sampled almost 100 sites targeting these species and have been able to collect each of the five species. Our collections and the associated habitat data have documented possible range reduction in Procambarus nueces and Procambarus texanus. While also documenting Procambarus nigrocinctus and Procambarus nechesae might be more common than initially perceived.  Procambarus brazoriensis is documented as a highly seasonal crayfish with collections that only occur in early spring. With our collection data, we are able to draw conclusions on range and habitat data to better estimate the conservation status for these five crayfishes and other sympatric species that were collected through our efforts. 
Speakers
DS

Dusty Swedberg

Senior Scientific Specialist, Prairie Research Institute - Illinois Natural History Survey at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:20am - 11:40am CST
TBA

11:30am CST

S-12: Return of the Wapato
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:30am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Tracy Hames, Wisconsin Wetlands Association

ABSTRACT: This presentation will tell the story of the return of Wapato (Sagittaria spp.) to wetlands within the Yakama Nation’s Reservation in eastern Washington state. Wapato has been utilized by the Yakama People since time immemorial. Past disturbances related to agricultural development and other land and water use alterations, however, resulted in the near extirpation of these plants on the Yakama Reservation. When healthy Wapato beds began to return to wetlands on the Reservation, the return of these plants was unplanned, but not unexpected. The story of how the Yakama Nation helped bring about this return begins in the 1970’s when Yakama cultural leaders called for the protection and restoration of the heavily disturbed wetland and floodplain landscapes in the agricultural portion of the Reservation. During the decades that followed, the Yakama Nation developed a “cultural” approach to wetland and floodplain protection, restoration, and management. This approach emphasized reestablishing, as much as possible, historic conditions to benefit all resources in the locations and proportions that they existed in the past. The results of this large-scale effort on the Yakama Reservation will be shown, and why this approach should be of interest to all waterfowl and wetland managers will be discussed.
Speakers
TH

Tracy Hames

Executive Director, Wisconsin Wetlands Association
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:30am - 12:00pm CST
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11:40am CST

Fisheries Track: Flow and temperature impacts on catfish populations in two Missouri River tributaries
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Benjamin J. Schall, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; David O. Lucchesi, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; Keith E. Schwartz, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; Alison A. Coulter, South Dakota State University; Steven R. Chipps, USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit, South Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: Changes to aquatic habitats owing to climate change can impact fish populations. Warming temperatures combined with changes in the magnitude and frequency of precipitation events have resulted in more frequent flooding and increased river flows in portions of the upper Great Plains. The impact of changing flow and increased water temperature on fishes in these systems is not well understood. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the impacts of changing water levels and temperature on Channel Catfish and Flathead Catfish growth and condition. Channel Catfish were collected in eastern South Dakota from the James River from 2017-2024 and the Big Sioux River from 2021-2024. Flathead Catfish were collected from the James River in 2018 and 2022-2024. Growth increments were measured from the three most recent pectoral spine annuli, and lengths-at-age were back-calculated. A series of Bayesian generalized linear mixed-effects models were developed to evaluate the relationship between back-calculated lengths and environmental variables, including discharge and cumulative growing degree days (GDD). Fish condition was also assessed by developing annual length-weight regressions and modelling fish weights under varying river discharge and GDD values on the James River. Overall increases in annual growth increment and length-weight regression slopes were observed for Channel Catfish in the James River as river discharge increased. However, growth of Channel Catfish in the Big Sioux River was negatively related to GDD. James River Flathead Catfish condition remained similar across the study years, but growth increments increased with discharge. By modeling potential future environmental conditions under varying climate scenarios, it may be possible to identify how these populations will be impacted by changing climatic conditions and how that may impact their management.
Speakers
BS

BJ Schall

Fisheries Biologist, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

11:40am CST

Fisheries Track: Thermal Tolerances and Heat Shock Protein Regulation of Bigmouth Shiners
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ella Humphrey, University of Nebraska Lincoln; Jonathan Spurgeon, U.S. Geological Survey & Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Sarah Sonsthagen, U.S. Geological Survey & Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

ABSTRACT: Climate change may impact the persistence of fish species based on their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions, such as decreasing flows and rising temperatures. Fish rely on temperature regimes within their thermal tolerance to maintain metabolic processes. Thus, temperatures outside these tolerances will result in fish losing the ability to continue metabolic processes resulting in severe stress or death. Bigmouth shiner Hybopsis dorsalis is widespread throughout Nebraska and previous studies indicate that increasing temperatures may affect their range. Therefore, we evaluated the critical thermal maximum (CTmax) of H dorsalis and analyzed their expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) to quantify a thermal stress response over a gradient of temperatures (25-31°C). We found that HSP-70 expression was upregulated in response to temperatures >25°C, indicating a stress response. We then compared this thermal threshold to the yearly maximum temperatures from 42 rivers and streams in Nebraska to determine areas where H dorsalis may already be at risk for thermal stress within their range. About 88% of the sites surpassed 25°C at some point between May and September. This study provides evidence that H dorsalis may be experiencing thermal stress across Nebraska, which future climate scenarios may worsen.
Speakers
EH

Ella Humphrey

Student, University of Nebraska Lincoln
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

11:40am CST

Wildlife Track: Impact of invasive Burmese python on the abundance of two endemic endangered species in the Florida Keys
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Shauna S. Sayers, School of Forestry and Horticulture, Southern Illinois University; Brent S. Pease, School of Forestry and Horticulture, Southern Illinois University; Michael V. Cove, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

ABSTRACT: Non-native invasive species are a leading contributor to global biodiversity loss. The Burmese python (Python bivittatus), a large constrictor snake native to Southeast Asia, is one of Florida's most notable exotic predators. Although python’s prey vary in size and species, rodents are the most common group detected in their digestive tracts. The Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli) and Key Largo cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola) are two endangered rodent subspecies, endemic to Key Largo, Florida, that are susceptible to the threat of increasing python prevalence. We examined the impact of Burmese pythons on these two subspecies by conducting spatial capture-recapture surveys at 23 grids and deploying remote cameras at 629 supplemental woodrat nests across North Key Largo from January to August 2024. Trapping effort concluded with a total of 4,309 trapnights, capturing 37 woodrats (17 individuals) and 268 cotton mice (152 individuals). The effects of python presence on woodrat and cotton mouse populations were examined by comparing current rodent abundance estimates to those estimated during the python’s apparent establishment and increasing prevalence. Our results indicate the abundance of woodrats and cotton mice has declined coinciding with the increasing detections of pythons, with more drastic declines in the larger woodrats. Preliminary SECR estimates show a decrease in woodrat density from 0.48 individuals per hectare in 2017 to 0.08 individuals per hectare in 2024. Furthermore, our analysis demonstrated that areas with higher python activity exhibited altered habitat use patterns by woodrats such as decreased nest use and stick-nest building. These results suggest that as pythons increase their population size and distribution, the already geographically limited woodrats and cotton mice may continue to experience population declines and shifting habitat use.
Speakers
SS

Shauna Sayers

Master's Student, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
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11:40am CST

Wildlife Track: Movement ecology of an urban community in Forest Park, Saint Louis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Stephen Blake, Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, WildCare Institute, Saint Louis Zoo.

Sharon L. Deem, Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Louis Zoo.

Jamie Palmer, Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Louis Zoo.

Jeff Meshach, World Bird Sanctuary.

Stanton Braude, Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis.

Amy Witt, Forest Park Forever.

August Wise, Saint Louis University.

Anthony I. Dell, National Great Rivers Research and Education Center.

Stella F. Uiterwaal, Living Earth Collaborative, Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, Institute for Conservation Medicine, Saint Louis Zoo, National Great Rivers Research and Education Center.


ABSTRACT: Catastrophic native ecosystem degradation is usually a consequence of urban expansion. However, urban areas can support some elements of native biodiversity with benefits for conservation and human health. Understanding the ecology of urban biodiversity is increasingly important in a rapidly urbanizing world. Species responses to urbanization vary enormously from rapid local extinction to population expansion, with responses often strongly correlated with life history traits. Among animals, “urban adapters” often have r selected traits, such as small body size, high fecundity, and generalist niches. Long lived, large-bodied organisms with low fecundity tend to experience population declines and high local extinction probability under urbanization. Mobility can govern animals’ ability to exploit high-quality habitats and disperse out of poor-quality habitats. City parks are often mosaics of intense human use and semi-natural areas. They can function as urban biodiversity hotspots, which provides opportunities to understand the movement ecology of animals within urban communities. Over the last three years, we have fitted GPS and radio tracking tags to individuals from 15 species of animals in Forest Park, St. Louis. Additionally, we have acquired human mobility data from anonymous smart phone tracking within the park. We mapped habitat characteristics including vegetation and human footprint metrics across the city. We characterized animal movement strategies and habitat use using net squared displacement and resource selection functions. Forest Park wildlife displays all major movement strategies including residence, dispersal, nomadism and migration. Species’ responses to the human footprint varied dramatically from strongly negative, mostly among low mobility terrestrial omnivores, to strongly positive among highly mobile terrestrial and avian predators. Mortality was high among these species. This first quantitative window into the movement ecology of an urban animal community provokes myriad research and management questions and implications, demanding more extensive applied research to influence urban planning policy.
Speakers
SB

Stephen Blake

Assistant Professor, Biology Department, Saint Louis University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

11:40am CST

S-04: Assessment of Isotope Shifts in Northern Pike in Response to Increased Rainbow Trout Stocking Length
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jeremy L. Kientz

South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks

ABSTRACT: Pactola Reservoir in the Black Hills of South Dakota has historically been managed as a coldwater fishery for Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush. In 2003, Northern Pike Esox lucius were first sampled in fisheries surveys by South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks (SD GFP) and have since become an established predator. Due to concerns of direct predation on stocked catchable (275 mm) Rainbow Trout, SD GFP partnered with South Dakota State University on a research project which evaluated Northern Pike diets and isotopes. The results of that study showed that fish smaller than 600 mm had δC13 isotope values similar to centrarchid prey species, whereas δC13 values for 600 mm and larger fish were similar to stocked Rainbow Trout. In response to this research and to reduce predation by Northern Pike, SD GFP increased the Rainbow Trout stocking size in Pactola Reservoir from 275 mm to 381 mm. The objective of this study was to evaluate Northern Pike isotope changes in response to the increased Rainbow Trout stocking size. Northern Pike (n=42) were captured in May 2021 with sizes ranging from 457 mm to 1,021 mm. δC13 values in Northern Pike smaller than 700 mm were similar to the centrarchid values seen in the previous study, suggesting that stocked Rainbow Trout had not become a major diet item for 700 mm and smaller individuals. This data was supported by an analysis of variance (ANOVA) among 100 mm size bins which revealed that significant differences in δC13 were detected between the 700 mm and 800 mm size bins, but not among 700 mm and smaller size bins. Furthermore, a piecewise linear regression technique in program R revealed a breakpoint value of 716 mm. These results indicate that the length at which Northern Pike prey upon stocked Rainbow Trout has increased by over 100 mm following the increase in trout stocking length.
Speakers
avatar for Jeremy Kientz

Jeremy Kientz

SD Game, Fish & Parks
I love the outdoors. Fishing, hiking, hunting, camping, foraging; I love it all.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

11:40am CST

S-07: Improving the Discoverability and Accessibility of Invasive Carp Projects and Data
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jason Ross, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Mark Brouder, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Aaron Murphy US Geological Survey; Mathew Walker, US Geological Survey

ABSTRACT: Member agencies of the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association (MICRA) are actively implementing management and control actions to reduce the spread and abundance of invasive carp species that are established and expanding their range in the Mississippi River Basin. MICRA formed an Invasive Carp Advisory Committee (ICAC) to coordinate the planning, execution, and evaluation of collaborative actions to prevent, detect, and control invasive carp populations. Currently, the information and data collected and needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the various control and management actions being implemented are housed and dispersed among the individual agencies or entities. These information and data “silos” are difficult to discover and access by the various MICRA member agencies, the ICAC working groups and modelers tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of control and management efforts across the landscape, and other interested parties. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey, working on behalf of the ICAC Data Analysis Workgroup, are developing a web-based platform known as CarpDAT (Data, Analysis and Tools) that intends to improve the discoverability and accessibility of invasive carp information and data being collected across the Mississippi River Basin by compiling and consolidating it in a single location.
Speakers
JR

Jason Ross

IT Specialist (Data Management), USFWS
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
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11:40am CST

S-08: Adaptive Management for a Reintroduced Population of Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Callie Klatt Golba, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences; Gary Glowacki, Lake County Forest Preserve District; Kathryn McCabe, Lake County Forest Preserve District; Richard King, Northern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Reintroduction is a tool used in conservation biology to establish a new population of previously extirpated species. It is often necessary when habitat fragmentation prevents natural reestablishment. In freshwater turtle species, reintroduction is becoming more common, but due to their longevity, continued monitoring and adaptive management is necessary to properly assess success. From 2020 to 2022, 175 headstarted Blanding’s Turtles were reintroduced at a recently restored site in Lake County, Illinois. The plan was to continue releases to meet or exceed an adult population size indicative of resiliency (Adult N ≥ 50) and maximize genetic diversity. Follow-up monitoring revealed lower than expected survival due to high predation. Releases were halted after detection of a shell rot fungus among captives in 2022. To determine the best strategy going forward, we used population viability analysis to compare release scenarios that differed in the age at release (direct release of hatchlings, 1st year headstarts, 2nd year headstarts), the number released, and the implementation of predator removal. Releases of older headstarts with concurrent predator removal were projected to result in the largest population size. Increasing number of egg donors resulted in relatively small effects on allelic richness, genetic diversity, and inbreeding. Results from the initial years of an experimental reintroduced population demonstrate the utility of continued monitoring to guide adaptive management in wildlife conservation.
Speakers
CG

Callie Golba

Curator of Turtle Conservation, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

11:40am CST

S-09: Summarizing grassland management social science literature and conservation practitioner social science needs across the Central Grasslands
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Ashley Gramza, Playa Lakes Joint Venture; Zach Hurst, Playa Lakes Joint Venture; Ryan Roberts, Playa Lakes Joint Venture

ABSTRACT:  The Central Grasslands region of North America provides crucial habitat for a myriad of bird and wildlife species and vital resources for human communities. This ecosystem is in rapid decline mainly due to cropland conversion, climate change, and invasive plant species. Current conservation efforts have not stopped this decline, highlighting the need for a shift in conservation delivery strategies that incorporate local populations within this landscape. Furthermore, grassland management decisions are multidimensional and complex, requiring social science to understand, yet this research has not often been coordinated among social scientists nor integrated into conservation delivery strategies. To improve the integration of social science knowledge into conservation delivery, we synthesized existing conservation social science research related to grassland management decision-making, examined social science needs and priorities of grassland conservation delivery professionals, and used the aforementioned information to create a plan that identifies challenges and opportunities for grassland conservation delivery and includes a research priority list for future social science research to benefit grassland conservation. The grassland management social science literature review underscored the importance of conducting more transdisciplinary, community-based and participatory grassland conservation projects. These strategies will increase the reach, effectiveness and equity of conservation efforts and help ensure long-term grassland persistence across the Central Grasslands. This project with its combination of data sources provides a good understanding of the current state of knowledge and related research needs, while making this information available to grassland conservation professionals. It also provides a starting point for conservation social scientists to coordinate and collaborate on future research that is useful and usable to grassland conservation professionals within the Central Grasslands.
Speakers
ZH

Zach Hurst

Playa Lakes Joint Venture
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

11:40am CST

S-10: Aquatic Plant Assessment and Mapping Methods: Finding the sweet spot between frequency and abundance
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Ray Valley, President and Aquatic Biologist, BioBase LLC, St. Paul MN.

ABSTRACT:  It’s well understood that aquatic plants play a critical role in lake ecosystems at multiple levels. Aquatic plants control water quality and water quality controls aquatic plants. Aquatic plants shape fish communities, structure food webs and facilitate quality sport fisheries. Invasive species disrupt the ecological balance of lakes but are strangely friend or foe depending on what audience you find yourself in. As professionals, fisheries professionals, we get this. We also see that millions are spent in the US each year to control invasive aquatic plants. Despite the stakes, aquatic plant assessment and monitoring programs have generally been underfunded. If monitoring does occur, it is typically focused on frequency of occurrence of aquatic plant species and rarely abundance (biomass or biovolume). Although a great measure of species cover and diversity, frequency of occurrence is a poor measure of habitat as perceived by fish or the total biomass of plants that contribute to a lake’s nutrient budget. More recently, methods have been developed bringing species frequency surveys together with high definition abundance surveys. Now with the advent of Artificial Intelligence and continued innovation of consumer technology, we have the capability to precisely map the abundance of individual aquatic plant species. Investment will be needed to develop, scale, or repurpose technology developed for the consumer world for aquatic and fisheries management purposes.
Speakers
avatar for Ray Valley

Ray Valley

President, BioBase LLC
I have a love for water, wilderness, conservation, and technology. I was afforded the opportunity to meld these interests together and led the building of the powerful automated cloud mapping technologies genesismaps.com and biobasemaps.com in the 2010's. You can’t protect what... Read More →
Tuesday January 21, 2025 11:40am - 12:00pm CST
TBA

12:00pm CST

Lunch On Your Own
Tuesday January 21, 2025 12:00pm - 1:20pm CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 12:00pm - 1:20pm CST
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1:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Age and Growth Analyses on a Stunted vs. Non-Stunted Population of White Perch in Southeastern Nebraska Reservoirs
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Cali Engel, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Mark Pegg, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

ABSTRACT: Aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been a growing concern for many fisheries managers and biologists throughout the United States. In Eastern Nebraska, White perch (Morone americana) have been found in a variety of lakes, including Branched Oak Lake, Pawnee Lake, Holmes Lake, and Wildwood Lake. Waterbodies with high densities of this species may cause them to become stunted, maintaining a small size and being undesirable by anglers. Branched Oak Lake and Pawnee Lake contain an abundance of stunted white perch, making management of these reservoirs difficult. Interestingly, there are at least two reservoirs in Southeast Nebraska that contain populations of white perch that are not stunted. Despite their geographic proximity to Branched Oak Lake and Pawnee Lake, Holmes Lake and Wildwood Lake contain populations of white perch desirable to anglers. This study assesses the age structure and growth rates of White perch populations in these four lakes to better understand the differences in population dynamics of populations across different densities. Size structures were markedly different among the four study lakes as expected. Exact differences between stunted and non-stunted populations will be compared to begin determining factors that may influence the propensity for stunting.
Speakers
avatar for Cali Engel

Cali Engel

Undergraduate student, University of Nebraska Lincoln
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Impacts of Habitat Enhancement on Fish Assemblage Integrity in Several Midwestern Streams
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ryan Skowronski, Eastern Illinois University; Eden Effert-Fanta, Eastern Illinois University; Dan Roth, Eastern Illinois University; Trent Thomas, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Robert Colombo, Eastern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: The Midwestern landscape has been converted from forests and prairies into land used for urban development and agricultural practices over the past two centuries. This transformation in landscape composition has disrupted ecosystem function and reduced the stability of stream habitats by accelerating bank erosion, decreasing riparian buffers, and lowering water quality. These changes have led to the degradation of stream habitat heterogeneity, which is a key factor influencing the biotic integrity of fish assemblages. Habitat restoration is a common mitigation strategy for reversing stream degradation, though empirical research evaluating the effectiveness of habitat restoration is insufficient in the Midwestern United States. This study aims to investigate the temporal shifts in fish biotic integrity in four Illinois streams restored in the past 15 years using historical fish community data. We expect habitat enhancement to initially disrupt fish assemblages but show an overall increase in biotic integrity in restored sites over time with a rise in habitat specialist and intolerant fishes. Evaluating the outcomes of these restoration projects is critical to conserve fish communities in degraded streams and improve future restoration methods.
Speakers
RS

Ryan Skowronski

Graduate Research Assistant, Eastern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

Wildlife Track: Multi-Method Occupancy of Semi-Aquatic Mammals in Southern Illinois
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Derek Whipkey, Cooperative Wildlife Research Lab, Southern Illinois University; Charlotte Narr, Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University; Brent Pease, School of Forestry and Horticulture, Southern Illinois University; Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Cooperative Wildlife Research Lab, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Semi-aquatic mammals play important roles in aquatic ecosystems, particularly in the transfer of nutrients between aquatic and terrestrial environments. However, detecting and estimating the occurrence of these species can be difficult due to their elusive nature. Additionally, most occupancy studies have focused on a single type of waterbody (e.g. lentic or lotic systems), limiting a broader understanding of factors impacting these species distribution. To estimate occupancy of semi-aquatic mammals, we surveyed 67 sites across four counties in southern Illinois from March – May 2023 for American beaver (Castor canadensis), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), river otter (Lontra canadensis), and American mink (Neovison vison). Sites were distributed evenly between waterbody type and size. Given the elusive nature of these species, we combined two detection methods, sign surveys and camera traps, to increase detection. We applied a Bayesian multi-method occupancy model that incorporates both detection methods to estimate a single occupancy probability for each target species. To evaluate the relative importance of aquatic and terrestrial factors on occupancy, we built candidate models of aquatic and terrestrial covariates separately to identify the top model of each category. Aquatic covariates were consistently more important in predicting occupancy for all species. However, a combined additive model of the top aquatic and terrestrial models provided the best overall predictions. Beaver, otter, and mink occupancy showed positive associations with large waterbodies, while muskrat occupancy was positively linked to lotic systems. Additionally, muskrat and mink occupancy were positively related to increasing distance from roads. Our results suggest that while aquatic structure is more influential for predicting semi-aquatic mammal occupancy, considering both aquatic and terrestrial factors yields the most accurate results. All four semi-aquatic mammal species we studied were impacted by aquatic type, highlighting the importance of considering both waterbody types to better understand their distribution.
Speakers
DW

Derek Whipkey

Graduate Research Assistant, Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

Wildlife Track: Quantifying the biodiversity benefit of forest cover in agricultural landscapes using environmental DNA metabarcoding
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Olivia P. Reves, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Mark A. Davis, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA; Eric R. Larson, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA



ABSTRACT: The conversion of natural ecosystems to agriculture is a leading cause of habitat loss and threatens global biodiversity. For the past two centuries, the midwestern United States has experienced agricultural intensification and expansion, resulting in losses of natural ecosystems including tallgrass prairies, wetlands, and forests. Forest cover in states like Illinois has increased over the last several decades, partially due to agricultural conservation efforts like agroforestry, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and implementation of riparian buffers. However, does this increasing forest cover, intended to reduce nutrient and soil loss and benefit in-stream biota, also have benefits to terrestrial biodiversity? We used environmental DNA (eDNA), DNA collected and isolated from environmental samples, to evaluate how forest cover influences and potentially benefits terrestrial and semi-aquatic vertebrates in agricultural landscapes. In May and June of 2024, we collected eDNA samples from 47 low order streams over gradients of both riparian and whole-watershed forest cover from the U.S. National Land Cover Database. We then conducted eDNA metabarcoding of vertebrate communities using 12S and COI primers. Next, we used generalized linear mixed models to examine effects of forest cover on species richness, as well as non-metric multidimensional scaling to explore differences in community composition between sites of varying forest cover. Evaluating how terrestrial vertebrate communities respond to forest cover can shape management practices from riparian buffers to watershed-wide scales across agricultural regions.
Speakers
OR

Olivia Reves

Master's Student, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

S-04: Advancing Cold Water Beyond Trout: Characterizing Aquatic Biota and Habitat Across Thermal Gradients in Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Natalie Coash, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit;
Ashley Hrdina, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit;
Craig Paukert, US Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit;
Emily Tracey-Smith, Missouri Department of Conservation;
Jason Persinger, Missouri Department of Conservation


ABSTRACT: Missouri’s cold and cool water stream systems face ecological challenges due to historical alterations, land use, and chronic climate pressures. Effective management of these systems requires an applied science-based approach that considers fundamental processes such as thermal regimes, flow variability, and knowledge of surrounding land use, all of which influence aquatic habitat and biotic distribution. Water temperature, in particular, plays a critical role in shaping fish assemblages and stream biota, affecting physiology, behavior, reproduction, and overall habitat suitability. Current data limitations, including a lack of comprehensive water temperature data and insufficient aquatic community data, hinder our ability to characterize and conserve cold and cool water stream habitats effectively in Missouri.
This study aims to address data gaps by estimating the distribution and extent of significant cold water stream habitats in Missouri by characterizing fish, macroinvertebrate, and macrophyte communities within these habitats and their thermal transition zones, while complementing sampling with continuous seasonal temperature monitoring and eDNA analysis. Through field sampling and analysis of existing spatial data, this research will refine our understanding of cold, cool, and warm water stream systems statewide. While this study can be useful in identifying thermal refugia and the extent of trout habitat in Missouri; the outcomes of this study will directly benefit stream resource management and conservation by providing critical data pertaining to the unique cold and cool water biological communities beyond our current policy criteria and classification of waters “that support a naturally reproducing or stocked trout fishery”.
This improved characterization will support the Missouri Department of Conservation in guiding the development of habitat criteria relevant to resource management, influencing thermal designations under Missouri’s Water Quality Standards, and protecting species of conservation concern. Join us to review the project’s impetus, objectives, site selection, field methods, next steps, and key deliverables.
Speakers
NC

Natalie Coash

Coldwater Research Specialist, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

S-07: What could adaptive management of invasive bigheaded carp in the Tennessee and Cumberland river subbasins look like?
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Michael E. Colvin, US Geological Survey; Caleb A. Aldridge, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Neal Jackson, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Max Post van der Burg, US Geological Survey


ABSTRACT: The Tennessee and Cumberland rivers (TNCR) invasive carp subbasin partnership (Partnership) comprises state and federal agencies tasked with coordinating invasive carp control efforts, identifying funding priorities, executing funded projects, and reporting project results annually. To better align subbasin program operations with management objectives the TNCR Partnership prioritized and funded a project to structure their decision making processes—our team facilitated execution of the project. Over several online and face-to-face meetings, we elicited the TNCR Partnership’s management objectives and alternative invasive carp management strategies. The TNCR Partnership produced a shared understanding of uncertainties associated with invasive carp management and monitoring, co-producing an systems model that projects the future state of invasive carp abundance and distribution. Additionally, the systems model can help the TNCR Partnership evaluate alternative management strategies by comparing whether the expected outcomes of implemented management actions align with management objectives. Varying uncertainties were identified throughout the elicitation process that could be reduced through research or monitoring. This talk focuses on how uncertainties, framed as hypotheses, can potentially be reduced by monitoring outcomes of management actions as part of an adaptive management program. Specifically, we discuss the minimal requirements to operationalize an invasive carp adaptive management program which aligns with existing funding and project management timelines. Lastly, we highlight lessons learned during this structured decision making process and provide generalizations applicable to other invasive carp subbasin partnerships.
Speakers
MC

Michael Colvin

Research Ecologist, US Geological Survey
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

S-08: A PVA to Support Conservation Planning for Blanding’s Turtles in Iowa
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Elizabeth M. Lang* – Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University

Dr. Stephen J. Dinsmore – Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University

Dr. Anna M. Tucker – U.S. Geological Survey, Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Iowa State University

Dr. Karen E. Kinkead – Iowa Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) are declining throughout their range due to habitat fragmentation, road mortality, and nest depredation. They have high adult and juvenile survival and varying hatchling survival and fecundity rates. In Iowa, there is little knowledge about current vital rates among Blanding’s populations, so land managers do not know which management actions will be most effective to reverse declines. Determining the outcomes of conservation is vital to land managers to plan efficiently and cost-effectively. To bridge this knowledge gap, we monitored six Blanding’s populations from June 2020 to August 2024. These projects offer preliminary vital rates that we used to model population viability under several management scenarios. We developed an age-based matrix model and conducted a literature review to parameterize the model. When using vital rates from published studies we modeled an Iowa population that is declining slowly (λ = 0.98). In Iowa, there is a concern about small, isolated populations, lower hatchling survival, and lower fecundity rates than those noted in other studies. We developed multiple scenarios representing these hypotheses for the Iowa population as well as potential management actions, including head starting, nest protection, and habitat improvement. We compare projected population sizes and growth rate with cost of implementation to aid managers with identifying the most cost-effective conservation strategy for this imperiled species.
Speakers
EL

Elizabeth Lang

Graduate Research Assistant, Iowa State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

S-09: Pragmatic Applications of Creel Surveys
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Susan Steffen, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

ABSTRACT: Creel surveys are often touted as extremely important to fisheries management as a way of understanding angling participation and characteristics. What types of information is collected during creel surveys, and, more importantly, how is it applied to fisheries management? Using Kansas Department of Wildlife and Park’s (KDWP) creel survey data, I will demonstrate the link between fisheries management goals and objectives, among other useful applications of creel surveys – including “supplemental questions” at the end of creel surveys as an alternative to online surveys. Through these applied examples, the audience will better understand how KDWP fisheries managers use creel survey and other human dimensions data to inform decision-making, engage with anglers, and maintain quality fishing opportunities.
Speakers
avatar for Susan Steffen

Susan Steffen

Human Dimensions Specialist, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Human Dimensions Research, FisheriesData Analytics, Data MiningSAS, SAS Enterprise Guide, JMP
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

S-10: Testing the Waters: A Foray Into Floating Wetlands
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kara Tvedt, Missouri Department of Conservation; Frank Nelson, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Missouri has lost over 90% of its historic wetlands. Hence, many native aquatic and wetland plants have diminished over the last 200 years. At the same time the eutrophication of waterways and water bodies has increasingly led to more frequent harmful algal blooms across the state. One nature-based option for integrated watershed approaches is the strategic incorporation of reintroducing native wetland plants. In urban settings, where armored banklines and fluctuating water levels may prevent the opportunity of shoreline plantings, floating treatment wetlands may be considered. Although a growing number of cities in Europe and U.S. have been using this “green” solution to improve water quality, not all attempts are successful and can prevent the adoption and expansion of these strategies elsewhere. The Missouri Department of Conservation has been trouble-shooting potential hurdles, such as plant establishment and herbivory to increase success and implementation rates. The agency has also been experimenting with floating island designs that are plastic-free to account for the growing concern about plastic pollution and PFAS. This presentation will highlight our collaboration with partners and lessons learned from this pilot work.
Speakers
FN

Frank Nelson

Wetland Ecologist, Missouri Dept. of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

S-11: Assessing the effects a managed landscape has on the burrow densities of the Piedmont Prairie Burrowing Crayfish in Sumter National Forest, South Carolina
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Eric Ng, West Liberty University; Kathryn Schulz, West Liberty University; Zanethia Barnett, US Forest Service; Zachary J. Loughman, West Liberty University



ABSTRACT: The piedmont region of the southeastern United States, once noted by early European explorers to host wide ranging prairie-like habitat, is now dominated by agricultural practices such as pine plantations. The Piedmont Prairie Burrowing Crayfish [(Distocambarus (Distocambarus) crockeri Hobbs & Carlson 1983)] is postulated to have adapted to a terrestrial environment in the piedmont of South Carolina. Nevertheless, the planting of pine throughout the region has removed important habitat elements, such as an open canopy, needed for other Distocambarus populations to persist. Contrarily, other silvicultural practices, such as complete tree removal, seem to benefit D. (D.) crockeri, a suggested prairie habitat specialist. Land management practices used to create prairie-like, open-canopy habitat in the piedmont region could produce a beneficial situation for the vulnerable Piedmont Prairie Burrowing Crayfish. To test this hypothesis, we compared the burrow densities of D. (D.) crockeri in various managed fields to forests within the Long Cane Ranger District of Sumter National Forest, SC. Burrow densities were quantified in 1m2 quadrats along 100m transects that were placed perpendicular to an ecotonal edge of a field and forest. We discovered that the average burrow densities of managed fields were more variable than the forests. However, the means of both averages were near to one another, indicating that maintaining some degree of habitat heterogeneity is important for the persistence of D. (D.) crockeri on a modern landscape.
Speakers
EN

Eric Ng

Graduate Student, West Liberty University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:40pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

S-12: Wiski/Oski (River Cane): A Keystone Species in the Floodplain and in Chickasaw Culture
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:50pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kent Sanmann, Native Foodways Restoration Alliance

ABSTRACT: If we are to reimagine wetlands as sustainable water gardens, then we are going to need tools, both gardening tools and tools to process the produce. And are the gardens just for us, or other creatures as well? And while wetlands have been lost in modern times by agricultural conversion of floodplains, both agriculture and wetlands co-existed in a symbiotic relationship in the past.
One plant that played a vital role in all of these activities in the past is river cane. Although the plant is mainly associated with the southeastern United States, historically its range extended into the Midwest as well as Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. River cane grew extensively in the original homelands of the Chickasaw tribe and was used by them for a variety of purposes. After their removal to Oklahoma, where it was not as common as it was in the southeast, they continued to use it for limited purposes until today. This presentation will look at the historical uses of river cane by Chickasaws as well as modern uses, including its use in alleviating current problems along the Blue River, the only undammed river in Oklahoma and an important water source for south/central Oklahoma and the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations.
Speakers
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 1:50pm CST
TBA

1:20pm CST

CONCURRENT TECHNICAL SESSIONS & ORGANIZED SYMPOSIA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:20pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Response of Fish Communities to Backwater Restoration in the Upper Mississippi River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Hannah Lenning, Iowa Department of Natural Resources/University of Nebraska at Kearney; Melissa Wuellner, University of Nebraska at Kearney; Seth Fopma, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Keith Koupal, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; Jayne Jonas-Bratten, University of Nebraska at Kearney

ABSTRACT: This research evaluates the impacts of restoring backwaters, a habitat type in large floodplain rivers that are essential for maintaining their high diversity of fauna. The restoration of backwaters has been an integral part of managing fish populations on the Upper Mississippi River since 1990 and is a major component of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program. This research looks at a 2013 restoration project that expanded on the traditional approach by restoring multiple backwaters in a single effort, resulting in 63 acres of backwater channels dredged within four backwaters, proximal in space (within 14-km reach) and time (2013-2017). Here, we evaluated whether benefits of restoration (increased catch or shifts in size structure) are observed beyond project boundaries and identified species that are indicators of backwater restoration, comparing two river reaches using a BACI approach. The river reach containing restored backwaters (Pool 12) is the Impact area, and a downstream river reach without restored backwaters (Pool 13) is the Control area. Historical, day electrofishing data was utilized, with the before period including sampling years prior to any construction (2006 – 2012) and the after period including years after construction concluded (2018 – 2024). For representative species, relative abundance was compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) was conducted to visualize the similarities and differences between fish assemblages of each BACI group. Finally, indicator species analysis was conducted on each BACI group, which identified indicators of river reaches with and without this approach to backwater restoration. Understanding the scalar impact of Pool 12 restoration and its impact on fish assemblages informs the future planning of restoration projects to maximize program resources and efficiency.
Speakers
HL

Hannah Lenning

Administrative Intern, Iowa Department of Natural Resources/University of Nebraska at Kearney
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Smallmouth Bass Demographics in the Kaskaskia and Vermilion Rivers
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ethan T. Scott, Eastern Illinois University; Daniel R. Roth, Eastern Illinois University; Eden L. Effert-Fanta, Eastern Illinois University; and Robert E. Colombo, Eastern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: This study investigates the population dynamics of Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in the Kaskaskia and Vermilion Rivers in Illinois, comparing supplementally stocked populations with naturally reproduced ones. Stocking efforts in the Kaskaskia River have aimed to support recreational fisheries for over a decade. Yet, the contribution of stocked fish to long-term population sustainability has not been fully assessed. In contrast, the Vermilion River supports natural recruitment, and recent dam removals have improved fish diversity and habitat quality, potentially benefiting the abundance of sportfish like Smallmouth Bass. Our primary objectives are to evaluate the relative abundance and demographics of Smallmouth Bass populations in both rivers and assess dynamic rate functions such as age, growth, and mortality. To achieve these objectives, we conducted surveys at 12 sites in each river using pulsed-DC boat electrofishing during the spring and fall. All fish were measured, weighed, and tagged with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. Pectoral fin rays were collected as a non-lethal aging structure, and microchemistry analysis will be used to identify recruitment sources by examining elemental ratios. Initial results from the Kaskaskia River suggest that this population is primarily supported by stocking, with Smallmouth Bass most abundant in areas where stocking occurs, particularly near the Shelbyville Dam. This study will provide critical insights into the effectiveness of supplemental stocking in enhancing Smallmouth Bass populations while identifying the natural factors that contribute to successful recruitment in free-flowing systems like the Vermilion River. By comparing two rivers with distinct recruitment mechanisms and environmental stressors, this research will inform more effective management strategies tailored to each system. The findings will also offer broader applications for managing Smallmouth Bass fisheries across similar Midwestern River systems.
Speakers
ES

Ethan Scott

Graduate assistant, Eastern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

Wildlife Track: Assessing white-tailed deer body condition using trail camera photos
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jamie Goethlich, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Tim Van Deelen, University of Wisconsin-Madison

ABSTRACT: The basis of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) management has traditionally focused on population size, which is important for establishing harvest goals for broad-scale deer management efforts. While population estimates are important for determining the number of individuals to harvest to reduce, maintain, or increase populations, population size does not provide detailed information on the health of the population. However, herd health is a major consideration for many contemporary deer management situations, and deer health is a common concern among deer managers, deer hunters, and people opposed to deer hunting. Although health and welfare are commonly used in the livestock industry and captive wildlife settings, animal welfare is an emerging segment of wildlife research. Recently, Smiley et al. (2020) created a technique to assess body condition using photographs of captured deer, which they validated by comparing body scores to ingesta-free body fat. We tested the efficacy of pairing their visual body condition estimation method with trail camera photos of deer in suburbs of the Northeast. We found that trail camera photos could easily be used for assessing body condition, and body condition scores were generally consistent among two independent observers. Additionally, we found body condition scores varied significantly across seasons, among sexes, and between does with and without fawns at heel. Lastly, we created a detailed training pamphlet to be used as a guide for researchers and citizen scientists. We conclude that this is a quick and easy method that can be useful in situations where deer managers want information about herd health/welfare but attaining robust sample sizes of harvested deer may be unattainable (e.g., unhunted urban populations, small private properties, etc.).
Speakers
JG

Jamie Goethlich

PhD Candidate, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

Wildlife Track: Inter-specific differences in waterfowl responses to hunting pressure and environmental conditions at an autumn stopover
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Abigail G Blake-Bradshaw, Forbes Biological Station; Therin M Bradshaw, Forbes Biological Station; Andrew D Gilbert, Forbes Biological Station; Joshua M Osborn, Forbes Biological Station; Elizabeth A Beilke, Forbes Biological Station; Chelsea S Kross, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Auriel MV Fournier, Forbes Biological Station

ABSTRACT:  Hunting pressure and associated disturbance influences many aspects of wildlife behavior. Disturbance by hunters influences the timing of relocation movements of waterfowl and could drive departures from stopover locations during autumn. Additionally, environmental conditions, including short-term changes in weather or habitat availability, may necessitate shifts in activity patterns, alter departure decisions, or impact individual susceptibility to harvest. Thus, wildlife professionals are interested in understanding what drives autumn-winter movements and migration events of waterfowl; therefore, we evaluated the extent to which hunting pressure and environmental conditions influenced daily flights and departure from an autumn stopover location. Our study took place in of the La Grange Reach of the Illinois River Valley, IL, USA. To evaluate the influence of “hunting pressure” on waterfowl behavior and departure from a stopover location, we placed 20 Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) across our study area to quantify daily shotgun volleys. We then captured 38 mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and 26 green-winged teal (A. crecca; hereafter teal) at Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, IL, USA. We deployed GPS-GSM transmitters on both age (i.e., juveniles and adults) and sex classes (i.e., males and females) and tracked both species during autumn and winter 2022–2024. We quantified the number of daily local-scale flights and related it to local environmental conditions and hunting pressure as indexed by ARUs. The median number of local-scale flights was 3 (range: 0–18) and was similar between species. Additionally, we identified the day individuals departed the Illinois River Valley stopover area by quantifying when they passed 40°N southwards, which marked the southern extent of our study area. In total, 24 teal and 8 mallards departed the study area, and as hunting pressure increased, teal were more likely to depart southwards. Preliminary results indicate mallards and teal responded to environmental conditions and hunting pressure disparately.
Speakers
avatar for Abigail Blake-Bradshaw

Abigail Blake-Bradshaw

Post Doc, Forbes Biological Station; Illinois Natural History Survey
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-04: Heritage Brook Trout program in southeast Minnesota
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Doug Dieterman, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Brian Beyerl, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Shawn Haase, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; John Hoxmeier, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Loren Miller, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Jason Roloff, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Vaughn Snook, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Dan Spence, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Melissa Wagner, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis, were the only salmonid native to the cold-water streams of southeast Minnesota but were presumed extirpated following European settlement and subsequent stream degradation. Research beginning in the mid-2000s identified genetic structure patterns that deviated from known stocking histories but consistent with expected geography of native populations, leading to the identification of a presumed native “Heritage” Brook Trout strain. Distribution of this Heritage strain was limited to three stream drainages. In an effort to better manage and expand the distribution of Heritage Brook Trout; managers, culturists and researchers have since implemented several novel approaches including removal of non-native Brown Trout; collection, propagation and stocking of wild Heritage Brook Trout; and implemented new studies to compare performance of Heritage and feral Brook Trout strains in streams. This talk will provide an overview and highlight the current status of these efforts as well as, the many challenges that have arisen.
Speakers
DD

Doug Dieterman

Research Biologist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-07: Evaluating Invasive Carp Management on the Illinois Waterway Through Adaptive ‘Multi-Agency Monitoring’
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Michael Spear, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station (IRBS); Brandon Harris, IRBS; Levi Solomon, IRBS; Kris Maxson, IRBS; Andrya Whitten Harris, IRBS; Andrew Mathis, IRBS; Sam Schaick, IRBS; Jesse Williams, IRBS; Jason DeBoer, IRBS; Eric Hine, Illinois Natural History Survey, Great Rivers Field Station (GRFS); John Chick, GRFS; Jim Lamer, IRBS

ABSTRACT: The upper reaches of the Illinois Waterway are a critical containment threshold for invasive carps as they threaten to invade the Laurentian Great Lakes. Monitoring these carps – and evaluating the success of management efforts – has become the new focus of the Multi-Agency Monitoring program, a collaborative effort across state, federal, and partner agencies (discussed earlier in this session) originally designed for community-wide monitoring but recently adapted for invasive species management. Through careful analysis of the data, intentional re-allocation of resources, and effective communication across partner agencies, the MAM program has repositioned itself as a quantitative resource for evaluating the success of management efforts to contain invasive carps and prevent their entry into Lake Michigan. Here, we explore the first five years of MAM data and touch on fisheries topics including hyperstability, density-dependence, food web dynamics, and imperfect detection. A large, latitudinal gradient in carp density along the river allows for powerful space-for-time comparisons. Intense invasive carp removal efforts highlight stark contrasts between fisheries-dependent and fisheries-independent data sources. Clues from the health of the native community may offer complementary evidence for the trajectory of the invasive carp population, placing renewed value on maintaining the original community-wide sampling approach of MAM. As MAM answers this call to serve the short-term invasive species management goals, preserving the long-term integrity of its standardized sampling framework remains a priority that will require thoughtful, intentional, and iterative changes to the design and protocols of the program. Early results indicate that community-wide, fisheries-independent data such as MAM can flexibly serve shifting management priorities while maintaining long-term perspectives, a successful example of “adaptive monitoring.”
Speakers
MS

Michael Spear

Quantitative Ecologist, Illinois River Biological Station
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-08: Effects of Prescribed Fire and Mowing on Smooth Greensnake Detection and Nesting Activity
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Allison Sacerdote-Velat, Chicago Academy of Sciences

ABSTRACT: Smooth Greensnakes (Opheodrys vernalis) are small-bodied, oviparous, grassland dependent colubrids, that are declining throughout much of the Midwest due to grassland loss and degradation. We used a before-after-control-impact (BACI) approach to examine effects of prescribed fire, burn interval, and mowing for shrub control, on Smooth Greensnake detection, and nesting activity. This approach parses out temporal effects from management effects. Pre-management data were collected in two grassland sites from multiple long-term monitoring plots. Prescribed fire and mowing were implemented across study plots in both grasslands while maintaining unmanaged plots as controls. Smooth Greensnake detection was greater in post-burn plots than in the control or mowed plots. However, nest abundance decreased following burning, and did not reach pre-management levels until after two to three years of post-burn recovery. In contrast, Smooth Greensnakes continued to nest in post-mow plots with no difference in nest abundance pre- and post-mowing. In Site 1, snake detection and nest abundance did not differ between the control and the mowed plot. In Site 2, willow encroachment in the control plot reduced Smooth Greensnake activity overall. Subsequent burns occurred in Site 2, one year after the initial burn, and in Site 1, three years after the initial burn, allowing further examination of the effects of fire interval. Again, we observed greater snake detection, but reduced nest abundance following the burns. Burning significantly reduced nesting activity for Smooth Greensnakes, which we attribute to the loss of vegetative thatch, which may help retain critical moisture in nesting sites. These results have conservation implications for recruitment based on fire intervals and the extent of burn units. Snake responses to habitat management may be influenced by aspects of reproductive requirements, reiterating the need for a mosaic-approach to management, and including variation in fire intervals in managed grasslands.
Speakers
AS

Allison Sacerdote-Velat

Curator of Biology & Herpetology, Chicago Academy of Sciences
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA

1:40pm CST

S-09: Species Preferences on Angler Motivational Factors in Kansas
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Sarah Ulrichsen, University of Nebraska - Lincoln; Christopher Chizinski, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

ABSTRACT:  Understanding the factors that motivate anglers to go fishing is crucial for effective fisheries management and conservation efforts. People's engagement with fishing is deeply influenced by their motivations—a complex interplay of the needs, desires, and goals that propel people to engage in recreation. We analyzed anglers' motivations to seek their primary species—including trophy fishing, keeping and eating the catch, identity, social interaction, and gear use—across various species preferences, such as Bass, Catfish, Walleye, and panfish. Data were collected via a web-based survey distributed to a stratified random sample of licensed anglers across Kansas. We sent invitations to 7500 licensed anglers and had 771 total responses (a 13% response rate). Preliminary results indicate significant differences in motivational factors when comparing species preferences. Walleye anglers are more motivated by keeping the fish they catch and liking the taste of their preferred species. In contrast, Bass anglers place a much lower value on reaching the bag limit, fishing for nutrition, and keeping the fish they catch. Among all species, anglers placed the most importance on choosing a fishing location because of the presence of their preferred fish species. These results highlight the importance of species-specific management strategies catering to the angling community's diverse motivations. Through understanding differentiated motivations, managers can be provided with critical insights into the importance of various motivational factors of recreational fishing as they relate to sought-after fish species, helping to inform the development of targeted regulations and conservation strategies that address the diverse needs and values of fishing communities in the Midwest.
Speakers
SU

Sarah Ulrichsen

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
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1:40pm CST

S-10: From Past Failures to Future Successes: Efforts to Establish Aquatic Vegetation in Arkansas Reservoirs.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
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AUTHORS:  Jeremy Risley, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; Sean Lusk, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; Eric Naas, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission


ABSTRACT:  Black bass anglers in Arkansas have long advocated for establishing aquatic vegetation in reservoirs with minimal macrophyte coverage to improve black bass populations in those systems. Despite facing various challenges along the way, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has remained dedicated to fulfilling these anglers' requests by introducing or restoring aquatic vegetation in those reservoirs. In the early 2000s, the AGFC tried introducing submerged aquatic vegetation in Bull Shoals Lake, a 19,504-hectare reservoir in north-central Arkansas. The approach involved planting vegetation in the substrate and protecting it with exclusion cages. Unfortunately, this endeavor was impeded by water fluctuations greater than 10 meters and turtle herbivory, which hindered the successful establishment of the vegetation. However, this failure led to potential successes. In the following years, the AGFC faced another vegetation-related challenge at DeGray Lake, a 5,585-hectare reservoir in west-central Arkansas. A decline in vegetation led to a noticeable reduction in the black bass population. This time, AGFC biologists took a different approach and created floating enclosures known as "Arkansas Floating Cubes" to aid in the spread of aquatic vegetation via wind and wave action and impeding herbivory. The deployment of these structures aided in the increase in vegetation density and subsequently improved the black bass populations over time. Encouraged by this success, the AGFC has expanded the use of the Arkansas Floating Cubes to two other highland reservoirs, Beaver and Greers Ferry Lakes, aiming to replicate the positive outcomes observed in DeGray Lake. The AGFC remains dedicated to employing innovative methods to establish or restore aquatic vegetation in reservoirs with little or no macrophyte coverage, ultimately benefiting sport fish populations like black bass and enhancing angler satisfaction in Arkansas.
Speakers
JR

Jeremy Risley

Black Bass Program Coordinator, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
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1:40pm CST

S-11: Shelter Preferences of Cambarus robustus, a Surrogate Study for the Federally Threatened Cambarus callainus
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
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AUTHORS: Hannah Holbert, West Liberty University; Zackary Graham, West Liberty University; Zachary Loughman, West Liberty University

ABSTRACT: There is no standard for individual captive husbandry of Cambaridae crayfish species, despite captive propagation being an important factor in reintroduction efforts. The Big Sandy Crayfish (Cambarus callainus) and the Guyandotte River Crayfish (Cambarus veteranus) are recognized under the Endangered Species Act as Threatened and Endangered, respectively. Active propagation projects are underway for C. callainus, but standards are still being developed. In order to set a baseline protocol for these federally listed Cambarus species, a shelter preference study was conducted using the Big Water Crayfish (Cambarus robustus). C. robustus is a large-bodied, tertiary burrowing crayfish species native to the eastern coast of the United States and Ontario, Canada. C. robustus commonly occurs in lotic environments and prefers large slab boulders for shelter. Due to similar life history strategies and habitat preferences, this species serves as a potential surrogate for related species such as C. callainus. 31 individual crayfish took part in two trials each, where shelter choices included a natural rock shelter and a piece of clear acrylic, or a natural shelter and tinted acrylic. Trials were conducted for 24-hours, where shelter usage and behavior were monitored through video recordings. Our results suggest that C. robustus will use all shelter types, although natural shelters were occupied more frequently overall. Sex and size of the individuals had minimal or no influence on shelter use. Future research should continue to investigate optimal husbandry practices and rearing techniques for Cambarus species where propagation efforts are necessary.
Speakers
HH

Hannah Holbert

Graduate Student, West Liberty University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:40pm - 2:00pm CST
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1:50pm CST

S-12: Osage Culinary Traditions and Food Sovereignty
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:50pm - 2:20pm CST
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AUTHORS:  Veronica Pipestem, Native Foodways Restoration Alliance

ABSTRACT:  Yonkapin, Nelumbo lutea, is an important part of contemporary 𐓷𐓘𐓻𐓘𐓻𐓟 (Osage) culinary tradition as it still eaten today during ceremonies and other community activities. We have a long, documented history of eating yonkapin and its importance as a food source has been well documented. While it is primarily considered a feast food, its rarity may be due to larger, systemic issues that are related to colonization, including land and habitat loss, confinement to reservations, the introduction of rations and other government food sources, etc. This presentation will provide a brief overview of Osage culinary traditions as it relates to 𐓲𐓟𐓷𐓘𐓵𐓟 (American Lotus), its place as an indicator of Osage food sovereignty, and efforts and issues related to making it a more regular food source for Osages and other Native communities.
Speakers
VP

Veronica Pipestem

Native Foodways Restoration Alliance
Tuesday January 21, 2025 1:50pm - 2:20pm CST
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2:00pm CST

Fisheries Track: Characterizing Riverine Habitat through the Use of UAS and Side-Scan Sonar
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Tyler Hessler, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri; Craig Paukert, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri; Yi Shang, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri; Zhenduo Zhai, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri; Shiqi Wang, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Missouri; Jason Persinger, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: The use of side-scan sonar has seen a dramatic increase in use in a variety of studies including those with the aim to characterize fish habitat. Side-scan sonar has been used to quantify habitat for well over a decade now and has seen promise in a variety of aquatic systems from coastal reefs to backwater bayous. The use of UAS (also known as aerial drones) has also seen more frequent use in mapping features in aquatic systems. In our study, we propose the use of side-scan sonar and UAS to better standardize and streamline the collection of fish-relevant habitat data in non-wadeable, mid-sized rivers. Traditionally, identifying habitat from side-scan sonar and aerial imagery was a manual process that could take several hours to days to complete a site. The amount of data that can be quickly accumulated in riverine systems can be daunting, but the use of AI and other software may streamline the implementation of these data and provide another option for a manager’s toolbelt that can increase confidence associated with making informed decisions that rely on accurate habitat data. To date, we have conducted 25 side-scan surveys across 8 sites across the state of Missouri totaling over 80 river kilometers. In addition, we have conducted 30 UAS surveys across these 8 sites as well as another site just used for UAS imagery. Developing a standardized protocol using side-scan sonar and UAS with the power of AI modeling could significantly increase the quality of data collected in mid-sized rivers and also decrease the costs associated with collecting habitat data and delineating imagery manually.
Speakers
avatar for Tyler Hessler

Tyler Hessler

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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2:00pm CST

Fisheries Track: Exploring Assessment Techniques for Minnesota's Newest Sport Fish: the Burbot
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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AUTHORS: Kristen Patterson: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Loren Miller, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Beth Holbrook, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Chris Smith, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Derek Bahr, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Burbot (Lota lota) are a unique fish in Minnesota as the only freshwater member of the cod family Gadidae and the only under ice spawner. There has been a variable history of appreciation across the state from a productive commercial fishery to some generalized opinion as “trash fish”. Although relatively little is known about populations in Minnesota, Burbot was recently designated a game fish and will have a bag limit set in 2025. Minnesota DNR staff have noted increased Burbot angling interest and have expressed concerns about current exploitation and future potential impacts on area lakes if angling pressure continues to build. Burbot are not well represented with methods employed in current fisheries assessments, and generally targeted with methods outside of standard protocols, e.g. hoop or trammel netting, set or long lining. Without employing intensive sampling efforts, we aim to use single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to determine whether Burbot are currently showing signs of genetic depression in popular fisheries and if this could be a useful method to gain population level information moving forward. We will share our current knowledge on Burbot populations in Minnesota, preliminary genetic analysis results, and welcome input and discussion for future study and management of this cold-water fish.
Speakers
KP

Kristen Patterson

Fisheries Research Scientist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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2:00pm CST

Wildlife Track: An assessment of small mammal monitoring methods within restored prairies in Illinois
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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AUTHORS: Bianca Saftoiu, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Dr. Mark Johnson, US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory; Patrick Wolff, US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory; Dr. Jinelle Sperry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory

ABSTRACT: Tall-grass prairies are among the most threatened ecosystems in North America with less than 0.01% remaining in the state of Illinois. Effective prairie restoration in the Midwest is thus essential and requires that the health of the ecosystem be managed by re-establishing functional ecological communities, including prairie-associated wildlife species. Small mammals serve as an effective taxonomic group to monitor given their importance to ecological functioning across trophic levels and their sensitivity to habitat disturbance. Various passive and invasive survey methods have been used to evaluate mammalian species because of challenges associated with varying body size, temporal activity patterns, and cryptic behaviors. In this study we compare three distinct methods including live trapping, bucket camera traps, and airborne environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling for monitoring small mammal communities in restored prairies. In 2023 we surveyed ten prairie sites in Illinois and found that live trapping allowed for more specific identification to the species level while bucket cameras generally detected a greater species richness. We were also able to detect vertebrate DNA within the ten prairies using eDNA methods, however, the quantity of DNA varied across sites. Based upon these preliminary results, we can infer that a combination of both traditional and modern methods will offer a more comprehensive assessment of small mammal community composition within restored prairies.
Speakers
BS

Bianca Saftoiu

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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2:00pm CST

Wildlife Track: Surfing the Blue Wave: Is blue-winged teal resource selection influenced by fine-scale variation in wetland availability?
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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AUTHORS: Jeffrey Edwards, Missouri Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri; Dr. Lisa Webb, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit; Dr. Drew Fowler, U.S. Geological Survey, Louisiana Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit; Paul Link, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries; Dr. Chris Nicolai, Delta Waterfowl

ABSTRACT: Migration is an important life history strategy that many waterbirds employ to exploit seasonally available resources and maximize fitness. However, migratory events are energetically demanding, and waterbirds use stopover sites during migration to rebuild energetic reserves. During spring migration, habitat quality at available stopover sites has the potential to exert cross-seasonal effects on breeding season population demographics. Wetland availability during the migratory period can be temporally dynamic within and across years as well as spatially variable throughout the migration corridor. Only recently has quantifying the spatial and temporal extent of available wetlands at broad scales become possible with remote sensing technologies. However, little is known about how temporally and spatially dynamic wetland availability may influence waterfowl resource selection during the non-breeding season. In this study, we collected movement data from 350 blue-winged teal (Spatula discors) marked with GPS-GSM transmitters to assess the effects of inundated wetland availability on blue-winged teal resource selection during the autumn and spring migrations (2019 – 2024). We used the Dynamic World dataset to quantify temporally and spatially dynamic inundated wetlands and intersected this data layer with landcover types from the National Land Cover Database. Combining these data sources, we will use an integrated step selection function to evaluate how blue-winged teal resource selection varies with inundated wetland availability at two-week intervals. The spatial extent of each two-week interval will be based on sample wide kernel density estimates of use. Results from this study can help inform wetland conservation and management practices for early autumn and late spring migrating waterbirds such as blue-winged teal. Specifically, these results can inform how early autumn wetland inundation and maintaining water into spring may support waterbirds whose life history strategies include this migration phenology.
Speakers
JE

Jeffrey Edwards

Graduate Research Assistant, Missouri Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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2:00pm CST

S-04: Brook Trout Management in the Iowa Driftless Region
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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AUTHORS:  Michael Siepker, Iowa DNR; Caleb Schnitzler, Iowa DNR; Dan Kirby, Iowa DNR

ABSTRACT:  Although Brook Trout were likely native to Northeast Iowa, early degradation of streams led to widespread extirpations along with regulations and stocking to restore and maintain populations. Brook Trout were a common part of early fish stockings, but disappeared from Iowa stocking records by 1956. Brook Trout remained largely absent from the trout program until 1993 when fingerling and catchable Brook Trout stockings resumed. The ancestry of Brook Trout used for early stockings is generally unknown; however, Brook Trout used for fingerling and catchable trout production that began in 1993 were acquired as eggs from the St. Croix Falls fish hatchery in Wisconsin. The first genetic evaluation of Iowa Brook Trout suggested the South Pine population was a unique population, but with low genetic diversity. As a result, South Pine fingerlings were used to restore Iowa Brook Trout fisheries beginning in the mid-1990s. Today, restoration stockings are conducted throughout northeast Iowa to expand wild Brook Trout populations.
Speakers
MS

Mike Siepker

Fisheries Supervisor, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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2:00pm CST

S-07: Exploring tools to evaluate invasive carp management success across different density gradients and river systems
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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AUTHORS:  James T. Lamer; Mike Spear; Brandon Harris; Sam Schaick; Jesse Williams; Andrew Mathis; Emily Szott; Kaiden Vinavich; Levi Solomon; Kris Maxson; Andrya Whitten; Jason DeBoer, Illinois Natural History Survey; Allison Lenaerts; Eli Lampo, Illinois Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT:  Invasive carp can have detrimental effects on native ecosystems as they become established. Commercial and informed contracted harvest are currently the most impactful management strategies to reduce numbers and spread. However, evaluating effectiveness of this harvest to determine the proportion of the population impacted to help set management targets and allocate effort has been challenging due to invasive carp long-range movements, episodic recruitment, and difficulty obtaining population estimates through traditional means. Nevertheless, the need to assess population abundance or changes in relative abundance is still necessary to help guide and prioritize management efforts, help forecast future markets needed to grow the infrastructure and demand, and to understand dynamics and threats at the leading-edge populations. This talk provides an overview of some current invasive carp management evaluation tools being explored on the Illinois and Mississippi rivers by the state of Illinois and other state and federal partners. The choice of evaluation technique used varies depending on the state of invasion and the unique properties of each river system. In low density areas, techniques being explored include fisheries-independent monitoring in designated carp-likely habitat strata for silver carp and black carp, relative weight density-dependent baseline deviations in invasive carp and native surrogates, telemetry guided removals and harvest estimates from tagged fish in closed populations, and master chronologies to detect changes in growth over time. In high-density areas, several of the techniques used in low-density areas are combined with fisheries-independent monitoring and the resulting relative abundance estimates are grounded in density-dependent metrics while recognizing and accounting for differences in habitat strata and reach-specific structure.
Speakers
avatar for Jim Lamer

Jim Lamer

Director, Illinois River Biological Station, Illinois Natural History Survey
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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2:00pm CST

S-08: Factors that Influence Capture and Size at Capture of Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) and Dekay’s Brownsnakes (Storeia dekayi) in Northern Indiana
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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AUTHORS: Nicholas F Sekits, Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago; Sara Ruane, Field Museum of Natural History; Joseph R. Milanovich, Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago

ABSTRACT: Midwestern snake populations are in decline therefore an understanding of their ecology is paramount. This understanding is often lacking since snakes are cryptic and difficult to capture. Many sampling techniques have arisen to combat this such as drift fence-trap configurations and coverboards with varying levels of investment for researchers. Our study examined whether time of sampling, type of coverboard (rubber mats or carpet squares), and temperature influenced the number of captures or size of individuals at capture for two common species of snakes found in northern Indiana, Common Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis) and Dekay’s Brownsnakes (Storeria dekayi). We deployed 30 coverboards (20 carpet and 10 rubber mats) at 20 sites across a 12-county area in northern Indiana. Coverboards were checked every 14 to 28 days and all snakes captured were identified and measured. We used general linear models to examine what factors predicted captures and size at capture. Our results show that month significantly predicted captures of T. sirtalis, but not S. dekayi, where T. sirtalis were captured at higher rates in July and August compared to April, May and June. Size of snakes at capture was predicted by month for both T. sirtalis and S. dekayi (and temperature for T. sirtalis) with captured snakes being significantly smaller in August compared to other months. We found no significant difference in captures between coverboard types. These results suggest both species show no preference between board types, T. sirtalis use cover at higher rates in July and August, and utilization of cover by larger snakes of both species declines in August.
Speakers
NS

Nicholas Sekits

Graduate Student, Loyola University Chicago
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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2:00pm CST

S-09: Who Fishes in Indiana: Population Segments as Management Tools
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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AUTHORS:  Josef Hrabowski, Ball State University; Sandy Clark-Kolaks, Indiana DNR; Emily McCallen, Indiana DNR; Len Hunt, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources; Faezeh Soleimani, Ball State University ;Paul Venturelli, Ball State University

ABSTRACT:  Recreational fishing license sales have been declining for almost a decade in many US states, greatly impacting management funding. A detailed knowledge of the license buying patterns of specific population segments could allow agencies to tailor their marketing and management more efficiently. We used the ESRI Tapestry system to identify life-mode-specific, spatial and temporal patterns of license sales in Indiana between 2012 and 2022. Each life mode describes a population segment based on demographic (e.g., age and household makeup), economic (e.g., income and profession) and behavior (e.g., recreational preferences and affinity to technology). We found that the majority of license holders in Indiana in all years were older people living in more rural communities. However, younger urban population segments had the largest increase in license sales during 2020 (i.e., during the COVID pandemic). This suggests that the younger urban population segment is interested in fishing but does not have the time for this hobby during normal years. We also calculated churn rates by market segment as well as identify recruitment, retention and reactivation trends. We saw that while older people make up a higher proportion of total license purchases, they were more likely to drop in or out, while younger segments who a higher consistency. We also examined spatial patterns of license purchases while taking the observed differences of market segments into account, to identify possible geographic influences. We found that the availability of boat ramps and boat docks had the greatest influence on license purchases. Information gathered through the analysis of purchasing patterns by population segment will allow agencies to identify barriers to fishing, and tailor marketing, communications, and management to specific segments.
Speakers
JH

Josef Hrabowski

PhD Canidate, Ball State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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2:00pm CST

S-10: Lake DeGray Vegetation Re-Establishment Project – Vegetation Mapping
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Scott Jones - University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

ABSTRACT: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission initiated a vegetation re-establishment project on Lake DeGray in 2019 utilizing up to 22 stationary floating vegetation dispersion cages, termed “Arkansas Cubes,” loaded primarily with coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum). A concurrent project using commercially-available down and side-imaging sonar systems was implemented to track the expansion of naturally-rebounding and emerging colonies in sixteen sites featuring Arkansas Cubes and five sites without. Submerged aquatic vegetation was detected throughout lower Lake DeGray from 377 to 405 feet MSL, with coontail detected most frequently between 388 to 397 feet MSL. Coontail was observed in ten of sixteen ‘Cube sites. Eight of those sites had coontail directly underneath the ‘Cubes that did not exist before the ‘Cubes were installed. This is compelling evidence that the ‘Cubes have influenced the development of new coontail colonies. However, significant natural regrowth clouds the true impact of the ‘Cubes as coontail has also been observed in four of five ‘Cube-less sites. Insights on general colonization patterns observed in Lake DeGray will be discussed to help guide surveillance programs on other reservoirs selected for Arkansas Cube trials.
Speakers
SJ

Scott Jones

Small Impoundment Extension Specialist, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA

2:00pm CST

S-11: Status survey for Banded Mudbug (Lacunicambarus freudensteini) and Lonesome Gravedigger (Lacunicambarus mobilensis) in Southeastern Mississippi
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Calvin R. Rezac, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks

ABSTRACT: In 2020, a genetic and morphological evaluation of the Rusty Gravedigger (Lacunicambarus miltus) by Glon et al. supported the elevation of two new species, the Banded Mudbug (L. freudensteini) and the Lonesome Gravedigger (L. mobilensis). Based on the published study by Glon et al., both species occur only in Mississippi and Alabama and were thought to be confined between the Pascagoula and Mobile Rivers. The reported range of both species is currently less than 1,000 km2 and are among the most-narrow ranged species within the state of Mississippi. With only 5 known localities for each species in the state, further efforts to determine the status and complete distribution were needed. Herein, we report on the results from a burrowing crayfish survey at novel sites within and outside the known range of both focal species in Southeastern Mississippi. Surveys took place between January-August 2024, and at each site we collected crayfish using hand excavation, slurp guns, and dip nets. Additional notes on habitat, burrow abundance, and soil composition were also recorded. In total, 104 sites (22 via boat) were surveyed and 21 species were captured including both target species. Banded Mudbug was capture at 11 sites within the known range of the species; however, we failed to expand the species into notable areas outside its range. Lonesome Gravedigger was found at 16 sites, but was notably found in areas more north and west than previously reported. The results of the survey help to improve the understanding of Mississippi burrowing crayfish distribution and status in the state. Notes on other newsworthy crayfish research at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science may also be discussed.
Speakers
CR

Calvin Rezac

Aquatic Biologist; Curator of Decapods, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:00pm - 2:20pm CST
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2:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Built to Last? Evaluating the Condition of Fish Habitat Structures in Missouri’s Ozark Reservoirs
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Tyler Ham, Missouri Department of Conservation; Shane Bush, Missouri Department of Conservation; Nathan Recktenwald, Missouri Department of Conservation; Christopher Brooke, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: As many reservoirs constructed throughout the USA continue to age, the quality of the fish habitat in these reservoirs has experienced a concomitant decline. Fish and wildlife agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and concerned anglers have all sought to supplement natural fish habitat by installing habitat structures to concentrate fish and improve angler catch rates. In Missouri reservoirs, these structures are primarily composed of submerged cedar, hardwood, or mixed cedar and hardwood trees. Being natural materials, these structures decay over time and require maintenance to provide adequate fish cover. To that end, there exists a paucity of knowledge on the physical longevity of these structures installed in Missouri reservoirs. The objectives of this study were to define the current condition and longevity of fish habitat structures in Missouri reservoirs and to provide management recommendations for the most efficient long-term maintenance and enhancement of habitat structures. Sonar imaging was employed on Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, and Harry S. Truman Reservoir in Missouri to generate qualitative categorical condition scores for fish habitat structures. In each reservoir a spectrum of structure types was assessed that represented multiple year classes spanning over a decade. Condition scores were used to further categorize structures based on maintenance needs. We also examined the influence of depth, location, and material on structure longevity. This project focused on evaluating the controllable factors that can improve effectiveness and efficiency of fish habitat projects. Identifying the impact of these factors on fish habitat enhancement projects will have direct application to future decision making and benefit anglers using Missouri reservoirs.
Speakers
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Tyler Ham

Sport Fish Ecologist, Missouri Dept. of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Recruitment of Channel Catfish stocked as advanced fingerlings and yearlings in Ohio reservoirs
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Stephen M. Tyszko, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife; Jeremy J. Pritt, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife; Richard D. Zweifel, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife; Stuart A. Ludsin, The Ohio State University; Joseph D. Conroy, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife; Jay Kelly, The Ohio State University; Michael Figueroa, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.

ABSTRACT: Stocking yearling Channel Catfish to mitigate perceived predation by Largemouth Bass has long been the convention despite greater costs compared to stocking smaller life stages. We quantified recruitment of stocked cohorts of Channel Catfish and investigated the effects of stocking life stage (fingerling vs. yearling), Largemouth Bass density (low vs. high), and their interaction on the percentage of a cohort recruiting to the adult population and fishery. Marked (magnetized wire tags) cohorts of advanced fingerling and yearling Channel Catfish were concurrently stocked into reservoirs with low (7 reservoirs, CPUE < 100 fish/h) and high-Largemouth Bass density (5 reservoirs, CPUE > 100 fish/h) populations. We sampled these reservoir Channel Catfish populations with baited, tandem hoop nets 7–8 years after stocking and estimated recruitment. We used a linear mixed model with reservoir as a random effect to test whether cohort recruitment differed by life stage stocked, Largemouth Bass density, or their interaction. Overall, the mean percentage of Channel Catfish recruiting to the adult population and fishery in cohorts stocked as advanced fingerlings was 2.4% (SE = 0.69%) and the mean percentage in cohorts stocked as yearlings was 10.6% (SE = 2.8%). Largemouth Bass density did not have a significant effect on recruitment (P = 0.43) while the effects of stocking life stage (P < 0.001) and the interaction between Largemouth Bass density and stocking life stage (P < 0.003) were significant. The highest recruitment occurred in cohorts stocked as yearlings in reservoirs with high densities of Largemouth Bass. Stocking advanced fingerling Channel Catfish can produce viable year classes in reservoirs with low or high densities of Largemouth Bass. In addition to higher cost, stocking yearling Channel Catfish may result in excessive densities and slow growth.
Speakers
ST

Stephen Tyszko

Fisheries Biologist, ODNR, Division of Wildlife
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

Wildlife Track: Use of thermal-imaging drones to assess assumptions of density estimation techniques
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: David Delaney, Iowa State University
Tyler Harms, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Stephen Dinsmore, Iowa State University


ABSTRACT: Techniques to estimate density of unmarked animals are logistically feasible and allow sampling over greater spatial extents than more intensive methods, such as mark-recapture. However, accuracy of density estimates relies on the validity of assumptions about the study system. We conducted a thermal-imaging drone survey at night to test the validity of two assumptions for conducting distance sampling on white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Iowa via nocturnal spotlight surveys. First, we tested whether deer are randomly distributed with respect to gravel roads, which represent line transects in our study. Second, we quantified the portion of the population that occurs in unsampleable locations (i.e., within forest) to estimate availability bias. Preliminary analyses suggest deer do not avoid gravel roads but do responsively move away from observers prior to being detected, leading to potential bias in estimates of detection probability and density. Secondly, deer increased the use of forest cover as spring vegetation green-up occurred, leading to up to 50% of the population being unavailable to sample during surveys. Each of these deviations from conventional distance sampling assumptions inform future sampling design protocols and can be analytically corrected, once quantified, to reduce bias in density estimates.

Speakers
DD

David Delaney

post-doc, Iowa State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

Wildlife Track: Wetland Management and Habitat Associations of Breeding Secretive Marsh Birds, including King Rail, in Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Presenter: Ryan McGinty (SUNY Brockport, Brockport, NY)

Co-Authors: Kristen Malone (SUNY Brockport, Brockport, NY), Lisa Webb (USGS, Columbia, MO), Arianne Messerman (Missouri Department of Conservation, Columbia, MO), Janet Haslerig (Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, MO), and Doreen Mengel (University of Missouri, Columbia, MO)


ABSTRACT: Several species of secretive Marsh are facing population declines in the U.S., including the King Rail which is listed as endangered in several U.S. states. Wetland management practices commonly used on public properties in Missouri and elsewhere have been developed to produce vegetation and water conditions that benefit waterfowl. However, the effects of waterfowl-focused wetland management on secretive marsh birds are not well known. The purpose of this project is to determine the current distribution of King Rail in Missouri and to evaluate the effects of habitat characteristics and wetland management practices on breeding secretive marsh birds. In 2023, we conducted call-playback surveys at 84 survey points across 14 publicly managed properties in Missouri. We detected King Rail at 4 survey points across 3 wetland pools. Two of these wetland pools were permanently inundated with water and the other as drawn down in the month of May. Due to few detections of King Rail, we used Least Bittern as a surrogate in occupancy analyses. We detected Least Bittern at 18 survey points. Their site occupancy was positively associated with percent cover of both tall emergent vegetation (β = 4.616, 85% CI = 1.901 – 7.931), percent cover of water (3.696, 1.596 – 6.496), and water depth (2.329, 0.449 – 4.720). Points with greater interspersion were more likely to be occupied by Least Bittern (4.496, 0.852 – 10.088). Wetland pools that were drawn down annually were less likely to be occupied by Least Bittern than sites that were permanently inundated with water (-7.117, -13.886 – -1.551). Least Bittern occupancy was also positively associated with a later initiation of spring drawdowns (6.555, 2.457 – 12.645). Our results represent an important first step for moving forward King Rail conservation in Missouri and for testing the assumption that waterfowl habitat management produces habitat for secretive marsh birds.
Speakers
RM

Ryan McGinty

M.S. Student, SUNY Brockport
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-04: Assessment of Coldwater Fisheries Resources in Northeast Iowa.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Gregory Gelwicks, Iowa DNR; Gregory Simmons, Iowa DNR; Michael Siepker, Iowa DNR

ABSTRACT: Wild trout have played an increasingly important role in trout management in Iowa over the last 20 years. Recent increases in self-sustaining trout populations has expanded and diversified opportunities for Iowa anglers to pursue trout. One of the major factors in this increase is the use of fingerling stocks derived from wild and local parents to establish wild trout populations in other streams. Such stockings have been so successful in expanding self-sustaining populations of Brown Trout in northeast (NE) Iowa that their full extent is currently unknown. Wild Brook Trout populations have also been successfully restored to several NE Iowa streams by stocking fingerling Brook Trout of South Pine Creek origin. Brook Trout is the only trout species believed to be native to NE Iowa’s coldwater streams, and fisheries managers in Iowa are interested in expanding these restoration efforts as well as protecting existing populations of the species. The purpose of this project is to assess the current distribution of Brook Trout and Brown Trout in northeast Iowa, and collect information needed to identify coldwater streams in northeast Iowa which have conditions necessary for successful restoration of wild Brook Trout populations. To efficiently target our sampling to only those stream reaches where thermal regimes are likely to be conducive to trout habitation, we are using methods developed in a recent study that used visually interpreted very high resolution (VHR) winter satellite imagery to identify coldwater stream reaches. Results of targeted sampling efforts in the Upper Iowa River watershed will be presented, and utility of using VHR winter satellite imagery to identify coldwater stream reaches will be discussed. In addition to informing wild trout management in NE Iowa, information gained from this project will also be used in an effort to update Iowa’s coldwater stream classifications.
Speakers
GG

Gregory Gelwicks

Fisheries Research Biologist, Iowa DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
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2:20pm CST

S-07: Invasive Carp Growth Chronologies: Management Tool To Help Evaluate Harvest Success?
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kaiden Vinavich, Illinois Natural History Survey; Levi Solomon, Illinois Natural History Survey; Sam Schaik, Illinois Natural History Survey; Jesse Williams, Illinois Natural History Survey; James Lamer, Illinois Natural History Survey; Edward Sterling, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Columbia, MO; Ben Marcek, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Carterville, IL; Michael Weber, Iowa State University; Christopher Sullivan, University of Connecticut; Mark Fritts, US Fish & Wildlife Service, La Crosse, WI; Allison Lenaerts, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Emily Szott, Illinois Natural History Survey; Zack Witzel, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Brandon Harris, Illinois Natural History Survey

ABSTRACT: Invasive carp, composed of bighead (Hypopthalmichthys nobilis), silver (H. molitrix), grass (Ctenopharyngodon idella), and black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), have negatively impacted the food webs and native biota of the Mississippi River Basin since their introduction in the late 1970s. Harvest is the primary management strategy to reduce invasive carp populations, however, due to their complicated life history and absence of robust population estimates, additional assessment tools are needed to help evaluate the effectiveness of harvest. Therefore, we are exploring variation in invasive carp annual growth as a surrogate for invasive carp density in response to management and removal efforts. This will be accomplished through two main objectives: 1) build master chronologies and characterize invasive carp annual growth within discrete, spatially-explicit management units across a spectrum of invasion densities in the Mississippi River Basin and 2) model growth response to management (harvest) and ecological/environmental drivers (e.g., zooplankton abundance, cumulative growing degree days, year-class strength, and hydrology). We will evaluate growth through incremental lapillus otolith measurements from bighead and silver carp across reaches of the Upper and Lower Mississippi River, Illinois River, Missouri River, Ohio River, and select tributaries ranging from 2014-2024 (n=50; 25 male, 25 female per species, per reach, per year). A mixed effects modeling approach will be used to estimate annual growth in response to management and external drivers, while adjusting for allometric and individual-specific growth intraclass variation. The results of this work will yield master invasive carp chronologies across their invaded range, capturing several stages of their invasion throughout the Mississippi River Basin and hopefully serve as a baseline for future collections and a tool to help evaluate management success.
Speakers
KV

Kaiden Vinavich

Graduate Researcher, Illinois Natural History Survey
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-08: Discovering Landscape Connectivity Patterns of Wood Turtles in Northern Michigan
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Autumn Straessle; Bruce Kingsbury

ABSTRACT: Severed landscapes and habitat fragmentation can result from anthropogenic effects and climate change on habitat. These fragmentations can have lasting negative effects on surrounding species, especially reptiles. Wood Turtle populations are experiencing a decline due to dwindling habitat, making research for management and conservation crucial to their survival. My research aims to observe the movement patterns of these turtles throughout suitable habitats and developed land within Michigan. To accomplish this, I will attach GPS units to individual turtles to gather data on preferred habitats and movement. This data will be used to identify corridors and possible barriers that can aid in conservation. This data will also be used to construct maps using ArcGIS to visualize patterns of movement and connectivity.
Speakers
AS

Autumn Straessle

Graduate Student, Purdue University Fort Wayne
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA

2:20pm CST

S-09: Quantifying angler harvest decisions using four decades of creel survey data
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ben C. Neely, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; Susan F. Steffen, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; Jeff D. Koch, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

ABSTRACT: Harvest regulation is a common tool used by fisheries managers to structure fish communities. However, anglers must comply with harvest restrictions for expected outcomes to occur. Dynamic angling motivations have led to supposition that different, unexplored factors influence contemporary angler decisions to harvest captured fish. We used recursive partitioning (i.e., decision trees) to model fate of angled fish (harvested or released) from creel data collected throughout Kansas from 1997 to 2024. A suite of 20 variables that related to the captured fish (e.g., fish length, legal status), location (e.g., surface area, rural/urban), time (e.g., year, day of week), and angling party (e.g., number of anglers, proportion male) were associated with each fish encounter. The global model indicated that legal status of an individual fish (i.e., vulnerable to harvest based on length), species, and fish length were the most important variables and correctly classified fate in 83.8% of test data records. Submodels developed individually for 12 species or species groups correctly classified fate in 67% (Lepomis spp.) to 96% (Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu) of test data records. These models highlight how variables influencing harvest differed by species or species group, and specified fish length, legal status, rural/urban characterization, and fishery longitude as the most important variables impacting fate. Our models demonstrate that angler decision to harvest a fish can be approximated from a few important variables commonly captured during standard creel surveys. Although these variables may differ based on fish taxa, generalities within can be useful for informing harvest regulation for fisheries management.
Speakers
BN

Ben Neely

Fisheries Biologist, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
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2:20pm CST

S-10: Aquatic Vegetation Survey Methods in Iowa
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jason Euchner, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: When managing aquatic plants native or non-native an understanding of what species are present is critical for success. Many methods of plant sampling are used and this presentation will cover why and when the Iowa DNR uses different methods. These methods include presence/absence surveys, comprehensive transect surveys, and point intercept surveys.
Speakers
JE

Jason Euchner

Aquatic Vegetation Management Biologist, Iowa DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
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2:20pm CST

S-11: Species Distribution Modeling of Distocambarus spp. in the Physiographic Piedmont Region of South Carolina
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kathryn Schulz, West Liberty University; Eric Ng, West Liberty University; Michael Kendrick, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources; Zanethia Barnett, USDA Forest Service; Nicole Garrison, West Liberty University; Zachary Loughman, West Liberty University



ABSTRACT: Species distribution modeling (SDM) is becoming an increasingly common tool for rare species detection. SDMs analyze and predict the habitat variables driving the distribution of the target species, which can provide useful insight into potential habitats for endemic taxa. Burrowing crayfish often have a patchy distribution on the landscape, making detection difficult. The primary burrowing crayfish genus Distocambarus (Decopoda: Cambaridae) is represented by five taxa, four of which are located within the Piedmont region of South Carolina. All species are narrowly endemic and globally rare, often occurring in fragmented habitats. The distribution of the genus has not been thoroughly delimited, making management efforts difficult. Two species are of greatest conservation need in South Carolina (D. youngineri and D. carlsoni), raising interest in a formal revision of the distribution of the genus within the state. We employed an SDM driven by habitat variables from sites with positive Distocambarus spp. presence to predict potential occurrences outside their current range. We validated the model by visiting predicted locations and confirming species presence or absence. The SDM method successfully expanded the range of the four species residing in South Carolina and led to novel habitat observations, which indicates greater plasticity among the genus than previously documented.
Speakers
KS

Kathryn Schulz

Graduate Student, West Liberty University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
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2:20pm CST

S-12: Reconstructing wetland garden productivity and resilience at Cahokia, Illinois (900-1350 AD)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
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AUTHORS: Natalie G. Mueller and Christina Youngpeter

ABSTRACT: The ancient city of Cahokia (900-1350 AD) was the largest Indigenous settlement North of Mexico before European colonization. It was built in the middle of the American Bottom floodplain, south of the confluence of the Illinois, Missouri, and Mississippi rivers. Cahokians relied on a diverse array of annual and perennial floodplain-adapted plants, and created anthropogenic wetlands within the urban landscape. Cahokia was gradually abandoned between 1250-1350 AD, and many archaeologists have argued that either droughts or floods destabilized the food system and caused this “collapse.” However, the drought and flood tolerance of most of the plants grown by Cahokian farmers is unknown. We are conducting experiments with these plants to better understand their productivity, in terms of yield, and susceptibility to flooding and drought throughout their lifecycle. In addition to shedding light on the fate of this ancient city, we hope that our results will contribute to a revitalization of some of these ancient crops. With flood frequency and intensity predicted to rise in coming decades, floodplain adapted crops could provide a low input alternative to the flood-intolerant industrial crops that currently dominate agriculture in the Midwest.
Speakers
NM

Natalie Mueller

Assistant Professor, Washington University in St. Louis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:20pm - 2:40pm CST
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2:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Assessment of Channel Catfish Population Demographics in Illinois Impoundments and Evaluation of Spawning Boxes
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Danielle Shubat, Eastern Illinois University; Daniel Roth, Eastern Illinois University; Robert Colombo, Eastern Illinois University; Eden Effert-Fanta, Eastern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) are a popular and sought after sportfish to anglers across the United States, having substantial value for both recreational and commercial fisheries. However, their populations in impoundments often rely on stockings of fingerlings. In Illinois, the lack of standardized sampling protocols for catfish has made it difficult to adequately evaluate stocking efforts and assess population dynamics. This study aimed to determine the most effective sampling methods for Channel Catfish in impoundments, assess demographic variation among impoundments, and test the efficacy of artificial spawning structures to increase natural reproduction and recruitment in three Illinois reservoirs (Lake Charleston, Lake Mattoon, and Lake Paradise). After two years of seasonal sampling using multiple gears, we found that baited tandem hoop-nets in the fall yielded the best catch rates and we will continue to use this sampling method. Our population assessments and microchemistry analyses of pectoral spines show that Channel Catfish in these lakes are primarily stocked fish, suggesting low natural reproduction. However, the relationship between stocking rates and the observed differences in population density and demographics remains unclear. We hypothesized that the lack of recruitment may be due to insufficient spawning habitat and sought to increase availability of this habitat by adding nest boxes in the study lakes. Preliminary trials showed that Channel Catfish used these structures, and future goals include expanding nest box installations and monitoring for natural recruitment over time. Adding nest boxes to create suitable habitat for these catfish to reproduce may facilitate annual recruitment thereby reducing cost and effort of hatchery operations. If successful, this approach could be implemented in other lakes and ponds to naturally sustain catfish populations.
Speakers
DS

Danielle Shubat

Graduate Research Assistant, Eastern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Trends in Population Status and Range-Wide Geographic Patterns of Genetic Variation for the Federally Petitioned Bluestripe Darter
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Brittany L. Harried, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; Jacob T. Westhoff, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

ABSTRACT: The Bluestripe Darter (Percina cymatotaenia) is endemic to Missouri, is a species of conservation concern, and has been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act. We conducted a study to evaluate the species’ threats, genetic diversity, and population trends. Objectives for this study were to: 1) duplicate Bluestripe Darter sampling effort from past sites and observe trends in population status, and 2) assess the range-wide geographic patterns of genetic variation within Bluestripe Darter. Sampling efforts from 2000-2002 were duplicated during June-August 2024 for 46 sites across five rivers in southern Missouri using seining methods that targeted small-bodied benthic fishes. Furthermore, limited environmental covariate and habitat data were collected and additional sampling in a spatially replicated occupancy framework was completed to estimate occupancy and detection at each site. Up to 20 fin clips and vouchers were collected per river to estimate effective population sizes, geographic structure of genetic variation within and between drainages, and contemporary short-term migration rates. Photos of each voucher specimen were also taken to assess external ecomorphology. We detected Bluestripe Darter at 9 out of 46 sites in 2024, which was well below the 23 out of 46 sites where it was detected by surveys from 2000-2002. Results from this study will inform the Species Status Assessment and listing decision for Bluestripe Darter, and will also benefit Heritage reviews, Wildlife Collector Permit reviews, conservation planning, and priority for on-the ground management projects related to identified population threats.
Speakers
avatar for Brittany Harried

Brittany Harried

Postdoctoral Fellow, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Missouri
Brittany is a postdoctoral fellow working with Dr. Jacob Westhoff and Dr. Craig Paukert at the University of Missouri School of Natural Resources. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in 2014 and 2016 with a B.S. in Aquatic Biology and a M.S. in Biology, respectively... Read More →
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

Wildlife Track: River-Floodplain Connectivity: Effects on Ecological Communities in Restored Wetlands along the Lower Missouri River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Josh Williams, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Lisa Webb, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA; Jonathan Spurgeon, U.S. Geological Survey, Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA

ABSTRACT: During the 20th century, extensive flood control infrastructure was built along many US rivers, separating mainstem river channels from floodplains and altering floodplain wetland structure and function. Wetland restoration often occurs in locations where levees have disconnected the floodplain from the mainstem river channel. Disconnected wetlands can experience reduced nutrient exchange, habitat heterogeneity, biodiversity, and hazard mitigation compared to wetlands in connected floodplains. Understanding the effects of river-floodplain connectivity on wetland restoration efforts has been limited—in part—by brief time periods between restoration and evaluation. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) program, established in 1990, is a voluntary program that provides landowners with technical assistance and financial incentives to restore marginal farmland to historic wetland conditions. Our objective is to compare abiotic and biotic metrics in ACEP-WRE wetlands along a gradient of restoration age (6 to 29 years) and degree of connectivity between the Missouri River and the adjacent floodplain. Hydrological connectivity was categorized based on wetland proximity to an adjacent levee system (landward or riverward) and quantified using continuous temperature logging units, level of local mainstem channel incision, and historical river stage data. At each ACEP-WRE site (riverward sites n = 26, landward sites n = 24), water, soil, and algae samples were collected along with surveys of vegetation, macroinvertebrate, fish, amphibian, and bird assemblages. We compare metrics for riverward and landward sites with six reference and six control sites to elucidate whether river-floodplain connectivity affects the time needed to achieve ACEP-WRE restoration goals.
Speakers
JW

Josh Williams

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

S-04: Brook Trout Restoration in Iowa using Multi-Pass Electrofishing to Removal Nonnatives
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Caleb C. Schnitzler, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Decorah Fisheries Management Office

ABSTRACT: Abstract: Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis are the only native salmonid to Iowa, and substantial effort has been directed toward protecting those populations. Culture of the Brook Trout from South Pine Creek, the only wild population in Iowa, began in 1996 and continued annually to restore additional populations. A more recent genetic evaluations confirmed that the South Pine Creek strain was unique and suitable for use as a brood source. The evaluations also identified five streams that had non-native Brook Trout ancestries. Of these, one population of domestic hatchery Brook Trout was identified and selected to be removed using electrofishing. Naturalized Brown Trout Salmo trutta are another threat to wild Iowa Brook Trout, with populations established in most quality coldwater streams. Two streams with barriers to prevent Brown Trout recolonization were selected for Brown Trout removal. The effectiveness of trout removal via stream electrofishing is reviewed and the use of fish culture to improve native Brook Trout restoration efforts is also discussed.
Speakers
CS

Caleb Schnitzler

Fisheries, Iowa DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

S-07: Invasive Carp Removals in Missouri River Tributaries
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Adam McDaniel ¹, Thomas Boersig III ¹, Jessica Howell ², Jason Goeckler ², Jahn Kallis ², Pablo Oleiro², Kellie Hanser ², Bryon Rochon ², Edward Sterling ², & Kasey Whiteman ¹
¹ Missouri Department of Conservation; ² U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service


ABSTRACT: Invasive carp, particularly Silver Carp Hypopthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp Hypopthalmichthys nobilis have expanded throughout the Mississippi River basin over the last thirty years. Studies to better understand these species and infer control measures in the Missouri River sub-basin have increased in the past several years. The Missouri Department of Conservation in collaboration with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service conducted intensive carp removals on two lower Missouri River tributaries with varying watersheds, the Grand River in northwest Missouri and Lamine River in central Missouri. This study evaluates the removal of invasive carp in closed and open fluvial systems, removal gears and effort to reach exploitation goals, changes in density of Silver Carp and immigration rates. Fish capture gears included experimental equipment such as the electrified paupier and dozer trawls in conjunction with standard electrofishing boats, and experimental gill nets to sample multiple habitat types. Hydroacoustic sonar surveys were conducted pre- and post-removal to quantify changes of invasive carp densities. Acoustic telemetry was also utilized to track daily movements and behavior of local Silver Carp previously implanted with acoustic tags. Removal efforts on the Grand River removed 28,848 kg of invasive carp and 17,506 Silver Carp in thirteen days of effort. Hydroacoustic density estimates indicated Silver Carp densities overall in 2023 were lower than 2022 and densities decreased each removal period in the Grand River. Missouri River tributaries most likely support all stages of invasive carp such as spawning, nursery and recruitment. Tributaries also represent areas invasive carp are probably vulnerable to overfishing as Silver Carp tend to congregate in deep slow pools and habitats easier to sample than mainstem Missouri River with faster water velocities and rock training structures. These efforts can aid biologists moving forward on future control and management actions of invasive carp in Missouri River tributaries.
Speakers
AM

Adam McDaniel

Aquatic Scientist, Missouri Department of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
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2:40pm CST

S-08: Herpetofauna use of canebrake habitat in southern Illinois
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Thanchira Suriyamongkol, Southern Illinois University; Brent Pease, Southern Illinois University; James Zaczek, Southern Illinois University; Jon Schoonover, Southern Illinois University; Clayton Nielsen; Southern Illinois University; John Groninger, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Destruction of wetlands reduced vegetation cover and habitat structures, which negatively impacted herpetofauna populations. Giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) forms dense monodominant patches (canebrakes), once a prominent wetland feature throughout the lower Mississippi Valley. Although high herpetofauna richness is associated with landscape where canebrakes remain abundant, specific relationships between herpetofauna and canebrakes remain poorly studied. We conducted herpetofauna inventory and evaluated the influence of giant cane on herpetofauna richness and habitat use from April to June, 2022 and 2023 at 64 sites in southwestern Illinois, USA, using area search method. We detected 225 individual herpetofauna of 24 species, with17 species in canebrakes and 22 species in non-canebrakes. We examined differences in herpetofauna richness and communities between canebrakes and non-canebrakes using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) based on Bray-Curtis dissimilarity. We also assessed the occupancy probabilities of herpetofauna using a community occupancy model. Species richness was not significantly different between canebrakes and non-canebrakes (p = 0.42). The NMDS analysis revealed no differences in herpetofauna community between canebrakes and non-canebrakes. However, frogs (e.g., Hyla spp. and Lithobates spp.) were more commonly in areas with dense canebrake and herbaceous cover, while reptiles and salamanders (e.g., Eurycea spp. and Plethodon spp.) were associated with contiguous forest cover. Overall herpetofauna occupancy increased in areas with 1) increased canebrake density, 2) more canopy closure and tree density, 3) less ground vegetation cover, and 4) farther from road, forest edge, agriculture, and open water source. Current canebrakes structure, which are sparse and fragmented, might explain the lack of strong influence of canebrake on herpetofauna communities. However, variations in the relationship patterns between herpetofauna and other habitat components were expected given diverse life histories among species. Therefore, maintaining habitat heterogeneity and managing other microhabitat components in wetlands are important for conservation of herpetofauna.

Speakers
TS

Thanchira Suriyamongkol

Student, Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

S-10: Point Intercept Sampling for Aquatic Macrophytes in Northern Michigan Inland Lakes
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jeremy Hartsock, Michigan State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; Dan Hayes, Michigan State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; Jo Latimore, Michigan State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; Erick Elgin, Michigan State University Extension

ABSTRACT: Submersed macrophytes strongly influence the structure and function of inland lakes. However, quantitative data are broadly lacking on the distribution and abundance of aquatic macrophytes in northern Michigan. To fill these knowledge gaps, we performed macrophyte surveys at 75 inland lakes in the Northern Lake Huron and Eastern Lake Superior management units using a modified point-intercept survey approach whereby a double sided rake was tossed twice at each sampling point (~100 points sampled per lake). Among all lakes surveyed a total of 60 macrophyte species were observed. Chara sp. was the most frequently encountered macrophyte. The most species rich lake contained 32 species and the most species poor contained 3 species. Of note, we detected aquatic invasive species (AIS) in nearly half of the lakes surveyed. Invasive watermilfoil and starry stonewort were the most frequently observed AIS. An occupancy analysis revealed that a single rake toss approach underestimates the true occurrence of aquatic macrophytes due to incomplete detection probability. We also show that a single rake toss approach yields similar estimates of species richness but requires more points to be sampled than a two rake toss approach. Our experience is that approximately 100 points could be sampled per day with a two rake toss approach, yielding observed species richness close to predicted richness, and providing reasonable precision of estimates of coverage for common species. Future research will focus on comparing our modified PI survey to other macrophyte survey approaches.
Speakers
JH

Jeremy Hartsock

Academic Specialist, Michigan State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA

2:40pm CST

S-12: Native Landscapes: Engaging and Empowering Community
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Cydney Ross, Deep Roots KC

ABSTRACT: Global conservation challenges are viewed with apathy. In a rapidly changing climate, how can individuals and organizations make a lasting impact while outdated systems dominate? Deep Roots KC is empowering Midwestern communities to enact social change. From individual impact to organizational change, outreach efforts are altering perspectives and landscapes in Kansas City, Missouri. Learn about our native landscape initiatives to create sustainable practices at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. See how partnerships with Missouri Department of Conservation and Johnson County Parks and Recreation District have expanded community impact. We’ll discuss programs that have inspired people to reconsider their place in our natural communities and embrace native landscapes across the Midwest.
Speakers
CR

Cydney Ross

Outdoor Education Manager, Deep Roots KC
Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:40pm - 3:00pm CST
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3:00pm CST

Coffee Break
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:00pm - 3:20pm CST
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Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:00pm - 3:20pm CST
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3:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Identifying potential sources of natural recruitment of muskellunge in Green Bay, Lake Michigan
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Ryan Eastman, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit; Jason Breeggemann, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Robert Davis, University of Wisconsin - Madison Center for Limnology; Daniel Dembkowski, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit; Daniel Isermann, U.S. Geological Survey

ABSTRACT: Green Bay and its tributaries support a world-class fishery for trophy muskellunge that attracts anglers from across North America, but there has been little evidence of natural recruitment and the population remains reliant on stocking to sustain the fishery. Previous efforts to document natural recruitment have focused on the Fox and Menominee rivers where spawning is known to occur. Results of these assessments suggest that hatching success in these rivers is limited. However, recent telemetry-based research indicates that approximately half of Green Bay muskellunge spawn in non-tributary locations. These locations could represent important yet unconsidered sources of natural recruitment in southern Green Bay. Furthermore, anecdotal observations suggest spawning occurs in the Sturgeon Bay area but it is unknown if these fish contribute to the broader southern Green Bay population. Our objectives for this project are to determine if: (1) successful hatching is occurring at open-water locations in Green Bay, including locations in the Sturgeon Bay area, (2) presence of eggs or larval muskellunge at a location is related to a suite of habitat characteristics including distance to shore, bottom slope, depth, dissolved oxygen, substrate type, and aquatic vegetation, and (3) muskellunge spawning in the Sturgeon Bay area contribute to the overall population in southern Green Bay. We are integrating intensive egg and larval fish sampling and acoustic telemetry to address our objectives. We will present preliminary results related to spawning and hatching in non-tributary locations based on sampling efforts during the 2024 field season. We will also discuss the framework of our acoustic telemetry approach to assess the contribution of muskellunge spawning in the Sturgeon Bay area to the broader Green Bay population.
Speakers
RE

Ryan Eastman

Graduate Student, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
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3:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Linking Stream Fish Thermal Ecology and Adaptive Capacity to Prioritize Watershed Areas with Greatest Value for Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Brittany L. Harried, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; Wesley Fitzsimmons, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; Kaelyn J. Fogelman, Biological and Environmental Sciences Department, Troy University, Troy, AL; Craig P. Paukert, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; Jane S. Rogosch, U.S. Geological Survey, Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX; Jim A. Stoeckel, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL; Jacob T. Westhoff, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO


ABSTRACT: Aquatic organisms are experiencing impacts from anthropogenic influences (e.g. climate change), resulting in the loss of suitable habitat for many species. Consequently, it is imperative to improve our understanding of the thermal ecology of these organisms to predict how individual species may respond to changes in water temperature and habitat availability. This is particularly important for species of conservation concern and species on the periphery of their range which could experience greater impacts from climate change-related stressors. In this study, we examined the thermal ecology of hatchery-reared Topeka Shiners, and wild Blacknose Shiners, Ozark Shiners and Carmine Shiners from Missouri. Some of these species have restricted distributions or small populations while others have broader latitudinal ranges. We performed laboratory studies to assess multiple thermal metrics including 1) thermal preference, 2) acclimated chronic exposure, 3) respiratory enzyme thermal performance, and 4) critical thermal maximum. The laboratory study results were integrated with distribution models for these species, stream temperature models for Missouri, barriers to movement and migration, and watersheds where conservation is focused to estimate the adaptive capacity of these species and identify stream reaches that may serve as refugia or managed translocations in the face of climate change. Estimating multiple thermal metrics allows us to test for relationships among metrics within and across species and provides a more thorough understanding of the thermal ecology of these species to inform management decisions. Additionally, this provides insight into the most ecologically relevant thermal metrics for informing future, large-scale modelling efforts with other species.
Speakers
avatar for Brittany Harried

Brittany Harried

Postdoctoral Fellow, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Missouri
Brittany is a postdoctoral fellow working with Dr. Jacob Westhoff and Dr. Craig Paukert at the University of Missouri School of Natural Resources. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in 2014 and 2016 with a B.S. in Aquatic Biology and a M.S. in Biology, respectively... Read More →
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA

3:20pm CST

S-07: Invasive Carp Removal Approaches in the Missouri River Basin
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jessica Howell, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Kevin Drews, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Jason Goeckler, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Adam McDaniel, Missouri Department of Conservation; Joe McMullen, Missouri Department of Conservation; John Schulte, Missouri Department of Conservation; Kasey Whiteman, Missouri Department of Conservation; Liam Odell, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; Chris Steffen, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; Brett Anderson, University of Nebraska at Lincoln; Kirk Steffensen, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; Matt Acre, US Geological Survey; Jesse Fischer, US Geological Survey; Josey Ridgway, US Geological Survey;

ABSTRACT: Given the widespread impacts of Silver Carp in areas where they have become established, a focus on effective management strategies for this invasive fish has increased in recent years. State and federal research and management agencies have been working nationwide to identify effective control methods such as deterrents to limit distribution, conduct removals to reduce abundance, and research and develop novel management techniques. In the Missouri River Basin, Silver Carp have invaded over 1,300 kilometers of the Missouri River and numerous tributaries along that stretch, representing a large and diverse set of challenges for managers. The Missouri River Basin Invasive Carp Partnership of State, Federal, and University partners collaborate to address this interjurisdictional challenge for the basin. In addition to projects aimed at better defining the risk and delineating populations, Missouri River Basin partners are focused on developing and refining gears and techniques to limit Silver Carp distribution and abundance. The Partnership seeks to integrate successful strategies from other river basins as well as to innovate new approaches, including developing and testing sonar and modeling techniques to estimate populations, refining herding techniques to concentrate and remove fish, working to assess interest in commercial fisheries, testing intensive versus sustained agency removal efforts, and more. By developing and testing multiple strategies, effective techniques and approaches can be applied across this highly diverse and dynamic system to elicit a population-level impact. Population assessments and delineations being conducted concurrently can direct management efforts to where they will be most effective as well as measure the effectiveness of deterrents and exploitation placed across the landscape. This presentation will highlight collaborative research and management efforts from the Missouri River Basin Invasive Carp Partnership and the results of recent efforts.
Speakers
JH

Jessica Howell

Supervisory Fish Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
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3:20pm CST

S-08: Resurveying the Amphibians and Reptiles of Chicagoland Forest Preserves
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
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AUTHORS: Madelynn M. Sinclair, University of Chicago; Michelle E. Thompson, San Diego Natural History Museum; Thomas G. Anton, The Field Museum; Sara Ruane, The Field Museum

ABSTRACT: Will County is the most herpetologically rich county in northeastern Illinois, with 18 amphibian and 25 reptile species known to occur in the region. It is also home to the extensive Forest Preserve District of Will County, which has grown steadily since its founding in 1927 and now covers 23,119 acres of land. However, Will County is becoming increasingly urbanized, and many of the preserves border or are surrounded by residential and industrial development. Beginning in 2022, we have been conducting resurveys of these forest preserves to learn how the herpetofauna of Will County has survived, thrived, or been displaced since the last comprehensive compilation in 2015 (which was primarily based on surveys from 1986-2009). We present here the results of these ongoing surveys, summarizing our observations thus far of the relative abundance and distribution of amphibians and reptiles in comparison to historical datasets. We have, so far, collected tissue and/or vouchers of 15 amphibian and 24 reptile species. These modern records may inform management efforts on how their work is affecting local amphibians and reptiles. We have also added dozens of specimens and hundreds of tissues to the collection of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, helping create a library of modern voucher and genetic materials for work on midwestern amphibian and reptile diversity.
Speakers
avatar for Madelynn Sinclair

Madelynn Sinclair

Graduate Student, University of Chicago
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
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3:20pm CST

S-09: Anonymous Location Data Integrated with Intercept Surveys: A Powerful Combined Approach to Measuring Lake Recreation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
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AUTHORS:  Rebecca M. Krogman, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Annika Preheim, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT:  Anonymous location data (ALD) provide travel and movement information based on mobile and "smart" devices' geolocations. When applied to a recreational location like a lake, ALD can provide metrics such as travel distance from home, trip duration, trip timing across days and seasons, and total visitation. These are essential metrics for recreational use studies, which have traditionally collected such data via mailed, telephone, or intercept survey. In Iowa, recreational use of public lakes and reservoirs is monitored every five years to identify areas for priority work, measure change over time, and assess recreational user opinions, behaviors while visiting, and needs. The Department of Natural Resources' (DNR's) Iowa Lakes Survey was conducted as an incentivized mailed survey in 2002-2005, 2009, 2014, and 2019, and was due to be completed again in 2024. However, as has been seen across survey science, response rates were declining, and DNR decided to conduct its 2024 Iowa Lakes Survey using a completely novel methodology: a combination of ALD and intercept survey of recreational visitors. With the travel metrics captured by ALD, intercept surveys could focus on preference and experience questions, making them shorter and more targeted. DNR initiated the 2024 Iowa Lakes Survey in April 2024 with intercept surveys being conducted statewide for 12 months. These data will be combined with ALD for the same time period to yield recreational information that is both comprehensive and representative of Iowa's resource users. Preliminary data from the spring, summer, and fall will be presented.
Speakers
avatar for Rebecca Krogman

Rebecca Krogman

Fisheries Research Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
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3:20pm CST

S-10: Ohio’s invasive Hydrilla response: case studies and lessons learned
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
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AUTHORS: Curtis Wagner, Ohio Division of Wildlife; Mark Warman, Cleveland Metroparks

ABSTRACT: Historically, fisheries management has only superficially considered aquatic vegetation when engaging in fisheries assessment and actions. However, emerging invasive aquatic plants such as Hydrilla verticillate (Hydrilla) indicate the need to more fully integrate aquatic vegetation assessment and management with fisheries management. Hydrilla has become widely recognized as one of the world’s most aggressive invasive aquatic plants and is responsible for an array of environmental and fisheries disruptions when left unmanaged. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, like many other state agencies, does not have a standardized aquatic vegetation assessment program nor a statewide rapid response plan for detected invasive aquatic plants; this deficiency has become most recognized through recent Hydrilla detections. Hydrilla was first detected in an Ohio reservoir in 2011, with multiple small impoundment detections soon thereafter. In recent years, new populations of Hydrilla have been discovered in large, public reservoirs, including one that links the Lake Erie and the Ohio River drainages. Here we will provide an overview of Hydrilla detections in Ohio to highlight the challenges, successes, setbacks, and lessons learned. These case studies highlight the importance of established partnerships, integrated funding, prevention strategies, and effective communication to address Hydrilla detections in a complicated management landscape. Perceptions vary widely among reservoir stakeholders concerning aquatic vegetation and invasive hydrilla; differences in opinions and understanding occur even among anglers. Fisheries managers are encouraged to consider incorporating aquatic vegetation assessments into fisheries management actions and to develop rapid response strategies with relevant partners for future invasive aquatic plant detections.
Speakers
avatar for Curtis Wagner

Curtis Wagner

Fisheries Management Supervisor, Ohio Division of Wildlife
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
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3:20pm CST

S-11: First Comprehensive Habitat Survey of the Upper Guyandotte River and Pinnacle Creek for an Endangered Crayfish (Cambarus veteranus).
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
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AUTHORS: Montana Fonner, West Liberty University; Zachary Loughman, West Liberty University


ABSTRACT: Cambarus veteranus (Guyandotte River Crayfish) has been in severe population decline since their description in 1914 by Faxon. In 2016 the species was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act due to a widespread range reduction. The major contributing factor to this decline is siltation caused by both historic and current logging and mining operations. C. veteranus occupies the interstitial spaces between slab boulders and the benthos. Siltation fills the interstitial space both, smothering live crayfish and reducing habitat availability by cementing slab boulders into the stream bed. C. veteranus is endemic to the Upper Guyandotte River Basin. Historically C. veteranus was found in 8 tributaries of the mainstem of the Upper Guyandotte River. Today C. veteranus is only found in one historic tributary, Pinnacle Creek. More recently, another stream, Clear Fork/Laurel Fork, was found to harbor populations of C. veteranus. Despite the conservation standing of C. veteranus a comprehensive habitat study on the mainstem of the Upper Guyandotte River has not been conducted. This study aims to investigate the mainstem of the Upper Guyandotte River and Lower Pinnacle Creek to determine habitat quality. We recorded observations of anthropogenic degradation, such as siltation, bank instability, and pollution. Data collected will be used towards mitigation efforts in restoring habitat suitability within the study area for C. veteranus. In addition, habitat data collected along the mainstem was integrated in crayfish collection surveys, at possibly overlooked locales, which were determined to have potentially suitable habitats for C. veteranus.
Speakers
MF

Montana Fonner

Graduate Student, West Liberty University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
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3:20pm CST

S-12: Growing native edible plants for food and wildlife in farms and gardens.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
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AUTHORS: Nadia Navarrete-Tindall; Lincoln University of Missouri, Cooperative Extension; Sue Bartelette, LU-Cooperative Extension; Qingbo Yang, LU-Cooperative Research; and Samira Mahdi, LU-Cooperative Research;

ABSTRACT: Native edible plants can be found in all plant communities like woodlands, grasslands and wetlands. In Missouri, there are many native plants that can be consumed as greens, teas, in stews or for flavoring, as Native Americans did before the arrival of the Europeans.

There are more than 2000 native species in the state, and this presentation will provide information on a few that are naturally found in bottomlands and wetlands and can be grown in farms and gardens.

One of the significant advantages of promoting native edibles is their adaptability to various soil and shade conditions. Unlike annual crops, perennials do not need to be replanted each year, ensuring a continuous and reliable food supply. This adaptability makes them ideal for urban farming, providing a sustainable and cost-effective solution for food production that also benefits pollinators. Ongoing studies are done in collaboration with a LU researcher to determine their nutritional value.
The SPC promotes native edibles as specialty crops, such as golden glow or sochan (Rudbeckia laciniata) and cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum), wild plums (Prunus spp.), persimmon and paw paw. Other species promoted for food consumption are wapato (Sagittaria latifolia), a wetland species that produces edible tubers at the end of the growing season. This particular species can be grown in water gardens that can also provide habitat for frogs and other wetland animals.

Through a series of hands-on workshops and presentations offered across the state, the SCP team educates small-scale farmers and gardeners about planting, harvesting and benefiting from native edibles. The SCP maintains three demonstration areas, fully established, at Lincoln University. Here more than 150 species, including more than 50 native edibles can be seen. Workshops include food tastings in collaboration with local chefs.
Speakers
NN

Nadia Navarrete-Tindall

Professor/State Extension Specialist, Lincoln University of Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:20pm - 3:40pm CST
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3:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Examining stunted Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) population in River Reservoir
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
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AUTHORS: Kaden Ball, South Dakota State University; Chuck Mordhorst, Arizona Game and Fish Department

ABSTRACT: This study examined the population dynamics of a severely stunted Yellow Perch Perca flavescens population in a high mountain reservoir in the White Mountains of Arizona. River Reservoir sustains a low-density population of trophy Brown Trout Salmo trutta creating a highly prized regional fishery. Yellow Perch have been determined to be an important prey item for Brown Trout in this system contributing to the large sizes Brown Trout attain in the reservoir. The yellow perch population has always been assumed to be stunted based on field observations, but this had never been confirmed. In order to determine if stunting was occurring and to what extent we aged Yellow Perch using otoliths and quantified rates of growth recruitment and mortality. We determined that Yellow Perch in this system are severely stunted relative to other populations and discuss the implications for managing a highly utilized trophy Brown Trout fishery based on these results.
Speakers
KB

Kaden Ball

Undergraduate Student, South Dakota State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
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3:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Navigating the Currents: Investigating Environmental Cues for Pallid Sturgeon Immigration and Emigration for a Missouri River Tributary
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jenna Ruoss, School of Natural Resources - University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Christopher Pullano, School of Natural Resources - University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Mark Pegg, School of Natural Resources - University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Jonathan Spurgeon, U.S. Geological Survey, Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Kirk Steffensen, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

ABSTRACT: Pallid Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus is a long-lived species that occupy the lower Mississippi River and the mainstem Missouri River, along with its major tributaries. In 1990, Pallid Sturgeon was listed as federally endangered, stemming from anthropogenic activities including habitat alterations and overharvesting leading to population declines. Conservation efforts and studies have primarily focused on understanding life-history requirements, population dynamics, habitat use, and productivity in the mainstem Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Limited information exists on the potential role of tributaries for Pallid Sturgeon recovery. Previous studies documented that Pallid Sturgeon occupy the lower Platte River, a large tributary to the Missouri River, year-round. Nevertheless, the environmental cues that trigger movement into and out of the Platte River are not fully understood. Therefore, our objective was to assess potential environmental cues for immigration and emigration between the Platte and Missouri rivers using acoustic telemetry. We implanted 29 acoustic transmitters and recorded an additional 64 unique Pallid Sturgeon, previously tagged by other agencies in the mainstem Missouri River, throughout 2022-2023 in the Platte River. Pallid Sturgeon were assigned to one of three migratory statuses (e.g., immigration, emigration, or individual occurrence). We used generalized linear models to investigate the additive effects of mean discharge, mean temperature, and photoperiod for Pallid Sturgeon immigration and emigration at the Platte River confluence with the Missouri River. We determined that the global model with the additive effects of mean discharge, mean temperature, and photoperiod was the highest-ranking model for predicting the probability of immigration. In contrast, mean temperature was identified as the best candidate model for predicting the probability of emigration. Our findings provide important insights concerning Pallid Sturgeon migration between river systems. The high affinity that Pallid Sturgeon displayed for the Platte River could suggest that the tributary plays an important role in fulfilling their life-history.
Speakers
JR

Jenna Ruoss

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
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3:40pm CST

S-07: Monitoring Invasive Bigheaded Carp Movement Across Sub-basins in Response to Removal Efforts
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Authors: Josh Abner
Affiliation: Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Abstract: Invasive bigheaded carp (Silver Carp and Bighead Carp) have been around for decades, with populations continually growing and expansion continuing to take place. Funding, as well as consequent research and removal efforts have vastly increased among recent years. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has taken advantage of this to not only learn more about these fish and their impacts but to also focus on removal efforts and strategies. Invasive bigheaded carp have been implanted with acoustic transmitters across the state of Missouri within the Upper Mississippi River, the Lower Mississippi River, and the Missouri River basins, to track movement patterns in response to removal efforts. Collaboration with other state and federal agencies allows us to further our project scope with minimal additional effort. Standardized fish community assessments are also taking place to begin collecting long term trend data to elucidate community changes to invasive carp removal. A multi-sub-basin project approach related to research and removal is the kind of broad scale collaboration that will be required to make a difference in invasive bigheaded carp control and management.
Speakers
JA

Joshua Abner

Missouri Department of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
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3:40pm CST

S-08: Ecology of an Urban Population of Common Snapping Turtles in Indiana
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
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AUTHORS: Jean-Baptiste Johnson, Purdue University Fort Wayne, Bruce Kingsbury. Purdue University Fort Wayne.

ABSTRACT: This study’s goal is to understand the ecology and dynamics of a population of Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle) in an urban riverine environment. Wildlife evolving in an urban environment may encounter challenges and disturbances due to anthropogenic activities and infrastructure such as bridges, levees, or boat ramps. It is important to understand the interactions between wildlife and infrastructure in order to limit the impact of development on the local ecosystems.

To collect data for this study, hoop net traps are used to catch turtles. Each turtle is processed which means various types of morphological data is recorded, and the shell is marked for future identification during re-capture.

Select individual Common Snappers are fitted with a VHF transmitter in order to be tracked for a year. Tracking data will provide info on preferred locations for foraging, nesting, and overwintering. Once enough tracking data is obtained, probability of occurrence can be mapped based on the characteristics of the habitat.

Habitat characteristics may include density of vegetation, type of soil on shore, slope of the shore, presence of infrastructure, etc. which may impact turtle movements and behavior.

I expect to find that turtles avoid areas where infrastructure is present due to reduced cover for hiding and foraging, and poor quality substrate. I also expect to find that turtles spend more times in locations offering dense vegetation cover and natural basking sites such as downed trees.
Speakers
JJ

Jean-Baptiste Johnson

Graduate Student, Purdue University Fort Wayne
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
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3:40pm CST

S-09: Using resource size-use models to predict how climate cycles influence angler effort
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
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AUTHORS: Matthew Maldonado, University of North Dakota; Taufique Mahmood, University of North Dakota; David P. Coulter, South Dakota State University; Alison A. Coulter, South Dakota State University; Steve R. Chipps, U.S. Geological Survey; Maddy Siller, South Dakota State University; Michaela Neal, University of North Dakota; Ayon Saha, University of North Dakota; Mark A. Kaemingk, University of North Dakota

ABSTRACT: As climate change continues to manifest, its potential effects on angler behavior remain a blind spot in inland recreational fisheries. Predicted alterations to a waterbody’s hydrology, fish community, and infrastructure from climate change could ultimately influence angler behavior. The severity and impact of these alterations on angler behavior is currently unknown, despite the importance of angler effort for effective fisheries management. Previous research has shown that angler effort is closely tied to hydrology or waterbody surface area, with larger waterbodies attracting more angler effort. Establishing this link between resource availability and angler effort allows us to further our understanding of how anglers may respond to climate change. Our goal was to use a resource size (i.e., lake surface area) – use (i.e., angler effort) model to understand the potential influence of climate and hydrology on the spatial and temporal patterns of angler effort. We used this model to understand how drought and deluge cycles may influence the magnitude and distribution of angler effort within a basin (i.e., several watersheds). Our lake size – angler effort model was developed using historical creel survey angler effort and remotely sensed waterbody surface area data for 15 waterbodies in North and South Dakota from 1990 to 2019 (r2 = 0.86). We used this model to predict angler behavior by remotely sensing the surface area for 45 public waterbodies in the Devils Lake Basin, North Dakota, USA for 32 years (1990-2021). We tracked synchrony in angler effort in the basin, demonstrating spatial and temporal patterns that are tied to changes in lake hydrology and fishing opportunity for anglers. Our results allow managers to address the current blind spot of how anglers might respond to climate change by characterizing climate-related spatiotemporal dynamics in angler effort and identifying hotspots of high interannual variation in angler effort at a basin-level.
Speakers
MM

Matthew Maldonado

Graduate Student, University of North Dakota
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
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3:40pm CST

S-10: Reservoir Habitat Management in Ohio – The Past, Present, and Future
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
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AUTHORS: Taylor E. Hunkins, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife; Joseph D. Conroy, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife

ABSTRACT: Ohio reservoirs are aging, filling with sediment, and quality habitat available to sport fish is declining. Concurrently, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Division of Wildlife (ODNR-DOW) does not have a standardized habitat assessment program and lacks information on physical habitat metrics in Ohio reservoirs. However, the ODNR-DOW has conducted bathymetric surveys, generated fishing maps, and deployed fish attractors in Ohio reservoirs since the late 1990s. Additionally, the ODNR-DOW and external research partners recently developed and implemented a protocol to assess nearshore reservoir habitats. We are in the process of developing, revising, and expanding Ohio’s reservoir habitat program by incorporating habitat assessments (i.e., bathymetric mapping, nearshore mapping, and fish attractors) within the Inland Management System (IMS), a planned, iterative, priority-based approach used by the ODNR-DOW to monitor and manage reservoir sport fish populations, their habitat, and anglers using standardized methods. Here, we provide a brief overview of the reservoir IMS, a history of Ohio’s reservoir habitat program, and discuss potential future directions of this program.
Speakers
TH

Taylor Hunkins

Fisheries Biologist, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
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3:40pm CST

S-11: Preliminary Evaluation of Two Active Sampling Methods for Crayfishes on the Southern Cumberland Plateau, Tennessee
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: William G. Wells, University of the South; Marley G. Barton, University of the South; Katie E. McGhee, University of the South: Graham E. Nystrom, University of the South

ABSTRACT: In this preliminary study, we measured and compared effectiveness of electrofishing and kick seining sampling methods for crayfishes from four headwaters streams on the Domain of the University of the South. The University of the South is located on the southern Cumberland Plateau ecoregion in Sewanee, Tennessee. Specifically, we examined how many individuals were captured between gears, and carapace length differences between capture methods during March—April 2024. Focal species were Cambarus sphenoides (Triangleclaw Crayfish) and Faxonius placidus (Bigclaw Crayfish). Four times as many crayfish were captured on average with the electrofishing method (13.5 ± 4.1 crayfish) compared with the kick seining method (3 ± 1 crayfish) across all four streams. Captured crayfish were of similar sizes using both methods. The higher catch rate from electrofishing method compared to kick seining method demonstrates that electrofishing is the best sampling method for headwater streams tested on the southern Cumberland Plateau for Triangleclaw and Bigclaw crayfishes.
Speakers
GW

Grady Wells

Visiting Assistant Professor, The University of the South
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:40pm - 4:00pm CST
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3:50pm CST

S-12: Ducks Plus: Cultivating Sustainable Landscapes with Partners
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:50pm - 4:10pm CST
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AUTHORS: Mark Flaspohler, Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

ABSTRACT: Ducks Unlimited’s Agriculture Strategic Plan Vision is focused to help take action in partnership with farmers, ranchers, landowners, cooperatives and commodity groups, financial institutions, corporations, municipalities, and policy makers to achieve sustainable agricultural landscapes. The goal is to provide economic prosperity and healthy communities for people while growing our conservation impact in the highest priority landscapes for North America’s waterfowl. Depending upon the region, watershed, and landscape position, wetlands contribute in a variety of ways. Wetlands are an essential part of these sustainable landscapes because they serve as natural infrastructure and contribute to a range of ecological services including water quality and quantity, carbon sequestration, soil health, flood control, mitigation, and coastal resiliency. Having a diverse set of programs ensures that there are suitable options for producers to value and incorporate these vital habitats and their interaction with the surrounding land and water.

Ducks Unlimited’s Sustainable Agriculture and Working Lands Focus is aimed at key landscapes, their primary resource concerns, conservation practices, and program implementation strategies. This means developing and scaling on-the-ground conservation programs that are beneficial for agricultural producers and waterfowl, while simultaneously providing ecosystem services is also key. Both in-field and edge-of-field practices help working ag lands target soil health, water quality and flood mitigation improvement. Maintaining existing and building new partnerships to target a voluntary and incentive-based approach to agriculture and conservation is also key. Continuing to work closely with producers, NRCS, USFWS, NFWF, MRCTI, State Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Departments of Agriculture, and commodity partners will also be critical in many ways, e.g., driving new public and private revenue towards important program needs while growing wetland and associated habit acres on both private and public lands. Finally, communication of these opportunities, partnerships, and successes by generating and amplifying media narrative around DU’s positive impact on working lands is important to develop DU’s brand that resonates with the agricultural sector and its supporters.
Speakers
avatar for Mark Flaspohler

Mark Flaspohler

Senior Regional Biologist, Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
Ducks Unlimited conserves, restores, and manages wetlands and associated habitats for North America's waterfowl. These habitats also benefit other wildlife and people.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 3:50pm - 4:10pm CST
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4:00pm CST

Fisheries Track: Applications of Environmental DNA Metabarcoding to Fish Biodiversity Assessments of Missouri Ozark Stream and Mississippi River Lowland Habitats
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
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AUTHORS: David D. Duvernell, Missouri S&T; Veronica M. Lee, Missouri S&T; Eric J. Ludwig, Missouri S&T; Aaron D. Geheber, University of Central Missouri; Brett Landwer, Missouri Department of Conservation; Leah K. Berkman, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Biodiversity monitoring in freshwater habitats provides essential data for assessing and quantifying spatiotemporal patterns and long-term changes. Fisheries biologists use a variety of capture-based methods for biodiversity sampling. Non-capture-based methods have come into common use that rely on the detection of environmental DNA (eDNA), which is released by organisms into their environment. Metabarcoding involves the filtering and extraction of eDNA from samples, followed by sequencing and alignment to a reference database to infer species presence. We worked closely with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to perform comparative biodiversity assessments using traditional capture-based methods along side eDNA metabarcoding methods. In support of our efforts, we submitted 189 new reference sequences to GenBank, to bring statewide databased coverage of Missouri fish species to over 90%. We teamed with the Resource Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) program to sample sites in six drainages of the Missouri Ozarks, and we worked with Cape Girardeau fisheries biologists to sample lowland habitats in Black Island Conservation Area along the Mississippi River. In Ozark streams we were able to detect approximately double the number of species compared to standard RAM sampling methods, while in the aquatic habitats at Black Island we increased the number of documented species by more than a third relative to MDC survey records dating back to 1940. eDNA sampling missed or failed to discriminate among very few species detected by RAM sampling or documented at Black Island. These missed species were either rare (often single specimens) or were pairs or trios of closely related species with highly similar sequences that were indiscernible using eDNA sequencing methods. Spatial analyses demonstrated that eDNA sampling was sensitive to changes in fish assemblages along Ozark stream habitat gradients, and habitat complexity at Black Island.
Speakers
avatar for David Duvernell

David Duvernell

Professor, Missouri S&T
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
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4:00pm CST

Fisheries Track: Dispersal of Juvenile Lake Sturgeon Stocked in the Saginaw River Basin
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Maxwell D. Majinska, Quantitative Fisheries Center, Michigan State University; Christopher L. Cahill, Quantitative Fisheries Center, Michigan State University; Christopher S. Vandergoot, Great Lake Acoustic Telemetry Obersvation System

ABSTRACT: Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens reintroduction efforts are underway throughout the Great Lakes, often through the stocking juvenile fish. However, little is known about juvenile life-history and system-specific behaviors due to historical population declines prior to detailed scientific study, complicating effective management. Due to late maturation (15-25 years) and natal homing behavior of adults, understanding movement patterns of juveniles may provide useful data for evaluating reintroduction goals.

In 2017, the Saginaw River Basin was selected by the Lake Huron Lake Sturgeon Working Group for reintroduction after being functionally extirpated. Age-0 sturgeon are stocked in four rivers: the Cass, Flint, Shiawassee, and Tittabawassee. Natal streamside rearing is not currently proposed for this system; therefore, fish are sourced from the Black River Streamside Rearing Facility (BRSF, Onaway, MI) and the Genoa National Fish Hatchery (GNFH, Genoa, WI). Paired stocking provides a unique opportunity to compare the behavior of fish reared in different settings – non-natal streamside versus traditional groundwater – while using fish from the same genetic unit.

Our study evaluated movement patterns of stocked juvenile sturgeon released in 2022 and 2023 using passive acoustic telemetry. Fish (n = 80) from each hatchery were surgically implanted with InnovaSea V7 or V7D transmitters and stocked proportionally by tag type and hatchery origin among the four tributaries annually. Movement patterns were assessed by measuring total distance traveled, time to first detection, river residence time, and last known location. Preliminary results suggest BRSF fish begin moving downstream later; however, both hatcheries exhibit similar residence time and total travel distance.

Speakers
MM

Maxwell Majinska

Graduate Research Assistant, Michigan State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-07: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, roll in developing and maintaining invasive carp removal programs through the commercial fishing industry
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Joshua Tompkins, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Matthew Dollenbacher, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

ABSTRACT: Prior to the invasion of bigheaded carps into Kentucky waters’ there was a rich history of commercial fishing. This presentation will be a road map of how Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, developed a robust invasive carp harvest industry by leveraging preexisting commercial infrastructure, recruiting new partners into the process and engaging stakeholders to enact regulations to allow for less restrictive regulations with the aim at reducing invasive carp populations and limiting range expansion. Other aspects of the industry development, economics and public input about the perception of how these programs and initiative have towards successful meeting KDFWR goals, will be highlighted throughout.
Speakers
JT

Joshua Tompkins

Fisheries Biologist, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-08: Temporal variation in occupancy dynamics of ringed (Ambystoma annulatum) and marbled (A. opacum) salamanders in Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Thomas L Anderson, Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville



ABSTRACT: Documenting species occurrences in different habitat patches across spatiotemporal gradients is critical for understanding demographic trends. Species occurrence information also can help inform management actions by determining what patches constitute consistently occupied areas versus more infrequently used areas. Identification of the drivers of consistently occupied patches is also critical to infer high quality habitats. We monitored the occurrence of ringed (Ambystoma annulatum), a Species of Conservation Concern, and marbled (A. opacum) salamanders across an 11-year period (2012-2022) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. We surveyed 55 wetlands for the presence of each species during the larval period using a combination of minnow traps and dipnets. We analyzed occupancy using single-species multi-season occupancy models from the spOccupancy package in R. We compared the fit of spatial models, which account of spatial autocorrelation in state processes, with non-spatial models. We use a combination of habitat variables (e.g., canopy cover and hydroperiod) and climatic variables (e.g., drought or winter severity) to predict occupancy patterns. We found that non-spatial models fit the data better than the spatial models for both species. Using the non-spatial models, both species showed significant declines in occupancy over time. For marbled salamanders, occupancy probabilities were higher in years with reduced drought severity indices (i.e., wetter conditions) and semi-permanent wetlands compared to permanent wetlands. For ringed salamanders, occupancy probabilities tended to be higher in permanent wetlands, but no other habitat features or climate variables strongly affected ringed salamander occupancy. Further research on aspects of potential declines in these species’ occupancy at this study site are needed to identify potential mechanisms.
Speakers
avatar for Tom Anderson

Tom Anderson

Assistant Professor, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-09: Planning for our public: results from Wisconsin's 2023 mixed-methods recreation study
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Matteo Cleary, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; John Pohlman, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources;

ABSTRACT: Each state that receives Land and Water Conservation funding from the National Park Service is responsible for drafting plans for how it will disburse those funds to applicant organizations. State, county, and municipally owned properties are where much of Wisconsin's wildlife management and related recreation take place. We present results from a large mixed-methods effort to learn what our public experiences as they recreate in these places. We paired our publicly sourced data with responses from county and municipal recreation decisionmakers, which helped us build a more holistic picture of emerging needs for land and water management throughout the state, as they relate to recreation planning.
Speakers
MC

Matteo Cleary

Senior Social Scientist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-10: Employing Recreational Side-Scan Sonar to Evaluate the Relationship between Aquatic Vegetation and Sportfish Catch Rates across Ohio Reservoirs
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Authors: Augustus McAnally1, Taher Fletcher2, Jeremy Pritt3, Stephen Matter1, and Michael T. Booth4
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati
2U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Lake Champlain Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office
3Ohio Division of Wildlife
4U.S. Geological Survey, Michigan Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

ABSTRACT:  Abstract: Understanding the effects of habitat on sportfish population characteristics in reservoirs is important for management, however, comprehensive habitat data are rarely available. More recent developments, using side-scan sonar, provide means to create high-resolution habitat data. Most habitat assessments occur within single systems; few have compared habitat metrics among reservoirs to determine the effects of habitat on sportfish populations. Applying a recently developed habitat assessment protocol, we used recreational side-scan sonar to quantify littoral aquatic habitat in sixteen inland reservoirs across Ohio. Aquatic vegetation, large woody debris, and substrate type were manually classified for the entire accessible littoral zone of each reservoir. Currently, we are performing analyses to understand whether reservoir-wide habitat metrics explain variation in catch rates and size structure of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus nigricans) collected during standard spring electrofishing surveys. The study aims to evaluate whether variation in the amount of habitat among reservoirs affects Largemouth Bass populations and determine if aquatic vegetation and other habitat features can be utilized to manage sport fish populations in reservoirs.
Speakers
avatar for Gus McAnally

Gus McAnally

Graduate Student, University of Cincinnati
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:00pm CST

S-11: Evaluation of Eye Stalk Microchemistry as a Potential Indicator of Crayfish Environmental History
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Cameron Haeffner, Southern Illinois University; Dr. Greg Whitledge, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Naturally occurring chemical markers in calcified structures, such as otoliths and fin rays or spines, have been commonly used in the study of fish environmental history, including identifying natal environments of wild fish, distinguishing stocked from wild fish, and inferring sources of invasive species. There are a few examples of the use of natural chemical markers in aquatic invertebrates, but this technique has not been used for crayfishes. Eye stalks have been used to estimate age of some crustaceans and may contain a microchemical record of crayfish environmental history, although this has not been tested. The objectives of this study are to determine whether crayfish eye stalks reflect microchemical (Sr:Ca, Ba:Ca) signatures of water, whether water-eye stalk microchemistry relationships differ among species, and whether this structure retains microchemical signals of previously occupied environments following crayfish transfer or molting. Four species of crayfish (Faxonius virilis, F. illinoiensis, F. luteus, and F. punctimanus) were collected from several streams in Missouri and Illinois with different water microchemical signatures. A laboratory study was also conducted in which crayfish were transferred between waters with different Sr:Ca ratios to assess signature retention. Eye stalks were sectioned and analyzed using laser ablation-ICPMS. If eye stalks contain a microchemical record of crayfish environmental history as anticipated, this technique could potentially be used to reconstruct environmental history (e.g., origin, movement) of crayfishes in the wild and may also be useful for inferring sources of non-native species.
Speakers
CH

Cameron Haeffner

Graduate Research Assistant, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:00pm - 4:20pm CST
TBA

4:10pm CST

S-12: Incorporating Ecological Design for Production and Resilience: A Case Study in the Lower Missouri River Floodplain
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:10pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Zack Miller, The Nature Conservancy

ABSTRACT: With mounting biodiversity and climate crises, there is increasing pressure on land stewards, farmers, and other leaders in land-use to make America’s ‘breadbasket’ more resilient. While there is overwhelming evidence that biodiversity underpins resilience, most Midwestern landscapes remain dominated by monocultures of annual crops, with biodiversity relegated to degraded and fragmented habitats. Designing, incentivizing, implementing, and maintaining biodiverse landscapes for both production and resilience to uncertain future conditions is a major challenge of our time.

In this talk, Zack Miller of The Nature Conservancy in Missouri will discuss landscape-scale ecological health and how the incorporation of ecological design can benefit human health and ecosystem function, undergirding more diverse, resilient, and regenerative socio-ecological systems. Miller will use the Missouri River Center, a new collaborative conservation project on the banks of the Missouri River in Boone County, MO, as a case study for exploring intentional design, co-benefits, cost-share opportunities, and polyculture food production in wetland and floodplain habitats. This ~164-acre project will be comprised by a mosaic of wetlands, alley cropping systems with native, flood-tolerant perennial fruit and nut trees, multi-functional riparian buffers, and amenities to support a variety of educational and training programs. The project aims to re-establish diverse food forests in the fertile floodplain and to serve as a learning and gathering place for public and partners.
Speakers
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:10pm - 4:30pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Benefits and pitfalls of using time-lapse-photography to collect urban angler information
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Lewis J. Bruce, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; John Lorenzen, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Creel surveys (i.e., counting and interviewing anglers) are one of the sampling tools used to gauge the amount and type of fishing activity on a pond, lake, or river. Creel surveys provide important information about user demographics, preferences towards fish species and sizes of fish, fish harvest, trip length, and trip expenditures. Collecting these data gives managers insight into what their constituents want. A traditional creel survey consists of two components: 1) random counts of anglers to assess the level of use; and 2) angler interviews to determine more about the typical fishing trip (e.g., how long, what they are catching) and other information about the angler. Randomly counting anglers requires a creel clerk to be on site regularly and, therefore, limits the number of concurrent creel surveys that can be conducted using this traditional method. Another issue with traditional creel surveys is the fact that the mere presence of what some of the public perceive to be a law enforcement figure can result in anglers altering their behavior (e.g., leaving the lake). Time lapsed photography (TLP) was used to collect diurnal count data from multiple lakes simultaneously and these data were collected in an unbiased manner. Cameras were used seasonally (i.e., open water and ice fishing) at some locations and year-round at others. During a 4 year period 20 urban ponds were surveyed using TLP. Hide box maintenance, camera reliability, vandalism, and data processing efforts were also monitored and quantified during this project.
Speakers
LB

Lewis Bruce

Fisheries Research Biologist, Iowa DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

Fisheries Track: Reproductive Characteristics of a Vulnerable Riverine Specialist in the Unchannelized Missouri River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Benjamin J. Schall, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; Lindsey A. P. LaBrie, USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit, University of Arkansas; Tanner L. Carlson, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Jeff S. Wesner, University of South Dakota; Chelsey A. Pasbrig, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; Steven R. Chipps, USGS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, South Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: Reproductive characteristics for populations of imperiled non-game species are not regularly studied but may be important for identifying factors associated with population sustainability. Understanding reproductive traits in vulnerable species, particularly long-lived species, may provide insight for implementing management actions to respond to changes in angling behavior. This study aimed to assess the reproductive characteristics of a stable population of long-lived Blue Suckers Cycleptus elongatus in the unchannelized Missouri River in South Dakota. We collected demographic information and gonads from 182 Blue Suckers in 2021-2022. We used Bayesian generalized linear mixed-effects models to assess length and weight relationships with gonadosomatic index (GSI) and fecundity and used spawning potential ratios (SPR) to model the influence of varying harvest and minimum length limit (MLL) scenarios. Fish lengths ranged from 560-821 mm. Female GSI increased with length to ~720 mm before declining, and male GSI remained consistent across lengths. Strong positive linear relationships were observed for GSI with fish weight and fecundity. Using recent natural mortality estimates for this population, SPR under current no-limit regulations decreases rapidly as fishing mortality (F) approached 0.10 but implementing a 660-mm MLL would prevent SPR from falling below acceptable limits (0.2-0.3) at F values as high as 0.69. This study demonstrates that reproductive data and SPR modeling can be used to provide length-based regulation recommendations for vulnerable, non-game species that receive less management focus.
Speakers
BS

BJ Schall

Fisheries Biologist, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

S-07: Copious Copi: Using Incentives and Marketing to Control Bigheaded Carps
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: James E. Garvey, jgarvey@siu.edu, Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, USA
Kevin S. Irons, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL, USA
Gina Behnfeldt, Tetra Tech, Langhorne, PA, USA

ABSTRACT: Invasive bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) threaten rivers of the central US, the Great Lakes, and potentially other drainages in North America. A pilot commercial fishing incentive program was initiated in the lower Illinois River in 2012 to help control carp populations, which rapidly removed 1,500 tons of biomass. In 2019, a modified incentive program began and has expanded to other invaded river basins. In 2022, a branding and marketing effort named the seafood product derived from bigheaded carp as Copi, allowing consumers to recognize these fishes as an environmentally sound and responsible alternative to other seafood choices in North America. The Copi brand has gained interest nationwide, with food processors and distributors engaged. A total of 7,650 tons of Copi have been removed from the Illinois River and Ohio River Basins. The challenge will be to develop a self-supporting regional fishing industry that controls and contains these fishes while also aiding fisheries and aquaculture for native species.
Speakers
JG

James Garvey

Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

S-08: Weather weirding and frog phenology: how some species may adapt to climate change
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Melissa B. Youngquist, John G. Shedd Aquarium

ABSTRACT: Many wetland species are reliant upon predictable patterns of precipitation for breeding and recruitment. However, climate change models show that unpredictable precipitation may become the new normal. And while many studies have investigated the effects of global warming on amphibian phenology, few have investigated effects of changed precipitation patterns. Between 2020-2024, the Chicago area experience a wide range of annual precipitation patterns. Notably, 2021 and 2023 had winter and spring droughts followed by extreme precipitation in mid-summer that refilled some wetlands. Here, I report the phenological breeding response of six amphibian species to various patterns of annual precipitation. Boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata) and American toads (Anaxyrus americanus) seemed to have a high degree of plasticity in breeding phenology - I documented delayed and repeated breeding by these species in drought years when wetlands refilled in late June – mid July. However, species with explosive breeding strategies did not show delayed or repeated breeding. Overall, this study highlights the potential adaptability of some species to changes in patterns of precipitation.
Speakers
MY

Melissa Youngquist

Research Biologist, Shedd Aquarium
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

S-09: Producer's views on conservation programs in the Rainwater Basin region of Nebraska
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Natalia Hagen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Matthew Gruntorad, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Sarah Ulrichsen, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Christopher C. Chizinski, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

ABSTRACT: The Rainwater Basin in south-central Nebraska is a working landscape with numerous wetlands and important wildlife habitats. We conducted phone interviews with 198 agricultural producers across 10 counties in the Rainwater Basin region to understand their perspectives on conservation programs and their level of concern towards the environmental issues of climate change, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. Results indicated that none of the interviewed producers were currently participating in conservation programs despite their concerns about water pollution on a local level. Coding of the interviews revealed four major themes as to why producers were no longer participating in conservation programs and an overall lack of strong positive or negative opinions towards these programs. This suggests agricultural producers may lack confidence in the ability of conservation programs in their current state to be of personal benefit. To increase conservation program participation, it will be critical to recognize what producers need to facilitate enrollment.
Speakers
NH

Natalia Hagen

Undergraduate research assistant, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
I am a senior undergraduate researcher majoring in Fisheries and Wildlife at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. My two current projects are (1) examining agricultural producers' perspectives on conservation programs in the Rainwater Basin and (2) the Nebraska-South Dakota Tier II... Read More →
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

S-10: In the Weeds: The Role of Aquatic Macrophytes in Predicting the Success of Walleye Recruitment in Minnesota and Wisconsin
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Robert Davis, Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin; Ellen Albright, Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin; Katie Hein, Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin; Michael Verhoeven, Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota- Twin Cities; Zach Feiner, Center for Limnology, University of Wisconsin & Office of Applied Science, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT:  Aquatic macrophytes provide important habitat for fish at various life stages and can influence fish population characteristics such as growth and size structure. Even though aquatic plants are generally considered to be important to fish communities, the exact nature of the relationship is not well understood. Moreover, multiple factors (climate, aquatic invasive species, nutrient loads) are causing aquatic plant communities to shift through time. Walleye are a culturally and economically important species to the upper Midwest that are currently experiencing declines in recruitment success due to climate change and other factors. In this study, we seek to elucidate the role that aquatic vegetation plays in determining walleye recruitment success. Point-intercept aquatic plant surveys from Minnesota and Wisconsin were used to quantitatively describe plant communities in lakes spanning 2003 to 2018, and annual fall electrofishing recruitment surveys were used to quantify walleye recruitment during the same time period. Random forest models were used to understand the nature of the relationship of aquatic plant communities to walleye recruitment and any interactions that may exist between aquatic plant communities and other important environmental variables previously found to influence walleye recruitment success (e.g., growing degree days, lake surface area). Overall, we hope to determine pertinent interactions between Walleye recruitment success and aquatic macrophyte communities, which could inform habitat management strategies that may benefit Walleye fisheries throughout the region.
Speakers
RD

Robert Davis

Research Associate, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:20pm CST

S-11: Clawing for Survival: Mapping Invasive and Endemic Crayfishes in the Upper Saint Francis River Basin
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Anna Raney, University of Missouri and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Jacob Westhoff, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Crayfish invasions are among the top global threats to native crayfish populations. In Missouri, cross-basin introductions have impacted multiple endemic species. The Saint Francis River crayfish (Faxonius quadruncus) and Big Creek crayfish (F. peruncus), endemic to the upper Saint Francis River (USFR) drainage in Missouri, are currently under threat of extinction due to introductions of Woodland Crayfish (F. hylas) from nearby drainages. Previous research has documented reduced abundances and range reductions for both native species in reaches invaded by Woodland Crayfish. However, the entire ranges of the native species have not been systematically sampled prior to this study, and past survey data documenting the invasion are over 15 years old. Management agencies need updated information to create an informed recovery plan for the two threatened species. Using a stratified random sampling design, we conducted a basin-wide distribution survey at 96 sites across the USFR drainage in 2022-2023. We incorporated presence-absence data from this survey with coarse-scale environmental variables into random forest, boosted regression, and spatial stream network models to create species distribution models for the two endemic species and the invasive Woodland Crayfish population. Additionally, we used targeted, intensive sampling to locate the leading edges of invasion in six streams. During these efforts, we discovered and mapped additional invasions in two major tributaries to the USFR drainage and documented a 1.4 km range expansion upstream from the 2009 leading edge in Orr Hollow Creek. The Woodland Crayfish is now present in most major tributaries on the left side of the basin as well as multiple locations in the mainstem river. Despite these range expansions, small impoundments at multiple locations appeared to harbor refuge populations of endemic crayfish based on survey data. Results from this study can be used to identify refugia for native species and locate barriers to further invasion.
Speakers
avatar for Anna Raney

Anna Raney

Biological Scientist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:20pm - 4:40pm CST
TBA

4:30pm CST

S-12: Not Just for Ducks: Facilitated Discussion
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:30pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:

ABSTRACT:
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:30pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Lessons and advice on the development of a mobile-entry platform
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Keith Hurley, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

ABSTRACT: FinCatchDE is a mobile-friendly, data entry application that was developed as part of the FinCatch ecosystem - Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s new database and analysis system for lentic fish sampling data. Utilizing a University of Nebraska – Lincoln capstone computer science project provided a low-cost alternative in obtaining a team of developers to generate this component. Additionally, along the way both technological and data-driven innovations were implemented to improve fish community sampling in the state. We will discuss the process and ideas used for FinCatchDE during this presentation in the hopes that others who are upgrading and transitioning their sampling databases can benefit from our lessons learned.
Speakers
avatar for Keith Hurley

Keith Hurley

Fish and Wildlife Specialist, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

Fisheries Track: Native Rough Fish Management Progress in Minnesota
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Shannon J. Fisher, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: “Rough fish” is a term used to describe multiple native fish species historically perceived by agencies and anglers as having limited value to sport fisheries. Rough fish have been frequently deemed to degrade aquatic habitats, compete with more desired gamefish species, and have low-to-no ecosystem or cultural value. In 2022, the Minnesota legislature directed the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to develop recommendations for statutory and rule changes to provide necessary conservation measures and research needs for 26 native species designated as rough fish. The DNR convened a stakeholder group of bowfishers, commercial fish harvesters, anglers, and conservation organizations; collected public input on attitudes and management scenarios; and solicited input from Tribes to inform “rough fish” management recommendations. In 2024, the Minnesota legislature elevated the status of “native” rough fish by removing invasive fishes from this new designation and establishing additional protections. As a result of improved native rough fish status, the DNR has launched rulemaking to establish daily and possession limits and restitution values. This presentation will detail the process the DNR undertook with diverse stakeholders and the legislature to inform the passage of the “native rough fish” law and related recommendations for helping ensure more sustainable management of these underappreciated species in Minnesota.
Speakers
SF

Shannon Fisher

Fisheries Populations Monitoring and Regulations Manager, MN DNR
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

S-07: Use of Invasive Species to Address Food Security
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Mark Morgan, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri

ABSTRACT: The prevalence of malnutrition is high and growing at an alarming rate in developing countries. Countless women and children suffer from anemia, stunting and/or wasting due to a low intake of protein and other essential nutrients. Use of invasive species is a promising, but overlooked strategy to address food security. The Mississippi River Basin has been affected negatively by the spread of silver and bighead carp since their introduction in the early 1970s. Invasive carp are overly abundant in many watersheds, yet few efforts have focused on population reduction since domestic markets are scarce. Consumption is a viable option, but Americans often think of silver and bighead carp as trash fish. As a result, many of them are thrown into landfills or turned into low value products such as fertilizer or animal feed. However, lab tests show that invasive carp are among the most healthy and nutritious freshwater fish in the U.S. In powdered form, they contain a unique profile of nutrients and vitamins that are needed for human health and brain development. Use of silver carp as a food ingredient is one solution to increase the nutritional benefits of child-bearing women and young children, especially for infants in the first 1,000 days of life. The goal of Eat MO Carp is to produce a complementary food using silver carp to address food security and malnutrition at home and abroad, thus helping to restore Midwest rivers.
Speakers
MM

Mark Morgan

Assoc. Professor, University of Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

S-08: Population genetics of the crawfish frog (Rana areolata) in Oklahoma support a single taxon with little genetic differentiation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Neil R. Balchan1, Owen M. Edwards1,2, Yucheol Shin3,4, Kaleb M. Banks1, Michael S. Reichert1, Bo Zhang1, Damien Esquerré51 Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA

2 Oklahoma Biological Survey, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA

3 Richard Gilder Graduate School, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA

4 Department of Herpetology, Division of Vertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA

5 School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia

ABSTRACT: The crawfish frog (R. areolata) is an ecologically enigmatic species that is endemic to the United States and is of conservation concern throughout most of its range. Despite recent research, little is known about population and landscape genetics of this species. Traditional taxonomic schemes have suggested the presence of a northern and southern subspecies, with an area of contact in Oklahoma. While these subspecies designations were based on morphological descriptions of disparate individuals and likely do not represent range-wide morphological or genetic, they have largely been accepted and used by various agencies. Here, we use genomic data to understand these themes in Oklahoma, with the goals of understanding the patterns of spatial genetics for this species. We use a panel of genome wide single nucleotide polymorphism loci to understand population differentiation, relatedness of individuals across the landscape, and connectivity of populations. We also explore the roles of two proposed biogeographic barriers, the Arkansas and Canadian rivers, in structuring subspecies limits. Finally, we use ecological niche modelling to explore how post-glacial expansion of species ranges might contribute to patterns of current population structure seen in the crawfish frog. Our data reveal that crawfish frogs in Oklahoma exhibit minimal genetic structuring, inconsistent with what would be expected for a contact zone between two evolutionarily significant units. Our models suggest a constrained distribution for this species in southern Texas during the last glacial maximum, and subsequent rapid expansion northward over the last 20,000 years as deglaciation occurred. Conservation approaches should consider the current genetic makeup of crawfish frogs when planning management efforts, and our data suggest little genetic differentiation among populations in northern parts of the current geographic distribution.
Speakers
NB

Neil Balchan

Graduate student, Oklahoma State Univeresity
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

S-09: Discussion: Social Science Needs and Priorities
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:

ABSTRACT:
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

4:40pm CST

S-10: Public and Professional Perspectives on Aquatic Plant Management and Research
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Zachary S. Feiner, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Limnology; Alexander Latzka, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Allison Mikulyuk, University of Wisconsin-Madison Aquatic Science Center; Heidi Rantala, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Bethany Bethke, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Ellen Albright, University of Wisconsin-Madison Discovery Farms; Catherine Hein, University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Limnology

ABSTRACT:  Aquatic vegetation provides critical habitat for fishes throughout life. However, aquatic vegetation is changing in many lakes due to increased lakeshore development, invasive species, and climate change. Underappreciated and poorly understood linkages between aquatic plants and fish could serve as an underutilized opportunity to support fisheries outcomes by considering management of plant and fish communities in concert. Researchers in the Upper Midwest are currently engaged in a broadscale effort to understand relationships between aquatic plant and fish communities in temperate lakes with the goal of better informing current management practices and developing new habitat management tools. In the process, it became clear that the large number of potential quantifiable predictors and responses (e.g., individual, population, and community-level metrics for both plants and fish) and broad range of possible management partners necessitated a clearer understanding of the major issues and priority questions surrounding current plant management practices. We held multiple workshops with state, federal, tribal, and local agencies, as well as public stakeholders, to seek input on aquatic plant and lake habitat management goals, barriers, and research questions. We discuss outcomes of these workshops, including identifying high-priority research needs and management questions, as well as similarities and differences in perspectives among groups. This feedback provided tangible objectives for performing applicable science around aquatic plant management, while also providing important information for lake decision-makers on an important but previously rarely considered issue in fisheries management.
Speakers
ZF

Zachary Feiner

Research Scientist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 4:40pm - 5:00pm CST
TBA

5:00pm CST

Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Feral Swine Committee
Tuesday January 21, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm CST
Moderators
AL

Alan Leary

Wildlife Management Coordinator, Missouri Department of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm CST

6:00pm CST

Poster Session & Tradeshow Social - C0-Sponsored by Aquatic Control, HDR Engineering & NASA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-01: Efficacy of Trapping Programs to Control Raccoon Populations
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jennifer Schultze, Southern Illinois University; Ashley McDonald, Southern Illinois University; Clayton Nielsen, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are an opportunistic and highly adaptable mesopredator that negatively impact several vulnerable avian and reptilian species. Wildlife managers require more information about the efficacy and long-term feasibility of using predator removal to control raccoon populations. We determined the efficacy of raccoon population reduction via trapping on 6 study sites in northern Illinois. Camera traps (n=109) were placed afield during February-August 2022-2024 to monitor raccoon occupancy before, during, and after trapping efforts were performed. During April-June 2022-2024, collaborators removed 680 raccoons to determine the intensity of trapping effort needed to reduce raccoon populations and to estimate pre- and post-trapping abundance of raccoon populations. We ran single-season occupancy models during these 3 temporal periods and multi-season colonization-extinction occupancy models were conducted before and after raccoon removal to determine the efficacy of trapping efforts in the long-term. Single-season occupancy estimates indicated a decrease in occupancy during removal; this reduced occupancy level remained for the duration of the study season. During 2022-2024, multi-season occupancy colonization rates decreased by 43% and extinction rates increased by 13%. In contrast, our control site with no raccoon removal had an increase in colonization by 66% and extinction rates reached nearly 0%. Further, we estimated raccoon abundance using the Leslie depletion method and following trapping, populations declined >32% on each study site. These results suggest that with enough trapping effort at the levels observed in our study, continuous removal programs may be a successful method for reducing and maintaining lower raccoon densities.
Speakers
JS

Jennifer Schultze

Graduate Research Assistant, Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-02: Zoonotic disease and diet surveys of raccoons (Procyon lotor) across urban-rural gradients in St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Yonah Bennett, University of Central Missouri; Dr. Nick Barts, University of Central Missouri

ABSTRACT:  Anthropogenic change casts a heavy shadow on the environment, and the urbanization of natural habitats can increase both the spread of zoonotic diseases and the range of its reservoirs. One such reservoir is the raccoon (Procyon lotor), a synanthrope and common carrier of many zoonotic diseases important to human health (Baylisascaris procyonis, Leptospira interrogans, and Giardia duodenalis). As warmer temperatures and human-driven introductions push raccoons and other wildlife into new environments, humans face an increasing number of zoonotic diseases. The wildlife, in turn, faces density increases, poor body condition, and diet changes. These changes are a global concern, and current studies are driven by the One-Health framework, ensuring the human, wildlife, and environmental aspects of these focal diseases are examined together. Following the One-Health framework allows us to make informed decisions for wildlife management strategies. This project aims to inform such management by conducting disease and diet surveys of raccoons across St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri along urban-rural transects using latrines to collect feces, soil, and hair samples. Prior studies of B. procyonis prevalence along urban gradients have had mixed findings. Gradients created using a specified variable like building density may better describe the impact of urbanization on it and other zoonotic diseases. Disease prevalence and load will be determined by surveying for B. procyonis in fecal floats and Giardia and Leptospira in qPCR. Diet assessments to correlate raccoon reliance on anthropogenic foods will be done by determining the stable isotopes in collected hair. Reliance on anthropogenic foods may mean a change in predation on intermediate disease hosts and disease prevalence within raccoons. Overall results may highlight how raccoons' synanthropic nature impacts humans and the environment.

Speakers
YB

Yonah Bennett

Graduate Assistant, University of Central Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-03: Exploring Variation in Immune Physiology and Movement in White-Tailed Deer
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Holly Redmond; Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
Robin Warne; Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Tadao Kishimoto; Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau; Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL

ABSTRACT: How animals move across a landscape is a result of interactions between internal factors, such as physiology, and external factors, such as environmental conditions. Despite the important implications of these interactions in the face of progressively altered physical and disease landscapes, few studies have examined how immune physiology and movement behaviors interrelate, or the context in which variation in such relationships occurs. In some species, immune condition is shown to be influenced by allocation trade-offs, for example energetically favoring migration success at the cost of immune function. Immune condition itself can also be influential, for example in some species it can reduce cognitive ability and alter social behavior, thereby impacting animal movement. We seek to better understand the dynamics between immune physiology and movement in a heavily managed species: the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

To explore these relationships, we will first investigate how three immune-related biomarkers (cortisol, haptoglobin, and natural antibodies) interrelate to characterize immunological profiles for white-tailed deer (n=92) captured in 2023 and 2024 from two free-ranging populations in central and southern Illinois. We will then investigate how deer immunologic profiles relate to their movement across several metric categories (including space use, activity level, and consistency of behavior) and assess the contexts in which intra-individual, inter-individual, and inter-population variation in these relationships occurs. This work will contribute to a more holistic understanding of the dynamics between immune physiology and movement in an economically and ecologically significant species.
Speakers
HR

Holly Redmond

Research Assistant, Southern Illinois University Cooperative Wildlife Research Lab
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-04: Impacts of Targeted Removals on White-tailed Deer Behavior
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kristine Cotten, Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Peter Schlichting, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Daniel Skinner, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Christopher Jacques, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Guillaume Bastille-Rousseau, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

ABSTRACT: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) infection among white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) has become increasingly prevalent throughout northern Illinois in recent years, a marked departure from relatively low prevalence rates from its detection in 2003 until 2019. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages CWD primarily through hunter harvest and agency targeted removals, i.e. sharpshooting. Sharpshooting is currently considered the best technique for removing CWD infected deer. Despite this, little is known about sharpshooting’s impact on deer behavior. The increasing prevalence of CWD in our endemic area highlights the need for a better understanding of the role sharpshooting plays in shaping deer behavior and how we can increase the effectiveness of sharpshooting efforts with limited staff and increasing area of infection. To address this, we deployed 75 trail cameras across several CWD-positive counties in northern Illinois. Cameras were deployed from approximately mid-January to mid-March of 2024 at baited sharpshooting sites and will be redeployed over the same period in 2025. We will use images captured by these cameras to examine the rates of deer vigilance behavior and visitation to baited sharpshooting sites as a function of sharpshooting effort . Additionally, we will investigate environmental variables which may have differential influences on deer behavior and site selection. This information will provide valuable insights on deer behavior in the context of disease management. The increase in CWD prevalence in Illinois suggests a shift in the established patterns of infection, highlighting the need for a better understanding of how sharpshooting impacts deer behavior . This work will address this knowledge gap and aid managers in the continued implementation of sharpshooting as a management tool.
Speakers
KC

Kristine Cotten

Graduate Research Assistant, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-05: Analysis of Trap Design Characteristics of Fisher Monitoring Stations
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Erik Holterman, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Kayla Allred, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Tyler Rasmussen, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

ABSTRACT: Camera traps are a non-invasive wildlife sampling method, offering constant surveillance of multiple locations. Capturing pictures of wildlife provides opportunities for identifying individuals in a population, allowing researchers to collect data on home range size and population dynamics. This project aims to identify individuals which directly affects our ability to estimate population size, connectivity between populations, and help wildlife managers develop conservation plans. Focusing on fishers (Pekania pennanti), our team installed Fisher Monitoring Stations (FMS) throughout the George W. Mead Wildlife Area located in central Wisconsin. FMS are designed to attach to trees, where we expect fisher to climb on, touch, or reach out across a stabilizing bar to interact with bait hanging above the FMS. Our camera traps then take pictures of the ventral surface of fishers to capture markings that help identify individuals within the population. This was the first implementation of FMS, so we are analyzing trap characteristics such as bait type and height of the stabilizing bar in relation to the FMS platform. All pictures taken this field season are in the process of being graded on a numerical scale based on image quality in relation to identifying individuals. We hypothesize that a height of 60 cm and the implementation of beaver meat as bait will yield higher quality pictures than a height of 50 cm and jam as bait. In the future, we hope to continue to test more characteristics of trap design, including additional heights of the stabilizing bars, FMS distance to camera, distance to bait, and improved hair snare design.
Speakers
EH

Erik Holterman

Undergraduate Student, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-06: Effect of Prairie Dog Burrow Density on Intensity of Ticks on Small Mammals in South Dakota
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Zack Wilson, University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point; Maddie Hartlaub, University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point; Dr. Shelli Dubay, University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point; Dr. Travis Livieri, Prairie Wildlife Research; Dr. Ben Sedinger, University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point

ABSTRACT: Grasshopper mice (Onychomys leucogaster), deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) and prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) commonly co-occur on grasslands in South Dakota and may be parasitized by Ixodes sculptus and I. kingi tick species. These ticks could serve as bridging vectors for tularemia (Francisella tularensis), a zoonotic bacterial disease, in the grassland ecosystem. Tularemia has caused mortality in prairie dogs, deer mice, and grasshopper mice. Small mammal abundance has been shown to increase on prairie dog complexes. We aim to identify relationships between small mammal densities, prairie dog burrow densities, and tick abundance on hosts in Conata Basin/Badlands National Park, South Dakota. We placed 100 Sherman traps in a 150 x 150 m grid on sites designated as high, medium, and low prairie dog burrow densities. Once mice were trapped, we combed them for 30 seconds and then systematically searched them for ticks. Ectoparasites were counted per individual and placed in ethanol for identification. We hypothesized that the number of small mammals trapped and the abundance of ticks parasitizing them would be positively correlated with prairie dog burrow density. In 2023, we collected 231 ticks on 135 trapped deer and grasshopper mice across two sampling areas in Badlands National Park. In 2024, we expect to find that tick abundance on deer and grasshopper mice will increase with prairie dog burrow density, however, due to allogrooming, we do not expect tick abundance to increase on prairie dogs.
Speakers
ZW

Zack Wilson

Student, University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-07: Using Camera Traps to Explore Coyote Presence Across an Urbanization Gradient in St. Louis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jake Meyer, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy; Elizabeth Biro, Washington University in St. Louis; Solny Adalsteinsson, Washington University in St. Louis; Whitney Anthonysamy, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy

ABSTRACT: Cities can provide important habitat, such as parks and other green spaces, for supporting biodiversity. As urban areas continue to grow, it is important to understand how urban green spaces affect species’ distributions and behaviors. Coyotes are a common apex predator found in Missouri, including urban areas, and thus serve an important role in regulating ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity. The purpose of this study was to use presence/absence data collected using camera traps to estimate average coyote detections along an urbanization gradient (rural, suburban, and urban) in St. Louis. Here we report on our preliminary findings from a 4-year (2019-2022) dataset. Our next steps include exploring temporal activity and performing modeling to formally estimate occupancy patterns. Our findings will aid us in understanding how coyotes utilize the city to inform efforts for managing biodiversity in the region.
Speakers
JM

Jacob Meyer

Full time student, UHSP
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-08: Examining the Intraspecies and Interspecies Communication Between Canid Species in Central Wisconsin
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Adrienne Cohoon, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Kayla Allred, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Helena Stoflet, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Jena Garceau, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Dutch Holland, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Alyssa Kelnhofer, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Samantha Peterson, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point;
Advisor: Dr. Chris Yahnke, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

ABSTRACT: Howling is a stimulated response in canids used to distinguish territory. Species of the Canidae family tend to respond to other species via howling. Our primary target species are the gray wolf (Canis Lupus) and the coyote (Canis latrans). In our study, we compare which canid species would respond to each artificial species call/howl we used. We conduct howl surveys at two different sites, Buena Vista Wildlife Area and Mead Wildlife Area in central Wisconsin. There are three transects at Mead and five at Buena Vista. Each field night, we select our transect through a random generator. At separate points along the transect, each point one mile apart, we alternate between a male gray wolf and a male coyote call using the ICOtec Gen 3 Electronic Predator Game Call. At each of these points along the transect, we play the call for 30 seconds and wait two minutes after the call for a response. We call three times at one location facing 0°, 120°, and 240° respectively. At each point we record the date, location, road name, latitude/longitude, time of response, the species that is responding, compass bearing of the response, estimated distance to the origin of the response, number of adults heard, whether we heard pups, and ambient noises. We analyzed our data using a Chi-squared test to determine significant differences in response rates between species.
Speakers
AC

Adrienne Cohoon

Student, UW-Stevens Point
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-09: Survey of mammal biodiversity in a midwestern urban natural area using trail cameras: a collaboration between Missouri Western State University (MWSU) and Snapshot USA (2022-2024)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Angel Justus, Missouri Western State University; Grace Allen, Missouri Western State University; Walter Bicklein, Missouri Western State University; Cooper Bien, Missouri Western State University; Boaz Evans, Missouri Western State University; Veronica Hendrickson, Missouri Western State University; Zachary Hendrickson, Missouri Western State University; Anna Livers, Missouri Western State University; Emily McClellan, Missouri Western State University; Terence Mercado, Missouri Western State University; Jada Sharp, Missouri Western State University; Autumn Shull, Missouri Western State University; Kyla Spradlin, Missouri Western State University; Carissa Ganong, Missouri Western State University; Cary D. Chevalier, Missouri Western State University.


ABSTRACT: Quantifying mammal abundance, species richness, and diversity is a key aspect of wildlife management. Missouri Western faculty and students collaborated with the Smithsonian Institution and the Snapshot USA project to inventory mammal biodiversity on the MWSU campus using Browning Dark Ops Pro DCI trail cameras. We installed eight game cameras throughout the 143-acre forested natural area on campus and swapped out SD cards weekly for eight weeks each fall (September-November, 2022-2024), ensuring that all cameras were at least 200 m apart. We acquired over 180,000 images and identified mammals to the lowest taxonomic level possible. Photos were uploaded to the Wildlife Insights database as part of the Snapshot USA project and will eventually be available to the public. Here we present data on mammalian species richness and relative abundance from our sites and compare our results to similar studies. This project provides baseline data on mammalian communities in an urban natural area and also illustrates the value of applied learning collaborations between institutions of higher education and national scientific institutions.
Speakers
CC

Cary Chevalier

Dr., Missouri Western State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-10: Predicting habitat suitability for endangered Indiana bats using niche-based distribution modeling
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Yoshihiro Yajima, Brown Univeristy; Kim A. Medley, Washington University in St. Louis; Erin O'Connell, Washington University in St. Louis; Vona Kuczynska, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Shelly Colatskie, Missouri Department of Conservation; Elizabeth Biro, Washington University in St. Louis; Solny Adalsteinsson, Washington University in St. Louis



ABSTRACT: Human-driven land-use change is the second most important cause of biodiversity loss worldwide. Species like bats that rely heavily on forest resources to forage and reproduce are impacted by increasingly fragmented habitats. Here, we investigated habitat suitability for federally-endangered Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis) across a 2,000 acre university field station, Tyson Research Center (TRC), in St. Louis County, Missouri. TRC has long been impacted by human development, including encroachment of urban land-use. To understand the current distribution of M. sodalis, we recorded bat echolocation calls using 65 AudioMoths placed in a grid across TRC during June 2023. We processed audio files using Kaleidoscope Pro to classify calls to species and manually vetted all calls classified as Myotis spp. We then used MaxEnt, a presence-only niche-based modeling algorithm, to identify important environmental features for M. sodalis activity and create a habitat suitability map for TRC. By manually vetting over 1000 audio files, we identified 12 M. sodalis presence locations and created a model with 10 environmental variables. We found that level ground and snag stands were the most influential predictors of M. sodalis habitat suitability, which was consistent with mist net and telemetry studies. This result suggests that the species typically use flat openings near dead standing trees as day roosts, potentially to reduce energy expenditure on flight while having adequate access to insect prey. Our results elucidate how M. sodalis use forests surrounded by human development and will help guide future management action to conserve threatened and endangered bats.
Speakers
EB

Elizabeth Biro

Natural Resources Coordinator & Staff Scientist, Washington University in St. Louis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-11: Bat Communities along an Urbanization Gradient in St. Louis, MO
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Erin O’Connell, Washington University in St. Louis; Solny Adalsteinsson, Washington University in St. Louis; Whitney Anthonysamy, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy; Beth Biro, Washington University in St. Louis

ABSTRACT: Bats provide ecosystem services as insect predators and nutrient recyclers and are often critical pollinators and seed dispersers. However, bats are in decline across North America due to threats from land use changes, pesticides, disease, invasive species, wind energy, and climate change. As part of the St. Louis Wildlife Project (STLWP), we seek to understand how bat communities are changing over time and in response to urbanization. Our goals for STLWP are to apply this knowledge to influence city planning policy and to spreading awareness about urban bat biodiversity and threats to bats. To monitor bats in St. Louis, we deployed acoustic monitors along an urbanization gradient from the Gateway Arch National Park to Eureka, MO, through the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor. We recorded bat calls for one month each during spring, summer, and fall in conjunction with St. Louis Wildlife Project monitoring. We then analyzed the recordings using auto-detection software to identify bats to species. We detected ten total species of bats in the greater St. Louis area, including three species of endangered bats: Indiana bats (Myotis sodalist), gray bats (Myotis grisescens), and northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis). The most commonly detected bats across the transect included big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and hoary bats (Lasiurus cinereus). These findings are critical to informing urban management plans, as well as garnering support for habitat restoration efforts.
Speakers
EB

Elizabeth Biro

Natural Resources Coordinator & Staff Scientist, Washington University in St. Louis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-12: Comparing Pre and Post White-nose Syndrome Distributions of Three Bat Species in Eastern Nebraska
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Daniel Peacock, University of Nebraska Omaha; Thomas Raad, University of Nebraska Omaha; Amanda Ciurej, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Jeremy White, University of Nebraska Omaha; Mark Porath, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Han Li, University of Nebraska Omaha

ABSTRACT: White-nose syndrome has caused severe declines in the populations of northern long-eared bats (Myotis septentrionalis), little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), and tri-colored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) in the eastern United States since it was first detected in 2006. However, little is known about how these species were impacted in Nebraska where white-nose syndrome was first detected in the winter of 2016-2017. Before white-nose syndrome was first detected in Nebraska, an assessment of these species was conducted acoustically at 105 sites throughout eastern Nebraska between 2012 and 2014. In 2024 summer, we revisited 72 of the 105 previously surveyed sites and added 41 new sites to assess the impact of white-nose syndrome. We followed the North American Bat Monitoring Program Stationary Survey protocol for a more robust dataset. Our preliminary results from the first 60 sites were manually vetted for false positive detections and showed presence of tri-colored bats and little brown bats at approximately 40% of sites. However, only one out of 60 sites had northern long-eared bat detections. We will continue manually vetting for the remaining sites and to account for both false negative and false positive detections. From this data we will construct species distribution models before and after white-nose syndrome to examine how the disease has impacted the distributions of the three species. These distribution models will be used to generate distribution maps that will be used to determine each species’ level of decline, where remnant populations might be, and what kinds of habitats support these remnant populations. Assessment of the impact of white-nose syndrome on these three species will provide insights on how to prioritize key habitat protection to ensure long-term bat conservation in the Great Plains.
Speakers
DP

Daniel Peacock

MS Student, University of Nebraska Omaha
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-13: Exploring Fecal and Environmental DNA Detection of Bat Species of Greatest Conservation Need via Nanopore Adaptive Sampling
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Thomas Raad, University of Nebraska Omaha; Michaela Sanford, University of Nebraska Omaha Department of Biology; Daniel Peacock, University of Nebraska Omaha Department of Biology; Shayda Azadmanesh, University of Nebraska Omaha Department of Biology; Jeremy White, University of Nebraska Omaha Department of Biology; Guoqing Lu, University of Nebraska Omaha Department of Biology; Han Li, University of Nebraska Omaha Department of Biology

ABSTRACT: All bat species of greatest conservation need in the Midwest are nocturnal and cryptic. Traditional capture-based methods for detecting bats become challenging as populations experience drastic declines. With recent technological advancements, acoustic monitoring has become a common method for detecting these species. However, similarities in bat calls across species can make it challenging to confirm their presence. To address this challenge, it is important to explore additional species detection methods that complement capture and acoustic techniques. Bat guano samples are abundant and easy to collect in the field and extracting and sequencing host DNA from fecal samples for species identification has proven effective. Additionally, bat DNA has been collected and sequenced from roost surfaces, water, and soil, allowing species detection directly from the environments where they reside. Traditional fecal and environmental DNA sequencing methods often require polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification with species-specific primers. However, recent advances in genomic technology have introduced nanopore sequencing, which, through nanopore adaptive sampling algorithms, allows for selective sequencing of specified genomic regions. This method uses a user-defined reference file during sequencing to target DNA sequences of interest, eliminating the need for PCR amplification and enabling the generation of long DNA reads for further assembly. Moreover, it allows for portable, in-field sequencing. Mammalian mitochondrial DNA, with its high copy numbers in cells, is suitable for nanopore adaptive sampling. In this project, we explore the application of nanopore adaptive sampling for bat species identification. We opportunistically collected bat guano samples, verified species through morphological examination during capture, and are currently processing fecal samples in the lab. We will present the success rate of species identification from fecal DNA, as well as from environmental DNA collected at known bat roosts.
Speakers
TR

Thomas Raad

Masters Student, University of Nebraska Omaha
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-14: Tracking Black-crowned Night-herons Across Chicagoland
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Sarah Slayton, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Henry Adams, Urban Wildlife Institute, Lincoln Park Zoo; Michael Ward, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Michael Avara, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign; Brad Semel, Illinois Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Black-crowned Night-herons (BCNH) (Nycticorax nycticorax) are a colonial wading bird facing notable declines in the Great Lakes region of the U.S. due to wetland habitat loss and degradation. Although BCNH are globally distributed, they are a special-status species in 11 states including Illinois, where the species has been listed as endangered since 1977. The last major rookery in the state is located at the Lincoln Park Zoo (LPZ) near downtown Chicago. Despite the inherent risks associated with nesting in an urban center the colony appears to be flourishing, with over 300 pairs of birds fledging over 400 chicks in 2024. However, little research has been conducted on how birds are acquiring resources and utilizing city habitat to cope with the environmental pressures posed by urban living. BCNH’s cryptic nature and nocturnal lifestyle have made them challenging to study solely using traditional field methods, making them ideal to study using advanced tracking technologies. During the 2023 and 2024 breeding seasons, we deployed 16 GPS/GSM transmitters on BCNH from this colony to identify critical foraging grounds in the Chicago area. So far, these transmitters have illuminated that birds are utilizing a wide variety of natural and manmade waterbodies throughout the breeding season, some of which are hydrologically influenced by Lake Michigan while others are managed by state and local agencies. They have also revealed unexpected patterns in post-breeding movements, migration routes, and wintering ground habitat use. These insights will help inform conservation efforts for this species in Illinois, and beyond.

Speakers
SS

Sarah Slayton

M.S. Student, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-15: Optimizing Density Estimation Methods Using Passive Acoustic Monitoring for Eastern-Whip-poor-wills (Antrostromus vociferus)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Haley Holiman, Southern Illinois University; Brent. S. Pease, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Recently, the interest in and use of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) to assess animal populations has continued to grow in popularity. Data collected from PAM has produced reliable estimates of species occurrence but estimating density remains challenging. For example, accurately estimating distance to individuals, double-counting, and isolating focal species’ calls in diverse areas can hinder density estimation. Eastern whip-poor-wills (Antrostromus vociferus) are nocturnal aerial insectivores with distinct vocalizations and may be ideal candidates for density estimation using PAM, however, little guidance exists for sampling protocols and analytical frameworks. Here we present results from a density estimation pilot study in Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forests, Indiana, USA that paired PAM with point count surveys. From May – July 2022, we deployed acoustic recording units and conducted nocturnal point count surveys for whip-poor-wills across different forest management plots. Our objectives were to evaluate four analytical frameworks for estimating density of whip-poor-wills: distance sampling and binomial n-mixture models using time-to-detection from PAM and point counts. Preliminary results suggest that ARUs may provide comparable estimates of nightjar density to traditional point counts, and density estimates appear consistent across varying silvicultural management techniques. Future work to be conducted in 2025-2026 includes expanding the study area, optimizing ARU sampling protocols for density estimation of nightjars, and relating forest management practices to nightjar abundance.
Speakers
HH

Haley Holiman

Research Assistant, Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-16: Activity patterns of Eastern Whip-poor-wills across different Midwestern forest management regimes
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Holly Coates, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; T.J. Benson, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Mike Ward, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

ABSTRACT: Eastern Whip-poor-will are a species in steep decline, reliant upon early-to-intermediate-aged forests with moderate canopy cover across their life-history. With large-scale changes to Eastern US forest cover, structure, and composition across the past few centuries, silviculture and forest management regimes that produce intermediate canopy cover and basal area have been shown to be promising methods of increasing Eastern Whip-poor-will habitat, and promote their populations. We investigated the activity and percentage of time Eastern Whip-poor-will spend in differently-managed forests in the Midwest by using the natural ecological experiments created by management regime boundary lines, and an automated VHF-telemetry system. We were then able to generate more precise estimates on whip-poor-will habitat preferences, by correlating these values with prey abundance and a large suite of biotic and abiotic factors intrinsic to each forest management type.
Speakers
HC

Holly Coates

MS Student, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-17: Nestling fecal metabarcoding provides insights into the diet and habitat quality of a declining grassland passerine
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Joshua Angell, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign;
Jeffrey Foster, Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University;
Aron Katz, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ERDC-CERL & Department of Entomology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign;
Jinelle Sperry, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ERDC-CERL & Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

ABSTRACT: Grassland bird populations are in steeper decline than any other avian group in North America. These declines are primarily caused by the loss of suitable habitat and degradation in the quality of remaining habitat. As such, it is critical to understand how different factors of current grassland habitats impact the birds within them. For nesting birds, one of the most important aspects of their breeding habitat is its ability to provide suitable food resources for their young in the nest. We utilized DNA metabarcoding to determine the diets that have been provisioned to grasshopper sparrow nestlings with fecal samples collected at Fort McCoy, WI. Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, and Hemiptera were the most prevalent arthropod orders detected across all samples, while Hymenoptera, Diptera, and Coleoptera were provisioned proportionally less compared to environmental availability. Additionally, we examined spatial and temporal trends of provisioned diet to explore what influences the foraging ecology of grasshopper sparrows. This study provides insights into how grassland habitats support breeding birds and evaluates fecal DNA metabarcoding as a potential tool to assess habitat quality for threatened and endangered species in the future.
Speakers
avatar for Joshua Angell

Joshua Angell

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-18: Long-term Dynamics of Seasonal Tree Phenology and Forest Songbird Populations Across the Central Hardwoods (Preliminary Findings)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: 
Benjamin W. Tjepkes, University of Missouri;
Grant P. Elliott, University of Missouri;
Clayton F. Blodgett, University of Missouri;
Thomas W. Bonnot, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

ABSTRACT:  Many forest communities across the central hardwoods ecoregion of the United States are experiencing shifts from oak dominance to later successional species after anthropogenic alternations to historical disturbance regimes. This transition, amidst unprecedented climatic variability, casts uncertainty on the future of resident and migratory forest passerines that depend on this region for access to high-quality breeding habitat. Land surface phenology, the timing of annual growth cycles measured from remote sensing platforms, offers a potential proxy for forest ecosystem response to changing bioclimatic conditions that can be used for landscape-based wildlife conservation planning. This research explores how regional forest phenology patterns relate to demographic trends in avian communities across the Central Hardwoods Bird Conservation Region under anthropogenic climate change to assess the utility of phenology-informed models in predicting wildlife habitat suitability at regional scales. We used 40 years of Landsat multispectral imagery to model spatially explicit estimates of phenological transition dates based on gap-filled Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) values, gridded climate data, and Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data to represent the temporal progression of passerine habitat within a season while accounting for species-specific responses. These climate-mediated phenological metrics will serve as inputs for hierarchical Bayesian avian community models using relative abundance trends from U.S. Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) point counts within the region. We will then be projecting any bird-phenology relationships through the year 2100, using a range of future climate scenarios and forest composition projections. This work will extend existing bird research in the central hardwoods to better understand climatic drivers of forest phenology and whether these patterns relate to diachronic bird abundance trends. The findings of this research will offer insights for conservation initiatives focused on preserving avian diversity by implementing resilient forest management practices informed by climate-based spatial prioritization at landscape scales.
Speakers
avatar for Benjamin Tjepkes

Benjamin Tjepkes

Graduate Student, University of Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-19: Is there a shift in Migration Timing of Northern Saw-whet Owls (Aegolius acadicus)?
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Ruby Valadez, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Josiah Gritter, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Elizabeth Peters, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

ABSTRACT:  The Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) (NSWO) is a mesopredator commonly found within upland ecosystems across North America. NSWO’s migrate in the fall from September to December, peaking around mid-October, making them relatively abundant in central Wisconsin during this time. Our project began in 2007 and continues to operate at Sandhill Wildlife Area in Babcock, WI, and we have captured over 1,300 NSWOs. These owls are captured using call-playback devices and mist nets. The birds are banded using USGS aluminum leg bands, contributing to national banding data on Northern Saw-whet Owls. Wing and tail chords, weight, age, and sex of birds are recorded with each capture. Our project has previously focused on studying migration patterns and we are curious how migration timing has changed over time. We will use our historic banding data to analyze the timing of migration from year to year and determine if migration is occurring earlier or later. We will also investigate if there has been a shift in the pattern of irruption, which typically occurs every four years.
Speakers
RV

Ruby Valadez

Student, UW-Stevens Point
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-20: Assessing Bird-Window Strike Collisions: Patterns of Avian Mortality and Mitigation Strategies at Ball State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Ashley Fitch, Ball State University; Emily Peterson, Ball State University; Kamal Islam, Ball State University.

ABSTRACT:  Bird-window collisions are a significant source of avian mortality in North America, accounting for 2-9% of bird deaths, with college campuses contributing to 44-56% of these fatalities. This study assesses bird-window strike mortality on the Ball State University campus, where buildings with substantial window surfaces pose risks to migrating birds. Over four academic semesters (September-November 2022 and 2023, February-May 2023 and 2024), five campus buildings were monitored to identify what windows had the highest fatality and the species that were most affected. Data was collected via visual checks of the perimeters of the windows during weekdays. A total of 84 birds were documented, comprising 26 different species and 9 different families. The most collected family was Parulidae, with 20.2%, and the most collected species was Archilochus colubris, with 10.7%. One of our buildings in particular encompassed 50.0% of all species. The study highlighted that buildings with larger and more reflective windows resulted in higher mortality rates. To mitigate these collisions, successful strategies employed at institutions like Duke University and the University of Utah include Feather Friendly vinyl stickers, fritted glass, and ORNILUX UV glass, which achieved up to 84% reductions in collisions. This research serves as a follow-up to previous data collection efforts, aiming to inform architectural practices and establish guidelines for existing and future buildings on campus to enhance bird safety. By promoting bird-friendly designs, Ball State University can contribute to the preservation of avian populations in urban settings.
Speakers
avatar for Ashley Fitch

Ashley Fitch

Student, Ball State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-21: Role of acorns in Red-headed Woodpecker overwintering in northeastern Illinois
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Adrianna Yoder, University of Missouri St. Louis; Anastasia Rahlin, Illinois Natural History Survey – Prairie Research Institute; Jalene LaMontagne, University of Missouri St. Louis

ABSTRACT: Loss of habitat is contributing to avifauna decline, including Red-headed Woodpeckers (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) that were historically widespread across eastern-central North America. In northeastern Illinois, Red-headed Woodpeckers are facultative migrators, where some will overwinter while others migrate south. In the winter, Red-headed Woodpeckers switch their diet from insects to tree hard mast, like acorns. However, oak reproduction is spatiotemporally variable, and therefore, acorn quantity likely influences their ability to overwinter by altering food availability. Our objective was to compare Red-headed Woodpecker local habitat use and selection between summer breeding-only tree cavities and those used year-round. In summer 2023, we located Red-headed Woodpecker tree cavities and measured habitat characteristics at four scales: cavity, cavity-tree, surrounding habitat, and territory, which included performing acorn counts. In winter 2023-2024, we monitored the same cavities with camera traps to determine their winter presence. For year-round cavities, the key habitat characteristic of continued cavity use into the winter was high acorn quantity, particularly of the red oak group. This requirement for winter use contrasts with summer breeding cavity selection which typically relies on open canopy, and high decay and diameter of the cavity-tree. Our results suggest that at broad scales, acorn production could also explain regional differences seen in Red-headed Woodpecker distributions which we are currently investigating using eBird data and long-term acorn counts. Our research highlights the importance of oaks and understanding oak reproduction in creating habitats that can sustain Red-headed Woodpeckers year-round.
Speakers
AY

Adrianna Yoder

Graduate Student, University of Missouri St. Louis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-22: Investigating Wild Turkey Poult and Hen Diets Across Kansas: Landscape Influences on Arthropod and Plant Diversity
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Cy Marchese1, Caroline Skidmore1, Dave Haukos2, Dan Sullins2,

1Kansas State University Fish and Wildlife Cooperative Research Unit, Kansas State University

2 United States Geological Survey, Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Kansas State University


ABSTRACT: In Kansas, a decline in Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) reproductive success has been observed, potentially reflecting broader population trends of this important game species. Factors such as predation, starvation, and hunting pressure create complex interactions that influence gamebird survival and reproduction, with varying effects among differing landscapes. To sustain or grow wild turkey populations, adequate poult survival is essential. Despite the importance of poult survival, a critical information gap remains regarding their diets in the Great Plains region. Previous studies, which relied on methods such as crop and fecal dissection are limited, invasive, and may introduce biased detection of soft-bodied prey items. Our study aims to address this gap by comparing the species richness and evenness of arthropods in the diets of wild turkey brood-rearing hens and their poults among three distinct regions and multiple cover types in Kansas. We collected fecal samples (n=246) from GPS-tracked wild turkey hens and their poults during the brood-rearing season (April–July) and used DNA metabarcoding to identify arthropod and plant taxa consumed. We grouped the samples by ecotype (grassland, cropland, woodland, shrubland) based on the 48-hour home ranges in which fecals were collected, linking diet composition to specific foraging areas. Preliminary analyses indicated that the top three arthropod orders consumed included Orthoptera, Hemiptera, and Lepidoptera, while the top three plant orders were Poales, Brassicales, and Asterales. The total number of exact sequence variants (ESVs), which represent unique DNA sequences used to identify different species or taxa, was 2,153 for arthropods and 25 for plants. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining arthropod diversity across the landscape to support the dietary needs of wild turkey poults. Management strategies that promote the diversity and abundance of arthropods are important when working to enhance turkey populations throughout Kansas.
Speakers
CM

Cy Marchese

Graduate Student, Kansas State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-23: Functional Connectivity of Blanding’s Turtle Habitat in Central Michigan
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Mirabai Moseley (presenter), Purdue University Fort Wayne; Dr. Bruce Kingsbury, Purdue University Fort Wayne

ABSTRACT: Habitat fragmentation has been found to reduce biodiversity by up to 75%. Reptiles are predicted to be especially sensitive to fragmentation. Blanding’s Turtles are experiencing a decline across most of their range due to habitat loss and fragmentation. Maintaining landscapes of connected wetlands and upland nesting habitat is crucial for Blanding’s Turtle survival. In this study, we are investigating the movement of Blanding’s Turtles across a mixed landscape of high-quality habitat and developed land in Northern Michigan. I am attaching GPS data loggers to Blanding’s Turtles to gather movement and habitat use data, with the intent to identify any trends in corridors used that may be useful in Blanding’s Turtle conservation, and to identify corridors and barriers to movement at my study site for management purposes. I will create a resistance surface based on turtle habitat use that will be used to map linkages between core wetland habitats via circuit theory.
Speakers
MM

Mirabai Moseley

Graduate Student, Purdue University Fort Wayne
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-24: Spatial Ecology of Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) on Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge, Northwest Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Grace Allen, Missouri Western State University; Terence Mercado, Missouri Western State University; Emily McClellan, Missouri Western State University; Falcon Turner, Missouri Western State University; Mark Mills, Missouri Western State University; Darrin Welchert, US Fish & Wildlife Service


ABSTRACT: The Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) is listed as a species of concern or state listed (Endangered or Threatened) in every state where it occurs. In Missouri, E. blandingii is a state-endangered and is only known to occur at three locations in the state. Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge has documented less than 20 individuals since they were first observed in 1984. We initiated a study of this turtle’s spatial ecology using radio telemetry because of this species' rarity, status, and intensive wetland management that occurs in the study area. The objective of this study was to monitor what type of habitat E. blandingii inhabited, including dominant vegetation type, water depth, water temperature, home range, daily movement, wetland management, and responses to overall weather patterns.
Speakers
GA

Grace Allen

Student, Missouri Western State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-25: Demographics of Two Spotted Turtle Populations in Clark County, Ohio
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Neil Boyles, Wittenberg University; Lily Bonar, Wittenberg University; Tori Hinkle, Wittenberg University; Richard Phillips, Wittenberg University

ABSTRACT: Spotted turtles (Clemmys guttata) are a small elusive species of freshwater turtle that lives in wetlands across the Eastern United States. Clark County, Ohio sits on the edge of the turtles’ Midwestern range and their populations there are small with little known about these populations’ current status. We conducted mark-recapture surveys at two sites known to hold turtles using the standardized Regional Spotted Turtle Assessment Protocol. Surveyed populations were compared to healthy known populations from the literature. When compared to the species mean, the surveyed turtles were significantly smaller than expected in five out of eight measurements. The age ratios were different from what is expected in a healthy, stable population as well as from well studied populations using similar survey techniques with no hatchling turtles being surveyed at either site. Since the surveyed populations’ age ratios are different from a theoretical healthy population, as well as from other populations surveyed using similar techniques represented in literature, this could suggest there is a true difference from a healthy population that cannot simply be chalked up to bias in survey technique. Though, there is likely bias in hoop net traps towards adult turtles as juveniles and hatchlings are underrepresented in almost every survey using them. The small sizes of the turtles could be of interest from a genetic standpoint since the mean sizes are small in the region which could indicate genetic drift having a substantial effect on these turtles. There is some interplay in the results since the aging metric is based on plastron size. Our turtles are shown to be smaller than average and as a result their ages are likely underestimated which in turn means some turtles labeled as juvenile could be adults since that distinction is made by age.
Speakers
NB

Neil Boyles

Student, Wittenberg University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-26: Assessment of Spotted Turtle Populations in Southwestern Ohio
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Shayne Harris, Wittenberg University; Neil Boyles, Wittenberg University; Richard Phillips, Wittenberg University

ABSTRACT: Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) populations in the Midwest are of conservation concern. At the southern edge of their Midwestern distribution, spotted turtle populations are closely tied to disjunct fen environments in southwestern Ohio. We examine historical populations of spotted turtles in the context of more recent survey efforts. We further evaluate current populations based on recent surveys and identify recent sightings to steer further sampling efforts. Current spotted turtle surveys in southwest Ohio suggest reduced populations at former strongholds. Using ArcGIS, we evaluate potential sites in need of further surveying based on recent sightings. Finally, we evaluate population viability of current populations based on several years of monitoring. Here we present data to guide further survey efforts and assist managers in conserving currently known populations. The compilation of historic, current, and future spotted turtle locations in southwest Ohio will provide a framework for understanding the distribution and population status of spotted turtle populations in southwestern Ohio.
Speakers
SH

Shayne Harris

Student, Wittenberg University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-27: Metapopulation Dynamics of Urban Turtles: Why Did the Turtle Leave Campus?
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Emily Sweet, Missouri Western State University; Andrew Byler, Missouri Western State University; Jared Kelly, Missouri Western State University; Tadyn Shaffer, Missouri Western State University; Mark S. Mills, Missouri Western State University


ABSTRACT:  Long-term studies of turtle populations that live in ponds or wetlands often fit a metapopulation model, with turtles moving among ponds and recolonizing ponds or wetlands after drying events. However, few studies have examined turtle metapopulation dynamics in urban environments, and we are unaware of any long-term studies of urban turtle metapopulations. Faculty and students at Missouri Western State University have studied turtle populations on campus since 2009 with over 850 captures of five native species and three non-native subspecies. Missouri Western State University is located in Saint Joseph, Missouri and is surrounded by urban areas (e.g., residential, retail, and industry). This long-term study consisted of capturing and marking turtles and recording their movements among nine ponds on campus and three ponds adjacent to campus. This presentation will focus on the movements of the most common species on campus: Chelydra serpentina, Trachemys scripta, and Chrysemys picta. Over the past 15 years we have documented 77 turtles moving among the campus ponds and two turtles moving on or off campus. A male painted turtle moved off campus to a pond near Mosaic Hospital, covering a straight-line distance of 1,430 meters over two years. Another painted turtle moved from an off-campus pond to a campus pond, traveling 1,493 meters over 20 days. Overall, we found no significant differences among distance traveled among the three species; however, male painted turtles traveled significantly longer distances (mean±SE, 428±98m, N=15) than females (172±19 m, N=19; P=0.003). The results of this long-term study are important in the context of documenting the movement patterns of animals within an area, but also in and out of that area, particularly in an urban habitat.
Speakers
MM

Mark Mills

Professor of Biology, Missouri Western State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-28: Spatial and temporal patterns in Galapagos giant tortoise nesting activity
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Emily Buege Donovan, Southern Illinois University; Stephen Blake, Charles Darwin Foundation, Saint Louis University, Max Planck institute of Animal Behavior; Sharon L. Deem, Charles Darwin Foundation, Saint Louis Zoo; Ainoa Nieto-Claudin, Charles Darwin Foundation, Saint Louis Zoo; Patrick Moldowan, Charles Darwin Foundation; Freddy Cabrera, Charles Darwin Foundation; Cristian Peñafiel, Charles Darwin Foundation; Guillaume Bastille Rousseau, Southern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Chelonians are among the most rapidly declining vertebrate groups due to habitat destruction and overexploitation by humans. Information pertaining to when, where, and how often tortoises nest and how nesting behavior responds to environmental variation is useful in developing conservation or remediation plans. However, direct observation of nesting behavior in wild populations can be logistically difficult. We sought to address knowledge gaps in the temporal and spatial patterns of nesting by Galapagos giant tortoises using GPS and triaxial accelerometer data. We applied a Random Forest classification algorithm to historical data from 54 individual Galapagos tortoises across four species from three islands. The algorithm categorized activity as either nesting or non-nesting, ultimately identifying approximately 150 nests between 2010 and 2023. Together with additional field-validated nesting behavior, our total data set consisted of over 250 nesting events. A minimum of 40 individuals nested in multiple years, allowing for year-over-year comparisons in reproductive phenology. We found variation in the timing of nesting both between and within species. In examining spatial patterns, we found that some individuals are highly philopatric, while others displayed more variation in nest site selection. These data provide insights into variation of nesting behavior in vulnerable and critically endangered Galapagos tortoises which can inform conservation strategies and management efforts to protect nests from invasive predators and consider mitigation strategies under climate change. Our approach could also help in addressing these and other conservation challenges in other systems with broad global relevance for threatened chelonians.
Speakers
avatar for Emily Donovan

Emily Donovan

Graduate Fellow, Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-29: The Incubation Duration of Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) Nests Located on Cape Lookout National Shoreline
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Claire Sullivan, Wittenberg University; Dr.Matthew Godfrey, Duke University; Dr.Richard Phillips, Wittenberg University

ABSTRACT: Cape Lookout National Shoreline is a common area for marine turtles to nest in North Carolina. This study focuses on how Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) in situ nest incubation duration has changed over time from 2007 to 2023. Understanding the changes in incubation leads to the further question of estimating the sex ratio for marine sea turtles. The sex of marine turtles is determined by temperature; to estimate the sex ratio of sea turtles, both incubation duration and temperatures are applied. Regarding the temperature-dependent sex determination of Loggerheads, we analyze the changes in incubation duration on a seasonal and annual scale and how they correlate to annual and seasonal temperature changes. Nesting season begins in May and concludes in August. To account for seasonal temperature increases, data were divided into half-months. We hypothesize that as the nesting season progresses and the temperatures increase, the incubation duration of a clutch will decrease. July's first half month (1H) recorded the lowest averages in incubation duration (59.94± 5.641 days and 54.66± 3.478 days, respectively) for 2007-2009 as well as 2023. After assessing changes in half-months from 2007 to 2009 and 2023, an assessment of the annual changes from 2007 to 2009 and 2023 is made. Here, we show an average decrease in incubation duration from 2007-2009 to 2023 by 3.828 ± 2.39 days. Understanding the correlation between incubation duration and temperature and how they change both seasonally and annually may contribute to the understanding of the changing sex ratios for Loggerhead clutches that inhabit the Cape Lookout National Shoreline. Further questions on how sea turtles are affected by climate may involve changes in arrival time for nesting mothers.
Speakers
CS

Claire Sullivan

student, Wittenberg University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-30: Indirect Monitoring of Burmese Python (Python Bivittatus) Populations Through Cause-Specific Mortality of Virginia Opossums (Didelphis Virginiana) In Key Largo, Florida, USA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Arya J. Sanjar, Southern Illinois University; Brent S. Pease, Southern Illinois University; Michael V. Cove, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

ABSTRACT: Invasive predators have caused extinctions on islands globally and remain a key threat in many ecosystems worldwide. Within the Florida Keys, USA, mammal populations are declining, which can be attributed in part to the presence of invasive Burmese pythons (Python bivattatus) that expanded from Everglades National Park in the 2000s. However, due partially to the species' elusive nature, Burmese python population size is unknown and has not been conclusively linked to mammal population declines as relatively few have successfully monitored the species’ impact, suggesting alternative approaches to the problem are needed. Here, we tested an indirect route to estimating Burmese python impact on mammals in the Florida Keys by radio-collaring Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) - an important food source for pythons in the Keys - and assessing cause-specific mortality in Key Largo, FL. Between May 2023 – Sept 2024. In total, 3,307 nights of trapping effort resulted in 148 collared opossums across the study area. Subsequent VHF monitoring of collared opossums documented 90 mortalities. Overall, 23% (21 individuals) of mortalities were due to vehicle strikes, 17% by Burmese pythons, and 2% by coyotes. 57% of mortalities were either apparent monitoring-related mortalities (5%) or unable to be attributed to a single factor. As a result of our indirect monitoring, to date, 10 individual pythons were removed from the population in Key Largo. These results suggest that monitoring key prey species may be a viable option for indirectly assessing a top, invasive predator’s impact on mammal populations. Additionally, our results indicate that python predation is a notable contributor to opossum mortality, suggesting potential for additive mortality on mammal communities in the region. Future work involves testing this method in various habitats throughout South Florida to assess its viability outside the Florida Keys.
Speakers
AS

Arya Sanjar

Research assistant, Southern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-31: On The Overwintering Temperatures Of Eastern Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) in East-Central Missouri And The Influence Of Substrate And Shaded Air Temperature On Emergence, Egress, And Ingress
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Benjamin C. Jellen, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis; Brittany I. Neier, Federal Reserve

ABSTRACT: Though reptiles are largely eurythermic, those residing in temperate latitudes face large daily, and even greater seasonal, temperature fluctuations complicating thermoregulatory efforts. They must therefore employ strategies to avoid reaching critical thermal minimums and maximums for large portions of the calendar year. Such tactics include shuttling between microhabitats, exposure to the elements, and utilizing the various physical qualities of retreats and refuges with many species becoming fossorial during the overwintering period. Though data exists regarding the thermal ecology of temperate zone snakes during the activity period, far less is known concerning their operative body temperature (OBT) during the overwintering period and factors influencing ingress, emergence, and egress. We implanted free-ranging A. contortrix with temperature-sensitive radio transmitters and re-located individuals daily throughout the activity period (April - October) and three times weekly during the overwintering period (November - March) from 2018 - 2023. We recorded the shaded air (SAT) and surface substrate temperatures for each encounter as well as acquired data from a nearby weather station for the substrate temperature at depths of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 m. Though A. contortrix maintained a mean OBT of 10.6°C during the overwintering period, they experienced their lowest mean OBT in February (8.6°C). The peak emergence from overwintering coincided with the first week in April with a mean SAT of 19.4°C. However, this week was also the only week in which the mean substrate temperatures at depths of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 m varied by only 0.5°C (9.9 - 10.4°C) presenting an almost uniform subterranean thermal gradient for these depths and a potential cue for emergence. Though snakes made large daily linear ingress movements (x > 100m) on the day immediately following a considerable SAT drop (typically ~ 10°C), no such cues were detected during the egress period.
Speakers
BJ

Ben Jellen

Associate Professor, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-32: Herpetofauna and Tarantula Avoidance: A Missouri Glades Location Survey
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Zach Pfeiffer, University of Missouri-St. Louis; Becky Hansis-O'Neill, University of Missouri-St. Louis; Dr. Aimee Dunlap, University of Missouri-St. Louis

ABSTRACT: Missouri glades are home to a variety of herpetofauna and one species of tarantula: Aphonopelma hentzi (Texas brown tarantula). These animals traverse through their environment very differently. Herpetofauna tend to travel in search of food, while tarantulas are usually restricted to foraging in areas very close to their burrows. Due to this contrast, and because of potential predator-prey relationships, I wanted to see if there was a pattern in the distances between these two groupings. To do this I conducted a location survey to determine how far each individual was from the nearest spider. After analyzing the data, it was discovered that the further someone was from a tarantula, the more likely they were to find herpetofauna. This indicates that there is a potential avoidance between herpetofauna and tarantulas.
Speakers
avatar for Zach Pfeiffer

Zach Pfeiffer

Research Assistant, University of Missouri-St. Louis
I am a senior at the University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL). I’m almost finished with my Biology BA degree. As a research assistant, I completed a project on tarantulas and herpetofauna found in Missouri glades. I hope to have a career in animal husbandry, conservation, and/or... Read More →
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-33: St. Louis Wildlife Project
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Solny Adalsteinsson, Washington University in St. Louis; Whitney Anthonysamy, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy; Elizabeth Biro, Washington Univeristy in St. Louis

ABSTRACT: The St. Louis Wildlife Project was established in 2018 as a collaboration between biologists at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis and Tyson Research Center at Washington University in St. Louis. St. Louis serves as a partner city in the Urban Wildlife Information Network, an initiative based at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, whose purpose is to document and study urban wildlife around the world. One of the greatest threats to biodiversity is urbanization and metropolitan areas such as St. Louis can play an important role in maintaining biodiversity. Available habitat patches or green spaces can support species and protect diversity in urban areas. Further, understanding how wildlife utilize these habitats and interact with each other and humans in an urban environment is essential for minimizing human-wildlife conflict. By studying how unique features of the St. Louis landscape—including rivers and parks—affect diversity and abundance of wildlife in the metro region, we can identify important elements that promote biodiversity and the coexistence of humans and wildlife. These elements can be incorporated into sustainable design and planning for St. Louis, while also informing our broader understanding of urban ecology and how best to conserve biodiversity through data-driven urban planning and development worldwide. This presentation will be an overview of the efforts of the St. Louis Wildlife Project to document wildlife presence and behavior in St. Louis.
Speakers
EB

Elizabeth Biro

Natural Resources Coordinator & Staff Scientist, Washington University in St. Louis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-34: Testing for Tick-borne Disease Pathogens in the Lone Star Tick in St. Louis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Whitney Anthonysamy, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy; Elizabeth Biro, Washington University in St. Louis; Solny Adalsteinsson, Washington University in St. Louis

ABSTRACT: As tick-borne diseases (TBD) are a growing public health problem in the United States, Missouri faces an increase in tick populations and their associated pathogens. Geographic range expansion and increased abundance of many tick species, including the lone star tick, are attributed to human landscape disturbance, increases in host species such as white-tailed deer, and climate change. The lone star tick, an aggressive biter and a vector for many human pathogens, is widely distributed across the eastern half of the United States and abundant throughout the state of Missouri. Although increased health risks are apparent, Missouri lacks a statewide TBD surveillance program, creating an opportunity to investigate pathogen prevalence. In this study, we present preliminary results from screening adult and nymphal lone star ticks collected in St. Louis County for the presence of bacterial pathogens, including Ehrlichia sp. This research will provide valuable data on TBD prevalence in St. Louis County and establish protocols for expanding surveillance efforts across Missouri.
Speakers
WA

Whitney Anthonysamy

Associate Professor of Biology, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-35: Measuring welfare of wild tarantulas during field surveys using heart rate.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Tim Angelo A. Lopez, Becky Hansis-O'Neil, Aimee S. Dunlap

ABSTRACT: Tarantulas (Theraposidae) are predatory arachnids that can help control populations of herbivorous arthropods. We have been monitoring populations of the Missouri brown tarantula (Aphonopelma hentzi) in Missouri glades for three seasons and have questions about their welfare during these surveys. Unlike mammals, arthropods are not extensively researched and there only a few known facts about measuring their welfare. Managing stress for wild animals during field surveys is important for reducing the potential negative impacts of research. In mammals, increased heart rate is positively correlated with negative stress and eustress. Using the same logic, we hypothesized that heart rate could be used as a measurement of stress in wild tarantulas. To answer the question of whether heart rate would be a good measurement of stress in wild tarantulas we measured environmental factors that could significantly affect heart rate: body size, body surface temperature, and how long researchers interacted with the tarantula while trying to get them out of their burrows. Alongside the data gathered with these factors, we measured their heart rates using a veterinary doppler flow detector. We predicted that warmer temperatures, smaller animals, and more interaction would be positively associated with heart rate, with interaction time as the most predictive factor.
Speakers
TL

Tim Lopez

Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Missouri St. Louis
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-36: Conservation Status Assessments and Surveys of Cambarus monongalensis and Lacunicambarus thomai Within Western Pennsylvania
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Jaden Rusnak, West Liberty University; Zackary Graham, West Liberty University; David Lieb, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy and Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission; Zachary Loughman, West Liberty University

ABSTRACT: Previous large-scale burrowing crayfish collection efforts in western Pennsylvania have suggested that the Blue Crayfish (Cambarus monongalensis) and the Little Brown Mudbug (Lacunicambarus thomai) have limited distributions throughout the state. Range restrictions of C. monangalensis and L. thomai limit available information necessary for current conservation assessment in the state of Pennsylvania. Future conservation assessments may consider relisting these crayfish for a higher ranking, such as critically imperiled. In order to aid in the reassessment of C. monongalensis and L. thomai, this study aims to compile all records from Pennsylvania collected such as unpublished sources, reports, publications, and museum specimens. Data collected will then be utilized to determine the distribution of C. monongalensis and L. thomai, ultimately supplying the information needed to conserve and manage these ecologically important species.
Speakers
JR

Jaden Rusnak

Graduate Student, West Liberty University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-37: A Survey of Crayfishes of the Upper Cumberland & Kentucky River Watersheds in Southeastern Kentucky
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kaleb Norris, West Liberty University, Eric Ng, West Liberty University, Kathryn Shultz, West Liberty University, Mike Compton, Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, Zachary Loughman, West Liberty University

ABSTRACT: The geomorphological and environmental factors within the Appalachian Mountain province of southeastern Kentucky have characterized an ecoregion capable of supporting over 20 species of crayfish. Three larger scale surveys focused on crayfish fauna within Kentucky have been completed since Arnold Ortmann’s survey in 1931. However, a study focused solely on the southeastern province of Kentucky has not yet occurred. West Liberty University’s Astacology Lab will be conducting field surveys within the Upper Cumberland & Kentucky River watersheds, throughout the 2024 – 2025 field season, to compile a comprehensive species list and updated range map of crayfish faunal diversity. Contemporary range maps of crayfish fauna will provide insight into the conservation needs of specimens within the province. Large regional scale crayfish surveys have historically led to new or undocumented discoveries as well as taxonomic revisions of local crayfish fauna. Preliminary data collected from the West Liberty University Astacology Lab during the 2022 – 2024 field season has extended the known ranges of at least 3 species and revealed numerous taxonomic complexities of the crayfish fauna within southeastern Kentucky.
Speakers
KN

Kaleb Norris

Graduate Student, West Liberty
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-38: Effects of Environmental Variables on Crayfish Occupancy in Shallow Eutrophic Lakes and Wetlands
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Dalton Clayton, Iowa State University

Dr. Michael Moore, U.S. Geological Survey, Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Dr. Michael Weber, Iowa State University

ABSTRACT: Crayfish play an important ecological role in freshwater systems, as they are pivotal in freshwater food webs, acting as important consumers and prey resources and as ecosystem engineers. Despite their importance, crayfish populations are declining globally, due to anthropogenic land use changes and competition from introduced species. This decline has raised concerns about crayfish populations in Iowa, especially in the heavy altered prairie pothole region. Thus, our objectives are to determine the environmental variables associated with occupancy of crayfish across the prairie pothole region of Iowa, as well as assess the variables affecting crayfish detection probability to aid in future sampling and monitoring efforts. We sampled 25 wetlands and 19 natural lakes using baited minnow traps, and collected trap-level habitat data that we hypothesized would explain the variation in detection probability among traps including dissolved oxygen, pH, water temperature, dominant substrate, and presence of cobble and macrophytes. Additionally, we recorded lake-scale data such as waterbody type, mean depth, percentage of macrophyte, and fish stocking effort that we hypothesized would explain variation in occupancy probability among waterbodies. Of our 1195 traps, 110 traps captured Calico Crayfish (Faxonius immunis) across 19 sites and 25 traps captured Virile Crayfish (Faxonius virilis) across 9 sites. There were distinct habitat differences between the two species, with all F. immunis being found in wetlands and all but three F. virilis being found in natural lakes. Our data suggest that occupancy of these crayfish is low, but is strongly associated with water body type and that detection probability is also low. However, detection probability increases when traps are located near cobble habitats for F. virilis and macrophytes for F. immunis. This emphasizes the importance of managing these species separately, but also providing diversity of habitat types across the prairie pothole region for crayfish diversity to thrive.
Speakers
DC

Dalton Clayton

Graduate Student, Iowa State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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6:00pm CST

P-39: Freshwater Mussel Diversity and Restoration in Cub Creek, Nebraska
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Alexis Oetterer, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Homestead National Historical Park; Jesse Bolli, Homestead National Historical Park

ABSTRACT: Freshwater mussels are one of the most endangered taxonomic groups in North America, with native mussels having undergone severe losses in the Midwest due to land conversion, loss of host fish, threats from invasive mussels, and hydrological alterations. Nebraska was historically home to 30 species of freshwater mussels, but only about a third of those are currently considered stable in the state. Cub Creek is a tributary of the Big Blue River and runs through Homestead National Historical Park in southeastern Nebraska. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has been pursuing the hatchery propagation of two native mussel species for reintroduction. Cub Creek was identified as a location to reintroduce the extirpated species. National Park Service staff and volunteers conducted surveys to characterize freshwater mussel populations in Cub Creek from 2020-2024. This resulted in the collection of 2,330 individuals representing 10 species. Mapleleaf, Pimpleback, and (after the 2020 reintroduction) Plain Pocketbook (Lampsilis cardium) and Fatmucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea) mussels had the highest abundances. Additionally, Plain Pocketbook and Fatmucket mussels were restocked from 2020-2023. A subset of mussels each year was PIT-tagged to evaluate growth and survival of mussels to reintroduced habitats. Fatmucket mussels have higher survival rates than Plain Pocketbook mussels. Surveys are ongoing to generate more baseline data on the status of freshwater mussel populations in Cub Creek. The results can be used to inform future research and conservation efforts.
Speakers
avatar for Alexis Oetterer

Alexis Oetterer

PhD Candidate, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-40: Integrating eDNA Techniques in Freshwater Biomonitoring of Fish and Macroinvertebrates
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Madison Suttman, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Jinelle Sperry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory

ABSTRACT: Despite covering just a fraction of Earth’s surface, freshwater ecosystems are critical biodiversity hotspots but are among the most vulnerable of environments for anthropogenic and climate-induced change. Traditional methods of aquatic biomonitoring are labor-intensive and require extensive taxonomic expertise, which can limit the scope and effectiveness of conservation management. Aquatic environmental DNA (eDNA) demonstrates a non-invasive approach that enables the detection of taxa based on genetic material shed into the environment. This study aims to compare eDNA biomonitoring and metabarcoding with traditional methods for detecting and identifying freshwater species to generate regional and eDNA-based water quality assessments. It also seeks to evaluate the spatiotemporal effects of habitat quality, seasonality, and climate variability on species assemblages. Through routine fish and benthic macroinvertebrate surveys, physical habitat assessments, and aquatic eDNA sampling of 22 headwater streams on Fort Johnson, Louisiana, this research will contribute to comprehensive natural resource management on military lands.
Speakers
MS

Madison Suttman

Graduate Research Assistant, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-41: Quantifying Avian Predation Rates of the Colorado Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Randall H. Wilson, Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Division of Biology, Kansas State University

Daniel S. Sullins, United States Geological Survey, Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Kansas State University

Keith Gido, Division of Biology, Kansas State University


ABSTRACT: The Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), a federally endangered fish species, historically inhabited much of the Colorado River Basin. Despite extensive restocking efforts in the San Juan River, New Mexico, self-sustaining populations of Colorado pikeminnow have not been established. One potential factor contributing to this failure is predation by avian piscivores, particularly the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) and the Common Merganser (Mergus merganser). Our study aims to quantify predation loss of Colorado pikeminnow to these avian predators, assess avian predator abundance along the San Juan River from Fruitland, NM, to the Four Corners Bridge, and evaluate their habitat use along the river. We will employ a Before-After Control-Impact study design, I will deploy approximately 100 trail cameras prior to the release of Colorado pikeminnow, monitoring for a duration of about two years following stocking. Additionally, point count surveys and behavioral observations will be conducted, alongside vegetation surveys to gain insights into the habitat use of these avian predators. Data collection is set to commence in October 2024. Preliminary analyses of eBird data indicated that Common Merganser abundance peaks from December to February, while Great Blue Herons were most abundant during the fall migration, which coincides with the timing of Colorado pikeminnow stocking. By assessing rates of predation on Colorado pikeminnow, estimating the abundance of avian predators, and exploring their ecological requirements, this research aims to provide critical insights for fishery managers. Our results may also inform other fish stockings by enhancing the understanding of the impacts of avian predation on stocked fish populations. Ultimately, this study seeks to inform conservation strategies to improve the survival and establishment of Colorado pikeminnow in the San Juan River ecosystem.
Speakers
RW

Randall Wilson

Master's Student, Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Division of Biology, Kansas State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-42: Assessment of Fish Guilds in the Lower Wabash River Using Standardized Long-Term Monitoring
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Olivia Wertman, Eastern Illinois University; Daniel R. Roth, Eastern Illinois University; Eden L. Effert-Fanta, Eastern Illinois University; Robert E. Colombo, Eastern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: Fish communities face many threats such as climate change, natural disasters, invasive species, and anthropogenic impacts such as fertilizers or other pollutants. These threats may affect the communities by removing breeding ground, impacting food sources, introducing new competition, or causing harmful algal blooms. Programs to monitor the communities for these changes are necessary. One program is the Long-Term Survey and Assessment of Large River Fishes, LTEF, which assesses fish populations in the large rivers of Illinois. This program was initiated on the Illinois River in the 1950’s and expanded to include the Wabash River in 2010. Annual direct current electrofishing surveys are utilized to collect fish from 102 random sites across five reaches in the lower 200 miles of the Wabash River over three time periods from June to October. The fish are identified by species and measured to their total length and weight. This study aims to assess how fish communities of the Lower Wabash have changed from 2010-2023. To describe functional changes to the fish community, the USGS Fish Traits Database was used to define guilds (trophic, reproductive, habitat) into which the collected fishes were separated. An earlier study found benthic invertivore, general invertivore, omnivore, and piscivore guilds showed increasing trends, but not all were significant. Previous trends showed significant changes in native planktivore (Gizzard Shad, Dorosoma cepedianum) and invasive planktivore (Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) biomass. Community assemblages remained relatively similar over time, with changes in Cyprinid species abundances contributing the largest amount of assemblage variation during most years. This data is important for understanding the state of fish communities in the Lower Wabash River, assisting with conservation and management efforts, and shows the need for continued monitoring of our rivers.
Speakers
OW

Olivia Wertman

Graduate Student, Eastern Illinois University Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-43: Understanding our past and forecasting our future: discovering associations among hydrogeomorphology, water chemistry, and the distribution and abundance of biota in the Upper Mississippi River System
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Julia R. Hampton, Department of Biology, University of North Dakota; Jason A. DeBoer Illinois River Biological Station, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; John C. Chick, Great Rivers Field Station, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Nathan R. De Jager, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, United States Geological Survey; Mark A. Kaemingk, Department of Biology, University of North Dakota


ABSTRACT: The physical template of the Upper Mississippi River System (UMRS) is continually shaped by climate, land use, and other regional- to global-scale processes. The Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program (UMRR) uses a variety of restoration techniques to improve the resiliency of the river to anthropogenic change. To achieve their management goals, the UMRR collects long-term data on water quality, aquatic vegetation, mussel, and fish communities that are spatially linked to aquatic areas (i.e., habitat types) throughout the UMRS. However, we currently lack a basic understanding of associations among hydrogeomorphic conditions, biogeochemistry, and riverine biota in these aquatic areas, and how future hydrogeomorphic changes may affect the UMRS. Our project proposes to 1) use UMRR long-term data sets (1993-present) to develop a comprehensive understanding of how water quality, aquatic vegetation, mussel, and fish communities are structured spatially and temporally across the UMRS and to quantify associations with important aquatic areas, and 2) leverage goal-one results with future river discharge predictions under climate change to assess future distributions and abundances of aquatic areas and associated abiotic and biotic components. We expect to find differences among abiotic and biotic components across aquatic areas within each UMRS pool, and throughout time, given the differences in habitat characteristics across the river system (e.g., temperature and flow regimes). This project is in its early phases; however, this poster will showcase data availability, expected project outcomes, and the usefulness of long-term resource monitoring. Compiling and collectively evaluating potential shifts in UMRS abiotic and biotic components among aquatic areas throughout space and time will help researchers and managers understand which aquatic area habitats have been altered the most through time. We will also use these results to identify which aquatic areas can be restored to achieve desirable management outcomes under different climate change scenarios.
Speakers
avatar for Julia Hampton

Julia Hampton

PhD Student, University of North Dakota
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-44: Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Aquatic Life Monitoring in the Illinois River and Kaskaskia River Basins
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Billy Nixon, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Sarah Molinaro, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Yong Cao, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

ABSTRACT: The Illinois Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a partnership between the US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA), Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), and the county Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) that aims to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff, improve water quality, and create and enhance critical habitat for fish and wildlife populations on private lands in the Illinois River and Kaskaskia River basins. In exchange for voluntarily removing frequently flooded and environmentally sensitive cropland from production, landowners receive compensation to implement conservation practices that support the goals of CREP. Since CREP was established in the Illinois River (1998) and Kaskaskia River (2010) basins, 1,324 parcels totaling 90,000 acres have been enrolled into conservation practices. Beginning in 2013, the CREP Aquatic Life Monitoring Project has conducted wadable stream surveys to monitor progress towards CREP’s aquatic life goal of increasing native fish species and sensitive aquatic insects and evaluate how CREP affects stream habitat, fish communities, and benthic macroinvertebrate communities. This poster gives a brief history of the project and summarizes the current study design and future directions of the monitoring project.
Speakers
BN

Billy Nixon

Scientific Specialist, Stream Ecology, Illinois Natural History Survey
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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6:00pm CST

P-45: A Comparison of Gear Efficacy for Sampling Fishes Occupying Near-Shore, Off-Channel Riverine Habitats
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Devon C. Oliver, MNDNR; Charmayne Anderson, MNDNR; Daniel Spence, MNDNR

ABSTRACT: Riverine fish monitoring protocols often focus on sampling main-channel habitats with a limited number of gears (e.g., electrofishing and hoop nets or gill nets and benthic trawls) or, in some cases, a single gear, often electrofishing; there are notable exceptions, like the Long-term Resource Monitoring Program in the Upper Mississippi River. However, some fish species utilize near-shore, off-channel habitats of rivers (e.g., backwaters, partially submerged islands, and side channels) for most of their lives, if not the entirety. Alternatively, for those species that use near-shore, off-channel habitats for a limited part of their life history, sampling these habitats may offer the opportunity to find "the needle in the haystack" before the "haystack" becomes the much larger and deeper main channel of the river, especially in the case of small-bodied species. Nevertheless, gear evaluations and survey designs for sampling these habitats and riverine fish assemblages, in general, have lagged behind those for lentic systems and smaller lotic systems (i.e., streams). This study aimed to compare the efficacy of mini-fyke nets, cylinder minnow traps, shoreline seining, and near-shore backpack electrofishing for sampling fishes in near-shore, off-channel riverine habitats. Sampling was conducted over three weeks in pools 3, 5, and 6 of the Upper Mississippi River; three sites were randomly selected from each pool. Additionally, sampling with each of the four gears was replicated thrice for 108 samples across all sites. Shore seining and cylinder minnow traps were the most likely to produce zero catches. Backpack electrofishing and mini-fyke nets had the most consistent catch rate and highest species richness.
Speakers
DO

Devon Oliver

Fisheries Scientist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-46: Planning for Resiliency: Identifying Aquatic Conservation Priorities
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Josh Bruegge, University of Missouri; Jodi Whittier, University of Missouri; Chris Rice, Missouri Department of Conservation; Mike Leahy, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Conservation networks consisting of lands that are protected from anthropogenic disturbances are the backbone of biodiversity conservation. Traditionally, conservation networks have prioritized the protection of terrestrial ecosystems, and many aquatic ecosystems are only protected incidentally. Missouri is home to an exceptionally diverse suite of aquatic communities across multiple distinct physiographic subregions, ranking 7th in native freshwater fish diversity and 11th in native crayfish diversity. However, many of these unique aquatic communities are underrepresented or absent from Missouri’s current conservation network. We are conducting an aquatic gap analysis to inventory the current protections for aquatic communities across the conservation network and identify priorities for potential inclusion in Missouri’s conservation network. We applied the Freshwater Conservation Network Prioritization Framework using the software Zonation to identify priority stream catchments at the Ecological Drainage Unit scale. This framework incorporates species-specific distribution models and vulnerability weighting along with upstream watershed connectivity metrics and a masking layer of the current conservation network into a prioritization algorithm to rank stream catchments. This process optimizes the selection of catchments to maximize biodiversity conservation in areas of high ecological integrity that are complementary to protected areas within the existing conservation network.
Speakers
avatar for Josh Bruegge

Josh Bruegge

Research Specialist, University of Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-47: Fishing for recovery: Assessing stream fish and macroinvertebrate community response post-fertilizer spill into an Illinois creek.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Shaley M. Klumker, Ryan A. Skowronski, Eden L Effert-Fanta

ABSTRACT: Many small streams traverse the agriculturally dominated Midwest, playing an important role in irrigation and drainage. However, these agricultural practices are major drivers of stream degradation. This study investigates the ecological impact and recovery of a Midwestern stream in North Central Illinois following a 20,000-gallon (75,708 L) spill of 28 Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN) fertilizer in late March 2024, which caused a large-scale fish kill extending about 32 km from the spill site. Fish recovery was monitored using monthly electrofishing surveys in both the impacted stream and a nearby, unimpacted stream within the same basin as a control. Habitat quality assessments and benthic macroinvertebrate surveys were also conducted to further evaluate stream ecosystem recovery over time. Changes in fish species abundance and diversity as well as the macroinvertebrate EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera) Index served as quantitative measures of stream recovery. Preliminary results demonstrate an increase in catch per unit effort (CPUE) and species richness of fishes collected over the sampling period (approximately 2-6 months post-spill). Additionally, environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling was explored as a minimally invasive method of fish biodiversity assessment that may provide a better indication of the presence of sensitive or elusive taxa that traditional electrofishing methods may miss. Understanding patterns of stream recovery over time and utilizing novel methods such as eDNA is necessary to enhance our ability to respond to pollution events in vulnerable, agriculturally influenced systems.
Speakers
SK

Shaley Klumker

Graduate Research Assistant, Eastern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-48: Life History of Skipjack Herring in the Mississippi River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Theodore Goetz, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Skipjack Herring (A. chrysochloris) is a Missouri native species of migratory fish found in the Mississippi river and surrounding large river waterways. Due to a lack of information on its status, it is listed as State Unidentifiable on the Missouri Species of Conservation Concern list. This study will investigate the life history of the Skipjack Herring by collecting fish across a broad reach of the Mississippi River, from within varying levels of impoundment, from April through September 2024 and 2025. Skipjack will be collected as bycatch through collaboration with a number of preexisting programs and efforts such as LTRM and LTEF, as well as opportunistic targeted efforts of electrofishing. Workup of A. chrysochloris will take place at the Big Rivers and Wetlands field station, and will include length and weight measurements, extraction and processing of otoliths, removal of a caudal fin clip, removal and processing of a leading pectoral fin spine, weight and identification of gonads, and refreezing the remains for sequential analysis. A choice structure analysis will be completed between otoliths and pectoral fin spines. Samples taken will be used for the calculation of age, growth, sex, gonadosomatic index, CPUE, mortality, and PSD. These metrics will be evaluated to better understand reproductive strategies and timing, age range, rate of growth, condition across increased impediment, and the impact of the interruption of ecological processes caused by barriers and habitat loss along fish migratory routes within the Mississippi river system. A. chrysochloris is also one of the two sole hosts for the parasitic larvae of native mussels Ebonyshell (Federally Endangered) and Elephantear (Missouri State Endangered). Skipjack herring are extremely difficult to keep for artificial propagation, which makes knowledge of their life history all the more significant to the management of these two mussels.
Speakers
TG

Theodore Goetz

Invasive Carp Crew Leader, Missouri Department of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-49: Thermal Ecology of Salmonids in Northern Japan: Predicting Co-existence Among Competitors in a Warming World
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Lucas Fischer, University of Wisconsin - Madison; Michio Fukushima, National Institute for Environmental Studies; Shin-Ichiro Matsuzaki, National Institute for Environmental Studies; Matthew Sloat, Wild Salmon Center; Olaf Jensen, University of Wisconsin - Madison

ABSTRACT: Sakhalin taimen are an endangered species of anadromous fish in northern Japan and eastern Russia. They can take over six years to reach sexual maturity and require cold oxygenated water to survive and reproduce. This requirement makes taimen vulnerable to warming temperatures in their native ecosystem. To understand this vulnerability better, we conducted respirometry trials on this and other salmonids in the Sarufutsu river basin to establish a basal metabolic rate for these fishes across a range of temperatures. With these measurements, we then compared it to other salmonids that live in the river system, namely white-spotted char and masu salmon. Understanding the aerobic scope of the different species allows us to understand the different temperatures that these fish are most competitive, as well as which species are going to be affected first by increasing water temperatures due to climate change. As water temperatures across the world increase, it is crucial to understand the range of temperatures this fish can tolerate and thrive in. Sakhalin taimen are a culturally significant fish in Hokkaido, and this research helps to provide scientific evidence of ways to conserve these fish for the future.
Speakers
LF

Lucas Fischer

Graduate Student, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-50: Spatial Extent of Fish Community Change in an Indiana Stream Following Reconnection to the Mississippi River Basin
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Alexander Searfoss, Central Michigan University; Kevin Pangle, Central Michigan University; Jerry Sweeten, EcoSystems Connections Institute; Scott Mcnaught, Central Michigan University

ABSTRACT: In November 2021, the low-head dam in Logansport, Indiana, was removed, reconnecting the Eel River to the Wabash River and the Gulf of Mexico for the first time in over 200 years. The goal of this study was to evaluate changes in fish community structure and function and document the upstream recolonization of the Eel River following dam removal. Sampling was conducted annually from 2022 to 2024 at 10 sites along the river, spanning from river mile 1.1 to 74.9, using a combination of electrofishing, seine nets, and environmental DNA (eDNA) methods. The eDNA analysis targeted three native species—Common Logperch (Percina caprodes), Bluebreast Darter (Etheostoma camurum), and Tippecanoe Darter (Etheostoma tippecanoe)—and three invasive species—Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), and Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Post-removal fish community data were compared to pre-removal records from the Eel River and the Mississinewa River, a nearby watershed that remains disconnected from the Wabash River. Since the dam removal, 14 new species have been documented in the Eel River, including 12 native and 2 invasive species, resulting in a 14% increase in species richness. In contrast, the Mississinewa River experienced a 14.6% decline in species richness over the same period. Newly detected species were observed as far upstream as river mile 36, with the most significant changes occurring between river miles 1 and 10. Although species diversity has increased, further monitoring is required to understand the long-term impacts on fish community dynamics. The removal of low-head dams offers a valuable restoration tool for improving riverine fish community structure and ecosystem function.
Speakers
AS

Alexander Searfoss

Graduate Student, Central Michigan University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-51: Assessing Differences in Reproductive Potential in Two Shovelnose Sturgeon Populations
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Lydia Flinders, Iowa State University, U.S. Geological Survey, Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Juliana Kaloczi, Iowa State University, U.S. Geological Survey, Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Ryan Hupfeld, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Mark Flammang, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Rebecca Krogman, Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Michael Moore, Iowa State University, U.S. Geological Survey, Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

ABSTRACT: Sturgeon are a group of long-lived, migratory, and late-maturing fishes that often do not reproduce annually. Globally, these traits make sturgeon species vulnerable to overharvest for caviar, habitat degradation, and fragmentation from dam construction, which can disrupt their reproductive migrations. Larger female sturgeon generally have higher fecundity making them reproductively valuable. To protect the reproductive potential of adults and recover or maintain populations, managers have enacted harvest restrictions for North American species. However, managers lack information on how Shovelnose Sturgeon reproductive capacity varies in different environments. Annual or lifetime reproductive output differs based on body-size fecundity relationships or due to varying size distributions in each population. Stage four, or FIV, is the black egg stage when females are considered reproductively ripe. Fish kills and hydrologic alteration have been occurring in the Des Moines River, which may affect fish condition and truncate size distributions. Therefore, we analyzed stage four--the black egg stage--ovaries from 95 Shovelnose Sturgeon in the Cedar River and 8 Shovelnose Sturgeon from the Des Moines River. We assessed differences in reproductive potential between the populations, by comparing length-based fecundity relationships and length distribution of the adult populations in the two rivers, using regression analyses in program R. Additional sample collection will be completed in the Des Moines and Cedar rivers in the following field season. These results may inform the development of appropriate minimum length limits for recreational or commercial harvest to increase the number of larger females in the population capable of producing more offspring, and to maintain sustainable populations.
Speakers
avatar for Lydia Flinders

Lydia Flinders

Undergraduate Research Assistant, Iowa State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-52: From the cradle: genetic diversity of the central Missouri endemic Niangua darter (Etheostoma nianguae)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Leah K. Berkman, Missouri Department of Conservation;
Christopher J. Rice, Missouri Department of Conservation;
Brandon L. Brooke, Missouri Department of Conservation;
Jacob T. Westhoff, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

ABSTRACT: The ecological conditions that create biodiversity hotspots (i.e., cradles) are thought to operate similarly at intra- and interspecific levels. The Central Highlands of the eastern US is thought to be such a region for aquatic taxa where many species exist and, within the species, populations are highly distinct. Darters (Percidae: Etheostomatinae) in particular have undergone multiple rounds of allopatric speciation largely owing to headwater specialization and isolation by large rivers. The Niangua Darter (Etheostoma nianguae) is a central Missouri endemic, isolated from its most closely related species group, the Arrow Darters (E. spilotum and E. sagitta), by the Mississippi River. To inform federal recovery plans we investigated patterns of genetic diversity across the extant range of the Niangua Darter which consists of five distinct tributary systems of the Osage River. Samples from each tributary system were analyzed (n = 75) along with representatives from 3 outgroup species (n = 8) using reduced representation whole genome sequencing (RADSeq). Variant filtering resulted in 66 samples genotyped at 1,354 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The five tributary systems were highly distinct from one another (FST= 0.116-0.375) conforming to the aquatic biodiversity patterns often observed in the unglaciated portion of Missouri. The Niangua Darter represents one of the smallest scales over which the pattern of biodiversity in darters has been replicated in the Central Highlands. The patterns in genetic diversity among populations that we describe can inform managers when considering actions that may affect persistence across the species range or involve translocation or stocking of individuals.
Speakers
LB

Leah Berkman

Biometrician/Geneticist, Missouri Dept of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-53: Distributional Survey of the Fishes of the Lower St. Francis River Watershed
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: David Ostendorf, Missouri Department of Conservation; Dave Knuth, Missouri Department of Conservation; Dave Herzog, Missouri Department of Conservation; Christopher Rice, Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: The lower St. Francis River drainage is a unique, biologically diverse ecosystem. Sampling of the fish species in the lower St. Francis River has occurred in limited spatial and temporal scales. However, no single extensive survey has been completed. We completed an extensive and intensive effort under the agency Inventory Program. Standardized electrofishing and benthic trawling was completed using a modified mid-sized river planning tool (Dunn and Paukert, 2020). We completed 50 electrofishing sites and 53 benthic trawl sites capturing 13512 fish. Electrofishing captured 65 fish species and benthic trawling captured 36 fish species. Three fish species are state endangered (Cypress Minnow, Harlequin Darter, and Pallid shiner) and eight are on the SOCC list (American eel, Pugnose minnow, River darter, Starhead topminnow, Scaly sand darter, Mississippi silvery minnow, Weed shiner, and Western sand darter). Silver and speckled chubs were collected in the Missouri portion of the St Francis River for the first time. Also of significance, was the collection of federally endangered Fat Pocketbook mussel shell. This was the first time that Fat Pocketbook has been documented in the mainstem of the St. Francis River in Missouri. The quality and type of habitat present in each river section was also reflected in the species of fish that we captured. The unaltered/remnant of section C was preferable to more species of fish. We were able to capture 11 more species of fish in this section that the other 2 sections. Data suggests that the unaltered habitat of section C was able to provide better habitat for a larger number of species. We must continue to prioritize inventory efforts and distributional data of flora and fauna in appropriate temporal and spatial scales for providing managers the guidance in identifying future protection, mitigation, and restoration efforts of the St. Francis River.
Speakers
DO

David Ostendorf

Large River Biologist, Missouri Dept. of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-54: Assessing Fish Passage Barriers in Wyoming and Montana
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Stephanie Webster, South Dakota State University; Jacob Zona, South Dakota State University; Tait Ronningen, US Fish& Wildlife Service; Chris Cheek, South Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: Barriers to aquatic connectivity can be present in many forms, (e.g. dams, culverts, and velocity). Most research on barriers to fish passage has focused on large barriers, however small barriers (e.g. culverts, road-stream crossings) are more common across the landscape and can lead to a cumulative impact on the connectivity of aquatic systems. Previous studies have focused on economically valuable and anadromous fishes and more research focusing on the impacts on resident small-bodied fishes is needed. The objectives of this study are 1) Assess connectivity in Bureau of Land Management priority watersheds in Montana & Wyoming by inventorying road-stream crossings and 2) Contribute inventory data to SARP to prioritize passage projects with the most potential for conserving species of conservation concern. We will inventory potential barriers by identifying small structures in selected HUC10 watersheds that contain species of conservation concern, annual rates >3 CFS, and >40% BLM land using aerial imagery. We will assess barrier severity using the protocol developed under the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership. Survey efforts will allow prioritization of barrier remediation projects that provide the greatest connectivity gain for species of conservation concern. We will evaluate the impact of network connectivity on fish communities by using databases from state, private, and federal organizations. We will analyze this data using the spatial stream network modeling function in R to account for spatial autocorrelation that is inherent in most terrestrial-based models. We expect to find that many of the identified barriers will be minor to moderate in severity and that decreased network connectivity will result in homogenized fish communities. The significance of this research is to provide an understanding that network connectivity has important management implications and provide managers with information about which barriers would be most efficient for remediation efforts.
Speakers
SW

Stephanie Webster

Graduate Research Assistent, South Dakota State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-55: Investigating the sublethal responses of Smallmouth Bass to environmentally relevant concentrations of PFOS
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Erin L. Pulster, Rebecca Dorman, Jason Magnuson, Brittany Perrotta, Heather Walsh, Cheyenne R. Smith, Vicki Blazer, David Soucek, and Jeffery Steevens



ABSTRACT: Smallmouth Bass (SMB, Micropterus dolomieu) are economically important, freshwater game fish found throughout North America. This species is a focus of research due to recent disease and mortality events observed in some areas of the northeastern United States. PFOS levels measured in the plasma of Smallmouth Bass collected in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed ranged from 20-574 ng/mL. In comparison, PFOS levels measured in muscle tissues from Smallmouth Bass collected nationwide ranged from 0.35 – 110 ng/g. Studies conducted for more than a decade have documented episodic mortality events, high prevalence of skin lesions, endocrine and reproductive disruption in populations of Smallmouth Bass collected in various watersheds. Many of these studies indicated this species is likely subjected to multiple stressors and environmental contaminant exposures, yet no single chemical has been clearly associated with observed impacts. The objectives of this study were to conduct sublethal health assessments in early life stage SMB following exposures to environmentally relevant concentrations of PFOS. Smallmouth Bass embryos (24-hpf) were collected from existing brood stock and cultures at the Columbia Environmental Research Center. Exposures (control, low, high treatments) were conducted for a minimum duration of 30-dph in large flow through water systems with pulsed intermittent diluters. The selection of PFOS concentrations is based on surface water concentrations from recent national surveys and highly impacted sites where SMB are found. In this study, the low exposure concentration is the 95th percentile of PFOS concentrations (24 ng/L) reported in nationwide surface water. The high exposure concentration (96 ng/L) represents PFOS concentrations found in surface water from Ashumet Pond, a highly PFAS-impacted site located in Massachusetts. Traditional toxicology and omics-based endpoints (survival, growth, transcriptomics, microbiome, gene transcript abundance, histopathological changes, behavioral assays) were used to unravel the subtle impacts of chronic PFOS exposures in early life stage Smallmouth Bass.
Speakers
EP

Erin Pulster

Research Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-56: Evidence of skin pigment mutations in Blue Catfish and their importance to a Midwestern fishery
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Brett T. Miller, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; Benjamin R. Grubbs, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; Ben C. Neely, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

ABSTRACT: Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus are one of the most sought-after fish species by anglers in Kansas. Perhaps the most popular Blue Catfish fishery in the state is at Milford Reservoir. One novelty of this population is the seemingly increased prevalence of individuals that display unique coloration patterns (i.e., leucism or piebaldism). To quantify prevalence of leucistic/piebald fish and angler perception, we paired a fish population sample with angler interviews. Overall, 2,611 Blue Catfish were collected throughout the duration of this study with 359 fish being leucistic/piebald (13.7%). Anglers displayed positive sentiments towards leucistic/piebald Blue Catfish along with equal to less harvest probabilities compared to fish with normal coloration. These findings quantify prevalence of leucistic/piebald Blue Catfish in this population and provide social information that may be influential for future management.
Speakers
avatar for Brett Miller

Brett Miller

District Fisheries Biologist, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-57: Assessment of Habitat Suitability in Maumee and Sandusky Rivers for Sauger (Sander canadensis) Reintroduction
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Elizabeth Anderson, University of Toledo; Jonathan Bossenbroek, University of Toledo; Christine Mayer, University of Toledo; Jeremy Pritt, Ohio Division of Wildlife; Todd Crail, University of Toledo; Brian Schmidt, Ohio Division of Wildlife

ABSTRACT: The western basin of Lake Erie once supported a significant sauger (Sander canadensis) fishery. However, this native sport fish has been extirpated from the lake since the mid 1960s due to habitat fragmentation, poor water quality, and fishery exploitation. Improvements in Lake Erie water quality and fishery management in recent decades have been well documented, and the Ohio Division of Wildlife is now considering reintroducing sauger into the western basin. While current lake conditions may be able to support a population, the extent of habitat fragmentation and availability of suitable spawning habitat for sauger remain unknown and are important to determine before reintroduction is attempted. Therefore, the goal of this study is to assess the quality, quantity, and connectivity of sauger spawning habitat in the Maumee and Sandusky rivers, two of the historic spawning tributaries of the western Lake Erie population. The quality and quantity of spawning habitat will be assessed using habitat suitability indices (HSIs) for selected study reaches of each river. Suitable spawning habitat will be identified using sauger preferences for river substrate, velocity, and depth. The connectivity between areas of suitable spawning habitat will be assessed using the flow modeling software, HEC-RAS, to model river velocity and depth based on flow conditions, and identify potential barrier locations. The results of this study will inform managers on the capacity of the system to support sauger spawning and help them decide whether species reintroduction should be attempted in the western basin of Lake Erie.
Speakers
EA

Elizabeth Anderson

Graduate Student, University of Toledo
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-58: Stock-Contribution Comparisons for Walleye Over Time in Lake McConaughy, Nebraska
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Robert Allison, University of Nebraska at Kearney

ABSTRACT: Lake McConaughy is the largest reservoir in Nebraska, and Walleye are a focus of management. The Walleye population has been supplemented and maintained by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) through annual stockings since 1989. Historically, NGPC stocked age-0 Walleye fingerling at a rate of 124 fish/ha (1989-2021) but shifted to stocking a combination of fry (2,471 fish/ha) and fingerlings (75 fish/ha) from 2022-2024 to determine which product may lead to better recruitment. The objective of this study is to compare the stock contributions of fry, fingerling, and naturally produced age-0 Walleye from 2022-2024 to the contributions from 2015-2018 and compare the size of each product at the time of capture. Fish were marked via immersion in oxytetracycline (OTC) in the hatcheries and during transport prior to stocking. Age-0 Walleye were collected in early to mid-fall using nighttime boat electrofishing. All captured Walleye were enumerated, measured for total length, and sacrificed for otolith extraction. Preliminary results show that stock contributions of hatchery fish are similar, on average, between 2015-2018 and 2022-2024, though some variability from year to year exists. Additionally, the age-0 Walleye were larger at the time of capture when only fingerlings were stocked than when a combination of fry and fingerlings were stocked, due either to differing environmental conditions (e.g., reservoir elevations) or density-dependent factors. Information gathered from this study will help NGPC make informed decisions on what product and densities to stock in the future.
Speakers
RA

Robert Allison

Research Graduate Student, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-59: Assessing Ogaa Mortality and Angling Practices in a Changing Climate
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Mac McPherson, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Cory D. Suski, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Aaron D. Shultz, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission; Adam Ray, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission

ABSTRACT: One of the fundamental tenets of Anishinaabe philosophy is the commitment to stewardship of natural resources, emphasizing the imperative to ensure their availability for the benefit of the next seven generations. Throughout the Ceded Territory, Ogaa (walleye, Sander vitreus) populations have been declining due to a variety of known and unknown factors. One of the primary factors is the warming of the atmosphere corresponding increases the water temperature linked to climate change. Another factor is indirect mortality as a result of catch and release fishing regulations and practices. In central Wisconsin, the management of ogaa populations is a collaborative effort between the tribes and the state of Wisconsin; however, the existing regulatory frameworks fail to adequately account for post-release mortality. The goal of this study is to elucidate the potential relationship between angling practices and subsequent post-release mortality rates across different water temperatures in ogaa populations. To achieve this, walleye was angled from various lakes in Wisconsin under differing thermal conditions and subsequently maintained in net pens to assess post-release mortality rates; concurrently, a control group of ogaa was obtained through electrofishing to serve as a baseline for comparative analysis. The findings from this study, focus on two different handling techniques, angling (high stress) and electrofishing (low stress) at different water temperatures from the spring through fall 2023 on Tenderfoot Lake along the border of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Preliminary analysis indicates that mortality rates for specific fish size increase significantly when water temperatures exceeded 21.1̊C. The results from this study have potential to inform future regulatory decisions, particularly in the context of climate change, thereby contributing to the long-term sustainability of ogaa population for the benefit of the next seven generations.
Speakers
MM

Mac McPherson

Research Assistant, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-60: Diet composition and overlap of walleye and largemouth bass in northern Wisconsin lakes: implications for walleye recruitment and size structure of prey fish
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Daniel Dembkowski, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Lauren Allex, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Spencer Baeckman, College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Daniel Gillman, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Kayla Reed, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Russell Zwiers, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Maxwel Wilkinson, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Daniel Isermann, U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

ABSTRACT: Over the past two decades, some northern Wisconsin lakes have experienced declines in walleye recruitment and abundance with concomitant increases in largemouth bass abundance, mirroring broader shifts in fish community structure and species dominance that are projected to occur in relation to changing climatic conditions. Differential trends in abundance of these two species could be mediated or exacerbated by trophic interactions. Previous research has indicated that few walleye have been observed in largemouth bass diets but demonstrated moderate-high diet overlap between the two species during some months, suggesting that potential competitive (rather than predatory) interactions may influence observed trends in recruitment, abundance, and community structure. However, whether the magnitude of diet overlap differs between lakes with and without sustained walleye recruitment is unknown. Furthermore, shifts in predatory species dominance from walleye to largemouth bass could have important implications for prey fish abundance and size structure because of differences in gape limitation and size-selective predation. To address these questions, our research objectives are to determine if: 1) diet compositions of walleye and largemouth bass vary in relation to fish size and season; 2) the magnitude of diet overlap between walleye and largemouth bass varies between lakes with declining and sustained natural walleye recruitment; and 3) sizes of predominant ingested prey fish vary between walleye and largemouth bass. Our approach includes an intensive assessment of diet composition for both species collected during May-October in 2012, 2013, and 2024 from northern Wisconsin lakes with and without sustained natural walleye recruitment. Results will provide insight into mechanisms underlying declines in walleye recruitment in some lakes and implications of shifts in predatory assemblages for size structure of prey fish.
Speakers
DD

Daniel Dembkowski

Fisheries Research Scientist, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-61: Building a case for holistic and conservative management of a genetically unique strain of Walleye in Southern Missouri
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Dave Knuth, Missouri Department of Conservation; Paul Cieslewicz, Missouri Department of Conservation; David Ostendorf, Missouri Department of Conservation; Leah Berkman, Missouri Department of Conservation; Blake Stephens, Missouri Department of Conservation; Brett Timmons, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

ABSTRACT: The Black, Current, Eleven Point, and St. Francis rivers in Southern Missouri and Northeastern Arkansas contain the Highland Strain of Walleye, which is more closely related to Eastern United States populations than other Missouri and Arkansas Walleye populations. Largescale efforts have been made to understand the genetics, movement, and population dynamics of the Walleye in this fishery. Acoustic telemetry and reward tag returns from ongoing and past exploitation evaluations indicate largescale movements within and among rivers. Data also suggests spawning site fidelity and seasonal movement patterns. This riverine population exhibits significant sex-specific growth, with females reaching much larger sizes than males. This presents challenges when managing the fishery under current minimum length limit regulations. The Walleye population in these four rivers is currently managed with three different length-based regulations. In some circumstances, there is concern under current regulations that more harvest is directed at females within the population. Management actions are being evaluated collaboratively across state lines to ensure the sustainability and quality of this unique fishery.
Speakers
DK

Dave Knuth

Missouri Department of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-62: Growth and Mortality of Devils Lake White Bass
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Todd Caspers, North Dakota Game and Fish Department

ABSTRACT: Devils Lake is one of North Dakota’s most important fisheries. White bass (Morone chrysops) were stocked in Devils Lake one time in 1971 to provide a sportfish that could tolerate the higher salinity levels at the time. White bass gained a foothold in the lake from that stocking and have reproduced naturally since that time. White bass are a secondary sportfish in the lake and most anglers do not target them. As such, little special attention has been devoted to studying the white bass population in Devils Lake. White bass recruitment in Devils Lake is sporadic and “bass booms” can occur when a strong year-class is produced. The 2015 year-class was likely the strongest to date and produced a “bass boom”. However, year-classes for several years before and after 2015 were weak. This situation presented the opportunity to use length frequency information to track the 2015 year-class through time to provide an estimate of growth and mortality. Growth was indexed using mode length and growth was rapid for the first several years, with mode length reaching 310 mm by age 3. The initial mortality estimate for ages 3 through 5 produced a total annual mortality rate of 12%, which is low and indicates that neither natural nor fishing mortality is excessive. Subsequent mortality estimation was complicated by a disease outbreak in 2021, but total annual mortality for ages 3 through 8 was estimated to be 35%.
Speakers
TC

Todd Caspers

District Fisheries Biologist, North Dakota Game and Fish Department
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-63: Where the lake whitefish are in the upper Great Lakes
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Gwendolyn Phillips, Lake Superior State University; Elliana Prow, Lake Superior State University; Jose Bonilla-Gomez, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Alpena; Ben Breaker, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Green Bay; Kennan Bruening, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Green Bay; Lucas Chorba, Lake Superior State University; Ethan DePauw, Lake Superior State University; Brett Diffin, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians; Silas Dunn, Lake Superior State University; Simon Freeman, Bay Mills Indian Community; Ryan Grow, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians; Ian Harding, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; Chris Hessell, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians; Andrew Honsey, USGS Great Lakes Science Center; Joshua Hug, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Green Bay; Samuel Johnston, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation; Jory Jonas, Michigan Department of Natural Resources; Kevin Kapuscinski, Lake Superior State University; Kevin McDonnell, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Gary Michaud, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians; Erik Olsen, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians; Paul Ripple, Bay Mills Indian Community; Katherine Skubik, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians; Jason Smith, Bay Mills Indian Community; Mason Spiess, Lake Superior State University; Jacob Synnott, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Green Bay; Jack Tuomikoski, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians; Christina VanDoornik, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians; Sarah Woody, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Green Bay; Jonathan Doubek, Lake Superior State University


ABSTRACT: Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) adult abundances have declined in recent decades in many regions of the upper Great Lakes. Potential mechanisms underlying these declines include, but are not limited to, a decrease in suitable spawning habitat, interactions with invasive species, and poor recruitment. Agencies have been monitoring larval lake whitefish to estimate abundance across the lakes in the spring after ice-off, when larvae are commonly found in shallow waters. However, most data on larval lake whitefish are collected during the day in shallow waters, typically on beaches (≤1 m water depth) and/or nearshore (1-10 m water depth). In order to accurately estimate an age-0 abundance index we need to know where and when to sample for larval coregonines, as not much is known about their early life ecology. More information using standardized sampling along a large spatiotemporal scale is needed to test whether larval lake whitefish abundances differ between day and night and beach and nearshore habitats to better monitor trends in relative abundance. Through an upper Great Lakes wide collaboration, we are processing ~30 paired day-night and beach-nearshore samples across 14 sites from 2023 and 2024, resulting in about 100 total samples. We identified collected fish as coregonine or non-coregonine, and coregonine samples are being identified to species using genetics. Preliminary results indicate that relative abundance of larval coregonines is higher at night versus day and higher on the beach versus nearshore waters. Additional samples will be quantified this fall to add to the existing dataset. Results will improve our understanding of larval coregonine ecology and possibly inform management.
Speakers
GP

Gwendolyn Phillips

Research Technician, Lake Superior State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-64: How will growth of warm-water and cool-water fish change with warming climate?
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kaden Ball, South Dakota State University Department of Natural Resource Management; Maddy Siller, South Dakota State University Department of Natural Resource Management; David Coulter, South Dakota State University Department of Natural Resource Management; Mark Kaemingk, University of North Dakota Department of Biology; Taufique Mahmood, University of North Dakota, Harold Hamm School of Geology & Geological Engineering; Matthew Maldonado, University of North Dakota Department of Biology; Michaela Neal, University of North Dakota, Harold Hamm School of Geology & Geological Engineering; Ayon Saha, University of North Dakota, Harold Hamm School of Geology & Geological Engineering; Alison Coulter, South Dakota State University Department of Natural Resource Management

ABSTRACT: Water temperature is an important factor that can impact fish growth, survival, and reproduction. Fish have an optimum temperature they prefer to inhabit to maximize their growth efficiency. Due to increasing climate temperatures, the southern range for both cool and warm water fishes is expected to shift north. Once moving to higher latitudes, fishes may experience a slower growth rate and mature much later than lower latitude fishes, but this change will vary by individual species. The growth of fishes can be assessed using the bioenergetic equation, which can provide insight into how long-term climate trends will impact fish growth. Using bioenergetic equations, we will quantify the scope of growth of Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), a cool water species, and compare it to Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides), a warm water species, in lakes at different latitudes using historical temperature data spanning 40 years. Assessing how the potential scope for growth of fish has changed through time and across latitudes can help make informed management decisions about stocking and angler participation based on the body of water, fish species being considered, and their thermal optima. Due to existing climate trends, it can be hypothesized that Muskellunge will see a decrease in their scope of growth, while Largemouth Bass will have an increased scope of growth with changes in latitude.
Speakers
KB

Kaden Ball

Undergraduate Student, South Dakota State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-65: Big and Small, We Sample Them All: An Assessment of Missouri’s Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) Fisheries to Guide Management and Sampling Efforts
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Robert Weber, Christina Kelsay, Tara Domzalski, Zach Ford; Missouri Department of Conservation

ABSTRACT: Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) is a well-known, long-lived ictalurid that is native throughout the Midwest. Despite its popularity among anglers and widespread distribution in Missouri, there is a paucity of information related to population demographics for impoundments containing Flathead Catfish. In addition, there are currently no established standard sampling protocols for this species, complicating assessment of existing populations and associated management goals. Our objectives were to determine population demographics of Flathead Catfish in several of Missouri’s large reservoirs (>2,400 acres) and small impoundments (
Speakers
RW

Robert Weber

Sport Fish Ecologist, Missouri Department of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-66: Examining Age-length Relationships across North Platte Channel Catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Sarah E. Hayden, South Dakota State University Department of Natural Resource Management; Justin M. Sturtz, South Dakota State University Department of Natural Resource Management, Christopher A. Cheek, South Dakota State University Department of Natural Resource Management

ABSTRACT: Understanding the age structure of fish populations within an ecosystem is crucial for fisheries managers, as it provides key insights into reproductive success, mortality rates, and overall population dynamics of the target species. Length-at-age relationships are a common metric used by fisheries managers to assess population health and growth patterns and identify whether growth is being stunted. In addition, age-length relationships are used by fisheries managers to determine the potential health of the fish populations and determine availability, reproductive success, and mortality. Currently, there is no data on the length-by-age of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) on the North Platte River. The objective of this study is to establish age-length relationship for channel catfish in the North Platte River to inform management actions and parameterize bioenergetic models of catfish consumption. To accomplish this objective, channel catfish were sampled via boat electrofishing at two sites on the North Platte River in eastern Wyoming and pectoral spines were collected for age analysis. The spines were placed in 5.0mm microcentrifuge tubes filled with resin. After 24 hours of hardening, spines were removed from microcentrifuge tubes, and cut with a handsaw into 0.5mm-0.7mm thick slices. Slices were then looked at under a microscope, photographed, and aged two times to get an average age. A Von Bertalanffy growth model was applied to the length-at-age data to determine differences based on sampling location. The catfish that were aged ranged in age from 2 years to 8 years old and ranged in size from 12.9 inches to 28.3 inches in length. This data can be used by fisheries managers to determine the health of the catfish populations on the river and to aid in further research on this ecosystem.
Speakers
SH

Sarah Hayden

Undergraduate, South Dakota State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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6:00pm CST

P-67: Population Demographics of Three Major Catfish Species on the Wabash River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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AUTHORS: Cade Naughton, Eastern Illinois University; Daniel Roth, Eastern Illinois University; Eden Effert-Fanta, Eastern Illinois University; Robert Colombo, Eastern Illinois University

ABSTRACT: The catfish fisheries of the Wabash River is of great historical, cultural, and economic importance to both commercial and recreational anglers. However, this population has declined significantly over the last few decades due to overfishing and other anthropogenic stressors. Catfish populations in the Wabash River require interjurisdictional management strategies as these species are commercially exploited by Illinois and Indiana anglers. This study served to assess the population demographics of three catfish species within the Wabash River, Channel Catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus), Blue Catfish(Ictalurus Furcatus), and Flathead Catfish(Pylodictis Olivaris). Results will inform agencies to make better management decisions to ensure population sustainability. We conducted targeted Catfish sampling in three sections of the Wabash River (border commercial reach, Indiana commercial reach, and non-commercial reach) and a portion of the White River using hoop nets electrofishing (high and low frequency). Different gear types were used to accurately represent species and age distribution in the system. The results showed higher relative abundance in the non-commercial reach and the White River at the sites furthest away from the confluence with the Wabash River compared to the commercially exploited reaches of the Wabash. We also found a low abundance of larger individuals in the commercially exploited reaches. The current harvest regulations only prohibit harvest of Channel Catfish under 13 inches and restrict harvest of those over 28 inches to one per day. Blue and Flathead Catfish also have a 13 inch minimum harvest regulation, but those as large as 35 inches have no harvest limit. Due to the lower relative abundance of catfish and low abundance of larger individuals in the commercial reaches of the Wabash River, we recommend putting a limit on the total number of catfish harvested per day, and a shorter trophy size limit. Implementing a more strict management strategy would help to strengthen the fisheries in both relative abundance and size structure, ensuring that sustainable populations of catfish are available to recreational and commercial fishermen for years to come.
Speakers
CN

Cade Naughton

Graduate Research Assistant, Eastern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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6:00pm CST

P-68: Maintaining Trophy Potential of Riverine Smallmouth Bass Populations in the Menominee River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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AUTHORS: Samantha A. Embersits, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit; Daniel A. Isermann, U.S. Geological Survey, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit; Daniel J. Dembkowski, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit; Michael Donofrio, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Joshua Schulze, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit

ABSTRACT: The Menominee River supports high-quality fisheries for smallmouth bass that attract anglers from all over North America and the rising popularity of these fisheries has led to increased fishing effort. Hydropower facilities divide the Menominee River into a series of relatively riverine impoundments that, in addition to naturally occurring features (i.e., falls or rapids), prevent or limit the upstream movement of fish. Our goal was to use electrofishing-based population assessments to determine if smallmouth bass population characteristics vary among impoundments of the Menominee River and determine if current harvest regulations are sufficient to maintain the quality of these fisheries. Dorsal spines were collected from 10 fish per 25 mm TL interval to develop age-length keys used to estimate age structure, growth, proportional size distributions (PSD), and mortality within each river section. Dynamic pool models created in the Fishery Analysis and Modeling Simulator (FAMS) were used to examine how size structure may be affected by increased exploitation or changes to minimum length limits. Our results indicate that growth, natural mortality, and angler exploitation rates of smallmouth bass are similar among the three segments of the Menominee River included in our assessment. Furthermore, current exploitation rates of smallmouth bass in these segments of the Menominee River are likely universally low (
Speakers
SE

Samantha Embersits

Graduate Research Assistant, Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-69: Evaluating Natural Recruitment of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie in Two Community Fishing Ponds in Southeastern South Dakota
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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AUTHORS: Jason Uden, South Dakota State University; Peter Nester, South Dakota State University; Benjamin Schall, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks; Dave Lucchesi, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks

ABSTRACT: Recently, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) has placed increased emphasis on the development and maintenance of community fisheries to help recruit, retain, and reactivate anglers. One management objective is maintaining high catch rates of popular sportfish, accomplished through frequent stockings of catchable-size fish. However, little is known about the natural recruitment of these species within these community fishing ponds. The objective of this study was to determine if Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides), Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), and Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) were successfully reproducing in two community fishing ponds.

Seines were used to collect Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie at Lake Ole, Harrisburg, South Dakota, and Tea City Park Pond, Tea, South Dakota. Four 20-meter sampling areas were selected at each pond. A 25-foot seine was pulled along the predetermined length and brought to shore. The captured fish were sorted, measured, and brought to the lab. For each sampling event, otoliths were collected from three fish per 1-inch increment for Bluegill from 1-6 inches, Black Crappie from 1-6 inches, and Largemouth Bass from 1-8 inches. In the laboratory, otoliths were extracted, and a compound microscope was used for observation. Ages were assigned by two SDGFP fisheries management interns and a full-time fisheries biologist. Average ages were taken when discrepancies between our observations were found.

Otoliths were collected from 114 fish, ranging from age zero to five. Assigned ages for Largemouth Bass ranged from 0 to 1, Black Crappie from 2 to 3, and Bluegill from 0 to 5. Our results suggest positive natural reproduction rates of these species in the two ponds studied. Additionally, natural recruitment may play a larger role in maintaining community pond fisheries than anticipated.
Speakers
avatar for Jason Uden

Jason Uden

Fisheries Intern, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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6:00pm CST

P-70: Abundance and growth rates of Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) from Lake Michigan and connected tributary habitats
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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AUTHORS: Mallory R. Wagner, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University; Kathryn E. Buckles, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University; Les D. Warren, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University; Dominique D. Turney, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University & Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant; Tomas O. Hӧӧk, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University & Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant


ABSTRACT: Early-life stages of fish development is a sensitive and critical time that has the ability to influence later recruitment success. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) are an economically and ecologically important species within Lake Michigan. Yellow perch have been observed to spawn within multiple habitats including tributary river mouths, drowned river mouth lakes, and the nearshore environment of Lake Michigan. These habitats have different environmental characteristics that could affect growth rates and the diet of larval yellow perch. Drowned-river mouth lakes are more productive, warmer, and have a higher abundance of zooplankton compared to the nearshore waters of Lake Michigan. This study aims to quantify growth rates of larval yellow perch in Lake Michigan and connected tributary habitats. During the summers of 2021 and 2022, larval yellow perch were collected from early May to the end of June. Individuals collected were later processed in the lab to obtain total length and the extraction of the sagittal otoliths to calculate growth rates of larval yellow perch from each habitat. This study aims to quantify how environmental changes in early-life habitats affect growth rates of fish. This information can be implicated in sustainable fisheries management and assist in the assessment of ecological changes.
Speakers
MW

Mallory Wagner

Undergraduate Student, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-71: Factors Affecting Detection Efficiencies of Acoustic Transmitters in a Large Midwestern Reservoir
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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AUTHORS:  Hannah Thomas, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Cali Engel, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; William Radigan, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Dr. Mark Pegg, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Chris Longhenry, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks

ABSTRACT:  Acoustic telemetry has become a common method to track fish movement patterns. Understanding the detection capacity of each receiver is a needed, but often overlooked aspect of acoustic telemetry studies. However, range tests can be used to assess detection capacities and ultimately the overall effectiveness of the receiver network. Recent range test investigations have evaluated the effects of distance, mount design, transmitter depth, transmitter model (V13 or V16) and wind speed on detection efficiencies. However, other environmental factors including human generated noise have not received as much attention. Range tests (n=122) were conducted between March 2022 and August 2024 at each of 14 receivers placed in the Missouri River and Lewis and Clark Lake to evaluate the effect of environment on detection efficiencies. Detection efficiencies were related to boater traffic, wind speed, distance from receiver, and seasonality. Detection efficiencies increased with decreasing distance between the tag and receiver and decreased noise interference from boat traffic and high-speed winds. Detection efficiencies were also found to vary among seasons, with spring showing increased detection efficiency compared to summer and fall. Mean detection efficiency at any given receiver and river kilometer was 34% during spring, compared to 25% in summer and 22% in fall. These findings provide valuable insights for future acoustic telemetry studies by highlighting important environmental factors that managers should consider when planning similar studies.
Speakers
HT

Hannah Thomas

Research technician, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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6:00pm CST

P-72: Sanding or Sectioning: how does otolith preparation method affect reader agreement?
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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AUTHORS: Amelia Finnell, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Patrick Padilla, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Garrett Johnson, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Benjamin Marcek, US Fish & Wildlife Service

ABSTRACT: Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix are invasive to the Mississippi River Basin and may cause extensive economic and ecological damage. To date, managers have focused on using harvest to control Silver Carp populations. Assessment of harvest as a management tool often requires precise age estimates to understand the changes in population age structure in response to harvest. Currently, two methods are commonly used for preparing Silver Carp otoliths for aging, sectioning and sanding. However, the use of two distinct methods could affect the precision of age estimates and, consequently, alter the perceived age structure of the population. To address this, we aged 155 Silver Carp (total length: 545–800mm) collected during 2023 from JT Myers and Newburgh Pools of the Ohio River. One lapilli otolith from each fish was prepared by sanding the otolith down to its origin, whereas the other otolith was sectioned using an isometric saw. Each otolith was independently aged by five readers and the frequency of agreeance was calculated using an empirical cumulative distribution function. Reader agreeance, two readers aging the otolith identically, did not differ between the two methods. However, when readers disagreed, the magnitude of disagreement was greater when otoliths were prepared by sanding relative to sectioning. These results suggest that sectioning otoliths results in more precise Silver Carp age estimates. Therefore, the sectioning method may produce more consistent age structures for Silver Carp populations which will help managers accurately assess the status of populations as well as the effectiveness of management actions.
Speakers
AF

Amelia Finnell

Biological Science Technician, USFWS
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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6:00pm CST

P-73: Temporal Replication of Assigned Ages for Silver Carp Otoliths
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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AUTHORS: Brendon Tran, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; Liam Odell, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks; Ben Neely, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

ABSTRACT: Introduced invasive carp have become established throughout the Missouri River basin. In Kansas, they have entrenched themselves within the lower 37 miles of the Kansas River. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has been conducting invasive carp removals in the Kansas River since 2020. To increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the removal efforts, KDWP monitors the demographics within the Kansas River and Missouri River (near Atchison, KS). Aging invasive carp structures, specifically lapilli otoliths, is integral to understanding invasive carp population demographics. Fisheries professionals agree that a team of 2-3 researchers aging otoliths together can produce a precise age for otoliths. However, assembling a team of 2-3 researchers can be challenging, and the process of aging otoliths is time-consuming. As KDWP continues to remove invasive carp and collect more aging structures, it has become evident that we should evaluate other methods of aging otoliths more efficiently. As such, we had two individuals independently age the otoliths twice, with a one-month gap between each attempt, to assess whether a single person’s aging results would be consistent and repeatable.
Speakers
BT

Brendon Tran

Invasive Carp Technician, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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6:00pm CST

P-74: Evaluating Flood-Induced Habitat Connections Using Remotely Sensed Data
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Natalie C. Liberati, Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University; Alison A. Coulter, Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University; Benjamin J. Schall, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; Tanner Davis, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; Steven R. Chipps, U.S. Geological Survey, South Dakota Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit; David P. Coulter, Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of the northern Great Plains is characterized by extreme weather, fluctuating between droughts and floods. Flooding within this region periodically connects rivers, wetlands, and lakes allowing for the movement of native and invasive species throughout the landscape. These floods also increase resource availability, permitting these species to grow in abundance. Invasive carp, such as silver and bighead carp, are currently present in a few rivers within the PPR and have the potential to spread to other locations due to flood-induced habitat connectivity, posing a threat to native species in the region. Using invasive carp as a case study, we will use Landsat observations of surface water (Dynamic Surface Water Extent) to identify where habitat connections are formed during flooding events between invaded rivers and uninvaded waterbodies. We will be able to further evaluate the relative risk posed by flooding by quantifying the surface area, water velocity, and water depth of these habitat connections. In addition, we will examine whether there has been an increasing frequency of connectivity among waterbodies through time. This technique will be able to be applied to other watersheds within or outside of the PPR. Recognizing where high-risk connections are located will help inform managers where to focus efforts for monitoring and deterring movements into uninvaded waters.
Speakers
NL

Natalie Liberati

Graduate Research Assistant, South Dakota State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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6:00pm CST

P-75: Natal Origin and Movement of Invasive Carp in the Missouri River Basin
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Hannah Mulligan, Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University; Benjamin J. Schall, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; Tanner Davis, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks; Greg W. Whitledge, Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale; Alison Coulter, Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University

ABSTRACT: Preventative management strategies are essential for minimizing the negative ecological, economic, and social impacts of invasive species. Silver Carp and Bighead Carp, two invasive species of concern in the United States, are currently managed using various containment and removal strategies to prevent further range expansion. Understanding where Silver Carp and Bighead Carp are recruiting and moving can assist managers in selecting removal locations to reduce recruitment and spread. The objectives of this project are to evaluate the natal origins of Silver Carp and Bighead Carp using otolith microchemistry to 1) determine recruitment sources and 2) identify movement among tributaries and main channel reaches throughout the Missouri River Basin. A maximum of 80 adult Silver Carp and Bighead Carp will be collected from each location (n = 22) in collaboration with state partners. Lapilli otoliths will be removed and processed for trace element analysis (barium, Ba; strontium, Sr; and calcium, Ca) and potentially δ18O analysis. Water samples will also be analyzed for trace elements (Ba, Sr, and Ca) and oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O). To determine natal origin, trace-elemental markers and their ratios (Sr:Ca, Ba:Ca) measured from otoliths will be compared to chemical signatures from the water samples. Correlation analysis will be used to evaluate relationships between element concentrations in water samples and otoliths. Trace elements and δ18O in lapilli otoliths that are correlated to water concentrations will be included in a model-based discriminant function or cluster analysis, such as k-nearest neighbor. Chemical composition results will be used to quantify the amount of movement based on the natal origins of adults. Results will complement ongoing telemetry work and spawning assessments, inform source-sink dynamics, and identify locations for targeted management actions such as removal.
Speakers
avatar for Hannah Mulligan

Hannah Mulligan

Graduate Research Assistant, South Dakota State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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6:00pm CST

P-76: Investigating Bigheaded Carp Migratory Behavior in a Large Lotic System
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Logan Zebro, South Dakota State University; Jim Garvey, Southern Illinois University; Tanya Fendler Southern Illinois University; Alison Coulter, South Dakota State University;

ABSTRACT: Migration is a fundamental feature of animal ecology and animals may migrate for a variety of reasons including foraging, reproduction, or to avoid predation. Although migration is commonly observed throughout the animal kingdom, migratory strategies can vary among species, populations, or even individuals within populations. Partial migration is a strategy that can occur when a population is comprised of both migratory and resident individuals. Bigheaded carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) are highly mobile invasive riverine species believed to display various forms of migratory behavior and have been hypothesized to be partially migratory. However, to date no studies have evaluated if partial migration occurs in bigheaded carp nor the extent to which it may occur. Therefore, the objectives of this research are to 1) describe invasive carp migratory behavior 2) describe the timing of invasive carp migration and 3) identify potential environmental factors influencing invasive carp migratory behavior in the Illinois River using acoustic telemetry. Bigheaded carp were collected throughout the Illinois River from 2012 – 2023 and implanted with acoustic transmitters (VEMCO, model V13 or V16). Movement data was collected from stationary receivers that were distributed throughout the study area for previous research to track movements of bigheaded carps between river pools and lateral habitats. To evaluate partial migration of bigheaded carps, we will calculate net squared displacement (NSD) for individual carp then evaluate the influence of ecological variables on the probability and timing of bigheaded carp migratory movements using multiple logistic and linear regression models. Understanding bigheaded carp migratory behavior will provide valuable insight into their ecology and further invasion risk in addition to informing bigheaded carp management such as the timing and location of removal efforts.
Speakers
LZ

Logan Zebro

Graduate Research Assistant, South Dakota State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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6:00pm CST

P-77: Temporal Occupancy of Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) within Tributaries of the Ohio River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Patrick W. Padilla, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Garrett R. Johnson, US Fish & Wildlife Service; Benjamin J. Marcek, US Fish & Wildlife Service

ABSTRACT: Silver Carp is an invasive species found throughout large portions of the Mississippi River Basin that is thought to cause economic and ecological damage to invaded systems. Although Silver Carp use a variety of habitat types throughout this large and heterogeneous river system, they are often found in high densities in areas outside of the main river channel (e.g., tributaries and backwaters). The temporal use (e.g., time of year, duration) of these areas by Silver Carp is, however, poorly understood. To better understand temporal patterns in the tributary residency of Silver Carp and to determine if there is a subset of tributaries that are most frequently inhabited by this species, we examined their temporal occupancy of tributaries in six navigation pools of the Ohio River (J.T. Myers–Meldahl pools). Locations of 935 Silver Carp implanted with acoustic transmitters (Innovasea, V-16H tags) that were detected by 60 receivers in our study area during 2021–2023 were summarized to determine the number of individuals detected within tributaries at monthly intervals. These data were used to estimate the monthly proportional use of tributaries by Silver Carp (i.e., the number of individuals detected in a tributary relative to the total number detected within each pool). Generally, proportional occupancy of tributaries was greatest within each pool during February-April. Further, we identified individual tributaries with the greatest proportional occupancy during these periods of high tributary use. Our results suggest that occupancy of tributaries occurs during cooler months and that certain tributaries within each pool are used by a greater proportion of individuals than others. The reasons behind this relatively high utilization of certain tributaries are unknown and further research is necessary to determine if there are anthropogenic (e.g., harvest) and/or environmental factors (e.g., water temperature) associated with the timing of Silver Carp occupying tributary habitats.
Speakers
PP

Patrick Padilla

Fisheries Biologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-78: Community Sampling Gears Affect Silver Carp Density Estimates Derived from Hydroacoustic Surveys
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Garrett R. Johnson U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service;
Benjamin J. Marcek U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

ABSTRACT: Species-specific density estimates derived from hydroacoustic data often require fish community information to apportion hydroacoustic targets to species. However, the tools used to collect fish community data have biases that can affect species composition and size structure. The effect of these community gear biases on species-specific hydroacoustic density estimates is unknown. To address this knowledge gap, we collected fish community data using three gears (boat electrofishing, electrified dozer trawl, and gill nets) during hydroacoustic surveys in two navigation pools of the Ohio River (J.T. Myers and Newburgh pools) during fall 2021. Hydroacoustic data were collected using two side-looking, split-beam transducers offset to maximize water volume sampled. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate the probability of a fish being a Silver Carp given its length for each community gear. We also estimated the total length of individual fish targets from the hydroacoustic surveys using Love’s 1971 side-aspect equation and the probability of each of these hydroacoustic targets being a Silver Carp based on its estimated length. We then estimated site-specific Silver Carp densities and compared these densities among gears, pools, and habitats (main channel, side channel, tributary, and backwater). The probability of a fish being a Silver Carp given its length differed between community sampling gears. Further, gear affected the overall density estimates with gill nets producing the lowest estimates in all pool-habitat combinations. No apparent difference existed between density estimates apportioned with dozer trawl and boat electrofishing except in Newburgh Pool backwater and tributary habitats where the dozer trawl produced greater Silver Carp density estimates. These findings emphasize the need to consider community gear bias when collecting data to apportion hydroacoustic targets to species. Combining community data from multiple gears may reduce the effect of gear bias on the apportionment of hydroacoustic targets to species.
Speakers
GJ

Garrett Johnson

Fish Biologist, United States Fish & Wildlife Service
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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6:00pm CST

P-79: Spatial and Temporal Trends of Silver Carp Body Condition in the Ohio River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Adam Musolf, Student Conservation Association; Benjamin Marcek, US Fish & Wildlife Service

ABSTRACT: Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) have invaded much of the Mississippi River Basin, including the Ohio River. Although understanding the health of individuals within this population is critical to its management, little information is available regarding the body condition of Silver Carp in the Ohio River. To better understand the body condition of Silver Carp in the Ohio River, we used Le Cren’s Relative Condition Factor (Kn) to compare body condition between six pools in the Ohio River (J.T. Myers-Meldahl pools), and to examine temporal patterns during 2014-2024. We found that Silver Carp in the lower three pools of our study area (J.T. Myers, Newburgh, and Cannelton pools) had similar mean Kn values that were substantially lower than the overall mean Kn. The highest mean Kn values, which exceeded the overall mean Kn and were similar to each other, occurred in the upper two pools (Markland and Meldahl pools). The mean Kn of McAlpine pool was greater than the overall mean but lower than that of the upper pools. When examining Ohio River Silver Carp body condition among years, we found the greatest mean Kn values occurred during 2015, 2019, and 2023 and were greater than the overall mean Kn. The lowest mean Kn values occurred during 2016 and 2021 and were lower than the overall mean Kn. The mean Kn for 2014, 2017, 2020, and 2022 is similar to the overall mean Kn. Density dependent factors may explain the spatial differences in mean Kn, but the drivers of the annual fluctuations are harder to explain. Climate, water quality, year class effects, or sampling bias could all play a role. Understanding the causes of these fluctuations could better help predict population changes for use by management agencies and commercial fishers.
Speakers
AM

Adam Musolf

SCA Intern, Carterville FWCO
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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6:00pm CST

P-80: Tracking Movement and Habitat Utilization of Invasive Carp Within the Presence Front of the Ohio River
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Andrew Peters, US Fish and Wildlife Service; Katherine Zipfel, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources; Tyler Gross, US Fish and Wildlife Service

ABSTRACT: Invasive bigheaded carp (Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp H. nobilis) are a well-known and established aquatic invasive species within the Mississippi River Drainage. As their range continues to expand, state, federal, and university managers establish new projects aimed to better monitor and evaluate these invasive species. However, many low-density, or “presence front”, locations lack valuable fish movement and habitat utilization data. Within the Ohio River, the presence front ranges from the Meldahl Lock and Dam facility (RM 436.2) at Foster, KY to the Belleville Lock and Dam facility (RM 203.9) at Reedsville, OH. We will look to capture invasive bigheaded carp (n=8) in the Robert C. Byrd Pool and tag them with Vemco V16-6x-A69-1604 coded transmitters. Vemco acoustic receivers (VR2Tx and Nex Trak R1) will be deployed strategically in mainstem and tributary locations to monitor movements and habitat utilization within the upper reaches of the Ohio River presence front. This movement data will then be correlated with temperature and flow data to increase our knowledge and understanding of temporal utilization, which could result in more effective future removal efforts. This data will be a part of a larger telemetry project that exists within the Ohio River that we plan to utilize for comparing movement patterns within a river system.
Speakers
AP

Andrew Peters

Fisheries Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
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6:00pm CST

P-81: Evaluating Conspecific Feeding Sounds as an Attractant for Invasive Carp
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Adam J. McFall, USGS; Jacob D.A. Faulkner, USGS; Andrew T. Mueller, USGS; Curt G. Byrd, USGS; Robin D. Calfee, USGS

ABSTRACT: Invasive carp continue to spread throughout U.S. waterways, threatening native fishes and disrupting ecosystems, yet effective removal methods remain limited. Fish herding methods are used to aggregate carp for removal; however, location, timing, and personnel constraints limit the effectiveness of herding for eradicating carp populations. Baiting and chemical attractants have also been shown to aggregate invasive Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) and Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) in laboratory settings, but in situ applications are still being tested. Acoustic attractants are an understudied tool that could help aggregate invasive carp for removal in situ. Conspecific feeding sounds attracted Bighead Carp in preliminary laboratory trials. Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) have similar life history strategies, but their response to conspecific feeding sounds have not been evaluated. We examined whether conspecific feeding sounds affect the behavior of Grass Carp. Grass Carp were randomly exposed to three treatments: conspecific feeding sound (projection via underwater speaker), feed (pelleted feed distributed via automatic feeder), and a control (no sound or food). Two trials, each consisting of 12 distinct exposures (four exposures per treatment), were duplicated in two outdoor earthen research ponds (0.09 ha) at the Columbia Environmental Research Center. Fish (n = 29 – 30 per trial) were implanted with acoustic transmitters and distributed evenly in the ponds, where fine scale (< 1 m) positions were recorded by a hydrophone array from 13 May 2024 – 17 May 2024 (Trial 1) and 3 June 2024 – 7 June 2024 (Trial 2). Preliminary results show that total displacement and swimming speed were generally higher following feed and sound treatments compared to control treatments. Fish also spent more time near the feeders, speakers, and in deep water compared to other areas of the ponds. Here we discuss future research needs and how this technology could be utilized in invasive carp management programs.
Speakers
AM

Adam McFall

Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-82: Genetic control of grass carp through RNA interference
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Chris Merkes, U.S. Geological Survey; Tariq Tajjioui, U.S. Geological Survey; James Wamboldt, U.S. Geological Survey; Nicholas Butler, Sundew ApC; Joana Queiroz, Sundew ApC; Jørgen Hansen, Sundew ApC; Giovanni Salerno, Sundew ApC; Jon Amberg, U.S. Geological Survey

ABSTRACT: Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were imported for biocontrol of aquatic macrophytes and still are used today for that purpose, but they have since escaped and invaded many waters. They are listed as an injurious invasive species and can substantially impact aquatic ecosystems, threatening native fisheries. Current control methods include physical removal and chemical piscicide application. While these methods can reduce an invasive population, there are problems with each and new control tools are needed. RNA interference (RNAi) has greatly enhanced our understanding of genetics over the last three decades, and it has been demonstrated that using RNAi to turn off some genes can be lethal. RNAi is in-use today for controlling agricultural pests, and it is gaining traction for future application to control invasive species. We designed small interfering RNAs targeting critical genes in grass carp and showed effective knockdown in primary cultured gill cells. We have cloned selected candidate RNAs for expression in microalgae chloroplasts and are working to incorporate these microalgae into a selective bait for RNAi oral delivery. The goal of this project is an effective control tool that can be deployed like a piscicide but without non-target effects.
Speakers
avatar for Chris Merkes

Chris Merkes

Research Geneticist, U.S. Geological Survey
I am a molecular biologist originally from central Wisconsin. I earned a B.S. in Biology from University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point and an M.A. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from University of Kansas. I joined the USGS in 2013 to work on developing methods for... Read More →
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-83: Determining hybridization of bighead and silver carp by analyzing body shape with geometric morphometric techniques
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Alexandra Johnson, South Dakota State University Department of Natural Resource Management; Hannah Mulligan, South Dakota State
University Department of Natural Resource Management; Amber Ruskell-Lamer, Southeastern Community College; Jim Lamer, Illinois Natural History Survey; Alison A. Coulter, South Dakota State University Department of Natural Resource Management

ABSTRACT: The invasive bighead and silver carp are known for their ability to quickly establish new populations in naive water bodies. Determining cost effective and efficient management strategies for managing these carp can reduce populations and improve ecosystem health. At low density areas (i.e., invasion fronts), silver carp and bighead carp readily hybridize and produce offspring with enhanced survival and dispersal capabilities. However, subsequent hybrid generations display reduced body condition which may prevent them from invading new areas. Understanding the hybridization of silver and bighead carp can therefore provide insights to their spread and subsequently allow for more efficient use of management resources. Genetic testing is costly, and therefore determining how many hybrids exist in a location may be hindered by available resources. The objectives of this research are to 1) Use photographs to analyze body shape differences among bighead carp, silver carp, and their hybrids via geometric morphometrics and 2) Use correlated genetic and morphologic data to create a classification system to determine the hybrid type from body shape. Morphometric photographs of 2,795 bighead and silver carp with varying degrees of hybridization have been collected and genetically analyzed for hybrid type. In a subset of photographs per genetic group (silver, bighead, hybrid), we will place a series of landmarks on different body features using the program TpsDig2. The distances between landmarks will then be imported into MorphoJ software to quantify the body shape of each individual (known as geometric morphometric analysis). The geometric morphometric data paired with the results from the genetic analysis will then be used to create a classification tree that groups genetic types based on body shape. Results will ultimately identify whether morphology can be used to distinguish hybrid types which can help to reduce resource limitations for managing these invasive species.
Speakers
AJ

Alexandra Johnson

Student, South Dakota State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-84: Impacts of Spatiotemporal Variation of Hydrological Conditions on Native and Invasive Ichthyoplankton Communities in the Lower Wabash River Basin
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Alexis L. Gerber; Daniel Roth; Robert Colombo; Eden Effert-Fanta

ABSTRACT: Annual variation in hydrological conditions affects reproduction of riverine species uniquely, with certain taxa relying on flood pulses for successful spawning. Invasive bigheaded carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.), are widely known for their rapid population growth and significant ecological impacts on freshwater ecosystems and native fish assemblages. Previous literature has found invasive bigheaded carp reproduction to be dependent on multiple environmental cues, such as discharge and temperature, for spawning. Discharge specifically is an essential component for bigheaded carp reproduction because their eggs require suspension in the water for proper development. Native fish species have varying spawning strategies, and many utilize similar environmental cues as invasive bigheaded carp. This study aims to evaluate the spatial and temporal variation of hydrological effects on reproduction of invasive bigheaded carp and native fish species in the lower Wabash River and its tributaries. Ichthyoplankton push nets and water quality measurements were recorded from April-September 2021-2024 at several tributary confluence sites on the lower Wabash River, which borders Illinois and Indiana. Push net samples were collected within the tributary, at the confluence site, and in the mainstem river both above and below the confluence. Environmental conditions (e.g., discharge and temperature) varied substantially within and among each season of ichthyoplankton sampling. Variation in hydrological conditions among years had a significant impact on total larval fish production. In 2021, a year with multiple high discharge events 240,106 larvae were collected, while in 2023, a year with fewer spikes in discharge only 4,300 larvae were sampled. Although invasive carp have been informally observed to congregate in high numbers within mainstem-tributary confluences, relatively little research has been conducted to analyze the roles of confluences in spawning of both invasive and native fishes. Understanding the long-term trends in hydrological variation and the spatial preferences of invasive fish communities may offer key insights into control methods and factors that influence larval native fish assemblages.
Speakers
AG

Alexis Gerber

Graduate Research Assistant, Eastern Illinois University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-85: Quantifying the Impacts of Invasive Carp through Monitoring Native, Planktivorous Gizzard Shad in the Open River Reach
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Andrew Glen, Missouri Department of Conservation; Kamryn Wittkop, Missouri Department of Conservation; Tyler Bening, Missouri Department of Conservation


ABSTRACT: The establishment of invasive bigheaded carp (Silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) in North American river systems over the last few decades has shown to negatively impact native filter-feeding species through direct competition for trophic resources. In the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) system, the Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) is one of these impacted species and is frequently encountered in routine monitoring of the Open River Reach of the UMR through the Long Term Resource Monitoring (LTRM) element of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program. Because of their high catch rates, monitoring the conditions of Gizzard shad populations in the Open River can be used as an index to how bigheaded carp have and continue to impact native filter feeders over time and as management practices are implemented. Targeted Gizzard shad collections occurred during the observed spring spawning season and in the fall when growth begins to slow for otolith collection. Gizzard shad encountered through LTRM were also included. Individual processing procedures included recording total length, weight, sex, gonad weight, and otolith collection. Otoliths were mounted in resin, cut, and aged. Using this data we calculated Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE), Gonadosomatic Index, body condition, proportional stock density (PSD), and conducted an age and growth analysis. After one season of sampling and analysis, results implied that both CPUE and relative weight were lower than their 5-year average when plotted with existing LTRM data over time. Analysis indicated that while the size distribution appears heavily skewed toward small-bodied fish, PSD remains in the desired range implying there are enough large-bodied individuals and production of age-0 shad is not limiting to the population. Monitoring Gizzard shad condition through time can be used to inform future decisions regarding the success of proposed, established, and newly implemented management techniques for bigheaded carp .
Speakers
KW

Kamryn Wittkop

Fisheries Technician I, Missouri Department of Conservation
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-86: How invasive carp removal affects fish community size spectra.
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Charles W. McDunn1, Brent A. Murry2, James E. Garvey3, Ruairi MacNamara4, David C. Glover5, David P. Coulter1

ABSTRACT: The invasion of bigheaded carps, Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), has undoubtedly altered biotic communities since their escape from wastewater treatment ponds and aquaculture facilities in North America during the 1970’s. Concerns of the invasion reaching the Laurentian Great Lakes have caused extensive management actions including contracted removal in order to slow the advancement of these fishes in the Illinois River. An additional goal behind the removal of carp is to improve ecological function from its current carp-dominated status. Here, we suggest that it may be useful for community-based alternative indicators to be used in addition to catch rates for more comprehensive management assessments. We will explore this concept using size spectra as a potential indicator of community response to management by examining whether shifts in the annual size spectra regression of six reaches in the Illinois River can be detected since the start of our sampling period in 2012. If shifts in these metrics are measured, they could be related to environmental variability, and the ongoing selective harvest of invasive carps throughout the river. To determine the impact of these factors, we will compare multivariate environmental data and carp removal data to the size spectra metrics using ordination. The results of these analyses will identify which environmental variables are the most impactful to changes in community structure and to what extent the removal efforts have had on the Illinois River fish community over the past twelve years. If the annual community size spectrum is capable of measuring community response to management, it could be an additional tool for assessing and informing management actions and a potential tool for future community-minded management plan development.
Speakers
CM

Charles McDunn

Research Assistant, South Dakota State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-87: EcoPath with Ecosim: Application in the lower Mississippi River for Invasive Bighead and Silver Carp Management
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Kassidy Frame, Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota; Richard Erickson, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin; Steve Chipps, U.S Geological Survey, South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota; Alison Coulter, Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota

ABSTRACT: In the Mississippi River, invasive bigheaded carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) can compete with native planktivores, such as Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) and Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), by altering plankton and zooplankton composition and abundance. The current management strategy is targeted harvest of adult carp using 75-150 mm mesh gill nets and electrofishing with the goal of reducing the biomass of invasive carp and restoring normal ecosystem function. The harvest of invasive carp is limited to adult individuals, but by using less selective removal methods, such as dozer trawls or seines to select for smaller carp, the effect of invasive carp on the ecosystem could be reduced more efficiently. EcoPath with Ecosim (EwE) is a model that can be used to explore changes in biomass of different community groups (e.g. zooplankton, native fishes) after removal of an invasive species such as bigheaded carp. The objective of this study is to implement an EwE model for Pool 26 of the Mississippi River to assess the ecosystem response to the removal of juvenile only, adult only, and combined removal of bigheaded carp. The use of an EwE model in the Mississippi River is a cost-effective method to improve management of invasive carps by evaluating the ecosystem effect of varying removal scenarios and would complement on-going population models such as the SEICarP model.
Speakers
KF

Kassidy Frame

Graduate Research Assistant, South Dakota State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-88: Invasive Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and the impact on native fish communities throughout the Mississippi River basin
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Justin Harms, Graduate Research Assistant, Major - Fisheries Biology - Iowa State University
Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management

ABSTRACT: Invasive Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) have impacted native fish communities throughout the Mississippi River basin in North America. Previous research has related increases in Silver Carp relative abundance to declines in the condition of native planktivorous fishes and sport fishes that are planktivorous as juveniles due to competition for food resources. However, the effects of a range of relative abundances of Silver Carp on other trophic guilds have not been well-defined. Therefore, our goal was to assess the relationship between Silver Carp relative abundance and body condition of native fishes throughout multiple feeding guilds in the Upper Mississippi River basin. We hypothesize that Silver Carp will alter the trophic ecology and condition of species representing multiple feeding guilds. In addition to resource competition, these influences may represent complex middle-out or spillover effects to the food webs discussed in the literature. We used quantile regression to account for variation in allometric growth described by length-weight relationships to compare body condition of native fish species between sites with different relative abundances of Silver Carp (low and high). We sampled 1,026 individuals from 3 species representing benthic insectivore (Smallmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) N=294), piscivore (Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) N=256), and omnivore/detritivore (Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) N=476) trophic guilds across 6 rivers and 12 sites where Silver Carp relative abundance spanned a gradient of 0–80 Silver Carp/hour. Our analyses indicated significant differences in body condition were present in Gizzard Shad and Flathead Catfish between sites with high and sites with low relative abundances of Silver Carp. This information can be used by management biologists to understand the effects of Silver Carp on native fish species in recently invaded areas, evaluate management success, and establish targets for population suppression to limit the effects of Silver Carp on freshwater fish communities.
Speakers
JH

Justin Harms

Student, Iowa State UniversitynDepartment of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-89: Effects of Embryonic Exposure to Predation Cues on Embryo and Larval Behavior in Fathead Minnows (Pimephales promelas)
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Abby Yake, Ball State University; Leah Sodo, Ball State University; Jessica Ward, Ball State University

ABSTRACT: The ability of developing embryos to detect and learn to recognize external environmental cues is adaptive because it can improve survival after hatching. Previous research has shown that embryonic fish can detect and respond to predation cues of conspecific adults and learn to identify a potential predator via association with these alarm cues. However, it is not known whether embryos can similarly recognize and respond to cues indicative of attacks on eggs. In this study, we examined the responses of embryonic and larval fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas, exposed to various predation cues during the egg phase. Embryos were exposed to predator cue, egg alarm cue, a combination of predator and alarm cue (PAC), or control water for 5 days post fertilization (dpf). Activity levels of 5 dpf embryos were then tested in response to predator cue alone. After hatching, larvae were reared to 21 dpf and tested in two types of behavioral assays, open field and refugium trials, to assess perception of risk. We hypothesized that embryos would be able to recognize and respond to egg alarm cues and make the same associations of predation risk as previously shown with adult alarm cues.
Speakers
AY

Abby Yake

Undergraduate Researcher, Ball State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-90: Density and community composition of aquatic invertebrates in interdunal wetland ponds at Ludington State Park, MI, USA
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Rowan Faust, Lake Superior State University; Jonathan Doubek, Lake Superior State University

ABSTRACT: Interdunal wetland ponds are found at several locations along the shoreline of the Great Lakes, between the slacks of the foredune (dune closest to the lake) and subsequent dunes behind. These ponds are subject to water fluctuations from the Great Lakes via ground- and surface water, and are important “connecting” ecosystems for certain species, such as aquatic invertebrates, between the Great Lakes and smaller inland systems. However, very little research exists that characterizes the density and community composition of aquatic invertebrates in these systems, and how such metrics may vary across ponds of different environmental characteristics and sizes. To investigate this knowledge gap, six interdunal ponds, spanning a vegetation density, at Ludington State Park (west in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula) were sampled biweekly over the Summer of 2024 to characterize the aquatic invertebrate community. Aquatic invertebrates were collected using horizontal plankton tows, and a vegetation density index was calculated for each pond. Water temperature was recorded, and water samples were collected for later laboratory processing of water chemistry variables such as hardness, total phosphorus, and chloride concentration. Preliminary observations thus far indicate that a wide range of zooplankton and macroinvertebrate density and taxa richness exists across the ponds. Common taxa observed are Polyphemus, Daphnia, Ceriodaphnia, and calanoid copepods. Once all samples are processed this Fall, we will test if interdunal pond environmental characteristics and size affect aquatic invertebrate density, taxa richness, and community composition. Results will increase our understanding of these interdunal ponds, which are important to study as connector ecosystems between deeper and larger systems during an era of global change.
Speakers
RF

Rowan Faust

Undergraduate Student, Lake Superior State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-91: Comparisons of Zooplankton Communities Before and After Chemical Renovation in Lake Ogallala, Nebraska
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Theo Huber, University of Nebraska at Kearney; Alex Keiler-Klein, University of Nebraska at Kearney; Melissa Wuellner, University of Nebraska at Kearney; Keith Koupal, Nebraska Game & Parks Commision.

ABSTRACT: Chemicals such as rotenone are used to remove undesirable fishes from lakes and promote the establishment of more desirable, recreationally important species. However, the application of piscicides can directly or indirectly impact zooplankton in both positive and negative ways. Lake Ogallala, a 263-ha reservoir directly below Lake McConaughy, has had several rotenone treatments dating back decades, with the most recent application in October 2023. Here, we compare taxa richness and densities from the zooplankton community in Lake Ogallala before and after the 2023 renovation. Zooplankton were collected monthly from April to November 2023 and from April to October 2024 at nine locations throughout the reservoir using an 80-μm Wisconsin net towed vertically, beginning 1 m from the bottom at each site. For each sample, four 1-mL subsamples were drawn, and zooplankton were identified to the lowest possible taxon and enumerated. Mean total density (number/L) and mean density by taxon were calculated across all sites for each month. In 2023, 14 taxa were found, and densities were highest among cyclopoids, Daphnia, and rotifers. In 2024, 13 taxa were identified, with densities highest for cyclopoids, Bosmina, and rotifers. Two taxa (harpacticoids and Diaphanosoma) were only present in 2023, and one taxon (Leptodora) was only present in 2024. This research adds to what has been found on the impacts that piscicides may have beyond those for fish. Understanding these changes is important in deciding whether to apply piscicides, given the possible benefits, costs, and drawbacks may be.
Speakers
avatar for Theo Huber

Theo Huber

Undergraduate Research Technician, University of Nebraska at Kearney
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-92: Angler use and satisfaction of South Dakota urban and community fisheries following supplemental stocking of adult Largemouth Bass and Hybrid Sunfish
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS: Aysah Dondlinger, Alison A. Coulter, Brian G. Blackwell, David O. Lucchesi, Steven R. Chipps

ABSTRACT: Urban and community fisheries (UCF) are often used by state wildlife/fisheries agencies to recruit, retain, and reactivate young, novice, lapsed, and current anglers. Fishing participation has declined nationally and in South Dakota for several decades, particularly among urban youth. Given these recent declines, emphasis has been placed on UCFs to reverse this trend. A primary purpose of UCFs is to minimize barriers to recreational fishing participation while providing quality fishing opportunities that keep young, and novice anglers engaged. Management of UCFs typically focuses on providing amenities and stocking catchable fish to improve young angler recruitment, retention, and overall satisfaction. While many factors can contribute to overall angler satisfaction, catch rates of preferred fish species may be crucial to keeping anglers engaged in recreational fishing. South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks currently uses recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) to produce adult Largemouth Bass and Hybrid Sunfish (Bluegill X Green Sunfish) that exhibit fast growth. Although South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks uses supplemental stockings of RAS - produced fish to improve angler satisfaction, it is unclear if young angler recruitment, retention, and satisfaction are being improved. Objectives of this study are to (1) quantify use of UCFs by young, novice, and lapsed anglers using creel survey information from community fisheries in eastern South Dakota, (2) identify if catch rates of preferred fish species are adequate to keep young, novice, and lapsed anglers engaged, (3) determine if supplemental stocking of RAS -produced adult Largemouth Bass and Hybrid Sunfish improves young, novice, and lapsed angler satisfaction. Results from this study will help identify stocking regimes that maximize young, novice, and lapsed angler use and satisfaction in urban and community fisheries.
Speakers
AD

Aysah Dondlinger

South Dakota State University
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA

6:00pm CST

P-93: Fishy Business: How to Market the Outdoors
Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:00pm - 8:00pm CST
TBA
AUTHORS:  Benjamin Poli

ABSTRACT:  Unfortunately, little is known about the correlation between the outdoors and marketing.
Fishing has always been a quintessential pa