Reintroduction of paddlefish in the upper Allegheny River system of New York and Pennsylvania

In 1998 we initiated a stocking program for paddlefish in Onoville Bay of the Allegheny Reservoir (upstream of Kinzua Dam). After 2005, we added two stocking sites also within their historic range: Conewango Creek and Chautauqua Lake.  Goals are to re-establish a self-sustaining population in the upper Allegheny River system.  In spring, 2008 we initiated a telemetry study to identify spawning locations of adult paddlefish and to evaluate movements. We collected adults by gillnet, collected biological data and implanted transmitters.  In August 2008, we implanted transmitters in juvenile paddlefish to determine preferred habitat, movements and short term survival following stocking.  We documented substantial passage of juvenile and adult paddlefish through Kinzua Dam. Paddlefish surviving passage through Kinzua Dam may not contribute to restoration in the upper Allegheny River but may contribute to Pennsylvania’s restoration efforts in downstream sections. Paddlefish in the lower river may also have access to the Conewango Creek system in New York since the dam in Warren, Pennsylvania was removed in 2009. Paddlefish that remain in Allegheny Reservoir are healthy and show good growth.   The first gravid female was netted in 2010 and was implanted with a radio transmitter. To date, this individual remains in Allegheny Reservoir.