T-MA-5
Seasonal Food Habits of Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass in Lake Coeur D' Alene, Idaho
Format: Oral
Authors:
John D. Walrath, Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, 308-750-1898, walr7955@vandals.uidaho.edu.
Michael C. Quist, U.S. Geological Survey, Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho
Presenter: John Walrath
Abstract: Cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii in Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho have declined in recent years. The decline is thought to be largely due to predation by northern pike Esox lucius and smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu, two important sport fishes in the system. To better understand factors influencing cutthroat trout in Lake Coeur d’Alene, this study was conducted to describe the seasonal food habits of northern pike and smallmouth bass. Fishes were sampled from March 2012 to November 2012 from four bays using experimental gill nets and pulsed-DC electrofishing. Stomachs for 480 northern pike and 1,032 smallmouth bass were evacuated using the pulsed gastric lavage technique. Results of this study were used to estimate the total annual consumption of cutthroat trout by northern pike and smallmouth bass using bioenergetics modeling for each bay. In additional, the results were used to evaluate alternative management strategies for northern pike and smallmouth bass within the context of westslope cutthroat trout conservation efforts.
Student presenter: yes