Artificial Habitat in Hatcheries and Reservoirs, Increasing Growth, Survival and Reproduction
Authors:
David Ewald (presenting author)
Fishiding Reclaimed Artificial Fish Habitat
Wonder Lake, IL 60097
Email: david@fishiding.com
Daniel J. Dembkowski
Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
Fish Propagation Science Center
University of WisconsinStevens Point
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Email: dan.dembkowski@uwsp.edu
Steven Fajfer
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery
Wild Rose, WI 54984
Email: steven.fajfer@wisconsin.gov
Shane Titus
Fisheries Manager at Seneca Nation of Indians
Seneca Nation Conservation - Fish & Wildlife
Salamanca, NY 14779
email: shane.titus@sni.org
Abstract:
Fish population responses to structural habitat observed in natural settings have prompted production facility managers to consider the integration of structural habitat in the extensive fish rearing process, typically within earthen or lined ponds devoid of structure. Therefore, our objective was to determine the influence of artificial habitat additions on fish populations in an extensive fish production setting. Specifically, we compared relative survival, growth, and body condition of age1 Great Lakes Spotted Muskellunge Esox masquinongy between rearing ponds with and without habitat additions. Survival, growth and body condition varied across ponds and treatments, but were qualitatively greater in ponds with habitat additions compared to those without. For ponds with habitat additions, mean relative survival was 78%, mean size at stocking was 366 mm TL, and mean relative condition factor was 1.03. For ponds without habitat additions, mean relative survival was 73%, mean size at stocking was 355 mm TL, and mean relative condition factor was 0.97.
Although results are preliminary and only represent a single year of data collection, our findings suggest that habitat additions may be a viable strategy in terms of meeting goals of increased growth, survival and production in a fish propagation context.