South Dakota Project
Influence of Prey Resources on Food Web Dynamics in Missouri River Impoundments
January 2008 - June 2011
Personnel
Participating Agencies
- South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks
Inter- and intra- reservoir variation in prey fish composition and abundance has an important effect on sport fish populations in the Missouri River. Coldwater habitat in Lake Oahe, for example, provides refuge for rainbow smelt – a forage species that contributes significantly to walleye production. In contrast, prey fish populations in downstream impoundments are dominated by gizzard shad, cyprinids, and young-of-year sport fishes. In the late 1990s, the decline of rainbow smelt in Lake Oahe had significant impacts on walleye production. Although the smelt population has been recovering, low water levels combined with the recent expansion of gizzard shad in Lake Oahe have resulted in a unique food web never before observed in this system. As a result, factors affecting gizzard shad abundance and distribution in Lake Oahe and their contribution to the growth dynamics of walleyes are poorly understood.
| Presentations | Presentation Date |
|---|---|
| Fincel, M. J., J. A. Van De Hey, and S. R. Chipps. February 3, 2009. Non-lethal sampling of walleye and yellow perch for stable isotope analysis: a comparison of three tissues. Annual Meeting, Minnesota-Wisconsin-Ontario Chapters, American Fisheries Society, Duluth, Minnesota. | February 2009 |
| Galster, B., J. Van De Hey, M. Wuellner, M. Fincel, B. Graeb, D. Willis, and S. Chipps. 2009. A trip back in time: re-constructing historic food webs with stable isotope analysis. Poster Presentation at the 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. | August 2009 |
| Van De Hey, J., M. Fincel, and S. Chipps. 2009. Nonlethal sampling of walleye and yellow perch for stable isotope analysis: a comparison of three tissues. Poster Presentation at the 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. | August 2009 |
| Van De Hey, J. A., M. J. Fincel, and S. R. Chipps. February 24, 2009. Non-lethal sampling of walleye and yellow perch for stable isotope analysis: a comparison of three tissues. Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. | February 2009 |
| Wuestewald, A., M. Fincel, J. Van De Hey, and S. Chipps. 2009. Comparing isotope signatures of prey fish: does gut removal affect 13C or 15N signatures? Poster Presentation at the 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee. | August 2009 |
| Wuestewald, A., M. J. Fincel, J. A. Van De Hey, and S. R. Chipps. 2009. Comparing isotope signatures of prey fish: does gut removal affect 13C or 15N signatures? Annual Meeting, Dakota Chapter, American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, North Dakota. | February 2009 |
| Fincel, M., S. Chipps, and B. Graeb. 2011. Diet overlap and variability between sauger and walleye in Missouri River Impoundments. South Dakota Walleyes Unlimited, Chamberlain, SD. | June 2011 |
| Fincel, M. J. and S. R. Chipps. 2010. Prey effects on walleye growth in the Missouri River. Annual meeting of the South Dakota Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited, Rapid City, South Dakota. | January 2010 |
| Fincel, M.J. and S.R. Chipps. 2011. The influence of variable prey abundance on walleye growth in a large, Missouri River reservoir. 48th Annual meeting of the Dakota Chapter American Fisheries Society, Bismarck, ND. | February 2011 |
| Fincel, M. J. and S. R. Chipps. December 2, 2009. Prey effects on walleye growth in the Missouri River. 70th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Springfield, Illinois. | December 2009 |
| Fincel, M. J. and S. R. Chipps. February 23, 2010. The influence of variable prey abundance on walleye growth in a large Missouri River reservoir. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Dakota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Spearfish, South Dakota. | February 2010 |