Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Montana Fishery
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

The Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) initiated a study on how its water operations influence fishes in the Missouri River basin above Fort Peck Reservoir. Of utmost concern is the effect of these operations on the spawning success and recruitment of endangered pallid sturgeon. It is currently unknown where, when, and under what conditions pallid sturgeon spawning is occurring. Studying the spawning movements and spawning habitat use of both pallid sturgeon and the sympatric shovelnose sturgeon under varying spring pulse scenarios will provide baseline data to help guide future release schedules designed to benefit the pallid sturgeon population.