Montana Fishery Research: Projects, Research Publications, Presentations, Thesis and Dissertations, Technical Publications

Montana Fishery Research Activities

Quartz Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana

Research at the Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit is problem oriented and provides our Cooperators (Montana State University; Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Geological Survey) and other agencies with useful and practical information needed to understand and manage fishery resources in the Rocky Mountains and northern Great Plains. Technical areas of special emphasis include whirling disease, native fish species restoration and management, large-river fish assemblages, sport fishery management, and regulated-river and reservoir fisheries.

Projects

Project	Completion Date
Evaluations of Methods to Introduce Mortality in Lake Trout Embryos	January 2018	Lake trout have been intentionally or inadvertently introduced into many lakes throughout the west (Martinez et al. 2009), and the establishment of non-native lake trout populations often causes declines in native species abundance. For example, introduced lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) threaten to extirpate native Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park. Consequently, it was deemed that suppression of the lake trout was needed to conserve Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake. Gillnetting is the primary method used to suppress lake trout in Yellowstone Lake and this method has been used since the program began in 1995. Unfortunately, lake trout are not the only fish species collected in gill nets. Some Yellowstone cutthroat trout are captured in gill nets and die, thus the exploration of alternative methods to suppress lake trout to minimize bycatch of the targeted species is gaining popularity. Currently, the use of electricity as an alternative suppression method has received considerable attention. Studies have shown that application of electrofishing techniques can increase mortality of fish embryos (Dwyer et al. 1993; Dwyer and Erdahl 1995; Bohl et al. 2010). Most studies have been aimed at providing criteria to reduce mortality of embryos, but it has been suggested that electroshock-induced mortality of embryos may be a means for eradicating unwanted fishes (Bohl et al. 2010). However, application of electrofishing techniques to induce mortality of embryos in lake environments poses certain challenges. Some of these challenges were recently overcome in Swan Lake, Montana. An electrofishing grid was developed and implemented in 2013 in Swan Lake, Montana that caused greater than 90% mortality in embryos up to 20 cm in the substrate (Brown and Guy, Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, unpublished data). The electrofishing grid was also developed for the National Park Service, Yellowstone Lake, but never implemented because of the Federal Government shutdown in fall of 2013. Part of this project will be to experimentally evaluate the efficacy of the electrofishing grid in Yellowstone Lake. Suction dredging is also being considered as a viable alternative suppression method because suction dredging has been found to entrain and cause mortality in fish eggs (Harvey and Lisle 1998). For example, 100% mortality occurred in un-eyed eggs of cutthroat trout (Griffith and Andrews 1981). This project will also experimentally evaluate the efficacy of the suction dredge in inducing mortality in lake trout embryos.	Lake trout have been intentionally or inadvertently introduced into many lakes throughout the west (Martinez et al. 2009), and the establishment of non-native lake trout populations often causes declines in native species abundance. For example, introduced lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) threaten to extirpate native Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park. Consequently, it was deemed that suppression of the lake trout was needed to conserve Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake. Gillnetting is the primary method used to suppress lake trout in Yellowstone Lake and this method has been used since the program began in 1995. Unfortunately, lake trout are not the only fish species collected in gill nets. Some Yellowstone cutthroat trout are captured in gill nets and die, thus the exploration of alternative methods to suppress lake trout to minimize bycatch of the targeted species is gaining popularity. Currently, the use of electricity as an alternative suppression method has received considerable attention. Studies have shown that application of electrofishing techniques can increase mortality of fish embryos (Dwyer et al. 1993; Dwyer and Erdahl 1995; Bohl et al. 2010). Most studies have been aimed at providing criteria to reduce mortality of embryos, but it has been suggested that electroshock-induced mortality of embryos may be a means for eradicating unwanted fishes (Bohl et al. 2010). However, application of electrofishing techniques to induce mortality of embryos in lake environments poses certain challenges. Some of these challenges were recently overcome in Swan Lake, Montana. An electrofishing grid was developed and implemented in 2013 in Swan Lake, Montana that caused greater than 90% mortality in embryos up to 20 cm in the substrate (Brown and Guy, Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, unpublished data). The electrofishing grid was also developed for the National Park Service, Yellowstone Lake, but never implemented because of the Federal Government shutdown in fall of 2013. Part of this project will be to experimentally evaluate the efficacy of the electrofishing grid in Yellowstone Lake. Suction dredging is also being considered as a viable alternative suppression method because suction dredging has been found to entrain and cause mortality in fish eggs (Harvey and Lisle 1998). For example, 100% mortality occurred in un-eyed eggs of cutthroat trout (Griffith and Andrews 1981). This project will also experimentally evaluate the efficacy of the suction dredge in inducing mortality in lake trout embryos.
Tenderfoot Creek Bair Ranch Foundation Research Project II	December 2015	A detailed study of Tenderfoot Creek by the Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit at Montana State University has been ongoing since 2009. The past four years of data collection have produced an efficient data collection process, detailed knowledge about the area, connections with local landowners and agencies, and an intimacy with the dynamics of the Smith River basin. With this experience and groundwork, T. David Ritter and his team will add to the information already gathered by filling in the gaps where data is lacking and learn more about this system by investigating phenomena discovered over the course of the study. The following objectives have been identified: o Determine use of the Tenderfoot Creek confluence area as a thermal refuge. o Perform thermal mapping of the Smith River and Tenderfoot Creek and its outflow and confluence with the Smith River both on the ground and by aerial winter mapping of upwelling zones. o Tag about 250 fish in the Smith River to determine how they are using Tenderfoot Creek or its outflow. o Perform portable tracking surveys in the Smith River with emphasis on the Tenderfoot Creek outflow. o Investigate movement of fish year-round, with more emphasis on winter and spring and critical times of the year (high/low temperature and high/low flow). o Operate fixed stations at the confluence and 8 kilometers up from the confluence by replenishing batteries by snowmobile and perform portable antenna surveys during the winter. Spring operation of antennas may be difficult given the high flow associated with snow-melt, but would provide more insight to rainbow trout spawning effort and high-water movement of mountain whitefish. o Increase frequency of portable tracking events to locate fish between fixed stations. o Investigate movement of age-1 salmonids (brown, brook, and rainbow trout and mountain whitefish). o Use about 100 12-mm HDX PIT tags to monitor movement of fish under 120-mm.	None
Reproductive readiness and behavioral ecology of wild hatchery-reared pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana	June 2017	Determine the age at sexual differentiation, age at first maturity, and spawning periodicity of wild hatchery-reared pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River. In addition, this project will replicate the research conducted by Gerrity et al. (2006, 2008) to determine if temporal changes have occurred in home range size and habitat use within the 1997 year class of pallid sturgeon. That is, has the 1997 year class become sexually mature and do they have similar home range size and habitat use as Gerrity et al. (2008) observed in 2003 (age 6) and 2004 (age 7)?	None
Evaluation of juvenile bull trout outmigration in Thompson Falls Reservoir	December 2016	Bull trout are listed as a threatened species by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and in the lower Clark Fork River the species is impacted by three main-stem impoundments (Thompson Falls,Noxon, and Cabinet Gorge reservoirs). Dams and reservoirs significantly alter natural habitats (physical and biological) and influence upstream and downstream fish movement. An understanding od juvenile bull trout use and movement through impoundments is necessary to identify how these altered habitats and dam operation can impact downstream migrating juvenile bull trout and accordingly the status of associated populations.	None
Electroshocking to Induce Mortality of Lake Trout Embryos in Yellowstone Lake	June 2015	The intent of this project is to refine and test a benthic oriented electrode array for reducing survival of lake trout embryos. The electrode array will be developed and lab tested in the spring and early summer. In situ experiments will be conducted in the autumn of 2013. This project will supplement an ongoing Montana State University project to develop an identical electrode array for the same purpose in Swan Lake, Montana. The funding outlined below would support expansion of the Swan Lake project to include similar methodologies in Yellowstone Lake.	None
Annual Evaluation and Development of Benchmarks for Lake Trout Suppression in Yelowstone Lake	June 2018	The Native Fish Conservation Plan (National Park Service 2010) proposed a framework for conserving native fish in Yellowstone National Park from 2011-2031. An important component of the Native Fish Conservation Plan is to continue suppression of nonnative lake trout in Yellowstone Lake for the conservation benefit of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The National Park Service desires to restore Yellowstone cutthroat trout abundance to the level present at the early stages of lake trout invasion. Quantifiable goals for abundance of lake trout and Yellowstone cutthroat trout (see Methods) were defined in the Native Fish Conservation Plan. Additionally, a panel of experts in fisheries science, lake trout ecology, and population dynamics convenes each year to evaluate the progress of lake trout suppression relative to management goals and provide recommendations for improving effectiveness (Gresswell et al. 2012). Annual analyses of lake trout and Yellowstone cutthroat trout population data are necessary to assess whether lake trout suppression is achieving objectives in the Native Fish Conservation Plan and whether the amount of fishing effort in a given year is adequate to reduce lake trout abundance. Targets for fishing effort are included in the Native Fish Conservation Plan; however, results from population models that provide these targets change as new data are incorporated. The proposed budget would fund annual analyses to determine whether lake trout suppression is attaining objectives outlined in the Native Fish Conservation Plan.	None
Assessment of Carbon Dioxide to Enhance Winter Kill in Natural Rearing Ponds used for Fish Production in the Northcentral Region	December 2013	Natural winter kills effectively eliminate unwanted fish species from commercial rearing ponds, saving producers time and money. However, winter kill conditions occur sporadically and are difficult to predict. Eliminating unwanted species (e.g., bullhead, carp) by enhancing natural winter kill conditions can increase harvest and productivity of desired cultured species. Identification of methods that consistently and inexpensively enhance natural winter kill conditions is needed to enhance this natural process and ensure winter kill conditions are reliably achieved in natural rearing ponds. As well, the development of eradication tools for fish species under culture conditions may have direct applicability to the eradication of non-native species on a landscape level for conservation of native species.	None
Spawning Characteristics and Early Life History of Mountain Whitefish in the Madison River, Montana	June 2015	Despite the putative abundance of mountain whitefish in Montana water bodies (Brown 1952) and their availability as a sport fish (Brown 1971; Scott and Crossman 1973), relatively little is known about the ecology of mountain whitefish in Montana. Fish population monitoring programs in Montana are generally not designed to target mountain whitefish; therefore, available data are difficult to decipher and potentially unreliable for identifying long-term trends (Mountain Whitefish Summit 2009). However, at least some mountain whitefish populations in Montana are showing signs of decline (Mountain Whitefish Summit 2009). In the Madison River drainage, mountain whitefish numbers have declined in Hebgen Lake since the early 2000s (Mountain Whitefish Summit 2009), but trend data are not available for the Madison River. The Madison River Foundation has indicated concern over an apparent decrease in mountain whitefish in the Madison River. Thus, the Madison River Foundation, Trout Unlimited, PPL Montana, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks have expressed interest in identifying life history characteristics, habitat requirements, and factors potentially limiting production of mountain whitefish in the Madison River (Mountain Whitefish Summit 2009; Lessner 2011). Factors limiting production of mountain whitefish may occur at various life-history stages; however, spawning success, the abundance of spawning individuals, and early life-history survival can have a strong influence on year-class strength and population abundance. Therefore, identifying spawning site habitat requirements, age at maturity, periodicity of spawning, and the distribution and habitat requirements of age-0 mountain whitefish will provide a strong foundation for understanding the population dynamics of mountain whitefish in the Madison River. Knowledge regarding the ecology of mountain whitefish in the Madison River is necessary before we can understand the mechanisms for population decline. It is generally accepted that mountain whitefish spawn in the autumn as water temperatures decrease (Scott and Crossman 1973); however, there is less consistency with regards to spawning site substrate use, depths used during spawning, use of tributaries for spawning, and the size of spawning congregations (Brown 1952; Scott and Crossman 1973; Pettit and Wallace 1975; Thompson and Davies 1976). Therefore, quantifying characteristics associated with mountain whitefish spawning sites in the Madison River will provide information that will likely assist in recovery of the species. Additionally, no data are available with respect to age at maturity for mountain whitefish in the Madison River or spawning periodicity for any population of mountain whitefish; these factors can greatly affect estimates of spawning population abundance (these data also greatly influence age-structured model outputs). Therefore, studies to identify age at maturity and spawning periodicity of mountain whitefish are warranted. Habitat use by, and the spatial and temporal distribution of age-0 mountain whitefish within streams is largely unknown. Recently hatched mountain whitefish may be easily sampled using dip nets in shallow areas along stream margins, but may move offshore in the summer (Brown 1952); therefore, different sampling methods may be effective at sampling during different seasons. For example, age-0 mountain whitefish may be effectively sampled using dip nets immediately post-hatch, drift nets during periods of higher discharge (e.g., May through June; Figure 2), and electrofishing during base-flow conditions. Therefore, evaluating appropriate methods for sampling mountain whitefish and seasonal effects on sampling efficiency are warranted, and application of appropriate sampling methods to characterize the distribution of age-0 mountain whitefish in the Madison River may help identify limiting factors for mountain whitefish recruitment.	None
Density of Pallid Sturgeon and Food Web Dynamics in the Missouri River	December 2017	Our goal is to provide inferences regarding pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus carrying capacity, using two complementary methods (vital rates and production), in the Missouri River and Yellowstone River (i.e., RPMA 2). This information will be useful in guiding an adaptive conservation propagation program.	None
Environmental and endogenous factors affecting egg quality and caviar yield in farmed sturgeon	July 2017	Several families in select year classes of the captive broodstock of the endangered pallid sturgeon are experiencing high levels of accumulation of gonadal fat which impairs reproductive performance. Sturgeon farmers in California and Idaho also observe highly variable roe yield in mature sturgeon associated with accumulation of fat in the ovaries. Environmental, genetic and developmental factors can all affect gonadal fat accumulation, but as of yet the role of these factors is not well understood. Understanding these effects is essential for conservation propagation of endangered sturgeons and sustained production of high quality sturgeon caviar. We are utilizing the aquaculture farms in California and Idaho to conduct a collaborative study, with participation of four states and four sturgeon farms, aimed to investigate these effects on the ovarian adiposity, roe yield, and caviar quality in farmed sturgeon. These results will be directly applicable to sturgeon conservation propagation programs to understand the influence of culture conditions vs. genetic and developmental factors on the reproductive performance of captive populations.	None
Life-history evaluation of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Spread Creek, Wyoming, with specific linkages to regional climate change and invasive species	June 2014	In order to effectively manage native salmonid populations in the face of climate change, linkages between trout and their environment and how these relate to interactions between climate and the physical attributes of the watershed must be understood. This research will address the following question: How do interactions between climate and physical attributes of the watershed influence the spatial and temporal variation in life history patters, movement, and population dynamics of Yellowstone cutthroat trout?	None
Assessment of the potential effects of the Exxon oil spill on the Yellowstone River spiny softshell turtle population	June 2013	n aAssessment of the potential effects of the 2011 Exxon oil spill on the Yellowstone River spiny softshell turtle population.	None
Assessment of the potential effects of the Exxon oil spill on the Yellowstone River fish assemblage	June 2013	An assessment of the potential effects of the 2011 Exxon oil spill on the Yellowstone River fish assemblage	None
Blackfeet Nation Lands fishery study	October 2014	An assessment of the effects of livestock grazing on stream fish assemblages on the Blackfeet Reservation to be used to manage reintroduced bison.	None
Turneffe Atoll Trust student support	July 2015	An investigation of the status and life history of queen conch at Turneffe Atoll, Belize	None
Diet and temperature effects on growth of pallid and shovelnose sturgeon	September 2014	The goal of this study is to assess latitudinal variation in growth rates of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon and determine how those rates are affected by diet and temperature. This study consists of multiple objectives that will provide information that can be used by managers to aid conservation and restoration of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon as well as serve as an indicator of the effects of climate change on two federally protected riverine fish species.	None
Predicting effects of climate change on native fishes in northern Great Plains streams	September 2015	The fish assemblages of Great Plains streams may be perceived as “living on the edge,” because water quantity and water quality are often precariously close to ecological tolerance limits. At the same time, prairie streams provide critical “green lines” of habitat, in a sea of semi-arid prairies for both aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. For example, in Montana, prairie streams are a stronghold of native biodiversity that support 25 native fish species, 14 amphibian and reptile species, and more than 130 bird species. It appears, however, that changes in water quantity and quality associated with global climate change may substantially alter these networks of biodiversity. Our goal is to predict the effects of climate change on the hydrology and biota of northern Great Plains streams. We propose to link predicted changes in precipitation and air temperature to changes in water quantity and quality in streams, and in turn, fish assemblages.	None
Habitats and Movements of Spiny Softshells in the Missouri River in Montana	December 2013	Little is known about the populations of spiny softshells Apalone spinifera hartwegi, in Montana, where they are a state Species of Concern, a Tier 1 Species with greatest conservation need, and a Bureau of Land Management Sensitive Species. The spiny softshell populations upstream of Ft. Peck Dam are isolated from other Montana populations, and are therefore at risk of extirpation. Although dam operations affect riverine and riparian habitats, the relationships between hydrograph and use of habitats for nesting, feeding, basking, and overwintering by spiny softshell are not known. Recreation and cattle grazing are prevalent land uses in the Missouri Breaks National Monument and the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. Spiny softshells may be particularly vulnerable to human disturbance and have been observed to abandon nesting when a boat or human came within visual range. Our overall goal is to document how human activities, i.e., dam operations and hydrograph, recreation, and cattle grazing affect spiny softshell habitat use, movements, nesting behavior and site selection, and overwintering locations in a ~ 50 mile reach of the Missouri River from Judith Landing on the Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument downstream to the Fred Robinson Bridge on the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. This reach spans a gradient of spiny softshell catch per unit effort ranging from 16.7 turtles per trap night in the upstream part of the reach to 0.3 turtles per trap night near the downstream end.	None
Anthropogenic Habitat Change Effects on Fish Assemblages of the Middle and Lower Yellowstone River: Phase II	December 2013	Although the Yellowstone River remains the largest undammed river in the continental United States, it is nonetheless exposed to a number of anthropogenic stressors including bank stabilization, diversion dams, water withdrawals, and altered hydrographs, thermographs, and sediment regimes from dammed tributaries. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of bank stabilization on the river morphology, fish habitats, and the fish assemblage within the transition and warmwater fish zones of the Yellowstone River.	None
Distribution, Habitats and Tributary Linkages of Small and Non-Game Fishes in the Lower Yellowstone River	June 2012	The Yellowstone River is the largest undammed river in the contiguous United States. Biologists have concentrated most of their efforts on the game and larger nongame species within the river, and we still lack a basic understanding of small and nongame fishes in the mainstem Yellowstone River. Two of these species, the sturgeon chub Macrhybopsis gelida and sicklefin chub M. meeki are species of special concern within Montana and potentially important prey items for the endangered pallid sturgeon. The objectives of this project are to determine the composition, distribution, abundance, and habitat requirements of native and non-game fishes in the lower Yellowstone River, quantify landscape-level linkages between tributary streams and the lower Yellowstone River using otolith microchemistry, and determine the differences in the lower Yellowstone and Missouri river fish assemblages.	None
Use of Mobile Electrofishing to Induce Mortality in Lake Trout Embryos	June 2014	The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of using benthic-oriented, mobile electrofishing techniques to induce mortality in lake trout embryos in a lake environment. This will be achieved during a three year study beginning with simple field-based experiments and culminating with an evaluation of electroshock induced mortality of embryos at a large spatial scale within Swan Lake. This study will be performed in situ in order to develop techniques under environmental conditions similar to those that would be experienced by resource managers engaged in lake trout eradication programs. Additionally, high-density lake trout spawning areas are known for Swan Lake, making it an ideal candidate for project implementation (i.e., in situ lake trout embryo destruction).	None
Exploitation, Abundance and Large-Scale Movements of Burbot in the Upper Wind River Drainage	June 2014	Understanding the mechanisms that influence burbot in the Wind/Bighorn River drainage will assist in making sound management decisions to maintain sustainable populations. Several studies have been conducted on burbot in the Wind/Bighorn River drainage and we do not propose to repeat those studies. Hubert et al. (2008) summarized much of the research on burbot in the Wind/Bighorn River drainage and concluded that the cumulative effects of high exploitation and entrainment likely have the largest impact on burbot populations in the drainage. Thus, we propose to evaluate the extent of exploitation within the upper Wind River drainage. The methods used to obtain exploitation rates will also provide information on population abundance within the studied lakes and large-scale movement patterns throughout the Wind River drainage. Exploitation, abundance, and population growth (obtained from three years of population abundance data) will be used in simple deterministic population models to better understand the effects of exploitation on burbot populations and guide management of burbot in the upper Wind River drainage.	None
Spawning of Pallid Sturgeon and Shovelnose Sturgeon in an Artificial Stream	July 2014	This project has two objectives: 1) describe the behavioral characteristics of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon during spawning, and 2) determine the influence of flow, temperature, and substrate on pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon spawning behavior and success. The results from this project will be useful in determining the duration of spawning and how natural resource agencies can manage regulated rivers to benefit sturgeon recruitment.	None
Determining Ripeness in White Sturgeon Females to Maximize Yield and Quality of Caviar	March 2017	The long-term goal of this study is to improve product quality and increase economic efficiency of caviar production. The specific objectives are: (1) determine the effect of dietary energy on ovarian adiposity and the roe yield in early (7 yr) and late (8 yr) maturing females; (2) determine dietary and farm effects on the physical, chemical, and sensory properties of sturgeon caviar; (3) characterize the effect of genotype on egg yield and ovarian adiposity in early and late maturing females and in early ontogeny of sturgeon (age 3 years); and (4) develop an integrated approach for management of farmed sturgeon with high caviar yield and product quality as outreach for the project.	None
Effects of the Reservoir Headwater Environment on Survival and Behavior of Larval Sturgeon	October 2011	Our goal is to determine the fate and behavior of larval pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon in a reservoir headwater. The results from this study will address the contemporary theory that sturgeon larvae drift in to reservoirs and succumb to mortality, thus the lack of sturgeon recruitment is a function of drift distance and reservoir headwater environments.	None
Upper Missouri River Basin Pallid Sturgeon Study	September 2011	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.	None
Tenderfoot Creek Bair Ranch Foundation Research Project	June 2014	The Smith River is a popular recreational sportfishery in western Montana, but salmonid abundances there are relatively low and believed to be potentially limited by high summer water temperatures and low discharges resulting from irrigation withdrawals and land-management practices. Smith River tributaries may serve as thermal refuges during summer and also as important spawning and nursery areas. If so, then maintaining connectivity between the mainstem river and its tributaries would be a management priority. Such use would also help identify deficiencies in the mainstem that could potentially be corrected through habitat or water management. Moreover, an understanding of salmonid habitat use and management in a thermally stressed and dewatered system could help identify potential global climate change adaptation management strategies and tactics. Our goal is to identify limiting factors in the Smith River system and evaluate the importance of its tributaries as spawning and nursery areas and thermal refuges. The research focuses on the lower reaches of Tenderfoot Creek, a largely undeveloped major tributary to the Smith River. Six PIT tag stations have been installed throughout the lower 8.5 miles of Tenderfoot Creek. This PIT tag detection network monitors the seasonal movements of about 1,000 tagged fish. Abundances are estimated by depletion electrofishing surveys, mark-recapture studies, and snorkeling. Redd counts are performed in both spring and fall. A water-level recorder and temperature loggers have been deployed to monitor temperatures and flow regimes and aid in determining reasons for movement among habitats.	None
Southwest Montana Fish Mortality Study	December 2028	The purpose of this project is to determine the causes of adult trout mortality, and the specific objective is to quantify how environmental conditions and angling affect adult trout survival.	None
Recruitment of Trout to Southwest Montana Rivers	December 2028	Rainbow and brown trout populations in sections of the Beaverhead, Big Hole, Madison, and Ruby rivers have declined to near historic lows in recent years, and recruitment may be a reason for this decline. However, the relative contributions of fish spawned in tributaries or specific sections of rivers are poorly understood. This effort will provide insight into the major factors responsible for juvenile trout recruitment in the upper Missouri River basin. Identifying productive spawning and rearing habitats will allow a focus habitat restoration and enhancement in areas most responsible for supporting popular mainstem fisheries. The purpose of this project is to determine the natal origins of fish in the mainstem rivers. Our specific objectives are to quantify the proportions of mainstem trout originating in tributaries, and identify important spawning and rearing habitats throughout each of the major drainages. This information can also be used to focus water conservation efforts on specific tributaries, mainstem reaches, or migration corridors that are important for various life stages of rainbow and brown trout in the study area.	None
Quantifying Recreational Use of Montana Rivers	December 2028	Trout fisheries in Montana are valued at more than $750 million/year representing more than 20% of tourism spending in Montana. Southwestern Montana, including the upper Missouri and upper Yellowstone River basins, supports some of the most well-known rainbow and brown trout fisheries in the world and provide a significant portion of the statewide economic benefits to the economy. This project will lead to the development of a method for estimating different types of river use. That information will be used to inform public processes related to managing recreation to balance trout population management with recreational opportunity. Concerns exist over accurately quantifying recreational use on these rivers. The objective of this project is to develop methods to estimate the quantity of use by different recreational user groups, and apply these methods on the Beaverhead, Big Hole, Madison, Ruby, and upper Yellowstone rivers. This information will be used to inform public processes related to managing recreation to balance trout population management with recreational opportunity.	None
Effects of habitat fragmentation by Toston Dam on genetic structure and movement of Brown Trout in the upper Missouri River	December 2024	The effects that Toston Dam has had on Brown Trout in the Upper Missouri River drainage by impeding upstream passage for 83 years are not well understood. During autumn, upstream movement by spawning Brown Trout is halted by the dam. Local fishery managers have questioned whether these fish are inclined to return to their natal origins within the headwaters of the Missouri River or the upstream tributary, Sixteenmile Creek. The researchers are assessing the effect of Toston Dam on Brown Trout spawning migrations in the Missouri River and its headwaters using integrated genetics, otolith microchemistry, and telemetry. Physically moving fish up or downstream to reconnect sub-populations might be warranted.	None
Effects of snag and release on survival and reproductive success of paddlefish in the upper Missouri River, Montana	December 2026	Paddlefish (<i>Polyodon spathula) </i>are native to the Missouri River in Montana and classified as a species of special concern. Although populations remain stable, populations are intensively managed to ensure that recreational harvest is sustainable. Population monitoring has been ongoing since the 1990s and the data collected is used to generate population estimates, age structure of the spawning stock, age and sex distribution of harvest, angler catch rates, harvest details, fish movement, habitat use, spawning, and recruitment dynamics. Exploitation rates for this population have been shown to be low; however, the snag and release component of this fishery continues to grow in popularity. Studies indicate that mortality associated with the snag and release event is low under relatively controlled field conditions. However, due to growing interest in snag and release and the relative uncontrolled nature of this activity in the upper Missouri River system, additional investigation is necessary to address the question of mortality associated with snag and release. As the popularity of the fishery increases the use of boats increases. Thus, a subcomponent of this study will be to quantify incidence and mortality associated with boat propeller strikes on paddlefish. Results will be used to guide paddlefish management and provide important information relative to regulation and or season structure changes. Additionally, information collected will be used to educate anglers on proper handling and care of paddlefish to minimize mortality on snagged and released paddlefish.	None
Ontogenetic and spatiotemporal distribution of stable isotopes and gut content for pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana	December 2025	<br><b>Project Summary: </b>This project will evaluate the diets of pallid sturgeon (<i>Scaphirhynchus albus</i>) in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir using stable isotopes (i.e., longer-term integration of food habits) and real-time gut contents (i.e., short-term integration of food habits). Diet data will be evaluated by year-class (age), size (length, weight), river location (longitudinally), seasons, and with historical data from Gerrity et al. (2006). These data will be paired with contemporary and historical (Grisak 1996) catch-per-unit effort data for sicklefin chub (<i>Macrhybopsis meeki</i>) and sturgeon chub (<i>Macrhybopsis gelida</i>). The information from this study will provide insight into the contemporary importance of sicklefin chub and sturgeon chub in the diets of pallid sturgeon and whether the conclusions determined by Gerrity (2006) are still relevant for this reach of the Missouri River. These results will also be compared to diet data for pallid sturgeon sampled below Fort Peck Reservoir (see Dutton 2018) to make larger inferences about pallid sturgeon feeding ecology. Furthermore, these data will provide information on the relationship between diet and variability in growth. That is, are slow growing pallid sturgeon within a year-class primarily feeding on macroinvertebrates? Conversely, are fast growing pallid sturgeon within a year-class primarily feeding on fish? The need for this information is timely given the proposed listing of sicklefin chub and sturgeon chub and the continued questions surrounding variation in growth and carrying capacity of hatchery-reared pallid sturgeon.<br><br><b>Objectives: </b>The objective of this project is to describe the diets of pallid sturgeon using stable isotopes and gut-content analysis and relate those data to year-class, size, river location, season, contemporary and historical catch-per-unit effort data for sicklefin and sturgeon chub, and with historical data from Gerrity et al. (2006).<br><br>Reference to 10-year Strategy and Recovery Plan:By understanding the diets of pallid sturgeon and the contemporary importance of sicklefin chub and sturgeon chub for the species, we will address three of the five primary strategies for recovery of pallid sturgeon listed in the Revised Recovery Plan (USFWS, 2014), specifically 2) fully quantify population demographics and status within each management unit; 3) improve population size and viability within each management unit; and 4) reduce threats having the greatest impact on the species within each management unit. The results will also address all three of the main goals of the Upper Basin Pallid Sturgeon Workgroup 10-year Strategy, specifically 1) documentation of natural reproduction and survival of wild produced pallid sturgeon in each RPMA at sufficient levels to sustain the population, 2) promote and initiate conservation, restoration, or management actions that improve habitat conditions for pallid sturgeon to complete their entire life cycle as well as targeted research to address impediments and knowledge gaps to the ultimate recovery of the species, and 3) promote collaboration, cooperation, and communication of pallid sturgeon recovery needs and proposed actions amongst resource agencies, universities, and affected stakeholders.<br><br><b>Approach: </b>Pallid sturgeon will be sampled throughout the Missouri River from the confluence of the Marias River to the transition zone with Fort Peck Reservoir using a systematic sampling design. Pallid Sturgeon will be sampled with drifted trammel nets (45.72-m long, 1.8-m high, and 25.4-mm or 50.8-mm inner mesh) or benthic beam trawls (1.8-m x 0.46-m frame with 3.2- mm inner mesh cod end). A systematic sampling design will be implemented that focuses effort<br>in reaches where pallid sturgeon catch rates have been high in previous years and benthic trawling can be used (i.e., lack of boulders and large cobble). Sampling reaches of interest include the 97-km reach immediately upstream of Fort Peck Reservoir, the Missouri River near Judith Landing, and the Missouri River and lower Marias River near Loma, Montana. In addition, sampling locations will be paired with contemporary and historical sampling locations for sicklefin chub and sturgeon chub. All sampled pallid sturgeon will be handled in accordance with the current handling protocols for pallid sturgeon (USFWS 2014). Pallid sturgeon will be removed from the sampling gear immediately and placed in a tank filled with river water. Fish will be measured, weighed, checked for marks (elastomer or missing scutes), and scanned for an existing PIT tag. If no PIT tag is found, a new tag will be installed and a genetics sample will be collected in accordance with the handling protocols. Pallid sturgeon will be sampled for stable isotopes with either an epidermal mucous sample, muscle plug (~ 10 g), or fin clip (Andvik et al. 2010) and gut contents (identified to lowest taxon) will be removed using a gastric lavage (see Dutton 2018). Stable isotopes will be analyzed at the University of Wyoming Isotope Facility.<br>Nitrogen isotope ratios accumulate about 3.4% per trophic level and carbon isotope ratios indicate the location from which consumers obtain energy. We will use stable isotope analyses (i.e., δ<sup>13</sup><i>C </i>and δ<sup>15</sup><i>N</i>) and gut-content analyses to describe trophic position and diet data (long term and short term). These data will be analyzed by year-class, size, and river location to build an ontogenetic-spatiotemporal model of how pallid sturgeon use food resources throughout the upper Missouri River. Furthermore, we will use gut-content analysis to estimate the importance (e.g., percent composition) of sicklefin chub and sturgeon chub in the diet of pallid sturgeon and relate those results to historical diet data and samples of sicklefin chub and sturgeon chub.	<b>Project Summary: </b>This project will evaluate the diets of pallid sturgeon (<i>Scaphirhynchus albus</i>) in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir using stable isotopes (i.e., longer-term integration of food habits) and real-time gut contents (i.e., short-term integration of food habits). Diet data will be evaluated by year-class (age), size (length, weight), river location (longitudinally), seasons, and with historical data from Gerrity et al. (2006). These data will be paired with contemporary and historical (Grisak 1996) catch-per-unit effort data for sicklefin chub (<i>Macrhybopsis meeki</i>) and sturgeon chub (<i>Macrhybopsis gelida</i>). The information from this study will provide insight into the contemporary importance of sicklefin chub and sturgeon chub in the diets of pallid sturgeon and whether the conclusions determined by Gerrity (2006) are still relevant for this reach of the Missouri River. These results will also be compared to diet data for pallid sturgeon sampled below Fort Peck Reservoir (see Dutton 2018) to make larger inferences about pallid sturgeon feeding ecology. Furthermore, these data will provide information on the relationship between diet and variability in growth. That is, are slow growing pallid sturgeon within a year-class primarily feeding on macroinvertebrates? Conversely, are fast growing pallid sturgeon within a year-class primarily feeding on fish? The need for this information is timely given the proposed listing of sicklefin chub and sturgeon chub and the continued questions surrounding variation in growth and carrying capacity of hatchery-reared pallid sturgeon.<br> <br><b>Objectives: </b>The objective of this project is to describe the diets of pallid sturgeon using stable isotopes and gut-content analysis and relate those data to year-class, size, river location, season, contemporary and historical catch-per-unit effort data for sicklefin and sturgeon chub, and with historical data from Gerrity et al. (2006).<br> <br>Reference to 10-year Strategy and Recovery Plan:By understanding the diets of pallid sturgeon and the contemporary importance of sicklefin chub and sturgeon chub for the species, we will address three of the five primary strategies for recovery of pallid sturgeon listed in the Revised Recovery Plan (USFWS, 2014), specifically 2) fully quantify population demographics and status within each management unit; 3) improve population size and viability within each management unit; and 4) reduce threats having the greatest impact on the species within each management unit. The results will also address all three of the main goals of the Upper Basin Pallid Sturgeon Workgroup 10-year Strategy, specifically 1) documentation of natural reproduction and survival of wild produced pallid sturgeon in each RPMA at sufficient levels to sustain the population, 2) promote and initiate conservation, restoration, or management actions that improve habitat conditions for pallid sturgeon to complete their entire life cycle as well as targeted research to address impediments and knowledge gaps to the ultimate recovery of the species, and 3) promote collaboration, cooperation, and communication of pallid sturgeon recovery needs and proposed actions amongst resource agencies, universities, and affected stakeholders.<br> <br><b>Approach: </b>Pallid sturgeon will be sampled throughout the Missouri River from the confluence of the Marias River to the transition zone with Fort Peck Reservoir using a systematic sampling design. Pallid Sturgeon will be sampled with drifted trammel nets (45.72-m long, 1.8-m high, and 25.4-mm or 50.8-mm inner mesh) or benthic beam trawls (1.8-m x 0.46-m frame with 3.2- mm inner mesh cod end). A systematic sampling design will be implemented that focuses effort<br>in reaches where pallid sturgeon catch rates have been high in previous years and benthic trawling can be used (i.e., lack of boulders and large cobble). Sampling reaches of interest include the 97-km reach immediately upstream of Fort Peck Reservoir, the Missouri River near Judith Landing, and the Missouri River and lower Marias River near Loma, Montana. In addition, sampling locations will be paired with contemporary and historical sampling locations for sicklefin chub and sturgeon chub. All sampled pallid sturgeon will be handled in accordance with the current handling protocols for pallid sturgeon (USFWS 2014). Pallid sturgeon will be removed from the sampling gear immediately and placed in a tank filled with river water. Fish will be measured, weighed, checked for marks (elastomer or missing scutes), and scanned for an existing PIT tag. If no PIT tag is found, a new tag will be installed and a genetics sample will be collected in accordance with the handling protocols. Pallid sturgeon will be sampled for stable isotopes with either an epidermal mucous sample, muscle plug (~ 10 g), or fin clip (Andvik et al. 2010) and gut contents (identified to lowest taxon) will be removed using a gastric lavage (see Dutton 2018). Stable isotopes will be analyzed at the University of Wyoming Isotope Facility.<br>Nitrogen isotope ratios accumulate about 3.4% per trophic level and carbon isotope ratios indicate the location from which consumers obtain energy. We will use stable isotope analyses (i.e., δ<sup>13</sup><i>C </i>and δ<sup>15</sup><i>N</i>) and gut-content analyses to describe trophic position and diet data (long term and short term). These data will be analyzed by year-class, size, and river location to build an ontogenetic-spatiotemporal model of how pallid sturgeon use food resources throughout the upper Missouri River. Furthermore, we will use gut-content analysis to estimate the importance (e.g., percent composition) of sicklefin chub and sturgeon chub in the diet of pallid sturgeon and relate those results to historical diet data and samples of sicklefin chub and sturgeon chub.<br>
Stream-Network Assessment of Thermal Habitat for Arctic Grayling and Non-Native Salmonids in the Upper Big Hole River Watershed, Montana	December 2010	We propose to produce a spatially-continuous dataset and map of stream water temperatures throughout the portion of the Big Hole River watershed representing the historic distribution of fluvial Arctic grayling and interpret that data within the context of Arctic grayling conservation. The data will characterize the distribution of thermally suitable grayling and non-native salmonid habitat during late summer and identify thermally significant areas and associated habitat attributes (e.g., riparian vegetation, channel alteration, or dewatering) that can guide conservation efforts for grayling. In addition, these spatially explicit thermal data will be used as a baseline for evaluating the potential effects of climate change, habitat restoration, and potential shifts in non-native salmonid distributions.	None
Landscape-scale Effects of Wildfire on Aquatic Systems in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado	July 2010	In order to provide information necessary to evaluate the effects of wildfire at the landscape scale, interdisciplinary data concerning physical and biological characteristics of study watersheds will be used to spatially assess the vulnerability of a high elevation landscape to negative consequences of fire. Relationships between current terrestrial and aquatic components of fish habitat and current patterns of fish distribution and abundance will be evaluated. Resulting data will be used to: (1) evaluate the risk of wildfire in watersheds in the study area (Grand County, Colorado), (2) identify watersheds where significant post-fire floods, debris flows, and sediment deposition could have negative effects on aquatic resources, and (3) provide information necessary to identify potential prefire management actions that would reduce or eliminate negative consequences to at-risk aquatic resources (e.g., isolated populations of threatened or endangered species). Methodology 1. Consult with collaborators to identify the most appropriate scale for experimental (sample) units (e.g., watersheds) in the study area (Grand County) and determine the sampling frame. 2. A probability-based sampling methodology will be used to select sample watersheds. 3. In each sample watershed, habitat will be hierarchically classified at the segment, geomorphic reach, and channel-unit scales. 4. In collaboration with scientists in local land-management agencies, relative abundance of fish will be estimated in all pools and cascades in each watershed using electrofishing as the primary means of fish collection. All fish will be measured (total length to the nearest 1 mm) and weighed (nearest 0.1 g). In each stream segment, scale samples for age analyses will be collected from up to five fish in each 10-mm length category. 5. Resulting information will be integrated into interdisciplinary and multi-agency databases (remote-sensed imagery, remote technology (MOTES), watershed modeling tools, and tools to analyze wildfire hazards and to mitigate impacts on people, property, and natural resources). 6. Data analyses will be conducted hierarchically at three spatial scales (watershed scale, within watershed, disturbed-control comparisons). Watershed scale analysis provides the most information about the distribution of aquatic invertebrates and fishes prior to disturbances such as fire. Baseline information on predisturbance habitat conditions and spatial patterns of fish distribution will provide a basis for comparison as the study progresses. The second level of analysis will explore watersheds in individual watershed classes (as defined in the initial stream classification). A third level of analysis will differentiate patterns of fish abundance in treatment and control (burned-unburned) watersheds. Geographic analysis of fish movement and spatial patterns in fish distribution will focus on the identification of geomorphically distinct peaks in fish distribution.	None
Distribution, abundance, and movement of native cutthroat trout in the Snake River below Jackson Lake.	January 2012	Goals of this research are to Investigate the distribution, abundance, and movement of the finespotted Snake River cutthroat trout below Jackson Lake Dam and determine the effects of discharge, sediment accumulation, and off-channel habitat on cutthroat trout recruitment and survival. Data collected will be incorporated into models that will project future river channels ranging from those expected given current trends to those expected without the Jackson lake dam. Models will be used to develop new insights into the management of this portion of the Snake River and potential for restoring some elements of ecosystem function that have been lost since the construction of Jackson Lake Dam. Specific objectives are: 1. Determine distribution and relative abundance of fine-spotted Snake River cutthroat trout in the Snake River from Jackson Lake Dam to Moose, Wyoming. 2. Identify spawning areas and movement patterns of cutthroat trout in the Snake River from Jackson Lake Dam to Moose, Wyoming. 3. Investigate the relationships among physical habitat, discharge, and distribution and movement patterns of cutthroat trout in the Snake River study area.	None
Destruction of lake trout embryos in natural settings to enhance persistence of native trout	December 2009	Specific Objectives: 1) Critically assess ecological effectiveness, cost efficiency, and safety of alternative methods to destroy lake trout embryos in natural settings.	None
Lake Trout Suppression in Yellowstone Lake: Developing Benchmarks for Harvest and Sampling Design to Measure Efficacy.	June 2014	1) Develop a sampling design that will allow NPS to assess the effectiveness of lake trout suppression. A project currently evaluating the efficacy of lake trout removal has identified inadequacies in sampling that limit the ability to detect how the lake trout population has responded to suppression. Sampling has not been a NPS priority through the duration of lake trout suppression, but is necessary for evaluating the effectiveness of the program. The sampling design will allow NPS to objectively assess if harvest benchmarks are being met and to adapt the removal program to meet specific management goals. 2) Use population models to determine the level of harvest required to cause a decrease in lake trout population size. The lake trout suppression program is not currently driven by quantifiable benchmarks because the level of harvest needed to successfully reduce lake trout abundance has not been determined. Benchmarks for harvest will be obtained from analyses that will build upon existing studies of population characteristics. Harvest benchmarks set by population models will allow NPS to quantify the number of lake trout that need to be removed by the fishery, as well as fishing effort required to attain given levels of removal. Population characteristics obtained with the newly developed sampling design will provide parameters which can be used in population models to assess whether the fishery is meeting benchmarks in future years.	None
Feasiblity Assessment for Translocation of Imperiled Bull Trout Populations in Glacier National Park.	December 2012	This project is designed to assess the feasibility of "rescuing" specific genetic lineages of bull trout from likely extirpation in three imperiled major lake drainages in GNP, through translocation of drainage-specific stocks into lakes located above barrier falls within parental drainages. The long-term goal for these populations is to maintain self-sustaining bull trout populations upstream within their natal drainages to avoid the loss of the unique genetic and life-history adaptations. Since GNP supports a significant proportion of the remaining natural lake habitat within the range of bull trout, this project also has range-wide implications for the species. The specific objectives are to: 1. Capitalize on status information from the previous SSP research on distribution, abundance, and genetic diversity of bull trout populations in Arrow, Trout, Bowman, and Logging lakes (herein referred to as potential donor populations) to determine their suitability as donor populations; 2. Evaluate the suitability of spawning, rearing, foraging, overwintering habitats, and aquatic biota (fish, plankton, zooplankton, and macroinvertebrates) in isolated (above natural barriers to fish migration) headwater lakes (e.g., Pocket, Grace, and Ellen Wilson) and the concomitant tributaries (herein referred to as potential recipient areas) of recipient lakes. Climate change models will also be employed to examine long-term habitat suitability; 3. Prioritize and plan the translocation strategy for bull trout within drainages where feasible, by identifying biological and environmental factors that may limit population growth and persistence.	None
Historical analysis of Yellowstone cutthroat trout growth in Yellowstone Lake	December 2025	Yellowstone Lake has been the site of intensive efforts to conserve native Yellowstone cutthroat trout <i>Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri</i> and restore natural ecological function since invasive lake trout <i>Salvelinus namaycush</i> were first discovered there in 1994 (Kaeding et al. 1996). Gillnetting was implemented in 1995 to suppress the lake trout population, but despite annual increases in gillnetting effort, the population expanded throughout Yellowstone Lake (Syslo et al. 2020). The lake trout population of Yellowstone Lake is highly resilient to gillnetting, probably because of high early life history survival. Interstitial embryo predators, which are a common source of embryo mortality in the native range of lake trout, do not inhabit Yellowstone Lake.<br><br>Cutthroat trout abundance declined precipitously in Yellowstone Lake until lake trout suppression efforts reached sufficient levels to reduce lake trout abundances in 2012 (Koel et al. 2020). The number of cutthroat trout caught during annual long-term gillnetting assessments varied subsequently, with mean catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) ranging from a low of 12.5 per 100-m net night in 2011 to highs of 27.3 and 26.4 in 2014 and 2018, respectively. Lake trout predation was also associated with a long-term shift in cutthroat trout lengths from dominance by small (100–280 mm) and midsized (290–390 mm) individuals to dominance by large individuals (400+ mm) in annual gillnetting assessments. The mean CPUE of small and midsized cutthroat trout declined from 18.6 per 100-m net night and 15.1, respectively, in the 1980s to just 6.9 and 3.9, respectively in the 2010s. Concurrently, the mean CPUE of large cutthroat trout nearly doubled, from 7.5 in the 1980s to 14.6 in the 2010s. Lake trout also caused increases in individual weights and condition of cutthroat trout. The average weight of midsized and large cutthroat trout increased from 408.0 g and 682.8 g, respectively, in the 1980s to 463.4 g and 1418.6 g, respectively, in the 2010s. Relative weights (condition factors) of individual cutthroat trout also increased during this period. Mean relative weights of small, midsize, and large cutthroat trout were 58.8, 56.5, and 55.8, respectively, in the 1980s and increased to 68.4, 70.4, and 67.7, respectively, in the 2010s. Lower densities of cutthroat trout with higher individual weights and conditions should have higher fecundity, which should aid further recovery.<br><br>Cutthroat trout abundance of all sizes remains below recovery benchmarks, but large individuals (> 400 mm) have become more abundant and individual weights have doubled, probably because of reduced density. A large (400+ mm) cutthroat trout in 2020 weighs twice what it did in 1980, prior to the lake trout invasion. Currently, the benchmarks for cutthroat trout recovery described in the 2010 conservation plan are all based upon abundance, and include gillnet CPUE, angler catch per hour, and spawner counts in streams (Koel et al. 2010). There is strong evidence that annual growth of cutthroat trout individuals greatly increased following the lake trout-driven decline in the cutthroat trout population. Existing recovery benchmarks do not account for shifts in individual growth. There is a need to examine patterns in cutthroat trout growth relative to periods of lake trout invasion over the past four decades on Yellowstone Lake. Results will be used to refine cutthroat trout recovery benchmarks to account for shifts in growth, greater individual weights, and overall population biomass.	Yellowstone Lake has been the site of intensive efforts to conserve native Yellowstone cutthroat trout <i>Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri</i> and restore natural ecological function since invasive lake trout <i>Salvelinus namaycush</i> were first discovered there in 1994 (Kaeding et al. 1996). Gillnetting was implemented in 1995 to suppress the lake trout population, but despite annual increases in gillnetting effort, the population expanded throughout Yellowstone Lake (Syslo et al. 2020). The lake trout population of Yellowstone Lake is highly resilient to gillnetting, probably because of high early life history survival. Interstitial embryo predators, which are a common source of embryo mortality in the native range of lake trout, do not inhabit Yellowstone Lake.<br> <br>Cutthroat trout abundance declined precipitously in Yellowstone Lake until lake trout suppression efforts reached sufficient levels to reduce lake trout abundances in 2012 (Koel et al. 2020). The number of cutthroat trout caught during annual long-term gillnetting assessments varied subsequently, with mean catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) ranging from a low of 12.5 per 100-m net night in 2011 to highs of 27.3 and 26.4 in 2014 and 2018, respectively. Lake trout predation was also associated with a long-term shift in cutthroat trout lengths from dominance by small (100–280 mm) and midsized (290–390 mm) individuals to dominance by large individuals (400+ mm) in annual gillnetting assessments. The mean CPUE of small and midsized cutthroat trout declined from 18.6 per 100-m net night and 15.1, respectively, in the 1980s to just 6.9 and 3.9, respectively in the 2010s. Concurrently, the mean CPUE of large cutthroat trout nearly doubled, from 7.5 in the 1980s to 14.6 in the 2010s. Lake trout also caused increases in individual weights and condition of cutthroat trout. The average weight of midsized and large cutthroat trout increased from 408.0 g and 682.8 g, respectively, in the 1980s to 463.4 g and 1418.6 g, respectively, in the 2010s. Relative weights (condition factors) of individual cutthroat trout also increased during this period. Mean relative weights of small, midsize, and large cutthroat trout were 58.8, 56.5, and 55.8, respectively, in the 1980s and increased to 68.4, 70.4, and 67.7, respectively, in the 2010s. Lower densities of cutthroat trout with higher individual weights and conditions should have higher fecundity, which should aid further recovery.<br> <br>Cutthroat trout abundance of all sizes remains below recovery benchmarks, but large individuals (> 400 mm) have become more abundant and individual weights have doubled, probably because of reduced density. A large (400+ mm) cutthroat trout in 2020 weighs twice what it did in 1980, prior to the lake trout invasion. Currently, the benchmarks for cutthroat trout recovery described in the 2010 conservation plan are all based upon abundance, and include gillnet CPUE, angler catch per hour, and spawner counts in streams (Koel et al. 2010). There is strong evidence that annual growth of cutthroat trout individuals greatly increased following the lake trout-driven decline in the cutthroat trout population. Existing recovery benchmarks do not account for shifts in individual growth. There is a need to examine patterns in cutthroat trout growth relative to periods of lake trout invasion over the past four decades on Yellowstone Lake. Results will be used to refine cutthroat trout recovery benchmarks to account for shifts in growth, greater individual weights, and overall population biomass.
Age-structured model of the Missouri River trout fishery	April 2025	To estimate the age structure of rainbow trout and brown trout in the Missouri and Madison rivers:<br>Compile relevant data from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) database for rainbow trout and brown trout populations for the Madison and Missouri rivers.Age otoliths (provided by MFWP) for rainbow trout and brown trout from the Madison and Missouri rivers.<br>Sagittal otoliths will be provided by MFWP. Otoliths will be mounted in clear epoxy, and transversely sectioned about the nucleus using a low speed IsoMet saw (Quist et al. 2012). Cross sections (0.8–1.0 mm) will be affixed to microscope slides and polished using fine grit sandpaper until the otolith nucleus and annuli are clearly visible at 40× magnification. A length–frequency histogram will be constructed from the electrofishing samples to visualize population length structure. Somatic growth of rainbow trout and brown trout sampled will be described using the von Bertalanffy (VBF) growth model. Age-length keys will be used to assign ages to unaged fish. Age-length keys will be constructed using the FSA package in R (Ogle 2016; Ogle 2018; R Core Development Team 2021) and applied to the rainbow trout and brown trout in the Madison and Missouri rivers.	To estimate the age structure of rainbow trout and brown trout in the Missouri and Madison rivers:<br>Compile relevant data from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) database for rainbow trout and brown trout populations for the Madison and Missouri rivers.Age otoliths (provided by MFWP) for rainbow trout and brown trout from the Madison and Missouri rivers.<br>Sagittal otoliths will be provided by MFWP. Otoliths will be mounted in clear epoxy, and transversely sectioned about the nucleus using a low speed IsoMet saw (Quist et al. 2012). Cross sections (0.8–1.0 mm) will be affixed to microscope slides and polished using fine grit sandpaper until the otolith nucleus and annuli are clearly visible at 40× magnification. A length–frequency histogram will be constructed from the electrofishing samples to visualize population length structure. Somatic growth of rainbow trout and brown trout sampled will be described using the von Bertalanffy (VBF) growth model. Age-length keys will be used to assign ages to unaged fish. Age-length keys will be constructed using the FSA package in R (Ogle 2016; Ogle 2018; R Core Development Team 2021) and applied to the rainbow trout and brown trout in the Madison and Missouri rivers.
Using dietary dynamics to assess the efficacy of biocontrol and to predict the effects of warming water temperatures on salmonids in Georgetown Lake	December 2024	Georgetown Lake is a high elevation reservoir located in southwestern Montana, about 13 kilometers south of the town of Philipsburg. It is about 845 hectares at full pool making it the largest lentic waterbody in the upper Clark Fork River drainage. The fishery is managed as a put, grow, and take fishery for rainbow trout (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>) and brook trout (<i>Salvelinus fontinalis</i>) and as a wild, self-sustaining kokanee salmon (kokanee, <i>Oncorhynchus nerka</i>) fishery. Georgetown Lake routinely ranks in the top 10 in Montana for angling pressure and is equally important as a summer and winter ice-fishing destination. Georgetown Lake is a highly productive reservoir and known for producing large numbers of quality-sized rainbow trout, abundant kokanee, and is a premier location for catching trophy brook trout.<br>The rainbow trout fishery in Georgetown Lake is sustained by annual stocking from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) hatcheries. Rainbow trout spawning occurs in Stuart Mill Creek and North Fork Flint Creek, but little recruitment occurs from these areas. Rainbow trout stocking densities and strains have varied temporally. Gerrard-strain rainbow trout stocking ended in 2009 due to the brood source being determined to not be an actual Gerrard strain. Eggs from a Canadian Gerrard-strain rainbow trout were obtained by MFWP and stocking in Georgetown Lake in 2015. Other strains of rainbow trout used for maintaining the rainbow trout fishery are the Arlee and Eagle Lake strains, which are raised in several production hatcheries in Montana.<br>The rainbow trout fishery in Georgetown Lake has undergone changes in the previous five years since MFWP began stocking the Canadian Gerrard strain into the system. One of the primary changes has been the increase in average size of rainbow trout. The average length of rainbow trout greater than 300 mm has increased from 363 mm (2004-2015) to 402 mm (2017-2020). This length increase suggests that the use of the Gerrard strain may be improving average size in the fishery.	Georgetown Lake is a high elevation reservoir located in southwestern Montana, about 13 kilometers south of the town of Philipsburg. It is about 845 hectares at full pool making it the largest lentic waterbody in the upper Clark Fork River drainage. The fishery is managed as a put, grow, and take fishery for rainbow trout (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>) and brook trout (<i>Salvelinus fontinalis</i>) and as a wild, self-sustaining kokanee salmon (kokanee, <i>Oncorhynchus nerka</i>) fishery. Georgetown Lake routinely ranks in the top 10 in Montana for angling pressure and is equally important as a summer and winter ice-fishing destination. Georgetown Lake is a highly productive reservoir and known for producing large numbers of quality-sized rainbow trout, abundant kokanee, and is a premier location for catching trophy brook trout. <br>The rainbow trout fishery in Georgetown Lake is sustained by annual stocking from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) hatcheries. Rainbow trout spawning occurs in Stuart Mill Creek and North Fork Flint Creek, but little recruitment occurs from these areas. Rainbow trout stocking densities and strains have varied temporally. Gerrard-strain rainbow trout stocking ended in 2009 due to the brood source being determined to not be an actual Gerrard strain. Eggs from a Canadian Gerrard-strain rainbow trout were obtained by MFWP and stocking in Georgetown Lake in 2015. Other strains of rainbow trout used for maintaining the rainbow trout fishery are the Arlee and Eagle Lake strains, which are raised in several production hatcheries in Montana. <br>The rainbow trout fishery in Georgetown Lake has undergone changes in the previous five years since MFWP began stocking the Canadian Gerrard strain into the system. One of the primary changes has been the increase in average size of rainbow trout. The average length of rainbow trout greater than 300 mm has increased from 363 mm (2004-2015) to 402 mm (2017-2020). This length increase suggests that the use of the Gerrard strain may be improving average size in the fishery.
Adaptive monitoring for salmonids in Yellowstone River	June 2023	The Yellowstone cutthroat trout (<i>Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri</i>), rainbow trout (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>), and brown trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i>) fisheries in the upper Yellowstone River, Montana are important recreational fisheries that are highly valued by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and anglers within and outside Montana. Though the Yellowstone River trout fishery is predominantly catch-and-release, fish populations are still susceptible to stressors including increases in angling pressure (i.e., mortality does occur from catch and release angling), increased susceptibility to disease due to elevated water temperatures, and changes in the seasonal hydrograph pattern (as a consequence of a changing climate). Maintaining a monitoring program for salmonid populations in the Yellowstone River can provide important information to natural resource agencies regarding population structure, vital rates, abundance, and distribution in response to environmental stressors. Moreover, identifying and understanding trends in the fishery can provide natural resource agencies with information necessary to adapt management strategies to mitigate for stressors and ensure the salmonid fisheries in the Yellowstone River are available for future generations to enjoy.<br>Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has been sampling Yellowstone cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout in the Yellowstone River in Region 3 from Corwin Springs, Montana to Springdale, Montana since the early 1980s (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 2018). In 1981, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks established a standardized monitoring program to evaluate the abundance, size structure, and geographic distributions of Yellowstone cutthroat trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout in the upper Yellowstone River using batch mark-recapture techniques. These data have been used to monitor the trout populations and inform management decisions. However, fisheries biologists have recently found that standardized sampling events are becoming less effective or cannot be completed due to changing snowmelt patterns, resulting in an altered hydrograph and turbidity regime. Consequently, fisheries biologists have considered implementing novel analytical methods that could account for the logistical challenges and would continue to provide time-series abundance data. Such analytical methods would be especially pertinent for native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, a species of Special Concern for the state of Montana. The objectives for the upper Yellowstone River monitoring program include providing robust estimates of abundance and survival under the changing hydrological and turbidity regime. The estimates would continue the historical time series of estimates but be more flexible for changing environmental conditions. In addition, the proposed new analytical methods would provide estimates of survival that could be useful in managing the fisheries.<br>The goal of this project is to determine if the current Yellowstone River trout mark-recapture database contains the appropriate data structure to estimate abundance and survival using more robust methods (e.g., N-mixture). In addition, we will determine if the current sampling plan could be improved to provide more efficient and effective sampling. Given the changing abiotic conditions, an improved sampling plan could be of value so that mark-recapture based abundance or occupancy models can be implemented.	The Yellowstone cutthroat trout (<i>Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri</i>), rainbow trout (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>), and brown trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i>) fisheries in the upper Yellowstone River, Montana are important recreational fisheries that are highly valued by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and anglers within and outside Montana. Though the Yellowstone River trout fishery is predominantly catch-and-release, fish populations are still susceptible to stressors including increases in angling pressure (i.e., mortality does occur from catch and release angling), increased susceptibility to disease due to elevated water temperatures, and changes in the seasonal hydrograph pattern (as a consequence of a changing climate). Maintaining a monitoring program for salmonid populations in the Yellowstone River can provide important information to natural resource agencies regarding population structure, vital rates, abundance, and distribution in response to environmental stressors. Moreover, identifying and understanding trends in the fishery can provide natural resource agencies with information necessary to adapt management strategies to mitigate for stressors and ensure the salmonid fisheries in the Yellowstone River are available for future generations to enjoy.<br>Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has been sampling Yellowstone cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout in the Yellowstone River in Region 3 from Corwin Springs, Montana to Springdale, Montana since the early 1980s (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 2018). In 1981, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks established a standardized monitoring program to evaluate the abundance, size structure, and geographic distributions of Yellowstone cutthroat trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout in the upper Yellowstone River using batch mark-recapture techniques. These data have been used to monitor the trout populations and inform management decisions. However, fisheries biologists have recently found that standardized sampling events are becoming less effective or cannot be completed due to changing snowmelt patterns, resulting in an altered hydrograph and turbidity regime. Consequently, fisheries biologists have considered implementing novel analytical methods that could account for the logistical challenges and would continue to provide time-series abundance data. Such analytical methods would be especially pertinent for native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, a species of Special Concern for the state of Montana. The objectives for the upper Yellowstone River monitoring program include providing robust estimates of abundance and survival under the changing hydrological and turbidity regime. The estimates would continue the historical time series of estimates but be more flexible for changing environmental conditions. In addition, the proposed new analytical methods would provide estimates of survival that could be useful in managing the fisheries.<br>The goal of this project is to determine if the current Yellowstone River trout mark-recapture database contains the appropriate data structure to estimate abundance and survival using more robust methods (e.g., N-mixture). In addition, we will determine if the current sampling plan could be improved to provide more efficient and effective sampling. Given the changing abiotic conditions, an improved sampling plan could be of value so that mark-recapture based abundance or occupancy models can be implemented.
Evaluate and refine benchmarks for Yellowstone cutthroat trout populations in Yellowstone Lake	December 2025	Yellowstone Lake has been the site of intensive efforts to conserve native Yellowstone cutthroat trout <i>Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri</i> and restore natural ecological function since invasive lake trout <i>Salvelinus namaycush</i> were first discovered there in 1994 [1]. Gillnetting was implemented in 1995 to suppress the lake trout population, but despite annual increases in gillnetting effort, the population expanded throughout Yellowstone Lake and increased in abundance until 2012, when the effort became large enough to curtail population growth [2]. The lake trout population of Yellowstone Lake is highly resilient to gillnetting, probably because of high early life history survival. Interstitial embryo predators, which are a common source of embryo mortality in the native range of lake trout, do not inhabit Yellowstone Lake.	<b>Background</b><br> <br>Yellowstone Lake has been the site of intensive efforts to conserve native Yellowstone cutthroat trout <i>Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri</i> and restore natural ecological function since invasive lake trout <i>Salvelinus namaycush</i> were first discovered there in 1994 [1]. Gillnetting was implemented in 1995 to suppress the lake trout population, but despite annual increases in gillnetting effort, the population expanded throughout Yellowstone Lake and increased in abundance until 2012, when the effort became large enough to curtail population growth [2]. The lake trout population of Yellowstone Lake is highly resilient to gillnetting, probably because of high early life history survival. Interstitial embryo predators, which are a common source of embryo mortality in the native range of lake trout, do not inhabit Yellowstone Lake.<br> <br> <br><i>Lake Trout Benchmark</i><br>Although the suppression program has reduced adult (age 6+) lake trout by >80% since 2012, recruitment of young (age-2) lake trout has remained extremely high, suggesting a compensatory response [3]. Because of this, the age-2 lake trout have remained the most abundant age class and have consistently dominated the annual catches by the suppression program. For example, in 2020 a total of 326,000 lake trout were killed by gillnetting, of which 215,000 (66%) were age-2 fish. Although these pulses of young fish are removed from the population before reaching maturity, they represent a large portion of the population remaining annually within the lake [3]. At the end of the 2020 netting season, the total estimated lake trout abundance was 382,500, of which 302,500 were age-2 fish. Only 80,000 (21%) were fish older than age-2. The current lake trout population benchmark described in the 2010 conservation plan is 100,000 fish of all ages that are vulnerable to the gillnets (age-2 and older) [4]. Because the lake trout population will likely continue to be dominated by young fish, which generally do not prey upon cutthroat trout [5], it is possible the 2010 conservation plan benchmark could be revised to minimize the effect of the age-2 lake trout on perceived success (e.g., 100,000 lake trout age-3 and older; or consideration of biomass as a potential benchmark).<br> <br><i>Cutthroat Trout Benchmark</i><br>Cutthroat trout abundance in Yellowstone Lake declined precipitously until suppression efforts reached sufficient levels to reduce lake trout abundances in 2012 [6]. The number of cutthroat trout caught during annual long-term gillnetting assessments varied subsequently, with mean catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) varying from a low of 12.5 per 100-m net night in 2011 to highs of 27.3 and 26.4 in 2014 and 2018, respectively. Lake trout predation was associated with a long-term shift in cutthroat trout lengths from dominance by small (100–280 mm) and midsized (290–390 mm) individuals to dominance by large individuals (400+ mm) in annual gillnetting assessments. The mean CPUE of small and midsized cutthroat trout declined from 18.6 per 100-m net night and 15.1, respectively, in the 1980s to just 6.9 and 3.9, respectively in the 2010s [3]. Concurrently, the mean CPUE of large cutthroat trout nearly doubled, from 7.5 in the 1980s to 14.6 in the 2010s. Lake trout also caused increases in individual weights and condition of cutthroat trout. The average weight of midsized and large cutthroat trout increased from 408.0 g and 682.8 g, respectively, in the 1980s to 463.4 g and 1418.6 g, respectively, in the 2010s. Cutthroat trout abundance of all sizes remains below recovery benchmarks, but large individuals (> 400 mm) have become more abundant and individual weights have doubled, probably because of reduced density. A large (400+ mm) cutthroat trout in 2020 weighs twice what it did in 1980, prior to the lake trout invasion. Currently, the benchmarks for cutthroat trout recovery described in the 2010 conservation plan are all based upon abundance, and include gillnet CPUE, angler catch per hour, and spawner counts in streams [4]. There is a need to refine cutthroat trout recovery benchmarks to account for shifts to greater individual weights and population biomass.
Evaluation of the management actions taken in the Lamar River watershed	May 2024	Introduction of nonnative fish species has negatively impacted native fishes throughout the United States and the world (Taylor et al. 1984). Yellowstone National Park is not and exception to this unfortunate trend (Koel et al. 2017) with negative effects cascading through the surrounding aquatic and terrestrial food webs (Koel et al. 2017). Beginning in 1889, over 16 million nonnative fish were stocked into Yellowstone's waters; Almost 3 million in the Lamar River watershed (Varley 1981). The Lamar River watershed is considered the most important riverine stronghold for fluvial Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout by the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout interagency workgroup (NPS, USFS, USGS, States of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, and Nevada). Over the decades, introduced Rainbow Trout have continued to migrate further upstream in the Lamar River watershed, displacing and hybridizing with native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout (Ertel et al. 2017). Numerous mitigation efforts have since been implemented to suppress and curtail the spread of nonnative Rainbow and hybrid trout and protect remaining Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout (and the species ecological function) to pre-invasion conditions (Ertel et al. 2017). However, long-term monitoring and independent data analysis are critical to evaluate the progress of management actions. This proposed Statement of Work and associated budget would fund a thorough analysis of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and hybrid trout response to the institution of a mandatory catch and kill angling regulation coupled with selective mechanical removal of nonnative trout within the watershed. This would be accomplished through a statistical analysis of new and historic fisheries assessment work and creel surveys and interviews of anglers in the watershed.<br><b> </b><br><b>Objectives</b><br><b> </b><br>Objectives<br> <br>1. Develop population estimates of Yellowstone Cutthroat, Rainbow, and hybrid trout populations in different regions of the Lamar River watershed.<br> <br>2. Determine if management actions (selective removal of nonnatives, angling regulations) being undertaken by the NPS are having the desired effect on the native and nonnative fish populations. Are angling regulations being adhered to?<br> <br>3. Develop management recommendations for achieving NPS management goals in the Lamar River watershed.	Introduction of nonnative fish species has negatively impacted native fishes throughout the United States and the world (Taylor et al. 1984). Yellowstone National Park is not and exception to this unfortunate trend (Koel et al. 2017) with negative effects cascading through the surrounding aquatic and terrestrial food webs (Koel et al. 2017). Beginning in 1889, over 16 million nonnative fish were stocked into Yellowstone's waters; Almost 3 million in the Lamar River watershed (Varley 1981). The Lamar River watershed is considered the most important riverine stronghold for fluvial Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout by the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout interagency workgroup (NPS, USFS, USGS, States of Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, and Nevada). Over the decades, introduced Rainbow Trout have continued to migrate further upstream in the Lamar River watershed, displacing and hybridizing with native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout (Ertel et al. 2017). Numerous mitigation efforts have since been implemented to suppress and curtail the spread of nonnative Rainbow and hybrid trout and protect remaining Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout (and the species ecological function) to pre-invasion conditions (Ertel et al. 2017). However, long-term monitoring and independent data analysis are critical to evaluate the progress of management actions. This proposed Statement of Work and associated budget would fund a thorough analysis of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, and hybrid trout response to the institution of a mandatory catch and kill angling regulation coupled with selective mechanical removal of nonnative trout within the watershed. This would be accomplished through a statistical analysis of new and historic fisheries assessment work and creel surveys and interviews of anglers in the watershed.<br><b> </b><br><b>Objectives</b><br><b> </b><br>Objectives<br> <br>1. Develop population estimates of Yellowstone Cutthroat, Rainbow, and hybrid trout populations in different regions of the Lamar River watershed.<br> <br>2. Determine if management actions (selective removal of nonnatives, angling regulations) being undertaken by the NPS are having the desired effect on the native and nonnative fish populations. Are angling regulations being adhered to?<br> <br>3. Develop management recommendations for achieving NPS management goals in the Lamar River watershed.
Quantify and prioritize lake trout spawning habitat for suppression	December 2023	Yellowstone Lake has been the site of intensive efforts to conserve native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout <i>Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri</i> and restore natural ecological function since invasive Lake Trout <i>Salvelinus namaycush</i> were first discovered there in 1994. Gillnetting was implemented in 1995 to suppress the Lake Trout population, but despite annual increases in gillnetting effort, the population expanded throughout Yellowstone Lake and increased in abundance until 2012, when the effort became large enough to curtail population growth. The Lake Trout population of Yellowstone Lake is highly resilient to gillnetting, probably because of high early life history survival. Interstitial embryo predators, which are a common source of embryo mortality in the native range of Lake Trout, do not inhabit Yellowstone Lake. Because Lake Trout population growth rates are most sensitive to changes in age-0 survival, alternative methods are being developed to reduce prerecruit survival, with an overall goal of increasing suppression efficiency while reducing long-term costs.<br> <br>We sought to intentionally degrade interstitial water quality at Lake Trout spawning sites in Yellowstone Lake because salmonid embryos are highly susceptible to sedimentation and degraded water quality. Rapid mortality of Lake Trout embryos occurs when dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations are below 3.4 mg/L. Whole and ground Lake Trout carcasses caused 100% mortality of Lake Trout embryos at the substrate surface and at a depth of 20 cm in the substrate at treated spawning sites. Biological oxygen demand of the decomposing carcasses caused DO to decline to 0mg/L soon after treatments and caused the high embryo mortality. Although these previous studies suggested that Lake Trout carcasses may be a useful embryo suppression tool, the Lake Trout spawning period peaks during the last week of September, allowing only 2–3 weeks to treat spawning sites prior to the end of gillnetting (which limits carcass availability) and onset of dangerous winter conditions on Yellowstone Lake. Lake Trout carcasses are also difficult to transport in large quantities in boats, time-consuming to apply, and prone to drift or dispersal by wildlife from spawning sites. We therefore sought an analogous organic material that would alleviate these constraints. Pelletized carcass-analogs have been used to restore nutrients and ecosystem function in areas of the Pacific Northwest, where anadromous salmonids historically contributed to stream productivity through carcass decomposition. Fish-based and plant-based organic pellet formulations induced high mortality of embryos in laboratory bioassays by decreasing DO, increasing ammonia, and increasing hydrogen sulfide concentrations. These experiments provided proof of concept for application on Yellowstone Lake.<br> <br>Fourteen Lake Trout spawning sites were identified in Yellowstone Lake over the past two decades by gillnetting spawning fish and locating telemetered fish. Spawning at these sites was verified by locating Lake Trout embryos by snorkeling (shallow sites), scuba diving, remotely operated vehicle imaging, or benthic sled sampling. Depths of Lake Trout spawning sites vary from <1 to 30m, and surface areas of sites where the outer perimeter has been delineated (n = 11) vary from 0.3 to 2.0 ha (total of 11.4 ha). Although some Lake Trout spawning site substrates consist of angular rock, most are embedded cobble, hardened material deposited by geothermal vents, bedrock, or some combination thereof (Table A.1) with little or no interstitial space, resulting in embryos remaining <20 cm deep in the substrate during development and hatching. Additional, as yet unverified, Lake Trout spawning sites probably exist.	Yellowstone Lake has been the site of intensive efforts to conserve native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout <i>Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri</i> and restore natural ecological function since invasive Lake Trout <i>Salvelinus namaycush</i> were first discovered there in 1994. Gillnetting was implemented in 1995 to suppress the Lake Trout population, but despite annual increases in gillnetting effort, the population expanded throughout Yellowstone Lake and increased in abundance until 2012, when the effort became large enough to curtail population growth. The Lake Trout population of Yellowstone Lake is highly resilient to gillnetting, probably because of high early life history survival. Interstitial embryo predators, which are a common source of embryo mortality in the native range of Lake Trout, do not inhabit Yellowstone Lake. Because Lake Trout population growth rates are most sensitive to changes in age-0 survival, alternative methods are being developed to reduce prerecruit survival, with an overall goal of increasing suppression efficiency while reducing long-term costs.<br> <br>We sought to intentionally degrade interstitial water quality at Lake Trout spawning sites in Yellowstone Lake because salmonid embryos are highly susceptible to sedimentation and degraded water quality. Rapid mortality of Lake Trout embryos occurs when dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations are below 3.4 mg/L. Whole and ground Lake Trout carcasses caused 100% mortality of Lake Trout embryos at the substrate surface and at a depth of 20 cm in the substrate at treated spawning sites. Biological oxygen demand of the decomposing carcasses caused DO to decline to 0mg/L soon after treatments and caused the high embryo mortality. Although these previous studies suggested that Lake Trout carcasses may be a useful embryo suppression tool, the Lake Trout spawning period peaks during the last week of September, allowing only 2–3 weeks to treat spawning sites prior to the end of gillnetting (which limits carcass availability) and onset of dangerous winter conditions on Yellowstone Lake. Lake Trout carcasses are also difficult to transport in large quantities in boats, time-consuming to apply, and prone to drift or dispersal by wildlife from spawning sites. We therefore sought an analogous organic material that would alleviate these constraints. Pelletized carcass-analogs have been used to restore nutrients and ecosystem function in areas of the Pacific Northwest, where anadromous salmonids historically contributed to stream productivity through carcass decomposition. Fish-based and plant-based organic pellet formulations induced high mortality of embryos in laboratory bioassays by decreasing DO, increasing ammonia, and increasing hydrogen sulfide concentrations. These experiments provided proof of concept for application on Yellowstone Lake.<br> <br>Fourteen Lake Trout spawning sites were identified in Yellowstone Lake over the past two decades by gillnetting spawning fish and locating telemetered fish. Spawning at these sites was verified by locating Lake Trout embryos by snorkeling (shallow sites), scuba diving, remotely operated vehicle imaging, or benthic sled sampling. Depths of Lake Trout spawning sites vary from <1 to 30m, and surface areas of sites where the outer perimeter has been delineated (n = 11) vary from 0.3 to 2.0 ha (total of 11.4 ha). Although some Lake Trout spawning site substrates consist of angular rock, most are embedded cobble, hardened material deposited by geothermal vents, bedrock, or some combination thereof (Table A.1) with little or no interstitial space, resulting in embryos remaining <20 cm deep in the substrate during development and hatching. Additional, as yet unverified, Lake Trout spawning sites probably exist.
Spawning Characteristics and an Assessment of Juvenile Sampling Methods and Habitat for Mountain Whitefish in the Green River, Wyoming	June 2022	Mountain whitefish Prosopium williamsoni are widely distributed throughout western North America, including many streams and lakes in the western Wyoming (Scott and Crossman 1973; Baxter and Stone 1995). Mountain whitefish are an important ecological and recreational component of streams and lakes in Wyoming, such as the upper Green River. Historically, mountain whitefish were likely one of the most abundant sport fishes in the Intermountain West, including states such as Montana (Brown 1952) and Wyoming. Mountain whitefish prey on a variety of aquatic taxa and terrestrial insects (Brown 1971; Pontius and Parker 1973; Scott and Crossman 1973). Therefore, mountain whitefish often compose a large portion of the biomass present within streams and lakes and likely contribute substantially to ecosystem processes (e.g., nutrient cycling). Additionally, mountain whitefish contribute to the diets of avian predators such as osprey (Van Daele and Van Daele 1982) and terrestrial predators such as river otters (Melquist and Hornocker 1983) and mink. Mountain whitefish can be an indicator species with respect to the effects of global climate change on river water temperatures. For example, upper lethal temperatures for mountain whitefish have not been defined, but weekly mean water temperature tolerances were lower for mountain whitefish than rainbow trout and brown trout (Eaton and Scheller 1996). Finally, mountain whitefish are a native species that makes a substantive contribution to angler recreation in streams of western Wyoming, including the upper Green River. Status and trends in Wyoming’s mountain whitefish populations are only perceived with a limited baseline for comparison, which is currently being established. A recently completed project by the Aquatic Assessment Crew of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department studied the sampling techniques for adult mountain whitefish (Edwards 2014). In addition, the project evaluated the reliability of data collected on mountain whitefish populations for assessing trends in populations. Despite the putative abundance of mountain whitefish in the water bodies of western Wyoming (Baxter and Stone 1995) and their availability as a sport fish (Baxter and Stone 1995; Scott and Crossman 1973), relatively little is known about the ecology of mountain whitefish in Wyoming. Fish population monitoring programs in Wyoming have only recently targeted mountain whitefish due to a lack of methodology. Therefore, available data are difficult to decipher and potentially unreliable for identifying long-term trends. This is also the case in neighboring states such as Montana (Mountain Whitefish Summit 2009). Many of Wyoming’s populations appear stable, however, at least some mountain whitefish populations nearby are showing signs of decline (Mountain Whitefish Summit 2009). In Montana, mountain whitefish numbers have declined in Hebgen Lake since the early 2000s (Mountain Whitefish Summit 2009). Trend data are not available for the Madison River, but the Madison River Foundation and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks indicated concern over an apparent decrease in mountain whitefish. Thus, the Madison River Foundation, Trout Unlimited, NorthWestern Energy, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks funded a research project identifying life-history characteristics, habitat requirements, and factors potentially limiting recruitment of mountain whitefish in the Madison River (Boyer et al. 2017a). Interestingly, mountain whitefish moved downstream to spawning locations in the Madison River and it appeared that channel braiding was important large-scale characteristic in spawning site selection. Maturation and fecundity in the Madison River population were similar to other populations, and reproductive development appeared normal, thus factors influencing recruitment probably occur post spawning. Age-0 fish were associated with silt-laden backwater and eddy habitats. Furthermore, age-0 mountain whitefish were most efficiently sampled with seines. The Boyer et al. (2017a) study added a considerable amount of knowledge to mountain whitefish ecology in the Madison River, Montana. Spawning characteristics and early life history are major gaps in the research of mountain whitefish ecology. Effective methodology for sampling juvenile whitefish is a concern of field biologists that is untested in many systems. It is probable that Wyoming could experience declines in mountain whitefish populations and would be best prepared to address potential issues by filling these data gaps. Declines in mountain whitefish populations were documented in a few lakes of the upper Green River drainage of Wyoming to date, and were attributed primarily to the addition of non-native piscivores. Riverine mountain whitefish populations appear to be robust throughout the state, but trends have yet to be identified. Factors limiting production of mountain whitefish may occur at various life-history stages; however, spawning success, abundance of spawning individuals, and early life-history survival can have a strong influence on year-class strength and population abundance. Therefore, identifying large-scale spawning locations and movement, age structure, age-at-maturity, spawning periodicity, and the distribution and habitat requirements of age-0 mountain whitefish will provide a strong foundation for understanding the population dynamics of mountain whitefish in large Wyoming rivers. Knowledge regarding the ecology of mountain whitefish is necessary before we can understand the mechanisms for potential population declines. Large-scale movement and habitat use by, and the spatial and temporal distribution of age-0 mountain whitefish within streams, is largely unknown. The most recent study conducted on age-0 mountain whitefish in the Madison River, Montana found that age-0 mountain whitefish were most efficiently sampled by seining (Boyer et al. 2017b). It is not clear whether the efficiency of seining is consistent among waterbodies throughout the species range. Therefore, evaluating appropriate methods for sampling age-0 mountain whitefish are warranted for varying waterbodies, and application of appropriate sampling methods to characterize the distribution of age-0 mountain whitefish in a large Wyoming river system may help identify limiting factors for mountain whitefish recruitment.	Mountain whitefish are an important ecological and recreational component of streams and lakes in Wyoming, such as the upper Green River. Historically, mountain whitefish were likely one of the most abundant sport fishes in the Intermountain West, including states such as Montana and Wyoming. Despite the putative abundance of mountain whitefish in the water bodies of western Wyoming and their availability as a sport fish, relatively little is known about the ecology of mountain whitefish in Wyoming. Thus, here we are studying the factors that may limit production of mountain whitefish at various life-history stages; such as, spawning success, abundance of spawning individuals, movement, and early life-history survival. Knowledge regarding the ecology of mountain whitefish is necessary before we can understand the mechanisms for potential population declines. Partners are Wyoming Game and Fish
Efficacy of the Nature-like Fish Bypass Channel at Huntley Diversion Dam, Yellowstone River, Montana	March 2022	The Huntley Diversion Dam was constructed in 1934 at river kilometer 566 on the Yellowstone River 15 km downstream from Billings, Montana, to supply agricultural irrigation and municipal water. The 3.2-m high rockfill and concrete structure can divert up to 730 cfs of water. Limited upstream movement past the dam was possible by strong-swimming fish species (white sucker, carp, goldeye, brown trout, shorthead redhorse, longnose sucker, flathead chub), but such passage was probably accomplished via the natural side channel on the north side of the island on the north side of the dam; the side channel flows primarily during high runoff discharges. Moreover, no upstream or downstream passage of marked individuals of most species present was observed. In addition, the dam appeared to limit the upstream distribution of a genetically distinct population of sauger; sauger formerly occurred in the Yellowstone River and its Clark Fork tributary upstream of Huntley Dam. Lack of access by this popular sportfish to habitats upstream of the dam may limit recreational opportunities as well as viability of this unique population. Huntley Dam was repaired and modified following flooding in 1996 and 1997. Concurrently, a nature-like fish bypass channel was constructed around the north end of the dam on the island to enhance fish movements around the dam. Unfortunately, the length of the completed channel was much shorter than originally planned. It failed to provide passage, probably because of excessive gradient and water velocities. The bypass channel was reconfigured to more appropriate design specifications in 2015, but its hydraulics and efficacy for fish passage have not been evaluated. Nature-like fish bypasses are designed to resemble natural streams or side channels. Their gradient is lower than that of typical fish ladders and their sinuosity and inherent substrate roughness provide diverse water velocities, especially along their margins, thereby ostensibly facilitating passage by a variety of species and sizes. Nature-like bypasses are still rare (though more popular in Europe than in North America) and only a few evaluations of them have been conducted. None of these evaluations were conducted in situations even remotely resembling the reconfigured Huntley bypass channel. As with all fishways, attraction is critical for nature-like bypasses; fish have to both find the entrance and decide to enter it before attempting to navigate it. Adequate flows are key to attraction, but insufficient evaluations exist to provide thresholds and design criteria, especially for diverse fish assemblages such as that of the Yellowstone River. Upon entry, a fish must traverse the passage successfully and also exit it; again, hydraulics must be appropriate. Failure can occur at any of these stages and assessment thereof is an important component of an evaluation if it is to identify causes of passage problems and possible remedies. Influential factors affecting bypass efficiency (depending on species and size) can include discharge, velocity, gradient, channel length, temperature, and turbidity. We propose to conduct an evaluation of the reconfigured Huntley fish bypass in 2019 and 2020 by estimating fish passage rates through the bypass and measuring and modeling the hydraulics of the bypass channel to determine its passability by various species under different river stages. Our specific objectives are to: 1) determine approach, attraction, and passage efficiencies (%) of important and abundant fish species through the bypass, 2) determine the locations of any passage bottlenecks within and near (i.e., immediately above and below) the bypass channel, 3) determine fish passage durations through the bypass, 4) determine the seasonal and daily timing of fish passage, 5) characterize the topography, bathymetry, and hydraulics of the bypass and its inlet and outlet to characterize its connectivity with the Yellowstone River, and 6) model the hydraulics of the bypass to identify excessive velocities, attraction flows, and other factors affecting fish passage over the range of flow rates that characterize the river’s hydrograph. Completion of these objectives will provide an evaluation of how well the fish bypass works, ascertain the causes of any deficiencies, and identify corrective measures if needed.	The Huntley Diversion Dam on the Yellowstone River limits movements and distributions of fish. Similar dams pose similar problems on large rivers worldwide. A nature-like fish bypass channel designed to resemble a natural stream or side channel was constructed around the dam to enhance fish movements around it in 2015, but its hydraulics and efficacy for fish passage have not been evaluated. The gradient of nature-like bypasses is lower than that of typical fish ladders and their sinuosity and inherent substrate roughness provide diverse water velocities, especially along their margins, thereby ostensibly facilitating passage by a variety of species and sizes. Nature-like bypasses are still rare and only a few evaluations of them have been conducted, with none at a dam as large as Huntley. We are conducting an evaluation of the Huntley fish bypass by estimating fish passage rates through the bypass and measuring and modeling the hydraulics of the bypass channel to determine its passability by various species under different river stages. Partners are Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Civil Engineering program at Montana State University. Completion of the study will provide an evaluation of how well the fish bypass works, ascertain the causes of any deficiencies, and identify corrective measures if needed.
Using Carcass and Carcass-Analog Material to Increase Lake T...	December 2021	Invasive species introductions cause negative economic effects and disrupt natural ecosystem interactions, with the potential of inducing ecological impairment or ecosystem collapse (Elton 1958; Vitousek 1996; Sala et al. 2000). Invasive species introduction and expansion is the second greatest threat to global biodiversity decline next to habitat degradation (Wilcove 1998; WWF 2016). Additionally, such introductions are recognized as a major threat to aquatic ecosystems (Ricciardi 1999; Pimentel et al. 2005). Invasive species disrupt ecosystems by displacing and reducing native species populations (Vitousek et al. 1996), usually through competition, predation, or both (Cucherousset and Olden 2011). Invasive species have the ability to initiate trophic cascades through the alteration of ecosystem food-web dynamics (Eby et al. 2006). <br>Lake trout have been intentionally or illegally introduced to over 170 locations in the Intermountain West (Martinez et al. 2009), often leading to invasive populations that disrupt food-webs in native ecosystems (e.g., Yellowstone Lake, Lake Pend Oreille, Flathead Lake, Lake Tahoe). Lake trout in their invasive range can predate on native fishes (Ruzycki et al. 2003), compete with native fishes (Donald and Alger 1993; USFWS 1998; Fredenberg 2002), and can affect terrestrial vertebrates dependent on native fish species (Spencer et al. 1991; Schullery and Varley 1995; Tronstad et al. 2010). <br>After being introduced from nearby Lewis Lake in the mid-to-late 1980s (Munro et al. 2005), lake trout were discovered in Yellowstone Lake in 1994 (Kaeding et al. 1995). Yellowstone Lake contains the largest population of genetically pure Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the world (Gresswell and Varley 1988). The effect of lake trout on Yellowstone cutthroat trout populations through predation and competition for limited resources in lake ecosystems (Syslo 2010) is of particular concern for conservation of Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The persistence of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake has been threatened by the introduction of invasive lake trout, which have greatly reduced the abundance of Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Koel et al. 2005; Tronstad et al. 2010) and disrupted aquatic and terrestrial food webs (Tronstad et al. 2010). The number of spawning individuals in one spawning tributary was reduced from 55,000 Yellowstone cutthroat trout in 1987 to 500 in 2007 (Koel et al. 2012). Additionally, the decline in Yellowstone cutthroat trout abundance triggered a trophic cascade (Tronstad et al. 2010) and disrupted linkages among non-piscene predators throughout the Yellowstone Lake basin (Crait and Ben-David 2006; Baril et al. 2013; Tiesberg et al. 2014). The Yellowstone cutthroat trout population was expected to decrease by as much as 60% within 100 years if the level of predation exerted by lake trout was not suppressed (Stapp and Hayward 2002). Due to the dramatic influence of lake trout in Yellowstone Lake and the Yellowstone Lake basin, the National Park Service initiated a lake trout suppression program in 1995.<br>The original gillnetting program objectives were to remove lake trout from Yellowstone Lake and assess the geographic distribution and population characteristics (Kaeding and Boltz 1997; Ruzycki 2004). Subsequently, contract fishing crews are gillnetting in addition to the National Park Service to increase effort throughout Yellowstone Lake. The National Park Service additionally uses acoustic telemetry to locate lake trout spawning areas and concentrate gillnetting effort during the spawning season (Koel et al. 2015). Gillnetting effort has increased from 1997 through 2014 along with the cost of the program, which is now nearly two million dollars annually. The increase in gillnetting effort is showing some benefit; recently the catch of lake trout has declined and Yellowstone cutthroat trout numbers have slightly increased. <br>Research studies were initiated in 2015 to explore alternative lake trout suppression methods to increase the success of meeting suppression program goals, improve suppression efficiency, and reduce program cost. Currently, the most efficient and cost-effective alternative suppression method has been to suppress lake trout embryos using whole and ground lake trout carcass material and carcass-analog pellets on spawning substrates causing hypoxic conditions unsuitable for developing lake trout embryos (Thomas 2017). Carcass analog pellets are created from plant-based organic materials (gluten/soy) and were created to mimic lake trout carcass material. Addition of lake trout carcass material and carcass-analog pellets have increased lake trout embryo mortality in controlled experiments to near 100% (Thomas 2017; Figure 1; YELL unpublished data 2018; Figure 2) and could be applicable to suppression of lake trout embryos lake-wide, potentially increasing the long-term cost efficiency of the lake trout suppression program. However, with a concentrated addition of lake trout carcass material or carcass-analog pellets at lake trout spawning sites, novel concentrations of nutrients become available for aquatic organisms at all trophic levels that were not historically available. <br>The potential influence of concentrated lake trout carcass or carcass-analog pellet nutrients on the food-web dynamics in Yellowstone Lake is unknown. We predict that unintended consequences from lake trout carcass or carcass-analog pellet deposition will not exist, but this must be objectively evaluated using rigorous scientific methodology. Understanding the potential consequences of lake trout carcass material or carcass-analog pellets on nutrient cycling and food-web dynamics in Yellowstone Lake would be beneficial for National Park Service managers when deciding whether to implement embryo suppression lake-wide using lake trout carcass or carcass-analog pellet deposition—implementing the carcass program would result in considerable cost savings to the lake trout suppression program. The aim of this study is to provide information on the potential trophic cascading effects of suppressing embryos with carcass material or carcass-analog pellets in concentrated littoral and benthic zones of the lake. Specifically, we will determine how this novel suppression method influences nutrient cycling and food-web dynamics in Yellowstone Lake.	The original gillnetting program objectives were to remove lake trout from Yellowstone Lake and assess the geographic distribution and population characteristics. Subsequently, contract fishing crews are gillnetting in addition to the National Park Service to increase effort throughout Yellowstone Lake. Gillnetting effort has increased from 1997 through 2019 along with the cost of the program, which is now nearly two million dollars annually. The increase in gillnetting effort is showing some benefit; recently the catch of large lake trout has declined and Yellowstone cutthroat trout numbers have slightly increased. Research studies were initiated in 2015 to explore alternative lake trout suppression methods to increase the success of meeting suppression program goals, improve suppression efficiency, and reduce program cost. Currently, the most efficient and cost-effective alternative suppression method has been to suppress lake trout embryos using whole and ground lake trout carcass material and carcass-analog pellets on spawning substrates causing hypoxic conditions unsuitable for developing lake trout embryos. However, with a concentrated addition of lake trout carcass material or carcass-analog pellets at lake trout spawning sites, novel concentrations of nutrients become available for aquatic organisms at all trophic levels that were not historically available. Thus, the aim of this study is to provide information on the potential trophic cascading effects of suppressing embryos with carcass material or carcass-analog pellets in concentrated littoral and benthic zones of the lake. Specifically, we will determine how this novel suppression method influences nutrient cycling and food-web dynamics in Yellowstone Lake. <br>Partners are USGS CRU and Yellowstone National Park
Quantifying Brown Trout and Lake Trout predation on Burbot and Mountain Whitefish	June 2023	Purpose and Need: Burbot and Mountain Whitefish are important native sportfish species in Wyoming, with Burbot classified as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (ranked as Native Species Status 3; WGFD 2017). Additionally, Underwood et al. (2015) revealed that genetic differentiation exists among Wind River tributary drainage Burbot stocks. Thus, the Torrey Creek drainage Burbot stock that occurs in Torrey Creek and Trail, Ring, and Torrey lakes is a high conservation priority (Figure 1). Managers have been concerned with the declines in Ring Lake Burbot since the 1990s. Burbot catch rate was higher in Ring Lake than four other Wind River drainage lakes from 1967 to 1969, and six other drainage lakes from 1995 to 1996 (Miller 1970a, 1970b; Krueger and Hubert 1997). Conversely, Ring Lake Burbot catch rate in trammel nets was lower than six of seven other drainage lakes from 2007 to 2008 and lowest among six drainage lakes from 2011 to 2013 (Abrahamse 2009; Lewandoski 2015). Additionally, spring 2018 Burbot catch rate in fyke nets was only 0.02/hour, compared to 0.22/hour in 1995 to 1996 (Krueger 1996; unpublished data). Hubert et al. (2008) also estimated that Ring Lake Burbot survival decreased from 77% in 1969-1970 to 56% in 1995-1996. Exploitation was not the cause of decreased Burbot numbers in Ring Lake (Lewandoski et al. 2017). Thus, the cause(s) of the decline in Ring Lake Burbot abundance remains unknown. Less is known about Mountain Whitefish in the Torrey Creek drainage. Whitefish abundance in Torrey Lake has been consistently low since the early 1950s. Only one mountain Whitefish was captured during 11 gill-net sampling events from 1954 through 1977, and zero were captured during nine gill-net and five trammel-net sampling events from 1980 through 2017 (Connell 1978; WGFD unpublished data). Conversely, high numbers of Mountain Whitefish have been captured in Trail Lake during the same time period, with the most recent sampling event producing a gill-net catch rate of 0.94 fish/hour (WGFD 2018). Available data suggest Ring Lake numbers have decreased since the late 1960s. Connell (1977) reported that gill net catch rate of Mountain Whitefish in Ring Lake averaged 0.29 fish/hour during five sampling events from 1954 through 1970, whereas catch rate during three sampling events from 1998 through 2017 averaged 0.07 fish/hour (WGFD unpublished data). Additionally, no Mountain Whitefish were captured in trammel nets (which are likely a more efficient sampling gear because of a smaller mesh size than the gill nets) during sampling events in 2005 and 2017 (WGFD unpublished data). A possible cause of the decline in Ring Lake Burbot and Mountain Whitefish abundance that needs further research is the introduction of Brown Trout and Lake Trout. Lake Trout were first stocked in 1937 and Brown Trout likely entered the drainage in the late 1940s or early 1950s (Connell 1977; Connell 1978). The origin of Brown Trout in the drainage is unknown. Immigration from the Wind River was the most likely source. Brown Trout stocking may have also occurred; however, no stocking records exist. Although no sampling data exist for the 17-year period after Lake Trout were first stocked, trend data indicate a gradual decrease in Burbot and Mountain Whitefish abundance in Ring Lake after Brown Trout became established. Brown Trout predation on Burbot was confirmed in the autumn of 2017 in Torrey Creek upstream from Ring Lake (WGFD 2018). Although sample size was small (n = 6 stomachs), Burbot occurred in 33% of Brown Trout stomachs (WGFD 2018). Torrey Creek upstream of Ring and Trail lakes are known Burbot spawning and nursery areas, and managers are concerned that fall-migrating Brown Trout into Torrey Creek may reduce Burbot recruitment through predation (Bjorn 1939; Williams 1959; Miller 1970a; Miller 1970b; Glaid et al. 2016). Mangers also suspect that Brown Trout predation on Mountain Whitefish migrating downstream from Trail Lake may be the cause of low numbers of Mountain Whitefish in Ring Lake. Goal: To estimate the predatory influence of Brown Trout and Lake Trout on the Burbot population and Mountain Whitefish in the Torrey Creek drainage	Here we are testing the hypothesis that the decline in burbot is a result of brown trout predation. This research project will provide information that will be used to manage the brown trout population in order to conserve the native burbot population in the Torrey Creek drainage.
Enhancing survival and condition of first feeding larval pallid sturgeon through diet	December 2022	Summary Conservation propagation facilities in the Upper Basin are currently experiencing variable survival of first feeding larval Pallid Sturgeon. This type of hatchery-induced “selection” can ultimately have unintended, negative consequences on genetic representation of Pallid Sturgeon returned to the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, and managers are now investigating potential sources of mortality in the hatchery. Larval mortality is high at 19-21 days (at 16-18°C) and occurs as a result of starvation. This study seeks to determine if survival and condition of first feeding larval Pallid Sturgeon and successful weaning to a formulated diet can be enhanced by a diet more similar to dietary options in the wild. The results of this study can be used to develop a feeding regimen to enhance survival and condition of larval Pallid Sturgeon in conservation propagation facilities. Problem Statement and Background Conservation propagation is defined as the production of individuals for reintroduction in the wild, and is a critical component of recovery plans for aquatic species at risk of extinction or population loss (Paragamian and Beamesderfer 2004; Caroffino et al. 2008; George et al. 2009; Lorenzen et al. 2010). Conservation propagation has been used to successfully augment populations of multiple imperiled fishes, like Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Fast et al. 2015), and continues at present to be the main source of production of larval Pallid Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus in the Upper Missouri River Basin (Steffensen et al. 2010). USFWS conservation propagation hatcheries are currently experiencing variable survival of post-hatch larval Pallid Sturgeon following initiation to exogenous feeding, which directly affects the genetic lots that are returned to the upper Missouri River and potentially artificially selects the genetic composition of the Pallid Sturgeon population in the Upper Missouri River Basin. There is indication that the observed variability in larval survival at conservation propagation hatcheries is a result of poor response to feed offered to larvae. First feeding larval Pallid Sturgeon in a hatchery setting are introduced to a formulated diet (Otohime) at 3-5 d post-hatch, depending on water temperatures (Webb et al. 2006). However, recent research conducted on multiple species of fish, including several sturgeon species, suggests that first feeding larvae are not well-suited for a formulated diet (Parauka et al. 1991; Bardi et al. 1998; Mohler et al. 2000). First feeding larvae may not be adequately stimulated by the texture or appearance of formulated feed (Person Le Ruyet et al. 1993). However, because visual capabilities are likely not fully functioning at this early stage, chemical attractiveness of food is highly important (Iwai 1980; Kolkovski et al. 2000). There is evidence that formulated dry diets do not have the chemical attractiveness required to cue the taste and olfaction senses or initiate the preliminary stages of digestive processes that first feeding larvae utilize when feeding (Buddington 1985; Kolkovski et al. 1997a). There is also evidence that first feeding larvae are unable to properly digest formulated diets because of the digestive enzymes present at this stage. Lipase and amylase, the digestive enzymes present at high levels during the time of first feeding, process food sources rich in carbohydrates and glycogen, like the early life-stage zooplankton found in a natural aquatic setting (Buddington and Christofferson 1985; Ricardi 2000; Ware et al. 2006). As larvae transition through the period of first feeding, the complement of digestive enzymes shifts towards greater levels of pepsin, which processes food sources rich in proteins (Ware et al. 2006). Formulated diets, like those currently fed to first feeding sturgeon, are high in protein, and, though digestible at a later period, may be too difficult for early sturgeon larvae to digest and assimilate (Ware et al. 2006). This can result in reduced body weight and larval mortality. Formulated diets have also been shown to result in high levels of larval cannibalism in Beluga Sturgeon (Huso huso; Agh et al. 2012). Enhancement of the traditional feeding regimen offered to first feeding larvae has been demonstrated to significantly improve survival and condition in multiple species of fish. In one study of Yellow Perch Perca flavescens and Lake Whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis larvae, chemical enhancement of a formulated dry diet was made through top-coating with liquid krill hydrosolate. Food ingestion and larval growth were significantly greater in larvae that received the krill oil-coated dry diet than those that received the regular formulated diet (Kolkovski et al. 2000). Recent research on sturgeon suggests that the addition of live feed (i.e., Artemia) significantly improves larval survival and condition (Ware et al. 2006; Agh et al. 2012). Additionally, Ware et al. (2006) found that a diet comprised of Artemia alone did not affect survival or condition differently than a diet comprised of both formulated diet and Artemia. This is important because it identifies a feeding regimen that improves survival and condition, is not as costly or time-consuming as a diet comprised solely of live feed, and potentially improves weaning success by enabling larvae to imprint on the dry diet. Dietary requirements of larval fishes are likely species-specific (Hamre et al. 2013). Previous research conducted in 2007 and 2008 on feeding regimens for first feeding Pallid Sturgeon larvae found similar survival (73%-92%) among larvae fed a combination of a formulated diet (Otohime) and live Artemia and other diets containing variations of either solely Otohime or Otohime and additional dietary supplements (Kappenman et al. 2011). However, in this study Artemia were only fed to larvae once per day, which is likely too infrequent to significantly impact larval survival compared to dry diets. Similar research on other sturgeon species presented live Artemia six times per day at regular intervals (Ware et al. 2006; Agh et al. 2012). Given the variability of survival of first feeding Pallid Sturgeon larvae at conservation hatcheries, additional research is necessary to reduce hatchery selection.	Conservation propagation facilities in the Upper Basin are currently experiencing variable survival of first feeding larval Pallid Sturgeon. This type of hatchery-induced “selection” can ultimately have unintended, negative consequences on genetic representation of Pallid Sturgeon returned to the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, and managers are now investigating potential sources of mortality in the hatchery. This study seeks to determine if survival and condition of first feeding larval Pallid Sturgeon and successful weaning to a formulated diet can be enhanced by a diet more similar to dietary options in the wild. The results of this study can be used to develop a feeding regimen to enhance survival and condition of larval Pallid Sturgeon in conservation propagation facilities. This project is in collaboration with the USFWS.
Assess the recovery of westslope cutthroat trout and Arctic ...	June 2021	Native populations of Westslope Cutthroat Trout (WCT) and Arctic Grayling in Yellowstone National Park were reduced or eliminated through competition, predation, and hybridization with nonnative fishes that were historically stocked by managers, ostensibly to enhance sportfishing. National Park Service fisheries managers carried out conservation actions aimed at restoring WCT and Arctic Grayling populations in two watersheds in Yellowstone National Park, including East Fork Specimen Creek in the Gallatin River drainage and Grayling Creek in the Madison River drainage. Conservation actions included 1) building barriers impassable to upstream fish movement to isolate watersheds; 2) applying rotenone, a lethal fish toxicant, to eliminate all fish from the watersheds above the barriers; and 3) reintroducing native fish to the isolated watersheds. NPS fisheries managers plan to continue restoration efforts of WCT and Arctic Grayling in additional park watersheds, but first want to understand how past conservation efforts performed to guide future restoration actions. Moreover, similar management actions are being conducted or contemplated worldwide. Therefore, the goal of this research project is to assess the recovery and status of the reintroduced populations of WCT and Arctic Grayling in East Fork Specimen and Grayling creeks. Our specific objectives are to 1) assess population abundance, size structure, condition, individual growth, and reproductive success of WCT and Arctic Grayling; 2) determine the spatial distributions of restored WCT and Arctic Grayling in relation to the reintroduction sites; 3) determine how population size structure and condition of recovering WCT in East Fork Specimen Creek compare to those of the hybridized WCT population they replaced; and 4) estimate the genetic population structure of recovering WCT relative to the contributions of the various WCT donor sources (Last Chance, Geode, and Muskrat creeks, and Sun Ranch Hatchery). Attainment of these objectives will provide fisheries managers with information needed to better manage such populations and to guide future restoration efforts elsewhere.	Native populations of Westslope Cutthroat Trout (WCT)and Arctic Grayling in Yellowstone National Park were reduced or eliminated through competition, predation, and hybridization with nonnative fishes that were historically stocked by managers, ostensibly to enhance sportfishing. National Park Service fisheries managers carried out conservation actions aimed at restoring WCT and Arctic Grayling populations in two watersheds in Yellowstone National Park, including East Fork Specimen Creek in the Gallatin River drainage and Grayling Creek in the Madison River drainage. NPS fisheries managers plan to continue restoration efforts of WCT and Arctic Grayling in additional park watersheds, but first want to understand how past conservation efforts performed to guide future restoration actions. Moreover, similar management actions are being conducted or contemplated worldwide. Therefore, the goal of this research project is to assess the recovery and status of the reintroduced populations of WCT and Arctic Grayling in East Fork Specimen and Grayling creeks. We are working with Yellowstone National Park biologists on this study. Attainment of these objectives will provide fisheries managers with information needed to better manage such populations and to guide future restoration efforts elsewhere.
Preliminary analysis of paddlefish data from the Missouri River above Ft. Peck Reservoir with a focus on population abundance and survival	June 2019	The paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) fisheries in Montana are important recreational fisheries that are highly valued by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and anglers within and outside Montana. Given the life-history characteristics of paddlefish such as long-lived and late maturing, managing the species for sustainable harvest requires precise and accurate information about their population dynamics because they are particularly susceptible to overharvest (Boreman 1997). Population vital-rate data are essential to developing harvest models and in turn those models are used by fisheries biologists to establish harvest regulations that ensure sustainable harvest. Without the understanding from model outputs, fisheries biologists could be allowing the population to be over-harvested or under-harvested (i.e., denying angling opportunities). Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has been sampling the paddlefish population above Ft. Peck Reservoir since the early 1970s (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 2017). In 1993, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks established a standardized monitoring program to evaluate population size, harvest rates, spawning periodicity, movement, and spawning locations (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 2017). These data have been used to better understand the paddlefish population, but fisheries biologists have recently deliberated additional methods (particularly quantitative analysis methods) that could better inform the decision-making process for establishing harvest regulations. Currently, the focus is on providing more robust estimates of abundance using capture-history information. These data could also be used to estimate survival rates that would inform a suite of population models, which could then be used in harvest models to assist in supporting management decisions. The goal of this project is to determine if the current paddlefish database contains the appropriate data structure to estimate abundance and survival using more robust methods that incorporate capture-history information. In addition, we will determine if the current data structure provides key vital rates to develop common fisheries harvest models.	The paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) fisheries in Montana are important recreational fisheries that are highly valued by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and anglers within and outside Montana. Given the life-history characteristics of paddlefish such as long-lived and late maturing, managing the species for sustainable harvest requires precise and accurate information about their population dynamics because they are particularly susceptible to overharvest. Population vital-rate data are essential to developing harvest models and in turn those models are used by fisheries biologists to establish harvest regulations that ensure sustainable harvest. Without the understanding from model outputs, fisheries biologists could be allowing the population to be over-harvested or under-harvested (i.e., denying angling opportunities). The goal of this project is to determine if the current paddlefish database contains the appropriate data structure to estimate abundance and survival using more robust methods that incorporate capture-history information. In addition, we will determine if the current data structure provides key vital rates to develop common fisheries harvest models. Partners are Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Bull Trout Emigration Study	December 2021	Currently, we have a limited and potentially biased understanding of when juvenile Bull Trout emigrate from the Montana adfluvial streams. This understanding is limited to inferences based on the literature (i.e., what has been documented in other systems), preliminary information from direct tributaries to Lake Pend Oreille, and the timing of fish captured in traps in the Montana adfluvial streams. The literature suggests that juvenile Bull Trout emigration timing can be variable, potentially system specific, and potentially influenced by numerous factors. Of particular interest, numerous adfluvial Bull Trout populations exhibit a large spring emigration associated with the freshet and peak flows. The closest and most well-documented evidence for this comes from Trestle Creek which is a direct tributary to Lake Pend Oreille. Downs et al. (2006) documented substantial spring emigration events in Trestle Creek that have never been observed in the Montana adfluvial streams; albeit, the spring events were predominated by age-0 emigrants which purportedly have survival rates approaching zero. Further information is currently being collected in both Trestle Creek and another direct tributary to Lake Pend Oreille, Granite Creek, using passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagged fish and PIT arrays. Preliminary evidence from these two streams suggests there are not meaningful spring emigration events and that nearly all juvenile fish emigrate during the fall and winter (Ken Bouwens, Idaho Fish and Game, personal communication). Understanding whether or not there is a spring emigration has numerous management implications. First, if it is learned that there is a meaningful spring emigration, efforts could be directed toward learning and increasing capture efficiency during this time of year. Conversely, if there is not a meaningful spring emigration from the Montana adfluvial streams, trap and transport operations could be discontinued during all times of the year except the fall. Under this scenario, the time and money saved would be available to do more prudent activities in the interest of increasing connectivity and otherwise enhancing the adfluvial Bull Trout populations. Developing this understanding will also give managers the information they need to develop design criteria for future traps (e.g., do traps need to be capable of effectively fishing through the spring freshet, or only through flashy fall rain events). This has implications in terms of both cost, and the footprint of future traps. Thus, the objectives of this study are to evaluate capture efficiency of tributary traps in Graves Creek and East Fork Bull River.	Currently, we have a limited and potentially biased understanding of when juvenile Bull Trout emigrate from the Montana adfluvial streams. This understanding is limited to inferences based on the literature (i.e., what has been documented in other systems), preliminary information from direct tributaries to Lake Pend Oreille, and the timing of fish captured in traps in the Montana adfluvial streams. Understanding whether or not there is a spring emigration has numerous management implications. First, if it is learned that there is a meaningful spring emigration, efforts could be directed toward learning and increasing capture efficiency during this time of year. Conversely, if there is not a meaningful spring emigration from the Montana adfluvial streams, trap and transport operations could be discontinued during all times of the year except the fall. Under this scenario, the time and money saved would be available to do more prudent activities in the interest of increasing connectivity and otherwise enhancing the adfluvial Bull Trout populations. Developing this understanding will also give managers the information they need to develop design criteria for future traps (e.g., do traps need to be capable of effectively fishing through the spring freshet, or only through flashy fall rain events). This has implications in terms of both cost, and the footprint of future traps. Thus, the objectives of this study are to evaluate capture efficiency of tributary traps in Graves Creek and East Fork Bull River. Partners are Avista Corporation
Quantifying spawning locations and habitat use by adult lake trout in Swan Lake, Montana	October 2022	Novel experimental approaches to suppressing lake trout have focused on the early-life stages because lake trout spawning behavior and the physiology of lake trout embryos provide an opportunity for embryo suppression with limited bycatch. Spawning lake trout congregate on rocky shoals broadcasting gametes over angular clean cobble substrate (Binder et al. 2014), and demonstrate spawning site fidelity (Esteve et al. 2008). Lake trout embryos are non-motile and have undeveloped physiological systems with a limited ability to acclimate to environmental perturbations (Pörtner and Farrell 2008; Helvik et al. 2009). Increasing mortality beyond gillnetting and in lieu of gillnetting (the most preferred option) is probably feasible because of the vulnerability of lake trout embryos. For example, the placement of lake trout carcasses on spawning areas after lake trout have spawned resulted in > 95% mortality, when carcasses remained on the site (Thomas 2017). Currently, scientists with the National Park Service and the US Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit are evaluating the efficacy of carcass analogs (pellets made from rainbow trout carcasses and pellets made from plant material) and the results are promising. Much of the consternation in continuing the lake trout suppression effort in Swan Lake is related to cost and associated bycatch of bull trout in a gillnetting approach. Use of novel approaches such as those being evaluated in Yellowstone Lake may provide a tool for use in Swan Lake. However, for these methods to be effective, the exact locations of lake trout spawning sites need to be determined. There is some uncertainty in the spawning locations given that Steed et al. (see Rosenthal et al. 2016) found different 'primary' spawning locations than those defined by Cox (2010). The differences observed may be related to the gillnetting program disrupting lake trout spawning behavior. Thus, the goal of this project is to describe lake trout spawning locations and habitat associated with those areas when gillnetting suppression is not operational. The results from this project will provide locations for embryo suppression if that is deemed feasible in Swan Lake.	Novel experimental approaches to suppressing lake trout have focused on the early-life stages because lake trout spawning behavior and the physiology of lake trout embryos provide an opportunity for embryo suppression with limited bycatch. Increasing mortality beyond gillnetting and in lieu of gillnetting (the most preferred option) is probably feasible because of the vulnerability of lake trout embryos. Much of the consternation in continuing the lake trout suppression effort in Swan Lake is related to cost and associated bycatch of bull trout in a gillnetting approach. Use of novel approaches such as those being evaluated in Yellowstone Lake may provide a tool for use in Swan Lake. However, for these methods to be effective, the exact locations of lake trout spawning sites need to be determined. Thus, the goal of this project is to describe lake trout spawning locations and habitat associated with those areas when gillnetting suppression is not operational. The results from this project will provide locations for embryo suppression if that is deemed feasible in Swan Lake. Partners are US Fish and Wildlife Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
Spawning readiness, spawning location(s), and habitat use of pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana	June 2020	This project will estimate spawning readiness of hatchery-reared and wild pallid sturgeon, identify spawning location(s), and habitat characteristics at spawning location(s). This information is central to the management of pallid sturgeon in the upper Missouri River given the current understanding of drift distance, anoxic conditions in transition zone above Ft. Peck Reservoir (Guy et al. 2015), and the high occurrence of atresia in pallid sturgeon as identified in a recent study. A better understanding of the factors outlined above will provide useful information for water-level management in the river and downstream reservoir.	This project will estimate spawning readiness of hatchery-reared and wild pallid sturgeon, identify spawning location(s), and habitat characteristics at spawning location(s). This information is central to the management of pallid sturgeon in the upper Missouri River given the current understanding of drift distance, anoxic conditions in transition zone above Ft. Peck Reservoir, and the high occurrence of atresia in pallid sturgeon as identified in a recent study. A better understanding of the factors outlined above will provide useful information for water-level management in the river and downstream reservoir. Partners are Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Improving conservation status of arctic grayling; assessing and increasing landscape connectivity benefits of denil fishways in the Big Hole River	December 2019	Recovering and improving the conservation status of Arctic Grayling populations are USFWS Region 6 priority goals. The Arctic Grayling is a species of special conservation concern, and a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances program was established in the Big Hole River Watershed to facilitate conservation in 2006. Barriers, such as irrigation diversions, may limit the movement of Arctic Grayling; Arctic Grayling in the Big Hole Watershed move 60-80 miles throughout the year to reach spawning, refuge, and feeding habitats. Conservation actions, such as ensuring landscape connectivity, taken before a species is listed or its habitat lost can provide simpler alternatives to expensive litigation and recovery programs. Arctic Grayling are an iconic and important component of our aquatic fauna; their presence means that quality riparian habitat remains intact to support other aquatic species. The Arctic Grayling population above Great Falls, Montana, has declined significantly. Improving the conservation status of the Arctic Grayling population that resides in the Big Hole River Watershed is important to the species overall conservation status. Hydraulic structures such as irrigation diversions are common to the river systems in Montana. They are essential for providing water diversion for agriculture but can be barriers to Arctic Grayling and other aquatic species. For over a decade, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MTFWP), USDA-Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) Montana, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), local ranchers, NGOs, and others have worked to balance agricultural needs with the conservation of native fish, rivers, and streams. This partnership is a model for how conservation and agriculture can be blended to maintain and ideally improve both. Denil fishways have been installed in irrigation diversions throughout the Big Hole River Watershed to provide fish passage, with more fishways planned in this watershed and others. They are either included as part of the standard design and installation for new diversions or are installed as a retrofit to existing diversions. The Denils are made of steel, are 2 ft. in cross section, and are either 6 ft. or 12 ft. in length. They are typically installed into the pin and plank portion of the diversion with a total vertical drop of 1 ft. The effectiveness of these fishways has not been assessed and design criteria remain untested. Conservation partners need to know the efficiency of fish passage for Arctic Grayling and other aquatic species and their economics and water usage. Lack of assessment limits our ability to use an adaptive management strategy that might lead to better design features; partners maybe missing opportunities for win-win conflict resolution scenarios such as developing criteria that might increase passage success and landscape connectivity while providing more economical use of water when it is scarcest.	Hydraulic structures such as irrigation diversions are common to the river systems in arid agricultural regions but can restrict necessary fish movements. Denil fishways have been installed in irrigation diversions, and many more installations are planned, but their effectiveness has not been assessed. We are testing their effectiveness at providing Arctic grayling passage in the Big Hole River watershed and testing their design criteria. Conservation partners need to know the efficiency of fish passage for Arctic Grayling and other aquatic species and their economics and water usage. Partners are the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, USDA NRCS, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, local ranchers, and NGO’s. Assessment of Denil fishways will enhance adaptive management strategies and lead to better design features that increase passage success and landscape connectivity while providing more economical use of water when it is scarcest.
Reproductive indices of hatchery-origin white sturgeon in the lower Columbia River, Canada	June 2020	Recruitment of White Sturgeon in the Transboundary Recovery Area (TRA) of the Columbia River [Hugh L. Keenleyside Dam (HLK) to Grand Coulee Dam (GCD) in WA, USA] has not occurred at a rate sufficient over the past 40 years to maintain the population going forward. Conservation aquaculture has become a critical component of recovery programs, including for White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the lower Columbia River where extirpation has largely been avoided due to the success of hatchery-origin juveniles released into the wild. Survival of hatchery-origin juveniles in the upper Columbia River population has been higher than originally predicted, with more than 30,000 individuals estimated to be at large in the population (BC Hydro 2016a). Within the hatchery population, certain year classes are estimated to be in higher abundance than the existing wild population (~3,000 mature individuals), as a result of higher survival for year classes released at larger body size. Of further concern, within year class genetic diversity has been estimated to be reduced relative to the time of release from the hatchery (McLellan and Crossman unpublished data) as a result of disproportionate survival among maternal family groups. As a result of these findings, there is an urgent need to determine when the hatchery population will mature and begin contributing to natural spawning, as genetic swamping of the existing wild population is a risk given numbers of estimated annual breeders (121.5 ± 34.7 adults (mean ± SD); Jay et al. 2014). In the wild, White Sturgeon begin maturing between the ages of 15-35 years for females and 10-12 years for males (PSMFC 1992; Billard and Lecointre 2001). When provided with conditions for maximum growth in captivity, sexual maturity can occur much earlier with males maturing as early as 3 years of age and females as early as 6 years of age (Doroshov et al. 1997) However, age at first maturity is not well documented for hatchery-origin fish in productive systems like the lower Columbia River, Canada, where growth rates are high following release into the wild and individuals are reaching a body size similar to mature adults by age 14 (BC Hydro 2016b). The hatchery population in the lower Columbia River, Canada, represents a unique opportunity to determine age and size at first maturity in hatchery-origin fish, whether the hatchery-origin fish differ in reproductive indices (Table 1) compared to wild fish, and how other variables (e.g. habitat use or environmental covariates) may influence when individuals become reproductive. This information, in combination with other ongoing monitoring, will help inform both long-term population targets and ongoing revisions to numbers of fish that are released annually from the conservation aquaculture program. Sturgeon females and males are not sexual dimorphic (Billard and Lecointre, 2001). There are several available methods to assess sex and stage of maturity in sturgeons (Webb and Van Eenennaam 2015), though direct comparison among all methods (ultrasound, endoscopy, measurement of plasma sex steroids, and biopsy) in their efficiency and reliability in assigning sex and stage of maturity are limited. Additionally, certain methods are more invasive than others limiting what may be possible for threatened or endangered populations where permitting requirements focus only on noninvasive techniques, and the most accurate method(s) that may be applied to females to assess sex and stage of maturity may differ from those that may be applied to males. This further supports the need for comparative assessments between available methods for females and males and, given the endangered status of sturgeon species globally, is applicable beyond White Sturgeon.	Conservation aquaculture has become a critical component of recovery programs, including for White Sturgeon in the lower Columbia River where extirpation has largely been avoided due to the success of hatchery-origin juveniles released into the wild. There is an urgent need to determine when the hatchery population will mature and begin contributing to natural spawning, as genetic swamping of the existing wild population is a risk given numbers of estimated annual breeders (121.5 ± 34.7 adults (mean ± SD)). There are several available methods to assess sex and stage of maturity in sturgeons, though direct comparison among all methods (ultrasound, endoscopy, measurement of plasma sex steroids, and biopsy) in their efficiency and reliability in assigning sex and stage of maturity are limited. This supports the need for comparative assessments between available methods for females and males and, given the endangered status of sturgeon species globally, is applicable beyond White Sturgeon. The objectives of this research are: 1) determine the accuracy of multiple tools, ultrasound, blood plasma sex steroids, endoscopy, and gonadal biopsy to assign sex and stage of maturity in hatchery-origin and wild populations, 2) determine if gametogenesis occurs homogenously across the gonadal tissue in male and female hatchery-origin White Sturgeon, and 3) determine how biological (i.e., age, sex, and size) and environmental characteristics (i.e., discharge rate and water temperature) could influence the stage of maturity in hatchery-origin White Sturgeon in the lower Columbia River, Canada Partners are US Fish and Wildlife Service
Lake Roosevelt burbot maturation study	January 2019	Sexual dimorphism in Burbot, Lota lota, can be difficult to discern as the species is seemingly monomorphic (Cott et al., 2013). Burbot spawn over a relatively short time frame (Arndt and Hutchinson, 2000; McPhail and Paragamian, 2000) indicating that the species has synchronous gonadal development. Reliable information regarding gametogenesis is required for population status assessment and harvest modeling. The objectives of this proposed work are to 1) describe gametogenesis and the endocrine profile in adult Lake Roosevelt Burbot, 2) develop non-invasive (ultrasound) and less-invasive (plasma sex steroids) tools to determine sex and stage of maturity, and 3) develop non-invasive (egg diameter via ultrasound) and non-lethal invasive (collection of gametes through catheterization) tools to predict spawning readiness and successful spawning.	Sexual dimorphism in Burbot, Lota lota, can be difficult to discern as the species is seemingly monomorphic. Burbot spawn over a relatively short time frame indicating that the species has synchronous gonadal development. Reliable information regarding gametogenesis is required for population status assessment and harvest modeling. The objectives of this proposed work are to 1) describe gametogenesis and the endocrine profile in adult Lake Roosevelt Burbot, 2) develop non-invasive (ultrasound) and less-invasive (plasma sex steroids) tools to determine sex and stage of maturity, and 3) develop non-invasive (egg diameter via ultrasound) and non-lethal invasive (collection of gametes through catheterization) tools to predict spawning readiness and successful spawning. Partners are U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Evaluating sediment and nutrient contributions from unpaved forest roads to headwater streams	September 2019	Unpaved forest roads remain a pervasive disturbance on public lands. Mitigating sediment from road networks remains a priority for management agencies. Restoring roaded landscapes is becoming increasingly important for many native coldwater fishes that disproportionately rely on public lands for persistence. However, effectively targeting restoration opportunities requires a comprehensive understanding of the effects of roads across different ecosystems. The Southwestern Crown of the Continent (SWCC) is an area of over 6,070 square kilometers in western Montana. Within the SWCC over 1,200 km of roads are currently being considered for restoration by the US Forest Service. A recent study in the SWCC indicated considerable variability in sediment production from roads. Specifically, recent findings suggest considerable variability in sediment production across road segments and relatively low sediment production from the majority of roads in the SWCC. However, relatively high suspended sediment within streams and high nutrients in local lacustrine environments remain, rendering some uncertainty in how sediment from roads may be affecting aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, additional uncertainty remains in how road use and the interactions with precipitation may lead to sediment and nutrient pulses. As activities in the SWCC increase in the near future, a unique opportunity exists to evaluate how such increases in travel (and probably sediment production) alter our current understanding of the importance of roads and road restoration in the SWCC and elsewhere. We are conducting an in-depth field study in the SWCC to monitor and refine our understanding of how roads and sediment delivery from increased use (and other activities and disturbances) influences sediment and water quality in aquatic habitat. The project specifically builds off of existing data to establish a set of treatment and control sampling locations for suspended sediment and nutrient and streambed sediment data collection. Furthermore, we are capitalizing on existing data from the SWCC to effectively design a suspended sediment study that complements existing data.	Unpaved forest roads remain a pervasive disturbance on public lands. Restoring roaded landscapes is becoming increasingly important for many native coldwater fishes that disproportionately rely on public lands for persistence. We are conducting an in-depth field study in the Southwestern Crown of the Continent to monitor and refine our understanding of how roads and sediment delivery from increased use (and other activities and disturbances) influence sediment and water quality in aquatic habitat. Partners are the US Forest Service and USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center. A comprehensive understanding of the effects of roads across different ecosystems will enhance forest restoration opportunities.
Statistical analyses to direct conservation and restoration priorities for the yellowstone cutthroat trout in the context of climate change	August 2017	The objectives of this project are to assemble and analyze empirical, georeferenced data and analyze data to assess how changes in climate and other factors have influenced the distributions of native and non-native fishes through time. The project is broken down into 2 separate tasks. The first task will be to assemble and analyze fish distribution data and climatic attributes to quantify how changing climatic conditions, among other factors will influence the abundance and distribution of Yellowstone cutthroat trout and non-native species. It will be important within this first task to assess the relative importance of existing threats to native cutthroat trout populations including habitat fragmentation, habitat degradation and loss, non-native species, and changing climatic conditions. The second task will be to assist in synthesizing results into a peer-reviewed manuscript to a scientific journal.	None
Identifying the threats of smallmouth bass to yellowstone cutthroat trout in the Yellowstone River	May 2019	Non-native smallmouth bass were thought to be limited to the warm, downstream waters of the Yellowstone River, Montana, but adults were recently observed far upstream in coldwater reaches that support a major trout fishery. Along with our Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and USGS NoRock partners, we sought to identify the factors that determine their current and future establishment (i.e., successful recruitment) in the upper Yellowstone River. We hypothesized that reduced age-0 growth potential in upstream reaches limits recruitment through size-selective overwinter mortality, and tested this hypothesis by sampling age-0 individuals across a broad longitudinal extent from 2016 to 2019 to describe their distribution, size at the onset of winter, thermal experience, diet, and otolith-inferred hatch dates and growth rates. The upstream extent of age-0 fish was 111 to 145 RKM downstream of that of adults. Median size at the onset of winter was not significantly different across the study area. Comparative hatch dates, growth rates, and growth durations were also counter to our predictions. These results suggest that age-0 overwinter mortality is not currently preventing upstream establishment in the Yellowstone River.	Non-native smallmouth bass were thought to be limited to the warm, downstream waters of the Yellowstone River, Montana, but adults were recently observed far upstream in coldwater reaches that support a major trout fishery. Along with our Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and USGS NoRock partners, we sought to identify the factors that determine their current and future establishment (i.e., successful recruitment) in the upper Yellowstone River. We hypothesized that reduced age-0 growth potential in upstream reaches limits recruitment through size-selective overwinter mortality, and tested this hypothesis by sampling age-0 individuals across a broad longitudinal extent from 2016 to 2019 to describe their distribution, size at the onset of winter, thermal experience, diet, and otolith-inferred hatch dates and growth rates. The upstream extent of age-0 fish was 111 to 145 RKM downstream of that of adults. Median size at the onset of winter was not significantly different across the study area. Comparative hatch dates, growth rates, and growth durations were also counter to our predictions. These results suggest that age-0 overwinter mortality is not currently preventing upstream establishment in the Yellowstone River.
Lake trout population modeling and annual assessment of suppression netting	August 2021	Invasive species introductions cause reductions in populations of native species and are associated with negative environmental and economic effects. Suppression techniques including chemical, mechanical, and biological controls are commonly used to manage invasive species. Understanding the ecosystem-level influence of suppression techniques selected by natural resource agencies is essential for establishment of successful mitigation against invasive species and assisting native populations in an altered ecosystem. Invasive Lake Trout within Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming have greatly reduced the abundance of native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and disrupted the ecosystem through food-web alteration. The National Park Service gillnets juvenile and adult Lake Trout, and a portion of the Lake Trout carcasses collected are subsequently placed on Lake Trout spawning sites to suppress embryo development. The novel concentration of nutrients from Lake Trout carcasses could further influence the adult stages of Lake Trout and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout by providing concentrated areas of prey not historically available. We will determine if carcass material is changing the diets of fishes in Yellowstone Lake and the trophic structure of the food web using diet and stable isotope analysis. We collected diets from 1,025 fishes in Yellowstone Lake and tissue from 359 individual fish during the 2018 field season. This study will provide information that will allow for an understanding of the consequences associated with a novel-suppression action in Yellowstone Lake.	Invasive species introductions cause reductions in populations of native species and are associated with negative environmental and economic effects. Understanding the ecosystem-level influence of suppression techniques selected by natural resource agencies is essential for establishment of successful mitigation against invasive species and assisting native populations in an altered ecosystem. Invasive Lake Trout within Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming have greatly reduced the abundance of native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and disrupted the ecosystem through food-web alteration. The National Park Service gillnets juvenile and adult Lake Trout, and a portion of the Lake Trout carcasses collected are subsequently placed on Lake Trout spawning sites to suppress embryo development. The novel concentration of nutrients from Lake Trout carcasses could further influence the adult stages of Lake Trout and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout by providing concentrated areas of prey not historically available. Here we will determine if carcass material is changing the diets of fishes in Yellowstone Lake and the trophic structure of the food web using diet and stable isotope analysis. This study will provide information that will allow for an understanding of the consequences associated with a novel-suppression action in Yellowstone Lake. Partner: Yellowstone National Park
Mobile tracking of lake trout on Yellowsttone Lake	August 2019	Invasive Lake Trout were first discovered in Yellowstone Lake in 1994. The population quickly grew decimating the native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout population. Removal efforts of Lake Trout began shortly after the discovery of Lake Trout and has grown into a multi-million dollar operation. Park Service and contract gillnetting crews have removed over 1.7 million Lake Trout from Yellowstone Lake. Original efforts focused on younger smaller Lake Trout. In recent years, the effort to remove larger mature Lake Trout has intensified. Targeting known spawning ground has proven to be a successful strategy for removing large quantities of mature fish. With relatively few confirmed spawning sites on Yellowstone Lake, Park Service Biologists have stressed the need for a better understanding of Lake Trout spawning distribution throughout Yellowstone Lake. Accurate locations of where Lake Trout are spawning will be a great asset to suppression crews on the Lake. The proposed study will monitor movements of Lake Trout on Yellowstone Lake with the objective of confirming previously unknown spawning locations.	Invasive Lake Trout were first discovered in Yellowstone Lake in 1994. The population quickly grew decimating the native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout population. Removal efforts of Lake Trout began shortly after the discovery of Lake Trout and has grown into a multi-million dollar operation. Park Service and contract gillnetting crews have removed over 1.7 million Lake Trout from Yellowstone Lake. Original efforts focused on younger smaller Lake Trout. In recent years, the effort to remove larger mature Lake Trout has intensified. Targeting known spawning ground has proven to be a successful strategy for removing large quantities of mature fish. With relatively few confirmed spawning sites on Yellowstone Lake, Park Service Biologists have stressed the need for a better understanding of Lake Trout spawning distribution throughout Yellowstone Lake. Accurate locations of where Lake Trout are spawning will be a great asset to suppression crews on the Lake. The proposed study will monitor movements of Lake Trout on Yellowstone Lake with the objective of confirming previously unknown spawning locations.
Effects of water chemistry on lake trout embryos and fry	August 2019	Introduced Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush threaten native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park. Gill nets have been used to suppress subadult and adult Lake Trout since 1995. Because survival of embryonic and larval life history stages can have profound effects on population dynamics of Lake Trout, suppression at those stages, especially if used in concert with intensive gill netting of older fish, could enhance suppression efforts. Therefore, we conducted controlled laboratory and field experiments to systematically evaluate the effects of a variety of candidate chemical (sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, gelatin, and liquid and powdered rotenone), biological (carcass and carcass analog), and physical (sediment) suppression methods on different developmental stages of Lake Trout embryos and larvae. Liquid and powdered rotenone applications, fish carcass and carcass analog exposures, and sediment deposition significantly increased embryo mortality in laboratory experiments. Sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, and gelatin applications were not effective. In-situ exposure to ground carcass material in Yellowstone Lake resulted in 100% embryo mortality in 14 and 28 kg/m2 biomass treatments; sediment deposition caused 97% embryo mortality among overwintering incubators. Embryo mortality was probably caused by hypoxic conditions within substrates. Embryo suppression methods differed in their effectiveness, rate at which mortality was achieved, and ease of application. These differences, as well as Lake Trout spawning site characteristics such as depth, contour, fetch, substrate size, interstitial depth, isolation, and presence of non-target organisms ultimately determine which embryo suppression method will be most applicable in a given situation. Nevertheless, implementation of successful embryo suppression techniques evaluated in this study could be used to increase mortality of Lake Trout in Yellowstone Lake. Incorporating effective embryo suppression in an Integrated Pest Management approach has the potential to provide more effective Lake Trout suppression in the long term.	Introductions of nonnative lake trout into lakes of the northwestern United States have often posed serious threats to native fish assemblages because lake trout are keystone predators that directly or indirectly affect all other sympatric fishes as well as other taxa. Currently, intensive gillnetting is the primary method of lake trout suppression used by fisheries managers, but development of alternative suppression methods to be used in concert with intensive gillnetting is highly desired. Suppression methods that target lake trout embryos and larvae in spawning substrates have not been investigated extensively. Along with our NPS and USFWS partners, we conducted controlled laboratory and field experiments to systematically evaluate the effects of a variety of candidate chemical (sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, gelatin, and liquid and powdered rotenone), biological (carcass and carcass analog), and physical (sediment) suppression methods on different developmental stages of Lake Trout embryos and larvae. Liquid and powdered rotenone applications, fish carcass and carcass analog exposures, and sediment deposition significantly increased embryo mortality in laboratory experiments. Sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, and gelatin applications were not effective. Incorporating effective embryo suppression in an Integrated Pest Management approach has the potential to provide more effective Lake Trout suppression in the long term.
Enhancing native fisheries through the USFWS Propagation Program in Region 6	September 2017	The goal of this project is to align our R6 production hatcheries with national priorities establishing conservation propagation facilities that assist with landscape conservation and state partnership needs. The specific objectives are to: 1) develop a decision-support tool to identify and prioritize conservation propagation for threatened, endangered, imperiled and declining species and 2) work in conjunction with our state partners to coordinate and balance recovery and restoration efforts with recreational fishing opportunities. The identified priority species will be linked with the most appropriate conservation propagation facilities in R6.	None
Buffalo Bill Reservoir walleye suppression	June 2018	Buffalo Bill Reservoir (BBR) and the North Fork Shoshone River are two of the most popular fisheries in the Cody Region. These waters are managed as wild trout fisheries consisting of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout (YSC), Rainbow Trout (RBT), Rainbow X Cutthroat hybrids (RXC), and few Brown Trout (BNT). Lake Trout (LAT), illegally introduced Walleye (WAE) and few Yellow Perch are also present in BBR. White and Longnose suckers are the primary components of the non-game fishery. Adult Rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout migrate into the North Fork Shoshone River drainage in March through May spawn in tributaries and return to the reservoir in late summer. Migrant spawners range from 12 to 20 inches in length and from 4 to 9 years in age. Many juvenile trout out-migrate the year they are hatched, but some remain in tributaries for up to two years. Juvenile trout remain in the reservoir until they reach maturity. Historically, a majority of anglers on BBR have targeted Oncorhynchus spp. (i.e., YSC, RBT, and RXC). The illegal introduction of WAE (discovered in 2008) has the potential to negatively affect the existing trout fishery. A graduate research study (Johnson et al. in progress) is currently underway to determine food web dynamics and per-capita consumption of Oncorhynchus spp. by LAT and WAE. While this study is not complete, preliminary analysis indicates Oncorhynchus spp. comprise a substantial component of WAE diet in BBR. Furthermore, WAE have naturally recruited to the reservoir annually and the predation impacts from WAE likely have not yet been fully realized. Spawning congregations of WAE have been identified by FMCY which may provide opportunities to suppress this population. The proposed graduate study would aim to complement the ongoing study to identify management actions that could ensure the long-term persistence of the BBR Oncorhynchus spp. fishery.	Buffalo Bill Reservoir, Wyoming is managed as a wild Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout fishery. Nonnative Walleyes were discovered in 2008, and subsequent sampling of Walleye indicate natural recruitment and a rapidly expanding population. Walleyes pose a predation threat to the wild trout populations in Buffalo Bill Reservoir. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) is interested in suppressing the Walleye population using mechanical removal with electrofishing and gillnetting during the Walleye spawning period. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the population demographics of Walleyes in Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Results from the age-structured population models suggest that long-term population suppression is a feasible goal, and additional gill-net effort and angler harvest incentives should be pursued. Furthermore, results from this study will be used to inform cost-effective management decisions regarding the future of the recreational fishery in Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Partner: Wyoming Game and Fish
Fort Peck water chemistry analyses	August 2016	This project will use otolith microchemistry to differentiate between hatchery-reared and naturally reproduced walleye in Fort Peck Reservoir. In addition, otolith microchemistry analyses will shed light on potential spawning and rearing areas in the reservoir. Our goal in this study is; 1) Quantify annual hatchery walleye fingerling contribution to the fishery, 2) quantify the level of natural reproduction and recruitment to the fishery, 3) Add insight to the level of walleye fry (natural vs. hatchery) contribution to the fishery and 4) assess stocking practices (timing, location, density, etc.) with the goal of achieving a smarter stocking strategy.	None
Seasonal movements of rainbow trout, brown trout, and mountain whitefish in the Smith River, Montana	January 2019	Movements of stream-dwelling fishes can be obstructed or hindered by habitat alterations and in-stream barriers, and such fragmentation of habitats deleteriously affects many taxa worldwide. Conversely, diverse movement and life history patterns can optimize resource availability, increase genetic exchange, and promote population resilience to environmental disturbances. Fish that move can access food, favorable thermal conditions, and spawning substrates that may be unavailable or limited within local habitat patches. Along with our Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks partners, we sought to comprehensively determine the factors affecting unconstrained fish movements (species, physical drivers, seasons, and landscapes) and how movements and vital rates (survival, site fidelity) interrelate in a large, inland watershed, while also avoiding some common limitations of movements studies (e.g., limited spatial or temporal scopes, species, and sample sizes). Specifically, we determined the movement patterns and vital rates of three abundant salmonids—brown trout (Salmo trutta), mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni), and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)—in the Smith River watershed of central Montana, an unfragmented system with three distinct geomorphic regions. Watershed-scale movements were common, diverse, and overlapped, thereby connecting distant groups of fish. Volume of movements of each species peaked at specific locations and during specific seasons. Patterns of survival also varied among species and locations, and movements throughout the Smith River watershed connected fish populations in habitats with relatively high survival, where populations were probably most stable, to habitats where survival was lower but per capita resource availability was probably higher. Studies restricted in scope to single species or seasons of interest risk mischaracterizing vital rates and the diversity of movements expressed by a fish assemblage. Accounting for the diversity and spatial extent of movement patterns expressed by all species in a fish assemblage will promote life history and species diversity while helping to ensure the persistence of robust fish populations. Managers may perhaps best protect life history diversity of inland fishes by emulating management of highly migratory anadromous fishes, which seeks to facilitate unhindered movements.	Movements of stream-dwelling fishes can be obstructed or hindered by habitat alterations and in-stream barriers, and such fragmentation of habitats deleteriously affects many taxa worldwide. Conversely, diverse movement and life history patterns can optimize resource availability, increase genetic exchange, and promote population resilience to environmental disturbances. Along with our Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks partners, we sought to comprehensively determine the factors affecting unconstrained fish movements and how movements and vital rates interrelate in a large, inland watershed. Watershed-scale movements were common, diverse, and overlapped, thereby connecting distant groups of fish. Movements connected fish populations in habitats with relatively high survival, where populations were probably most stable, to habitats where survival was lower but per capita resource availability was probably higher. Accounting for the diversity and spatial extent of movement patterns expressed by all species in a fish assemblage will promote life history and species diversity while helping to ensure the persistence of robust fish populations. Managers may perhaps best protect life history diversity of inland fishes by emulating management of highly migratory anadromous fishes, which seeks to facilitate unhindered movements.

Research Publications

Research Publications	Publication Date
Zale, A.V., T.M. Sutton, and D.L. Parrish. 2012. Conducting fisheries investigations. Pages 1-13 in A. V. Zale, D. L. Parrish, and T. M. Sutton, editors. Fisheries techniques, 3rd edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	January 2013
Zale, A. V., D. L. Parrish, and T. M. Sutton, editors. 2012. Fisheries techniques, 3rd edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	January 2013
Zale, A. V., D. A. Hewitt, and B. R. Murphy. 2012. Style, usage, grammar, and punctuation. Pages 33-46 in C. A. Jennings, T. E. Lauer, and B. Vondracek, editors. Scientific communication for natural resource professionals. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	August 2012
Zale, A. V., C. Brooke, and W. C. Fraser. 2005. Effects of surgically implanted transmitter weights on growth and swimming stamina of small adult westslope cutthroat trout. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 134:653-660.	May 2005
Zale, A. V. 2006. Pursuing graduate studies in fisheries. Pages 39-55 in D. A. Hewitt, W. E. Pine, III, and A. V. Zale, editors. 2006. The AFS guide to fisheries employment, 2nd edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	September 2006
Zale, A. V. 2010. Fisheries science and management in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: ensuring good fishing by preserving healthy ecosystems. Pages 95-111 in J. Johnson, editor. Knowing Yellowstone—science in America’s first national park. Taylor Trade Publishing, Lanham, Maryland.	June 2010
Wuellner, M. R., and C. S. Guy. 2008. Status assessment of burbot in Montana: importance of a standardized sampling protocol. Intermountain Journal of Sciences 14:61-77.	January 2010
Wuellner, M. R., R. G. Bramblett, C. S. Guy, A. V. Zale, D. R. Roberts, and J. Johnson. 2013. Reach and catchment-scale characteristics are relatively uninfluential in explaining the occurrence of stream fish species. Journal of Fish Biology 82:1497-1513.	May 2013
Williams, J. R., C. S. Guy, T. M. Koel, P. Bigelow. 2020. Targeting aggregations of telemetered lake trout to increase gillnetting suppression efficacy. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 40:225-231.	January 2020
Williams, J. R., C. S. Guy, P. E. Bigelow, and T. M. Koel. 2021. Quantifying the spatial structure of invasive lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Yellowstone Lake to improve suppression efficacy. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 42:50-62 DOI: 10.1002/nafm.10712.	December 2021
Webb, M. A. H., C. S. Guy, H. B. Treanor, K. W. Wilson, C. D. Mellon, P. Abate, H. J. Crockett, J. Hofmeier, C. Pasbrig, P. Isakson. 2023. Prioritizing imperiled native aquatic species for conservation propagation. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management. https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-22-040.	October 2023
Voss, N. S., R. Al-Chokhachy, A. J. Sepulveda, C. E. Verhille, M. P. Ruggles, and A. V. Zale. 2022. The importance of phenology and thermal exposure to early life history success of non-native Smallmouth Bass in the Yellowstone River. Transactions of the American Fisheris Society 151:527-542. DOI: 10.1002/tafs.10364 \| Abstract	July 2022	Knowledge of the potential spread of an introduced species is critical to direct management efforts to where they will provide the greatest benefits. The Smallmouth Bass <i>Micropterus dolomieu</i>, is an example of a fish that has been introduced globally, often spreads following introduction, and has substantial predatory impacts on fish assemblages. We evaluated Smallmouth Bass spread in the free-flowing Yellowstone River, Montana, where this non-native fish has expanded from warmer, downstream sections of river into colder, upstream sections. We hypothesized that progressively colder upstream climates would limit age-0 growth and overwinter survival in the Yellowstone River, thereby curbing potential upstream spread. We documented the phenology, growth, and overwinter survival of age-0 Smallmouth Bass across a gradient of temperature and population densities. Age-0 individuals were rare or absent throughout the uppermost upstream distribution of adults, suggesting that something limits or discourages reproduction farther upstream. However, we found no support for colder water temperatures alone as the limiting factor. Age-0 body size at the onset of winter did not differ significantly among the uppermost 200 km of their distribution. Rather, the earlier hatching timing exhibited by some age-0 individuals in colder, upstream sections allowed them to experience longer growing seasons than many individuals in warmer, downstream sections. This counter-intuitive hatching phenology mediated much of the negative effect of colder upstream climates on growth. Furthermore, evidence of successful overwinter survival and simulations of age-0 starvation mortality indicated that age-0 individuals at the upstream extent of their distribution successfully recruited to the age-1 year-class in four consecutive years. Taken together, our results suggest that Smallmouth Bass have not yet reached the thermal limit of their upstream distribution in the Yellowstone River, and that further spread will probably be driven by complex interactions between density dependence, spawn timing, and ambient thermal and hydrologic regimes.
Uthe, P., R. Al-Chokhachy, B. B. Shepard, A. V. Zale, and J. Kershner. 2019. Effects of climate-related stream factors on patterns of individual summer growth of Cutthroat Trout. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 148:21-34.	January 2019
Uthe, P., R. Al-Chokhachy, A. V. Zale, B. B. Shepard, T. E. McMahon, and T. Stephens. 2016. Life history characteristics and vital rates of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in two headwater basins. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 36:1240-1253.	September 2016
Tripe, J. A., and C. S. Guy. 1999. Spatial and temporal variation in habitat and fish community characteristics in a Kansas Flint Hills stream. Ecology of Freshwater Fish.	November 1999
Triano, B., K. M. Kappenman, T. E. McMahon, M. Blank, K. C. Heim, A. E. Parker, A. V. Zale, and K. Plymesser. 2022. Attraction, entrance, and passage efficiency of Arctic Grayling, trout, and suckers at Denil fishways in the Big Hole River Basin, Montana. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 151:453-473. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10362 \| Abstract	May 2022	The Big Hole River basin in southwest Montana supports the only indigenous, self-sustaining fluvial population of Arctic Grayling <i>Thymallus arcticus</i> in the conterminous United States. Denil fishways were installed at 63 low-head irrigation diversion dams in the basin to provide grayling and other fishes year-round access to critical habitats; however, their efficiency has not been evaluated comprehensively. We quantified all components of fishway efficiency (approach, attraction, entrance, and passage) for hatchery-reared grayling, wild trout (Brook Trout <i>Salvelinus fontinalis </i>and Brown Trout <i>Salmo trutta</i>), and wild suckers (White Sucker <i>Catostomus commersonii</i> and Longnose Sucker <i>C. catostomus</i>) during 14 field trials conducted at six Denil fishways over a representative range of fishway slopes and hydraulic conditions using passive integrated transponder telemetry. Attraction (60.4-84.3%) and entrance (44.3-78.6%) efficiencies were variable across test conditions and reduced overall fishway efficiencies (19.1-55.8%). In contrast, upon entry, passage efficiencies were high (96.2-97.0%) for all taxa across all test conditions. Attraction of hatchery-reared grayling was limited at fishways with shallow upstream depths (low fishway discharges) and low attraction flows, but wild fish were less limited by these conditions. Entrance of grayling and trout was limited at deep upstream depths (high fishway discharges) and fishways with steep slopes, especially when plunging entrance conditions associated with shallow downstream depths were present. However, both grayling and trout were more likely to enter fishways with deep downstream depths than those with shallow downstream depths, and deep downstream depths demonstrated promise for increasing entrance at fishways with high discharges and steep slopes. Our results indicate that Denil fishways have enhanced aquatic connectivity for fishes in the Big Hole River basin, and maintaining high attraction flows and deep downstream depths could increase attraction and entrance, thereby improving overall fishway efficiency.
Treanor, H. B., C. S. Guy. J. E. Ilgen, W. M. Sealey, A. T. Dove, and M. A. H. Webb. 2024. Survival and growth of larval pallid sturgeon are improved by a live diet. North American Journal of Aquaculture http://doi.org/10.1002/naaq.10340	March 2024
Tornabene, B. J., R. G. Bramblett, A. V. Zale, and S. A. Leathe. Spatiotemporal Ecology of Apalone spinifera in a Large, Great Plains River Ecosystem. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 12:252-271.	April 2017
Tornabene, B. J., R. G. Bramblett, A. V. Zale, and S. A. Leathe. 2018. Factors Affecting Nesting Ecology of Apalone spinifera in a Northwestern Great Plains River of the United States. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 17:63-77. doi:10.2744/CCB-1298.1	June 2018
Tornabene, B. J., M. E. Jaeger, R. G. Bramblett, M. Nelson, N. McClenning, T. Watson, A. Ankrum, K. Frazer, A. M. Reinhold, and A. V. Zale. 2019. Riverine turtles select habitats maintained by natural discharge regimes in an unimpounded large river. River Research and Applications https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.3496	July 2019
Thomas, N. A., C. S. Guy, T. M. Koel, and A. V. Zale. 2019. In-situ evaluation of benthic suffocation methods for suppression of invasive Lake Trout embryos in Yellowstone Lake. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 39:104-111.	January 2019
Tennant, L. B., R. E. Gresswell, C. S. Guy, and M. H. Meeuwig. 2015. Spawning and rearing behavior of bull trout in a headwater lake ecosystem. Environmental Biology of Fishes DOI 10.1007/s10641-015-0461-x.	November 2015
Talbott, M. J., J. P. Van Eenennaam, J. Linares-Casenave, S. I. Doroshov, C. S. Guy, P. Struffenegger, M. A. H. Webb. 2011. Investigating the use of plasma testosterone and estradiol-17β to detect ovarian follicular atresia in farmed white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus. Aquaculture 315:283-289.	April 2011
Syslo, J. M., T. O. Brenden, C. S. Guy, T. M. Koel, P. E. Bigelow, P. D. Doepke, J. L. Arnold, and B. E. Ertel. 2020. Could ecological release buffer suppression efforts for non-native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park? Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 77:1010-1025.	June 2020
Syslo, J. M., C. S. Guy, and T. M. Koel. 2016. Feeding ecology of native and nonnative salmonids during the expansion of a nonnative apex predator in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 145:476-492	May 2016
Syslo, J. M., C. S. Guy, and B. S. Cox. 2013. Comparison of harvest scenarios for the cost-effective suppression of lake trout in Swan Lake, Montana. North American Journal of Fisheries Management.	September 2013
Syslo, J. M., C. S. Guy, P. E. Bigelow, P. D. Doepke, B. D. Ertel, and T. M. Koel. 2011. Response of non-native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) to 15 years of harvest in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 68:2132-2145.	March 2012
Strakosh, T. R., K. B. Gido, and C. S. Guy. 2009. Effects of American water willow establishment on age-0 largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides in Kansas reservoirs. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society.	February 2009
Strakosh, T. R., J. L. Eitzmann, K. B. Gido, and C. S. Guy. 2005. The response of water willow, Justicia americana, to different inundation and desiccation regimes. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 25:1476-1485.	November 2005
Steed, A. C., A. V. Zale, T. M. Koel, and S. T. Kalinowski. 2011. Population viability of Arctic grayling in the Gibbon River, Yellowstone National Park. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 30:1582-1590.	January 2011
Siemiantkowski, M. J., C. S. Guy, T. M. Koel, L. M. Tronstad, C. R. Fredenberg, and L. R. Rosenthal. 2022. Combination of acoustic telemetry and side-scan sonar advances suppression efforts for invasive lake trout Salvelinus namaycush in a submontane lake. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10855	December 2022
Shepard, B. B., P. Clancey, M. L. Nelson, C. G. Kruse, R. T. Al-Chokhachy, D. Drinan, M. L. Taper, and A. V. Zale. 2021. Evaluation of remote site incubators to incubate wild- and hatchery-origin Westslope Cutthroat Trout embryos. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 41:844-855. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10588 \| Download	June 2021
Shepard, B. B., M. L. Taper, and A. V. Zale. 2013. Improved variance estimates of biomass for stream-dwelling fish calculated using removal estimators. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 142:841-853.	April 2013
Shepard, B. B., L. M. Nelson, M. L. Taper, and A. V. Zale. 2014. Factors influencing successful eradication of nonnative brook trout from four small Rocky Mountain streams using electrofishing. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 34:988-997. \| Abstract	September 2014	We tested our ability to eradicate nonnative Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis by electrofishing from 1.7 to 3.0-km treatment reaches of six streams to conserve sympatric populations of native Westslope Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi. Brook Trout were successfully eradicated from treatment reaches in four of these streams. Eradication success was related to stream size, distribution and abundance of Brook Trout, years of treatment, number of treatments per year, amounts of instream and riparian cover, cover reduction efforts, and beaver ponds. At least 6, and up to 11, removal treatments of two to four passes per treatment were required to successfully eradicate Brook Trout. Brook Trout were suppressed in two other streams, but dense riparian vegetation, beaver dams, and abundant woody debris in and along channels prevented eradication. Eradication by electrofishing cost US$3,500 to $5,500 per kilometer where no riparian vegetation or woody debris clearing was necessary, but US$8,000 to $9,000 per kilometer where clearing was needed. These treatment costs were similar to costs of eradication using piscicides. Eradication by electrofishing may be preferable where native fish still occur because they can be saved during removal efforts and because electrofishing may be more acceptable to the public than piscicides, thus requiring less time and effort to prepare environmental assessments.
Sepulveda, A., R. Al-Chokhachy, M. B. Laramie, K. Crapster, L. Knotek, B. Miller, A. V. Zale, and D. S. Pilliod. 2021. It’s complicated…environmental DNA as a predictor of trout and char abundance in streams. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 78:422-432. doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2020-0182. \| Download	April 2021
Schultz, R. D., C. S. Guy, and D. A. Robinson. 2002. Recruitment of white bass in Kansas reservoirs: relations to reservoir hydrology and gizzard shad. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 22:671-676.	May 2002
Schrank, S. J., and C. S. Guy. 2002. Age, growth, and gonadal characteristics of adult bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis in the lower Missouri River. Environmental Biology of Fishes.	September 2002
Schrank, S. J., P. J. Braaten, and C. S. Guy. 2001. Spatiotemporal variation in density of larval bighead carp in the lower Missouri River. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 130:809-814.	August 2001
Schrank, S. J., C. S. Guy, and J. F. Fairchild. 2003. Competitive interactions between age-0 bighead carp and paddlefish. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 132:1222-1228.	November 2003
Schrank, S. J., C. S. Guy, M. R. Whiles, and B. L. Brock. 2001. Influence of instream and landscape-level factors on the distribution of Topeka shiners Notropis topeka in Kansas streams. Copeia 2001 (2)413-421.	June 2001
Scholl, E. A., W. F. Cross, and C. S. Guy. 2022. Connecting geomorphology, biodiversity, and ecosystem function in large riverscapes. Oikos http://doi.org/10.1111/oik.09431	October 2022
Scholl, E. A., W. F. Cross, C. V. Baxter, and C. S. Guy. 2020. Uncovering process domains in large rivers: Patterns and potential drivers of benthic substrate heterogeneity in two North American riverscapes. Geomorphology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2020.107524	December 2020
Scholl, E. A., W. F. Cross, C. S. Guy, A. J. Dutton, and J. R. Junker. 2023. Landscape diversity promotes stable food-web architectures in large rivers. Ecology Letters 26:1740-1751. http://doi.org/10.1111/ele.14289	July 2023
Schoenebeck, C. W., T. R. Strakosh, and C. S. Guy. 2005. Effect of block nets and time of day on backpack electrofishing catches in Kansas reservoirs. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 25:604-608.	May 2005
Ryce, E. K. N., A. V. Zale, and E. MacConnell. 2004. Effects of fish age and parasite dose on the development of whirling disease in rainbow trout. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 59:225-233.	June 2004
Ryce, E. K. N., A. V. Zale, E. MacConnell, and M. Nelson. 2005. Effects of fish age versus size on the development of whirling disease in rainbow trout. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 63:69-76.	January 2005
Russell, R. E., D. A. Schmetterling, C. S. Guy, B. B. Shepard, R. McFarland, and D. Skaar. 2012. Evaluating a fish monitoring protocol using state-space hierarchical models. Open Fish Science Journal 5:1-8.	March 2012
Ritter, T. D., A. V. Zale, G. Grisak, and M. J. Lance. 2020. Groundwater upwelling regulates thermal hydrodynamics and salmonid movements during high temperature events at a montane tributary confluence. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10259 \| Abstract	August 2020	The Smith River is a popular recreational sport fishery in western Montana, but salmonid abundances there are thought to be limited by riparian land-use alterations, irrigation water withdrawals, and high summer water temperatures. We used integrated networks of temperature loggers, PIT-tag antenna stations, and in-situ temperature mapping to investigate thermal hydrodynamics and associated movements of PIT-tagged salmonids at the confluence of Tenderfoot Creek, a major, unaltered coldwater tributary of the Smith River. Contrary to expectations, Tenderfoot Creek itself was not used as a thermal refuge by salmonids during periods of high main-stem water temperatures; rather, its cool outflow into the Smith River was used instead. Mean outflow water temperatures were 2.9 °C lower than those of the Smith River during summer and ranged from 0.5 °C to 6.1 °C less. Moreover, measured and estimated temperatures in the outflow were cooler (by up to 2.8 °C) than in Tenderfoot Creek itself at times as a result of groundwater upwelling at the confluence. Detections of PIT-tagged fish in the thermal plume increased, especially at night, when daily mean water temperatures exceeded 20°C in the main stem Smith River; 4 times as many PIT-tagged fish were detected in the plume (<i>N = </i>52) than along the opposite bank (<i>N = </i>12), which ostensibly afforded better cover. Coldwater tributary confluences may provide superior thermal refuges for salmonids—cooler and more secure than the tributaries themselves—when water temperatures in river main stems are stressful.
Richards, R. R., C. S. Guy, M .A. H. Webb, W. M. Gardner, and C. B. Jensen. 2014. Spawning related migration of shovelnose sturgeon in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 30:1-13.	January 2014
Reinhold, A. M., R. G. Bramblett, A. V. Zale, G. C. Poole, and D. W. Roberts. 2017. Spatially-dependent responses of a large-river fish assemblage to bank stabilization and side channels. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 146:967-982.	August 2017
Reinhold, A. M., R. G. Bramblett, A. V. Zale, D. W. Roberts, and G. C. Poole. 2016. Comparative use of side and main channels by small fish in a large, unimpounded river. Freshwater Biology doi:10.1111/fwb.12796.	July 2016
Reinhold, A. M., G. C. Poole, R. G. Bramblett, A. V. Zale, and D. W. Roberts. 2018. Cumulative effects of side-channel plugs on whole-floodplain side-channel habitat loss. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 190:305 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-018-6673-8	April 2018
Quist, M. C., and C. S. Guy. 2001. Growth and mortality of prairie stream fishes and relations with instream habitat. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 10:88-96.	January 2001
Quist, M. C., and C. S. Guy. 1999. Variation in population characteristics of shovelnose sturgeon in the Kansas River. The Prairie Naturalist.	November 1999
Quist, M. C., R. J. Bernot, C. S. Guy, and J. L. Stephen. 2001. Seasonal variation in population characteristics of gizzard shad. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 16(4): 641-646.	December 2001
Quist, M. C., P. A. Fay, C. S. Guy, A. K. Knapp, and B. N. Rubenstein. 2003. The influence of disturbance from military training activities on terrestrial-aquatic linkages in a tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Ecological Applications 13:432-442.	April 2003
Quist, M. C., K. R. Pember, C. S. Guy, and J. L. Stephen. 2004. Variation in larval fish communities: implications for management and sampling designs in reservoir systems. Fisheries Management and Ecology 11:107-116.	April 2004
Quist, M. C., J. L. Stephen, C. S. Guy, and R. D. Schultz. 2004. Age structure and mortality of walleyes in Kansas reservoirs: applications for establishing realistic management objectives. North American Journal of Fisheries Management.	August 2004
Quist, M. C., C. S. Guy, and R. J. Bernot. 2004. Anti-behavior of larval walleyes and saugeyes. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science: 69-76.	January 2004
Quist, M. C., C. S. Guy, and J. L. Stephen. 2003. Recruitment dynamics of walleyes in Kansas reservoirs: generalities with natural systems and effects of a centrarchid predator. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 60:1-10	July 2003
Quist, M. C., C. S. Guy, and J. L. Stephen. 2001. The effect of light shock on short-term survival of walleye fry. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science 104:3-4.	November 2001
Quist, M. C., C. S. Guy, R. J. Bernot, and J. L. Stephen. 2004. Factors influencing growth and survival of larval walleye in Glen Elder Reservoir, Kansas. Fisheries Research 67:215-225.	April 2004
Quist, M. C., C. S. Guy, R. J. Bernot, and J. L. Stephen. 2002. Seasonal variation in condition, growth, and food habits of walleyes in a Great Plains reservoir and simulated effects of an altered thermal regime. Journal of Fish Biology 61:1329-1344.	May 2003
Quist, M. C., C. S. Guy, R. J. Bernot, and J. L. Stephen. 2002. Efficiency of removing food items from walleyes using acrylic tubes. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 17:179-184.	June 2002
Quist, M. C., C. S. Guy, R. J. Bernot, and J. L. Stephen. 2002. Ecology of larval white bass in a large Kansas reservoir. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 22:637-642.	May 2002
Quist, M. C., C. S. Guy, R. D. Schultz, and J. L. Stephen. 2003. Latitudinal comparisons of walleye growth in North America and factors influencing growth of walleyes in Kansas reservoirs. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 23:677-692.	August 2003
Quist, M. C., C. S. Guy, M. A. Pegg, P. J. Braaten, C. L. Pierce, and V. H. Travnichek. 2002. Potential influence of harvest on shovelnose sturgeon populations in the Missouri River system: A case for pro-active management. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 22:537-549.	May 2002
Proboszcz, S. L., and C. S. Guy. 2006. Use of habitat enhancement structures by spotted bass in natural and experimental streams. The Prairie Naturalist 38:223-238.	April 2007
Pracheil, B. M., P. J. Braaten, E. B. Macias, C. S. Guy, D. P. Herzog, M. J. Hamel, J. C. Justice, A. R. Loeppky, J. M. Mollish, J. W. Simmons, S. J. Tripp. 2024. Warmwater fish in rivers. Pages 85 – 110 in S. A. Bonar, N. Mercado-Silva, and K. L. Pope, editors. Standard methods for sampling North American freshwater fishes, 2nd edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	September 2024
Poole, A. S., T. M. Koel, N. A. Thomas, and A. V. Zale. 2020. Benthic suffocation of invasive Lake Trout embryos by fish carcasses and sedimentation in Yellowstone Lake. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10492 \| Abstract	July 2020	Introduced Lake Trout <i>Salvelinus namaycush</i> threaten native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout <i>Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri</i> in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, where gill nets have been used to suppress subadult and adult Lake Trout since 1995. However, survival of embryonic and larval life history stages can have profound effects on population dynamics of Lake Trout. Inducing additional mortality at those stages, especially if used in concert with intensive gillnetting of older fish, could enhance overall suppression efforts. Therefore, we conducted controlled field experiments at Yellowstone Lake to systematically evaluate the effects of sediment deposition and ground Lake Trout carcass deposition on Lake Trout embryos in prepositioned incubators. Sediment deposition caused dissolved oxygen concentrations to decline below lethal levels for a prolonged period (92 d) overwinter. Embryo mortality among overwintering incubators varied from 97 ± 5.3% at the substrate surface to 100 ± 0.0% 20 cm below the substrate surface. Decomposition of ground carcass material on spawning sites caused dissolved oxygen concentrations to decline to lethal levels (<3.4 mg/L) for about 9 days following biomass application rates of 14 and 28 kg/m2 in treatment plots. Exposure to ground carcass material resulted in 100 ± 0.0% (mean ± SE) embryo mortality at the substrate surface and within interstices 20 cm below the surface in 14 and 28 kg/m2 biomass treatments. Embryo mortality was probably caused by hypoxic conditions within substrates in both experiments. The deposition of sediment and ground Lake Trout carcass material on Lake Trout spawning sites in Yellowstone Lake could provide an additional source of mortality in ongoing Lake Trout suppression efforts. These methods may also be beneficial in other systems when incorporated in an integrated pest management approach (IPM) targeting multiple life history stages of invasive freshwater fish.
Poole, A. S., T. M. Koel, A. V. Zale, and M. A. H. Webb. 2023. Rotenone induces mortality of invasive Lake Trout and Rainbow Trout embryos. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 152:3-14. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10394	January 2023
Plymesser, K., M. Blank, M. Conley, K. Kappenman, J. Cahoon, D. Dockery, and A. V. Zale. 2022. A scaled Denil fishway for upstream passage of Arctic Grayling. Journal of Ecohydraulics https://doi.org/10.1080/24705357.2022.2105756	August 2022
Pegg, M. A., K. Pope, and C. S. Guy. 1999. Evaluation of current professional certification use. Fisheries.	November 1999
Olson, N. W., C. S. Guy, and K. D. Koupal. 2007. Interactions among hybrid striped bass, white bass, and walleye in a polymictic Great Plans reservoir. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 27:268-278.	February 2007
Oldenburg, E. W., C. S. Guy, E. S. Cureton, M. A. H. Webb, and W. M. Gardner. 2011. Effects of acclimation on poststocking dispersal and physiological condition of age-1 pallid sturgeon. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 27:436-443.	April 2011
Neumann, R. M., C. S. Guy, and D. W. Willis. 2012. Length, weight, and associated indices. Pages 637-676 in A.V. Zale, D. L. Parrish, and T. M. Sutton, editors. Fisheries techniques, 3rd edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	December 2012
Mullen, J. A., R. G. Bramblett, C. S. Guy, A. V. Zale, and D. W. Roberts. 2011. Determinants of fish assemblage structure in northwestern Great Plains streams. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 140:271-281. \| Abstract	April 2011	Prairie streams are known for their harsh and stochastic physical conditions, and the fish assemblages therein have been shown to be temporally variable. We assessed the spatial and temporal variation in fish assemblage structure in five intermittent, adventitious northwestern Great Plains streams representing a gradient of watershed areas. Fish assemblages and abiotic conditions varied more spatially than temporally. The most important variables explaining fish assemblage structure were longitudinal position and the proportion of fine substrates. The proportion of fine substrates increased proceeding upstream, approaching 100% in all five streams, and species richness declined upstream with increasing fine substrates. High levels of fine substrate in the upper reaches appeared to limit the distribution of obligate lithophilic fish species to reaches further downstream. Species richness and substrates were similar among all five streams at the lowermost and uppermost sites. However, in the middle reaches, species richness increased, the amount of fine substrate decreased, and connectivity increased as watershed area increased. Season and some dimensions of habitat (including thalweg depth, absolute distance to the main-stem river, and watershed size) were not essential in explaining the variation in fish assemblages. Fish species richness varied more temporally than overall fish assemblage structure did because common species were consistently abundant across seasons, whereas rare species were sometimes absent or perhaps not detected by sampling. The similarity in our results among five streams varying in watershed size and those from other studies supports the generalization that spatial variation exceeds temporal variation in the fish assemblages of prairie and warmwater streams. Furthermore, given longitudinal position, substrate, and stream size, general predictions regarding fish assemblage structure and function in prairie streams are possible.
Mullen, J. A., R. G. Bramblett, C. S. Guy, and A. V. Zale. 2011. Determinants of fish assemblage structure in northwestern Great Plains streams. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 140:271-281.	July 2011
Mitro, M. G., and A. V. Zale. 2002. Seasonal survival, movement, and habitat use of age-0 rainbow trout in the Henrys Fork of the Snake River, Idaho. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 131:271-286.	March 2002
Mitro, M. G., and A. V. Zale. 2002. Estimating abundances of age-0 rainbow trout by mark-recapture in a medium-sized river. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 22:188-203.	February 2002
Mitro, M. G., A. V. Zale, and B. A. Rich. 2003. The relation between age-0 rainbow trout abundance and winter discharge in a regulated river. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 60:135-139.	February 2003
Miller Hesed, C.D., Yocum, H.M., Rangwala, I., Symstad, A.J., Martin, J.M., Ellison, K., Wood, D.J. A., Ahlering, M., Chase, K.J., Crausbay, S., Davidson, A.D., Elliott, J., Giocomo, J., Hoover, D.L., Klemm, T., Lightfoot, D., McKenna, O.P., Miller, B.W., Mosher, D., Nagy, R.C., Nippert, J.B., Pittman, J., Porensky, L., Stephens, J., and Zale, A.V., 2023, Synthesis of climate and ecological science to support grassland management priorities in the North Central Region: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2023–1036, 21 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20231036. \| Publisher Website	April 2023
Meeuwig, M. H., C. S. Guy, and W. A. Fredenberg. 2008. Influence of landscape characteristics on fish species richness among lakes of Glacier National Park, Montana. Intermountain Journal of Sciences 14:1-16.	November 2008
Meeuwig, M. H., C. S. Guy, and W. A. Fredenberg. 2011. Use of cover habitat by bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus, and lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush, in a laboratory environment. Environmental Biology of Fishes 90:367-378.	June 2011
Meeuwig, M. H., C. S. Guy, and W. A. Fredenberg. 2011. Trophic relationships between a native and nonnative predator in a system of natural lakes. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 20:no. doi:10.111/j.1600-0633.2011.00498.x.	May 2011
Meeuwig, M. H., C. S. Guy, S. T. Kalinowski, and W. A. Fredenberg. 2010. Landscape influences on genetic differentiation among bull trout populations in a stream-lake network. Molecular Ecology 19:3620-3633. (INVITED)	August 2010
McMahon, T. E., E. A. Bear, and A. V. Zale. 2008. Use of an annular chamber for testing thermal preference of westslope cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. Journal of Freshwater Ecology.	March 2008
McMahon, T. E., A. V. Zale, F. T. Barrows, J. H. Selong, and R. J. Danehy. 2007. Temperature and competition between bull trout and brook trout: a test of the elevation refuge hypothesis. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 136:1313-1326.	September 2007
McGarvey, L. M., L. J. Halvorson, J. E. Ilgen, C. S. Guy, J. G. McLellan, and M. A. H. Webb. 2020. Gametogenesis and assessment of non-lethal tools to assign sex and reproductive condition in Burbot Lota lota. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 149:225-240.	February 2020
McGarvey, L. M., J. E. Ilgen, C. S. Guy, J. G. McLellan, and M. A. H. Webb. 2022. Non-lethal tools to identify mass ovarian follicular atresia in Burbot Lota lota. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 13:552-561. https://doi.org/10.3996/JFWM-22-018.	December 2022
McGarvey, L. M., J. E. Ilgen, C. S. Guy, J. G. McLellan, and M. A. H. Webb. 2021. Gonad size measured by ultrasound to assign stage of maturity in burbot. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 12:241-249.	July 2021
Maskill, P. A. C., J. A. Crossman, M. A. H. Webb, M. M. Carrello, and C. S. Guy. 2021. Accuracy of histology, endoscopy, ultrasound, and plasma sex steroids in describing the reproductive sturgeon of hatchery-origin and wild white sturgeon. Journal of Applied Ichthyology DOI:10.1111/jai.14280.	October 2021
Lukins, H. J., A. V. Zale, and F. T. Barrows. 2007. A packed-bed filtration system for collection of Myxobolus cerebralis triactinomyxons. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health.	December 2007
Lujan, D. R., L. M. Tronstad, M. A. Briggs, L. K. Albertson, H. C. Glassic, C. S. Guy, and T. M. Koel. 2022. Response of nutrient limitation to invasive fish suppression: how carcasses and analog pellets alter periphyton. Freshwater Science https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/718647	January 2022
Lujan, D. R., L. M. Tronstad, M. A. Briggs, L. K. Albertson, H. C. Glassic, C. G. Guy, and T. M. Koel. 2024. Novel technique for suppressing an invasive apex predator minimally alters nitrogen dynamics in Yellowstone Lake, Wyoming, USA. Hydrobiologia https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-023-05450-w	January 2024
Lewis, M. C., C. S. Guy, E. W. Oldenburg, and T. E. McMahon. 2022. Individual characteristics and abiotic factors influence out-migration dynamics of juvenile bull trout. Fishes. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes7060331.	November 2022
Lewis, M. C., C. S. Guy, E. W. Oldenberg, T. E. McMahon. 2022. Temporal variation in capture efficiency underrepresents spring out-migrating Bull Trout in a trap-and-haul program. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10817	September 2022
Lewandoski, S. A., C. S. Guy, A. V. Zale, P. C. Gerrity, J. W. Deromdei, K. M. Johnson, D. L. Skates. 2017. Empirical estimation of recreational exploitation of burbot, Lota lota, in the Wind River drainage of Wyoming using a multistate capture-recapture model. Fisheries Management and Ecology 24:298-307.	May 2017
Lance, M. J., T. D. Ritter, A. V. Zale, G. G. Grisak, J. A. Mullen, S. J. Walsh, K. C. Heim, and R. Al-Chokhachy. 2024. Spatial and temporal variability of movements among sympatric salmonids in an un-fragmented, inland watershed. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 153: 611-629 doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10485.	September 2024
Koel, T. M., P. D. Doepke, D. J. MacDonald, N. A. Thomas, C. W. Vender, H. C. Glassic, A. S. Poole, C. S. Guy, and A. V. Zale. 2023. Aerial application of organic pellets eliminates lake trout recruitment from a primary spawning reef in Yellowstone Lake. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10872	March 2023
Koel, T. M., N. A. Thomas, C. S. Guy, P. D. Doepke, D. J. MacDonald, A. S. Poole, W. M. Sealey, and A. V. Zale. 2020. Organic pellet decomposition induces mortality of lake trout embryos in Yellowstone Lake. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 149:57-70.	January 2020
Koel, T. M., J. L. Arnold, P. E. Bigelow, T. O. Brenden, J. D. Davis, C. R. Detjens, P. D. Doepke, B. D. Ertel, H. C. Glassic, R. E. Gresswell, C. S. Guy, D. J. MacDonald, M. E. Ruhl, T. J. Stuth, D. P. Sweet, J. M. Syslo, N. A. Thomas, L. M. Tronstad, P. J. White, and A. V. Zale. 2020. Yellowstone Lake ecosystem restoration: a case study for invasive fish management. Fishes. . https://doi.org/10.1111/jai.14067	June 2020
Koel, T. M., C. R. Detjens, and A. V. Zale. 2020. Two Ocean Pass: An alternative hypothesis for invasion of Yellowstone Lake by lake trout, and implications for future invasions. Water [online serial] 12(6), 1629. doi.org/10.3390/w12061629	June 2020
Klein, Z. B., M. C. Quist, and C. S. Guy. 2023. Suppression of invasive fish in the West: synthesis and suggestions for improvement. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 43:369-383.	March 2023
Kerans, B. L., and A. V. Zale. 2002. The ecology of Myxobolus cerebralis. Pages 145-166 in J. L. Bartholomew and J. C. Wilson, editors. Whirling Disease: Reviews and Current Topics. American Fisheries Society, Symposium 29, Bethesda, Maryland.	December 2002
Kalinowski, S. T., C. C. Muhlfeld, C. S. Guy, and B. S. Cox. 2010. Founding population size of an aquatic invasive species. Conservation Genetics (Online First).	February 2010
Jaeger, M. E., A. V. Zale, T. E. McMahon, and B. J. Schmitz. 2005. Seasonal movements, habitat use, aggregation, exploitation, and entrainment of sauger in the lower Yellowstone River: an empirical assessment of factors affecting population recovery. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 25:1550-1568.	November 2005
J. L. Smith, I. M. Handley, A. V. Zale, S. Rushing, and M. Potvin. 2015. Now hiring! Empirically testing a three-step intervention to increase faculty gender diversity in STEM. BioScience 65:1084-1087. \| Abstract \| Download \| Publisher Website	October 2015	Workforce homogeneity limits creativity, discovery, and job satisfaction, nonetheless the vast majority of university faculty in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields (STEM) are men. We conducted a randomized and controlled 3-step faculty search intervention based in Self-Determination Theory aimed at increasing the number of women faculty in STEM at one U.S. university where increasing diversity had historically proved elusive. Results show the numbers of women candidates considered for and offered tenure-track positions were significantly higher in the intervention groups compared to controls. Searches in the intervention were 6.3 times more likely to make an offer to a woman candidate, and women who were made an offer were 5.8 times more likely to accept the offer from an intervention search. Although the focus was on increasing women faculty within STEM, the intervention can be adapted to other scientific and academic communities to advance diversity along any dimension.
Horton, T. B., and C. S. Guy. 2002. Habitat use and movement patterns of spotted bass in a Kansas stream. Black Bass: Ecology, Conservation, and Management. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda	December 2002
Horton, T. B., J. S. Tillma, and C. S. Guy. 2000. Vulnerability of spotted bass to angling in Kansas streams. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 15:7-11.	March 2000
Horton, T. B., C. S. Guy, and J. Pontius. 2004. Influence of tracking-interval on estimations of movement and habitat use. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 24:690-696.	May 2004
Holmquist, L. M., C. S. Guy, M. A. H. Webb, and A. Tews. 2019. First maturity and spawning periodicity of hatchery-origin pallid sturgeon in the upper Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 35: 138-148.	February 2019
Holmquist, L. M., C. S. Guy, A. Tews, D. J. Trimpe, and M. A. H. Webb. 2019. Reproductive ecology and movement of pallid sturgeon in the upper Missouri River, Montana. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 35:1069-1083	August 2019
Hewitt, D. A., W. E. Pine, III, and A. V. Zale, editors. 2006. The AFS guide to fisheries employment, 2nd edition. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	September 2006
Hansen, M. J., C. S. Guy, P. Budy, and T. E. McMahon. 2019. Trout as native and non-native species: a management paradox. Pages 645-684 in J. L. Kershner, J. E. Williams, R. E. Gresswell, and J. Lobón-Cerviá. Trout and char of the world. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	September 2019
Hansen, M. J., C. S. Guy, C. R. Bronte, and N. A. Nate. 2021. Life history and population dynamics. Pages 253-286 in A. M. Muir, C. C. Krueger, M. J. Hansen, and S. C. Riley, editors. Lake Charr Salvelinus namaycush: biology, ecology, distribution, and management. Fish & Fisheries Series, D. L. G. Noakes, editor. Springer.	March 2021
Guy, C.S., H. B. Treanor, K. M. Kappenman, E. A. Scholl, J. E. Ilgen, and M. A. H. Webb. 2015. Broadening the regulated-river management paradigm: a case history of the forgotten dead zone hindering pallid sturgeon recovery. Fisheries 40:6-14.	January 2015
Guy, C. S., and M. L. Brown, editors. 2007. Analysis and interpretation of freshwater fisheries data. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	September 2007
Guy, C. S., T. L. Cox, J. R. Williams, C. D. Brown, R. W. Eckelbecker, H. S. Glassic, M. C. Lewis, P. A. C. Maskill, L. M. McGarvey, and M. J. Siemiantkowski. 2021. A paradoxical knowledge gap in science for critically endangered fishes and game fishes during the sixth mass extinction. Scientific Reports 11:8447. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-87871-y \| Download	April 2021
Guy, C. S., R. M. Neumann, and D. W. Willis. 2006. New terminology for proportional stock density (PSD) and relative stock density (RSD): proportional size structure (PSS). Fisheries 31(2):86-87	February 2006
Guy, C. S., R. M. Neumann, D. W. Willis, and R. O. Anderson. 2007. Proportional size distribution: a further refinement of population size structure index terminology. Fisheries 32(7): 348.	July 2007
Guy, C. S., R. D. Schultz, and M. A. Colvin. 2002. Ecology and management of white bass Morone chrysops. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 22:606-608.	May 2002
Guy, C. S., R. A. Schultz, and C. A. Cox. 2002. Variation in gonad development, growth, and condition of white bass in Fall River Reservoir, Kansas. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 22:643-651.	May 2002
Guy, C. S., P. J. Braaten, D. P. Herzog, J. Pitlo, and R. S. Rogers. 2009. Warmwater rivers. Pages 59-84 in S. Bonar, W. Hubert, and D. Willis, editors. Standard sampling methods for sampling North American freshwater fishes. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	August 2009
Guy, C. S., McMahon, T. E., W. A. Fredenberg, C. J. Smith, D. W. Garfield, and B. S. Cox. 2011. Diet overlap of top-level predators in recent sympatry: bull trout and non-native lake trout in Swan Lake, Montana. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 2:183-189.	November 2011
Guy, C. S., E. W. Oldenburg, and P. C. Gerrity. 2009. Conditional capture probability for Scaphirhynchus spp. in drifting-trammel nets. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 29:817-822.	May 2009
Guy, C. S. 2011. Review of: Biology, management, and conservation of lampreys in North America. The Quarterly Review of Biology 86:62.	May 2011
Goodman, B. J., C. S. Guy, S. L. Camp, W. M. Gardner, K. M. Kappenman, and M. A. H. Webb. 2012. Shovelnose sturgeon spawning in relation to varying discharge treatments in a Missouri River tributary. River Research and Applications DOI:10.1002/rra.2587.	July 2012
Goeckler, J. M., M. C. Quist, J. A. Reinke, and C. S. Guy. 2003. Population characteristics and evidence of natural reproduction of blue catfish in Milford Reservoir, Kansas. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Sciences 106:149-154	November 2003
Glassic, H. C., K. C. Heim, and C. S. Guy. 2019. Creating figures in R that meet the AFS style guide: standardization and supporting script. Fisheries 44:539-544.	November 2019
Glassic, H. C., J. R. Junker, C. S. Guy, D. R. Lujanm, L. M. Tronstad, M. A. Briggs, L. K. Albertson, T. O. Brenden, T. Walsworth, and T. M. Koel. 2024. An invasive predator substantially alters energy flux without changing food web functional state or stability. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.4240	September 2024
Glassic, H. C., D. D. Chagris, C. S. Guy, L. M. Tronstad, D. R. Lujan, M. A. Briggs, L. K. Albertson, T. O. Brenden, T. E. Walsworth, and T. M. Koel. 2023. Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout recovery in Yellowstone Lake: complex interactions among invasive species suppression, disease, and climate change. Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsh.10998	October 2023
Glassic, H. C., C. S. Guy, T. M. Koel. 2021. Diets and stable isotope signatures of native and nonnative Leucisid fishes advances our understanding of the Yellowstone Lake food web. Fishes https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes6040051.	October 2021
Glassic, H. C., C. S. Guy, L. M. Tronstad, M. A. Briggs, L. K. Albertson, D. R. Lujan, and T. M. Koel. 2023. Decomposition rates of suppression-produced fish carcasses in a large, deep, high-elevation lake in North America. Fishes. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8080385	July 2023
Glassic, H. C., C. S. Guy, J. J. Rotella, C. J. Nagel, D. A. Schmetterling and S. R. Dalbey. 2020. Fort Peck paddlefish population survival and abundance in the Missouri River. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 36:559-567. https://doi.org/10.1111/jai.14067	June 2020
Glassic, H. C., C. S. Guy, D. R. Lujan, L. M. Tronstad, M. A. Briggs, L. K. Albertson, T. M. Koel. 2023. Diet plasticity in an invasive predator has implications for native species conservation & invasive species suppression. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279099	February 2023
Glaid, J., P. C. Gerrity, and C. S. Guy. 2021. Burbot (Lota lota) exhibit plasticity in life-history traits in a small drainage at the southwestern-most extent of the species' native range. Journal of Applied Ichthyology. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jai.14243	June 2021
Gido, K. B., C. S. Guy, T. R. Strakosh, R. J. Bernot, K. Mitchell, and M. Shaw. 2002. Long-term changes in the fish assemblages of the Big Blue River basin 40 years after the construction of Tuttle Creek Reservoir. Kansas Academy of Sciences 105:193-208.	December 2002
Gerrity, P. C., C. S. Guy, and W. M. Gardner. 2008. Habitat use of juvenile pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon with implications for water-level management in a downstream reservoir. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 28:832-843.	June 2008
Gerrity, P. C., C. S. Guy, and W. M. Gardner. 2006. Juvenile pallid sturgeon are piscivorous: a call for conserving native cyprinids. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 135:604-609.	May 2006
Gates, K., C. Guy, A. Zale, and T. Horton. 2009. Angler awareness of aquatic nuisance species and potential transport mechanisms. Fisheries Management and Ecology 16:448-456.	November 2009
Gates, K. K., C. S. Guy, A. V. Zale, and T. B. Horton. 2009. Angler awareness of aquatic nuisance species and potential transport mechanisms. Fisheries Management and Ecology.	October 2009
Gates, K. K., C. Guy, A. V. Zale, and T. B. Horton. 2008. Adherence of Myxobolus cerebralis myxospores to waders: implications for disease dissemination. North American Journal of Fisheries Managaement 28:1453-1458.	October 2008
Galloway, B. T., C. C. Muhlfeld, C. S. Guy, W. F. Cross, C. C. Downs, and W. A. Fredenberg. 2016. A framework for assessing the feasibility of native fish conservation translocations: applications to threatened bull trout. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 36:754-768.	July 2016
Gale, S. B., A. V. Zale, and C. G. Clancy. 2008. Effectiveness of fish screens to prevent entrainment of westslope cutthroat trout into irrigation canals. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 28:1541-1553.	October 2008
Galat, D. L., P. Braaten, C. S. Guy, T. Horton, D. Moser, C. Pukert. 2023. Missouri River. Pages 411– 453 in M. Delong, T. Jardine, A. Benke, and C. Cushing, editors. Rivers of North America. Elsevier, Oxford. ISBN: 9780128188477	April 2023
Furey, K. M., H. C. Glassic, C. S. Guy, T. M. Koel, J. L. Arnold, P. D. Doepke, and P. E. Bigelow. 2020. Diets of longnose sucker in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, U.S.A. Journal of Freshwater Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1080/02705060.2020.1807421	August 2020
Fritz, K. M., J. A. Tripe, and C. S. Guy. 2002. Recovery of three fish species to flood and seasonal drying in a tallgrass prairie stream. Kansas Academy of Sciences 105:209-218.	December 2002
Fredenberg, C. R., C. C. Muhlfeld, C. S. Guy, V. S. D'Angelo, C. C. Downs, and J. M. Syslo. 2017. Suppression of invasive lake trout in an isolated backcountry lake in Glacier National Park. Fisheries Management and Ecology 24:33-48.	January 2017
Franssen, N. R., K. B. Gido, C. S. Guy, J. A. Tripe, S. J. Schrank, T. R. Strakosh, K. N. Bertrand, C. M. Franssen, K. L. Pitts, and C. P. Paukert. 2006. Effects of floods and intermittence on fish assemblages in a prairie stream. Freshwater Biology 51:2072-2086	October 2006
Ferguson, J. M., M. L. Taper, C. S. Guy, and J. M. Syslo. 2012. Mechanisms of coexistence between native bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and non-native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush): inferences from pattern-oriented modeling. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 69:755-769.	February 2012
Eckelbecker, R. W., N. M. Heili, C. S. Guy, and D. A. Schmetterling. 2023. Relative-condition parameters for fishes of Montana, USA. Fishes. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8010028	January 2023
Dux, A. M., C. S. Guy, and W. A. Fredenberg. 2011. Spatiotemporal distribution and population characteristics of a nonnative lake trout population, with implications for suppression. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 31:187-196.	July 2011
Duncan, M. B., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2021. Movements of selected minnows between the lower Yellowstone River and its tributaries. Canadian Journal of Zoology 99:45-56. doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2020-0040	January 2021
Duncan, M. B., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2016. Distributions of Small Nongame Fishes in the Lower Yellowstone River. American Midland Naturalist 175:1-23.	January 2016
Duncan, M. B., B. R. Murphy, and A. V. Zale. 2009. Conservation of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Yellowstone National Park: a case study. Journal of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Education 38:173-182.	July 2009
Driscoll, S. C., H. C. Glassic, C. S. Guy, and T. M. Koel. 2021. Presence of microplastics in the food web of the largest high-elevation lake in North America. Water. 13, 264. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13030264 \| Download	January 2021
Drinan, D. P., A. V. Zale, M. A. H. Webb, M. L. Taper, B. B. Shepard, and S. T. Kalinowski. 2012. Evidence of local adaptation in westslope cutthroat trout. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 141:872-880. \| Abstract	June 2012	Understanding local adaptations is a fundamental goal of evolutionary biology and would provide managers information necessary to better protect and conserve species. Salmonids are a useful system for studying local adaptations because they often persist in differing, isolated environments. In addition, their sensitivity to temperature provides a likely characteristic for natural selection to act on. We studied thermal adaptation in four wild populations and one hatchery stock of Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi (westslope cutthroat trout). Mean summer temperatures of native streams ranged from 6.7 to 11.2 °C. Embryos were collected from the wild and embryonic development, embryonic survival, and juvenile growth were determined. A significant relationship between median embryonic survival and native stream temperatures at warm incubation temperatures was detected (Rank test; P = 0.04) suggesting that populations are thermally adapted to their native streams.
Delp, J. G., J. S. Tillma, M. C. Quist, and C. S. Guy. 2000. Age and growth of four centrarchid species in southeastern Kansas streams. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 15:475-478.	December 2000
De Rito, J. N., A. V. Zale, and B. B. Shepard. 2010. Temporal reproductive separation of fluvial Yellowstone cutthroat trout and hybrids in the Yellowstone River. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 30:866-886. \| Abstract	August 2010	Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvierii are genomically extinct throughout much of their historic range because of displacement by and introgression with introduced rainbow trout O. mykiss. However, fluvial Yellowstone cutthroat trout still retain their genetic integrity while coexisting with rainbow trout in the Yellowstone River. We assessed whether spatial or temporal reproductive isolation, or both, occurs between these taxa. Time and place of spawning was determined by radiotelemetry. We implanted 164 trout (98 cutthroat trout, 37 rainbow trout, and 29 cutthroat trout3rainbow trout hybrids) with radio tags before the 2001, 2002, and 2003 spawning seasons in four sections of a 140-km segment of the main-stem Yellowstone River. Of the 164 radio-tagged fish, 73 (44 Yellowstone cutthroat trout, 15 rainbow trout, and 14 hybrids) were assumed to have spawned; 55 (75.3%) used 16 tributaries, 17 (23.3%) used 7 river side channels, and 1 (1.4%) used the main channel of the Yellowstone River for spawning. The majority of fish that spawned (62%) used five spawning areas. Spawning area and spawning reach overlap index values were high among all taxa. In contrast, the mean migration and spawning dates of rainbow trout and hybrids were 5–9 weeks earlier than those of cutthroat trout. Rainbow trout and hybrids began migrating and spawning in April and May when Yellowstone River discharges were lower and water temperatures were colder than during cutthroat trout migration and spawning in June and July. The spawning period overlap index values (rainbow trout and hybrids versus cutthroat trout) were typically less than half the spatial overlap index values. Therefore, the difference in time of spawning is probably the predominant mechanism maintaining reproductive isolation among fluvial trout. Management actions focused on protecting and enhancing later-spawning cutthroat trout in tributaries may enhance their temporal reproductive separation from earlier-spawning rainbow trout and hybrids.
Davis, W. N., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2010. Effects of coalbed natural gas development on fish assemblages in tributary streams of the Powder and Tongue rivers. Freshwater Biology doi:10.1111/j.1365-2427.2010.02480.x	August 2010
Davis, W. N., R. G. Bramblett, A. V. Zale, and C. L. Endicott. 2009. A review of the potential effects of coalbed natural gas development activities on fish assemblages of the Powder River Geologic Basin. Reviews in Fisheries Science 17:402-422.	May 2009
Cox, T. L., M. J. Lance, L. K. Albertson, M. A. Briggs, A. J. Dutton, and A. V. Zale. 2023. Diet composition and resource overlap of sympatric native and introduced salmonids across neighboring streams during a peak discharge event. PLoS ONE https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280833	January 2023
Cox, T. L., C. S. Guy, L. M. Holmquist, and M. A. H. Webb. 2023. Spawning locations of pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River corroborate the mechanisms for recruitment failure. Fishes https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8050243	May 2023
Cox, T. L., C. S. Guy, L. M. Holmquist, and M. A. H. Webb. 2022. Ovarian follicular atresia of hatchery-origin pallid sturgeon is associated with puberty. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 38 391–402. https://doi.org/10.1111/jai.14339	July 2022
Cox, C. A., R. A. Schultz, and C. S. Guy. 2001. Diets of white bass in Fall River Reservoir, Kansas. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 16:429-433.	June 2001
Cox, B. S., C. S. Guy, W. A. Fredenberg, and L. R. Rosenthal. In review. Baseline demographics of a non-native lake trout population and inferences for suppression from sensitivity-elasticity analyses. Fisheries Management and Ecology. doi:10.1111/fme.12024.	February 2013
Cox, B. S., A. M. Dux, M. C. Quist, and C. S. Guy. 2012. Use of seismic air gun to reduce survival of non-native lake trout embryos: a tool for conservation? North American Journal of Fisheries Management 32:292-298.	April 2012
Burlingame, M. N., and C. S. Guy. 2000. Diversity among anglers in Kansas: A focus on channel catfish anglers. Catfish 2000: proceedings of the international ictalurid symposium. American Fisheries Society, Symposium 24, Bethesda, Maryland.	January 2000
Brown, P. J., and A. V. Zale. 2012. Rotenone persistence model for montane streams. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 141:560-569. \| Abstract	March 2012	The efficient and effective use of rotenone is hindered by its unknown persistence in streams. Environmental conditions degrade rotenone, but current label instructions suggest fortifying the chemical along a stream based on linear distance or travel time rather than environmental conditions. Our objective was to develop models that use measurements of environmental conditions to predict rotenone persistence in streams. Detailed measurements of UV radiation, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, conductivity, pH, oxidation reduction potential, substrate composition, amount of organic matter, channel slope, and travel time were made along stream segments located between rotenone treatment stations and cages containing bioassay fish in six streams. The amount of fine organic matter, biofilm, sand, gravel, cobble, rubble, small boulders, slope, pH, total dissolved solids, oxidation reduction potential, light reaching the stream, energy dissipated, discharge, and cumulative travel time were each significantly correlated with fish death. Using logistic regression, measurements of environmental conditions were paired with the responses of bioassay fish to develop a model that predicted the persistence of rotenone toxicity in streams. This model was validated using data from two additional stream treatment reaches. Rotenone persistence was conservatively predicted by a model that used travel time, rubble, and oxidation reduction potential. When this model predicts a probability less than 0.95, rotenone applicators can expect incomplete eradication and should plan on fortifying rotenone concentrations. The significance of travel time has been previously identified and is currently used to predict rotenone persistence. However, rubble substrate, which may be associated with degradation by adsorption and volatilization in turbulent environments, was not previously considered.
Brown, P. J., J. L. Ard, and A. V. Zale. 2012. Transverse mixing of simulated piscicides in small montane streams. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 141:353-356. \| Abstract	March 2012	Thorough mixing of piscicides into receiving waters is important for efficient and effective fish eradication. However, no guidance exists for the placement of drip stations with respect to mixing. Salt (NaCl) was used as a tracer to measure the mixing rates of center versus edge applications in riffle/pool, straight, and meandering sections of montane streams. The tracer was applied at either the center or the edge of a channel and measured with a conductivity meter across a downstream grid to determine the distances at which transverse mixing was complete. No advantage was accrued by applying piscicides in different types of channels as transverse mixing distance did not differ among them. However, mixing distance was significantly shorter at center applications. Chemicals entering a stream at the center of a stream channel mix thoroughly within 10 stream widths, and within 20 stream widths when chemicals enter a stream channel at the edge.
Brown, P. J., H. Johnson, and A. V. Zale. 2011. Effect of rainbow trout size on response to rotenone and antimycin. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 31:1146-1152. \| Abstract	January 2012	The piscicides rotenone and antimycin are commonly used to eradicate unwanted fish populations. However, the relationships, if present, between their toxicities and fish sizes are unknown and could be especially important when bioassay fish are used to detect piscicide presence and effectiveness. Size-mediated toxicity could lead to either excessive or inadequate piscicide applications if bioassay fish are larger or smaller than the fish being eradicated. The relationships between time to death and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss weight (0.7 to 574.0 g) at 7.5 µg/L antimycin and 12.5 µg/L rotenone concentrations were determined. Significant positive relationships, probably caused by size-mediated differences in metabolic rates, existed between size and time to death in both rotenone and antimycin; however, these relationships accounted for less than 21% of the variation in time to death. The remainder of variation was probably caused by the phenotypic threshold effect rather than variation in uptake rate.
Brown, P. J., C. S. Guy, and M. H. Meeuwig. 2017. A comparison of two mobile electrode arrays for increasing mortality of Lake Trout embryos. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 37:363-369.	March 2017
Brown, M. L., and C. S. Guy. 2007. Science and statistics in fisheries research. Pages 1-29 in C. S. Guy and M. L. Brown, editors. Analysis and interpretation of freshwater fisheries data. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.	September 2007
Briggs, M. A., L. K. Albertson, D. R. Lujan, L. M. Tronstad, H. C. Glassic, C. S. Guy, and T. M. Koel. 2022. Fish carcass deposition to suppress invasive lake trout causes limited, non-target effects on benthic invertebrates in Yellowstone Lake. Aquaculture, Fish, and Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1002/aff2.72	October 2022
Briggs, M. A., L. K. Alberston, D. R. Lujan, L. M. Tronstad, H. C. Glassic, C. S. Guy, and T. M. Koel. 2021. Carcass deposition to suppress invasive lake trout causes differential mortality of two common benthic invertebrates in Yellowstone Lake. Fundamental and Applied Limnology 194:285-295.	February 2021
Briggs, M. A., H. C. Glassic, C. S. Guy, S. T. Opitz, J. J. Rotella, D. A. Schmetterling. 2024. Adapting standardized trout monitoring to a changing climate for the upper Yellowstone River, Montana, USA. North American Journal of Fisheries Management https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.11026	August 2024
Bramblett, R. G., T. R. Johnson, A. V. Zale, and D. G. Heggem. 2005. Development and evaluation of a fish assemblage index of biotic integrity for northwestern Great Plains streams. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 134:624-640.	May 2005
Braaten, P. J., and C. S. Guy. 2004. First-year growth and overwinter survival of freshwater drum in the lower channelized Missouri River. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 133:385-398.	February 2004
Braaten, P. J., and C. S. Guy. 2002. Life history attributes of fishes along the latitudinal gradient of the Missouri River. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 131:931-945.	September 2002
Braaten, P. J., and C. S. Guy. 1999. Relations between physicochemical factors and abundance of fishes in tributary confluences of the lower channelized Missouri River. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society.	November 1999
Braaten, P. J., M. R. Doeringsfeld, and C. S. Guy. 1999. Comparison of age and growth estimates for river carpsuckers using scales and dorsal fin ray sections. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 19:786-792.	November 1999
Boyer, J. K., C. S. Guy, M. A. H. Webb, T. B. Horton, and T. E. McMahon. 2017. Reproductive ecology, spawning behavior, and juvenile distribution of mountain whitefish in the Madison River, Montana. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 146:939-954.	July 2017
Boyer, J. K., C. S. Guy, M. A. H. Webb, T. B. Horton, and T. E. McMahon. 2017. Gear comparison for sampling age-0 mountain whitefish in the Madison River, Montana. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 37:189-195.	January 2017
Boyd, J. W., C. S. Guy, T. B. Horton, and S. A. Leathe. 2010. Effects of catch-and-release angling on salmonids at elevated water temperatures. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 30:898-907.	September 2010
Bister, T. J., D. W. Willis, M. L. Brown, S. M. Jordan, R. M. Neumann, M. C. Quist, and C. S. Guy. 2000. Proposed standard weight (Ws) equations and standard length categories for 18 warmwater nongame and riverine fish species. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 20:570-574.	May 2000
Bertrand, K. N., K. B. Gido, and C. S. Guy. 2006. An evaluation of single-pass versus multiple-pass backpack electrofishing to estimate trends in species abundance and richenss in prairie streams. Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science 109:131-138.	July 2006
Bernot, R. J., W. K. Dodds, M. C. Quist, and C. S. Guy. 2006. Temperature and kairomone induced life history plasticity in coexisting Daphnia. Aquatic Ecology 40:361-372.	December 2006
Bernot, R. J., W. K. Dodds, M. C. Quist, and C. S. Guy. 2004. Spatial and temporal variability of zooplankton in a Great Plains reservoir. Hydrobiologia 525:101-112.	August 2004
Bernot, R. J., W. K. Dodds, M. C. Quist, and C. S. Guy. 2004. Larval fish-induced phenotypic plasticity of coexisting Daphnia: an enclosure experiment. Freshwater Biology 49:87-97.	January 2004
Bellgraph, B. J., C. S. Guy, W. M. Gardner, and S. A. Leathe. 2008. Competition potential between saugers and walleyes in nonnative sympatry. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 137:790-800.	April 2008
Bear, E. A., T. E. McMahon, and A. V. Zale. 2007. Comparative thermal requirements of westslope cutthroat trout and rainbow trout: implications to species interactions and development of thermal protection standards. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 136:1113-1121.	July 2007
Andrews, T. M., B. B. Shepard, A. R. Litt, C. G. Kruse, A. V. Zale, and S. T. Kalinowski. 2013. Juvenile movement among different populations of cutthroat trout introduced as embryos to vacant habitat. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 33:795-805.	October 2013
Andrews, T. C., B. B. Shepard, A. R. Litt, C. G. Kruse, M. L. Nelson, P. Clancey, A. V. Zale, M. L. Taper, and S. T. Kalinowski. 2016. Performance of juvenile Cutthroat Trout translocated as embryos from five populations into a common habitat. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 36:926-941.	July 2016

Presentations

Presentations	Presentation Date
Glassic, H. C., S. C. Driscoll, C. S. Guy, and T. M. Koel. 2021. Presence of microplastics in the food web of the largest high-elevation lake in North America. 54^th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. ONLINE	March 2021	This work was the first to report microplastics in Yellowstone Lake food web.
Zale, A. V., and T. E. McMahon. 2007. A comparison of laboratory approaches for establishing regulatory thermal criteria for fish. 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, San Francisco, California, 2-6 September 2007. Invited.	September 2007
Zale, A. V., and D. Rider. 2003. Effects of bank stabilization on juvenile salmonid abundances in the upper Yellowstone River. Governor's Conference for the Upper Yellowstone River. Chico, Livingston, Montana, 20-22 October 2003.	October 2003
Zale, A. V., and D. Rider. 2003. Comparative use of modified and natural habitats of the upper Yellowstone River by juvenile salmonids. Governor's Upper Yellowstone River Task Force Meeting. Livingston, Montana, 21 January 2003.	January 2003
Zale, A. V., and B. L. Kerans. 2004. Whirling disease in Montana. Joint Conference of the Montana Water Environment Association and Montana Section of the American Water Works Association. Bozeman, Montana, 13-14 May 2004.	May 2004
Zale, A. V., C. Brooke, and W. C. Fraser. 2002. Effects of radio transmitter weight on swimming stamina of telemetered westslope cutthroat trout. 19th Annual Montana Water Conference. Livingston, Montana, 3-4 October 2002.	October 2002
Zale, A. V. 2020. Changes in perspectives of fisheries professionals to non-native fish introductions. Annual Conference of the American Society for Environmental History, Ottawa, Ontario, 26-28 March 2020 (cancelled because of the COVID-19 crisis).	March 2020	My presentation will be part of a session that considers the ecological, political, and cultural dimensions of freshwater fisheries in the U.S. West since Euro-American settlement. The studies focus on how series of human actors--fishing guides and recreationists on Montana's Madison River, commercial and sport anglers in North Idaho, and scientist managers around the West have attempted to shape waters to suit their predilections and passions. This process has often been characterized by conte
Zale, A. V. 2004. Paradise stabilized: juvenile salmonid abundances in the Yellowstone River. 37th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Whitefish, Montana, 2-6 February, 2004.	February 2004
Zale, A. V. 2012. Basics of human dimensions. Plenary Session of the 45th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Helena, Montana, 7-10 February, 2012. Invited.	February 2012
Zale, A. V. 2006. Research on effects of grazing on fisheries: past mistakes and future remedies. 59th Annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management, Vancouver, British Columbia, 12-17 February 2006. Invited.	February 2006
Zale, A. 2011. Entrainment and screen effectiveness in tributaries of the Bitterroot River. Montana Fish Screen Workshop, 22-23 June 2011, Bozeman, Montana.	June 2011
Wuellner, M., R. G. Bramblett, C. S. Guy, and A. V. Zale. 2006. Influences of reach- and watershed-scale habitat features on fish distribution in streams in the Great Plains of Montana. Annual Meeting of the Dakota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Chamberlain, South Dakota, 27 February B 1 March 2006.	February 2006
Wuellner, M., R. G. Bramblett, C. S. Guy, A. V. Zale, and J. Johnson. 2006. Influences of reach- and watershed-scale habitat features on fish distribution in streams in the Great Plains of Montana. Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society, Bozeman, Montana, 15-19 May 2006. Invited.	May 2006
Wuellner, M., R. Bramblett, C. Guy, and A. Zale. 2006. Influences of reach- and watershed-scale habitat features on fish distribution in streams in the Great Plains of Montana. 55th Annual Workshop of the Great Plains Fishery Workers Association, Glasgow, Montana, 30 January B 1 February 2006.	January 2006
Wuellner, M. R., R. G. Bramblett, C. S. Guy, and A. V. Zale. 2005. Influences of landscape and local habitat features on fish distribution in streams in the Great Plains of Montana. 135th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society.	August 2005
Williams, J., C. Guy, T. Koel, and P. Bigelow. 2018. Finding Lake Trout Aggregations in Yellowstone Lake to Improve Suppression Efficacy. Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.	January 2018	The lake trout telemetry information in this research is used to help increase the efficacy of the lake trout suppression program in Yellowstone Lake.
Williams, J., C. Guy, T. Koel, and P. Bigelow. 2018. Identifying non-native lake trout spawning locations in Yellowstone Lake to improve suppression efficacy. Western Division of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	May 2018	This study uses telemetry to identify spawning locations to improve removal of lake trout from Yellowstone Lake.
Wellstone, K., B. Ertel, C. Guy, T. Koel, J. Rotella, and A. Zale. 2023. Electrofishing and angling data reduce error in abundance estimates for trout in the Lamar River. 56th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 21-24 February 2023, Butte, Montana.	February 2023	We show that a combination of angling and electrofishing can be used to estimate fish abundances in a small, montane river.
Voss, N., R. Al-Chokhachy, A. Zale, A. Sepulveda, M. Ruggles, and J. Rhoten. 2018. Patterns and limits of smallmouth bass distribution in the upper Yellowstone River. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Butte, Montana, 29 January to 2 February 2018.	February 2018	This presentation provides a progress report on our sampling to determine the upstream extent of nonnative smallmouth bass distribution in the Yellowstone River.
Voss, N. S., R. Al- Chokhachy, A. V. Zale, A. Sepulveda, M. Ruggles, and J. Rhoten. 2019. Factors affecting the recruitment of non-native Smallmouth Bass in the Yellowstone River and implications for upstream range expansion. Joint Conference of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society, Reno, Nevada, 1 October 2019.	October 2019	Age-0 overwinter mortality is not currently preventing upstream establishment in the Yellowstone River.
Voss, N. S., A. Sepulveda, R. Al- Chokhachy, A. V. Zale, M. Ruggles, and J. Rhoten. 2019. Patterns in the distribution, size, and ecology of non-native smallmouth bass in the Yellowstone River. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Billings, Montana, 30 January to 1 February 2019.	January 2019	We are evaluating hypotheses to explain the current distribution of invasive smallmouth bass in the Yellowstone River.
Uthe, P., R. Al-Chokhachy, and A. Zale. 2013. Effects of abiotic and biotic factors on life history characteristics and vital rates of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in a headwater basin. 46th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Fairmont, Montana, 5-8 February, 2013.	February 2013	Provides information to refine climate risk assessments to better direct limited resources to ensure the long term persistence of Yellowstone cutthroat trout.
Tronstad, L.M., H.C. Glassic, D.R. Lujan, M.A. Briggs, L.K. Albertson, C.S. Guy and T.M. Koel. 2023. Adding lake trout carcasses to spawning sites in Yellowstone Lake minimally altered food web dynamics: insights into invasive species management using stable isotopes. Colorado-Wyoming American Fisheries Society meeting, Fort Collins, Colorado.	March 2023	This research shows that addition of lake trout carcasses do not alter food-web dynamics.
Triano, B., K. Kappenman, T. E. McMahon, and A. V. Zale. 2019. Evaluating the efficiency of Denil fish ladders for upstream passage of Arctic grayling and other species on the Big Hole River. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Billings, Montana, 30 January to 1 February 2019.	February 2019	We determined that Denil fish ladders are effective for allowing passage of Arctic grayling and other fishes at irrigation diversion dams in the Big Hole River drainage.
Triano, B., K. Kappenman, T. E. McMahon, M. Blank, A. V. Zale, and A. Parker. 2019. Efficiency of Denil fish ladders for upstream passage of Arctic Grayling, Brook Trout, and other fishes evaluated using PIT technology in the Big Hole River Basin, Montana. Joint Conference of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society, Reno, Nevada, 1 October 2019.	October 2019	We determined that Denil fish ladders are effective for allowing passage of Arctic Grayling and other fishes at irrigation diversion dams in the Big Hole River drainage.
Triano, B., K. Kappenman, M. Blank, T. McMahon, A. Parker, K. Heim, K. Plymesser, and A. Zale. 2020. Efficiency of Denil fish ladders for upstream passage of Arctic Grayling, Brook Trout, and other fishes evaluated using PIT technology in the Big Hole River Basin, Montana. International Conference on River Connectivity (Fish Passage 2020), Lisbon, Portugal, 28 June to 3 July 2020 (cancelled because of the COVID-19 crisis).	June 2020	We show that Denil fishways are effective for passing salmonids at irrigation diversions in the Big Hole River basin.
Tornabene, B. T., R. G. Bramblett, S. A. Leathe, and A. V. Zale. 2013. Nesting ecology of spiny softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera hartwegi) on the Missouri River in Montana: zoogeographic and management implications. 46th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Fairmont, Montana, 5-8 February, 2013.	February 2013	contains information describing where and when spiny softshell turtles nest in Montana
Tornabene, B. J., R. G. Bramblett, S. Leathe, and A. Zale. 2012. Nesting ecology of spiny softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera hartwegi) on the Missouri River, MT. Poster presented at the 45th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Helena, Montana, 7-10 February, 2012	February 2012
Tornabene, B. J., R. G. Bramblett, S. A. Leathe, and A. V. Zale. 2014. Nesting ecology of the turtle Apalone spinifera in a large river-floodplain ecosystem. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Chattanooga, Tennessee, 30 July to 3 August 2014.	July 2014	Describes the importance of riverine flooding events on turtle nesting ecology.
Thomas, N., C. Guy, T. Koel, and A. Zale. 2017. Evaluation of suppression methods targeting non-native lake trout embryos in Yellowstone Lake. Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society, Missoula, Montana, 22-25 May 2017.	May 2017	This paper describes various methods to suppress lake trout using novel methods aimed at embryos.
Thomas, N., C. Guy, T. Koel, A. Zale, A. Poole. 2018. Evaluation of suppression methods targeting non-native lake trout embryos in Yellowstone Lake. Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.	January 2018	This study evaluated the efficacy of novel suppression methods on lake trout embryo survival.
Thomas, N. A., T. M. Koel, C. S. Guy, P. D. Doepke, D. J. MacDonald, A. S. Poole, W. M. Sealey, and A. V. Zale. 2020. Integrated pest management: from experimental evaluation to implementation of Lake Trout embryo suppression in Yellowstone Lake. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Kalispell, Montana, 25-28 February 2020.	February 2020	We describe the successful development and use of organic pellets to degrade water quality at invasive Lake Trout spawning sites in Yellowstone Lake to suppress embryo survival.
Tennant, L. B., R. E. Gresswell, and C. S. Guy. 2009. Distribution, abundance, and age structure of juvenile bull trout in a tributary to Quartz Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana. 42nd Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2009
Tennant, L. B., R. E. Gresswell, and C. S. Guy. 2008. Spawning demographics and early life history of lacustrine-adfluvial bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in Quartz Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana. 41st Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society.	February 2008
Tennant, L. B., R. E. Gresswell, C. S. Guy. 2009. Population characteristics of sub-adult bull trout in a glacial-lake ecosystem invaded by non-native lake trout. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	August 2009
Talbott, M. J., J. P. Van Eenennaam, J. Linares-Casenave, S. I. Doroshov, C. S. Guy, and M. A. H. Webb. 2009. Investigating non-invasive methods to predict follicular atresia and spawning readiness in white sturgeon. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	August 2009
Talbott, M. J., C. S. Guy, J. P. Van Eenennaam, J. Linares-Casenave, S. I. Doroshov, and M. A. H. Webb. 2009. Determining morphological and biochemical parameters associated with early ovarian follicular atresia in white sturgeon females. 42nd Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2009
T. McMahon, A. Zale, F. Barrows, J. Selong, and R. Danehy. 2003. Laboratory protocol for deriving ecologically relevant temperature criteria for aquatic species. 133rd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Quebec City, Quebec, 10-14 August 2003.	August 2003
Syslo, J., C. S. Guy, and B. Cox. 2012. Cost-effectiveness of gill netting strategies for suppressing non-native lake trout in Swan Lake, Montana. 142nd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	August 2012
Syslo, J., C. S. Guy, P. Bigelow, P. Doepke,, B. Ertel, and T. Koel. 2012. Effectiveness of a 17-year removal program for non-native lake trout in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park. 142nd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	August 2012
Syslo, J., C. Guy, P. Bigelow, P. Doepke, and T. Koel. 2008. Demography of lake trout in Yellowstone Lake. A comprehensive appraisal of long-term suppression of lake trout in Yellowstone Lake.	August 2008
Syslo, J. M., J. H. Powell, C. S. Guy, J. L. Arnold, and T. M. Koe. 2013. Evaluation of sampling designs for detecting change relevant to management objectives in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park. 46th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2013	Presentation on the sampling design for Yellowstone National Park.
Syslo, J. M., C. S. Guy, and B. S. Cox. 2012. Cost-effectiveness of gill netting strategies for suppressing non-native lake trout in Swan Lake, Montana. 45th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2012
Syslo, J. M., C. S. Guy, P. E. Bigelow, P. D. Doepke, and T. M. Koel. 2010. An evaluation of lake trout suppression in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	February 2010
Syslo, J. M., C. S. Guy, P. E. Bigelow, P. D. Doepke, T. M. Koel. 2009. Analysis of population metrics to assess the efficacy of lake trout suppression in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park. 42nd Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2009
Syslo, J. M., C. S. Guy, P. E. Bigelow, P. D. Doepke, T. M. Koel. 2009. Analysis of population metrics to assess the efficacy of lake trout suppression in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	August 2009
Stringer, A. S., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2017. Range contractions of three native cyprinids are associated with invasive Northern Pike expansion. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Tampa, Florida, 20-24 August 2017.	August 2017	Expansion of invasive Northern Pike in eastern Montana is affecting the distributions of native minnows.
Stringer, A. S., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2017. Invasive Northern Pike are associated with range contractions of three native cyprinids. Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society, Missoula, Montana, 22-25 May 2017.	May 2017	Expansion of invasive Northern Pike in eastern Montana is affecting the distributions of native minnows.
Stringer, A. L., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2019. Non-native predators are associated with range contractions of native cyprinids in Montana. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Billings, Montana, 30 January to 1 February 2019.	February 2019	We determined that distributions of native minnows do not overlap with those of introduced non-native northern pike and trout.
Stringer, A. L., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2015. Our dace are numbered. 7th Annual Research Symposium of the Montana Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology, Missoula, Montana, 18-20 November 2015.	November 2015	Describes results of the first field season of a study examining the distributions and status of pearl and hybrid dace in Montana.
Stringer, A. L., A. V. Zale, and R. G. Bramblett. 2019. Effects of invasive Northern Pike on Montana prairie fish assemblages. Joint Conference of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society, Reno, Nevada, 3 October 2019.	October 2019	Northern Pike predation probably caused the reduced native minnow species richness, and Northern Pike predation seemingly affects native minnows more strongly than native non-minnows. Further expansion of Northern Pike will negatively affect native prairie fish assemblages and may lead to the extirpation of sensitive species.
Strakosh, T. R., N. M. Gerlanc, K. B. Gido, C. S. Guy, S. L. Proboszcz, and S. L. Schrank. 2004. Fish assemblage dynamics in a prairie stream: long-term trends and implications for conservation. 134th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society.	August 2004
Strakosh, T. R., K. S. Gido, and C. S. Guy. 2003. The effects of water willow plantings on age-0 largemouth bass and Lepomis spp. densities in Kansas reservoirs. 133rd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society.	August 2003
Strakosh, T. R., K. B. Gido, and C. S. Guy. 2003. The response of age-0 largemouth bass and sunfish to the establishment of American Water Willow in reservoirs. 64th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.	December 2003
Steed, A., A. V. Zale, T. Koel, and S. Kalinowski. 2006. Spatial dynamics of Arctic grayling in the Gibbon River, Yellowstone National Park. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society, Bozeman, Montana, 15-19 May 2006.	May 2006
Steed, A. C., A. V. Zale, and S. Kalinowski. 2007. Population viability of Arctic grayling in the Gibbon River, Yellowstone National Park. 40th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Missoula, Montana, 13-16 February, 2007.	February 2007
Steed, A. C., A. V. Zale, T. Koel, and S. Kalinowski. 2007. Population viability of Arctic grayling in the Gibbon River, Yellowstone National Park. 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, San Francisco, California, 2-6 September 2007.	September 2007
Stapleton, H. K., C. S. Guy, J. A. Mullen, T. J. Cline, D. A. Schmetterling, and M. A. H. Webb. 2024. Popoulaiton demographics for the Missouri River trout fishery: a starting point for age-structured models. 57th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Lewistown, Montana. PLATFORM	February 2024	This research describes the population dynamics of rainbow and brown trout in a popular fishery in Montana.
Stapleton, H. K., C. S. Guy, J. A. Mullen, T. J. Cline, D. A. Schmetterling, and M. A. H. Webb. 2024. Assessing trout resilience to high angling pressure for a Blue-Ribbon fishery. 154th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	September 2024	This work evaluates the effects of catch and release fishing on a popular trout fishery in Montana.
Spinelli, J. P., and A. V. Zale. 2010. Seasonal fish losses through Hauser Dam, Montana, 2007 to 2008. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Bozeman, Montana, 9-12 February, 2010.	February 2010
Spinelli, J. P., and A. V. Zale. 2009. Spatial and temporal fish entrainment through Hauser Dam, Montana. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Nashville, Tennessee, 30 August to 3 September 2009.	February 2009
Spinelli, J. P., and A. V. Zale. 2009. Spatial and temporal entrainment of recreational fish through Hauser Dam, Montana. Missouri River Natural Resources Conference and BiOP Forum. Billings, Montana, 25-27 March, 2009.	February 2009
Spinelli, J. P., and A. V. Zale. 2009. Spatial and temporal entrainment from Hauser Reservoir, Montana. 2009 Joint Conference of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society. Kalispell, Montana, 9-13 February, 2009.	February 2009
Smith, J., and A. V. Zale. 2016. Strategies for creating a more diverse and inclusive Forest Service workplace. USDA Forest Service Research Station Leadership Team Meeting. Oxford, Mississippi, 25 October 2016.	October 2016	provided USFS administrators with successful strategies and tactics for improving diversity within their ranks
Smith, J. L., S. Rushing, A. Zale, I. M. Handley, J. Honea, E. Shanahan, and M. Potvin. 2014. Infusing Psychological Need Support into Faculty Search Processes: Intervening to Broaden the Participation of Women Faculty. Annual Meeting of the Association of Psychological Science, San Francisco, 22-25 May 2014.	May 2014	Intervention in faculty searches to broaden searches resulted in more women interviewed, greater likelihood that women were made offers, and greater likelihood that women accepted offers.
Siemiantkowski, M. J., C. S. Guy, T. L. Cox, J. R. Williams, C. D. Brown, R. W. Eckelbecker, H. S. Glassic, M. C. Lewis, P. A. C. Maskill, and L. M. McGarvey. 2021. A paradoxical knowledge gap in science for critically endangered fishes and game fishes during the sixth mass extinction. 54^th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. ONLINE	March 2021	This presentation illustrates the gap in scientific knowledge between game fishes and critically endangered fishes.
Shepard, B. B., T. Andrews, S. T. Kalinowski, M. L. Taper, and A. V. Zale. 2010. Performance of westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) released into the upper Cherry Creek drainage using remote stream incubators. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Bozeman, Montana, 9-12 February, 2010.	February 2010
Shepard, B. B., T. A. Delomas, M. R. Campbell, C. G. Kruse, R. T. Al-Chokhachy, M. L. Taper, and A. V. Zale. 2021. Contributions, inbreeding, and outbreeding of wild- and hatchery-origin stocks of Westslope Cutthroat Trout released as eyed embryos into vacant habitat. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, online, 1-5 March 2021.	March 2021	We compared the performance of various wild and hatchery genetic donor stocks of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in a common-garden conservation translocation.
Shepard, B. B., R. Al-Chokhachy, S. Opitz, C. Sestrich, and A. V. Zale. 2013. Potential influences of climate change on population dynamics of nonnative brook trout and native Yellowstone cutthroat trout in headwater stream networks. Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society. Boise, Idaho, 15-18 April, 2013.	April 2013	Invasion of a basin inhabited by native Yellowstone cutthroat trout by non-native brook trout was accelerated during a hot, dry year. Climate change may therefore affect effects of nonnative species.
Shepard, B. B., R. Al-Chokhachy, S. Opitz, C. Sestrich, and A. V. Zale. 2013. Distributions, recruitment, growth, and movements of nonnative brook trout and native Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the upper Shields River basin. 46th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Fairmont, Montana, 5-8 February, 2013.	February 2013	Documents invasion of a basin inhabited by native Yellowstone cutthroat trout by non-native brook trout
Shepard, B. B., R. Al-Chokhachy, R. Gresswell, A. Zale, S. Opitz, C. Endicott, and C. Sestrich. 2012. Using PIT tags to assess seasonal and annual movements of native and nonnative trout. 45th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Helena, Montana, 7-10 February, 2012.	February 2012
Shepard, B. B., M. L. Taper, and A. V. Zale. 2010. Investigation into bias and variability in estimates of population size and biomass when catches of individuals are large relative to the total population. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Bozeman, Montana, 9-12 February, 2010.	February 2010
Shepard, B. B., M. L. Taper, and A. V. Zale. 2009. Recovery of westslope cutthroat trout populations following removal of nonnative brook trout. 2009 Joint Conference of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society. Kalispell, Montana, 9-13 February, 2009.	February 2009
Shepard, B. B., C. Kruse, P. Clancey, L. Nelson, T. Andrews, S. Kalinowski, A. Zale, S. Barndt, and B. Roberts. 2012. Collaborative restoration of westslope cutthroat trout into 100 km of Cherry Creek, a Madison River tributary. 11th Biennial Scientific Conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming, 8-10 October, 2012.	October 2012
Shepard, B. B., C. Kruse, P. Clancey, L. Nelson, A. V. Zale, S. Barndt, and B. Roberts. 2017. Collaborative restoration of Westslope Cutthroat Trout into 100 km of Cherry Creek, a Madison River, Montana, tributary. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Tampa, Florida, 20-24 August 2017.	August 2017	This restoration project was part of a broader-scale effort to restore Westslope Cutthroat Trout within the Madison River basin. Research during and following this restoration effort is providing valuable information that can be used to inform other similar restoration efforts and answer species conservation questions.
Shepard, B. B., C. G. Kruse, P. Clancey, L. Nelson, S. T. Kalinowski, D. P. Drinan, T. M. Andrews, and A. V. Zale. 2015. Restoration of native westslope cutthroat trout to an isolated stream system in Montana. 145th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Portland, Oregon, 16-20 August, 2015.	August 2015	Describes creation of what is now the the largest genetically pure population of westslope cutthroat trout in the Missouri River basin.
Shepard, B. B., A. V. Zale, and M. L. Taper. 2008. Distribution and abundance patterns of cutthroat and brook trout: are headwater thermal refuges a myth? 41st Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Billings, Montana, 12-15 February, 2008.	February 2008
Schultz, R.D., C.S. Guy, and D.A. Robinson, Jr. 2000. Recruitment of white bass in Kansas reservoirs: relations to reservoir hydrology and gizzard shad. 130th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Ecology and Management of White Bass Poster Symposium. St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2000
Schrank, S.J., and C.S. Guy. 2000. Bighead carp life history characteristics in the lower Missouri River. 130th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2000
Schrank, S.J., and C.S. Guy. 1999. Population and reproductive characteristics of bighead carp in the lower Missouri River. 61st Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Chicago, IL.	November 1999
Schrank, S. J., and C. S. Guy. 2000. Bighead carp in the Missouri River. Asian carp management and control workshop.	April 2000
Ryce, E. K. N., A. V. Zale, M. Sweeney, and J. Pravecek. 2004. Bacterial coldwater disease: hatchery epidemiology and control. 37th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Whitefish, Montana, 2-6 February, 2004.	February 2004
Ryce, E. K. N., A. V. Zale, E. MacConnell, and M. A. Adkison. February 2002. Factors affecting the resistance of juvenile rainbow trout to whirling disease. 8th Annual Whirling Disease Symposium. Denver, Colorado.	February 2002
Ryan, R. R., C. S. Guy, S. L. Camp, and W. M. Gardner. 2009. Movement and spawning locations of shovelnose sturgeon and pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana. 2009 Missouri River Natural Resource Conference and BiOP Forum. POSTER	March 2009
Ryan, R. R., C. S. Guy, S. L. Camp, and W. M. Gardner. 2009. Movement and spawning locations of shovelnose sturgeon and pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana. 2009 Missouri River Natural Resource Conference and BiOP Forum. PLATFORM	March 2009
Ritter, T. D., A. Zale, and G. Liknes. 2012. Limiting factors, thermal refuges, and connectivity in the Smith River system. Poster presented at the 45th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Helena, Montana, 7-10 February, 2012.	February 2012
Ritter, T. D., A. Zale, and G. Grisak. 2017. Salmonid movements and thermal hydrodynamics at a montane river system confluence: thermal refugia in the Smith River basin. Wild Trout XII, West Yellowstone, Montana, 26-29 September 2017.	September 2017	Describes how coldwater fish use tributary confluences as thermal refugia during warm weather.
Ritter, T. D., A. Zale, and G. Grisak. 2016. Salmonid movements and thermal hydrodynamics at a montane river system confluence: thermal refugia in the Smith River basin. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Helena, Montana, 16-19 February 2016.	February 2016	Describes how coldwater fish use tributary confluences as thermal refugia during warm weather.
Rider, D., and A. V. Zale. 2003. Abundance of juvenile salmonids along stabilized and natural main-channel banks of the upper Yellowstone River. 36th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Great Falls, Montana, 10-14 February 2003.	February 2003
Richards, R. R., C. S. Guy, S. L. Camp, and W. M. Gardner. 2009. Movement and spawning locations of shovelnose sturgeon and pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir. 42nd Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. POSTER	February 2009
Richards, R. R., C. S. Guy, M .A. Webb, S. L. Camp, W. M. Gardner, and C. B. Jensen. 2010. Shovelnose sturgeon movements relative to reproductive condition and the hydrograph of the Missouri River above Ft. Peck Reservoir, Montana. North American Chapter of the World Sturgeon Conservation Society, Chico, Montana. PLATFORM.	August 2010
Richards, R. R., C. S. Guy, M .A. Webb, S. L. Camp, W. M. Gardner, and C. B. Jensen. 2010. Movements of spawning and non-spawning shovelnose sturgeon in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	February 2010
Reinhold, A. M., R. G. Bramblett, A. V. Zale, G. C. Poole, and D. W. Roberts. 2014. Fish assemblage and habitat differences between side and main channels in the lower Yellowstone River. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Portland, Oregon, 18-23 May 2014.	May 2014	Side channels provide important habitat for diverse fishes during runoff and contribute to large-scale fish assemblage structures in the river.
Reinhold, A. M., R. Bramblett, and A. Zale. 2011. Importance of seasonally inundated secondary channels for Yellowstone River fish. Poster presented at the 44th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Great Falls, Montana, 8-11 February, 2011.	February 2011
Reinhold, A. M., R. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2010. Seasonal use of side channels and shallow slow-velocity habitats by the fish assemblages of the middle and lower Yellowstone River. Poster presented at the 2010 Conference of the Montana Section of the American Water Resources Association, Helena, Montana, 14-15 October 2010.	October 2010
Reinhold, A. M., M. B. Duncan, R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2012. Preliminary and potential effects of the 2011 oil spill on the Yellowstone River fish assemblage. Poster presented at the 45th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Helena, Montana, 7-10 February, 2012.	February 2012
Reinhold, A. M. G. C. Poole, R. G. Bramblett, A. V. Zale, and D. W. Roberts. 2017. Small flow obstructions implicated in accelerating whole-floodplain side-channel loss. Annual Meeting of the Society for Freshwater Science, Raleigh, North Carolina, 4-9 June 2017.	June 2017	We found that anthropogenic flow obstructions such as dikes and berms built across side channels facilitated side-channel loss in the Yellowstone River.
Ranney, S. H., C. S. Guy, P. J. Braaten, D. B. Fuller, M. A. Webb, K. M. Kappenman, and W. M. Gardner. 2010. Spatial drift dynamics of shovelnose sturgeon and pallid sturgeon prelarvae in the transition zone of Ft. Peck Reservoir. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	February 2010
Ranney, S. H., C. S. Guy, M. A. H. Webb, K. M. Kappenman, and W. M. Gardner. 2009. Are reservoirs ecological sinks for recruitment of pallid sturgeon? 42nd Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. POSTER	February 2009
Ranney, S. H., C. S. Guy, M. A. H. Webb, K. M. Kappenman, and W. M. Gardner. 2009. Are reservoirs ecological sinks for recruitment of pallid sturgeon? 2009 Missouri River Natural Resource Conference and BiOP Forum. POSTER	March 2009
Quist, M.C., and C.S. Guy. 2000. Spatial and temporal distribution of larval white bass in a Kansas reservoir. 130th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Ecology and Management of White Bass Poster Symposium. St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2000
Quist, M.C., P.A. Fay, C.S. Guy, A.K. Knapp, B.N. Rubenstein, and C. Phillips. 2000. The influence of disturbance from military training on terrestrial-aquatic linkages in a tall grass prairie ecosystem. 65th North American Wildlife and Natural Resource Conference, National Military Fish and Wildlife Association, Rosemont, Illinois.	January 2000
Quist, M.C., C.S. Guy, J.L. Stephen, and R.D. Schultz. 1999. Abundance of age-0 walleyes and interactions with gizzard shad, white crappie, black crappie, and adult walleyes in Kansas reservoirs. 61st Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Chicago, IL.	November 1999
Quist, M. C., and C. S. Guy. 2000. Growth and mortality of prairie stream fishes and relations with instream habitat. 62nd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.	December 2000
Quist, M. C., C. S. Guy, M. A. Pegg, P. J. Braaten, C. L. Pierce, and V. H. Travnichek. 2001. Potential influence of harvest on shovelnose sturgeon populations in the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers. 5th Annual Missouri River Natural Resource Conference.	June 2001
Quist, M. C., C. S. Guy, M. A. Pegg, P. J. Braaten, C. L. Pierce, and V. H. Travnichek. 2001. Potential influence of harvest on shovelnose sturgeon populations in the Missouri River system: a case for pro-active management. 131st Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society.	August 2001
Puchany, A., A. Zale, T. Koel, B. Shepard, and M. Campbell. 2020. Assessing Westslope Cutthroat Trout and Arctic Grayling restoration efforts in Yellowstone National Park. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Kalispell, Montana, 25-28 February 2020.	February 2020	We describe progress on our assessments of native fish restoration in two drainages in Yellowstone National Park.
Puchany, A., A. V. Zale, T. Koel, M. Campbell, and B. B. Shepard. 2023. A framework for assessing native fish conservation translocations: two case studies in Yellowstone National Park. 2023 Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conference, Missoula, Montana, 7-8 February 2023.	February 2023	We provide a framework to assess native fish conservation translocations using two case studies in Yellowstone National Park.
Puchany, A., A. V. Zale, T. Koel, M. Campbell, and B. B. Shepard. 2021. Status of Westslope Cutthroat Trout and Arctic Grayling following conservation translocations in Yellowstone National Park. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, online, 1-5 March 2021.	March 2021	We described status of native species conservation translocations in two drainages of Yellowstone National Park.
Puchany, A., A. V. Zale, T. Koel, M. Campbell, and B. B. Shepard. 2021. A guide to assessing native fish conservation translocations using two case studies in Yellowstone National Park, Montana and Wyoming. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Baltimore, Maryland, 6-10 November 2021.	November 2021	We provide a guide to assess native fish conservation translocations using two case studies in Yellowstone National Park.
Proboszcz, S. L., and C. S. Guy. 2003. Spotted bass habitat structure use in an experimental stream: implications for management. 36th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society.	February 2003
Pracheil, B., P. Braaten, E. Macias, C. Guy, D. Herzog, M. Hamel, J. Justice. A. Loeppky, J. Mollish, J. Simmons, and S. Tripp. 2024. Warmwater fishes in rivers. 9th World Fisheries Congress. PLATFORM	March 2024	This represents standardized sampling for large rivers.
Poole, A., A. Zale, M. Webb, and T. Koel. 2018. Laboratory Evaluations of Lake Trout Embryo Suppression Methods for use in Yellowstone Lake. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Butte, Montana, 29 January to 2 February 2018.	February 2018	We evaluated the effects of a variety of candidate chemical, physical, and biological suppression methods on different developmental stages of Lake Trout embryos and larvae for use in potential suppression efforts.
Poole, A. S., A. V. Zale, M. A. Webb, and T. M. Koel. 2017. Laboratory evaluations of embryo suppression techniques. Conservation Actions to Restore Yellowstone Lake—An Interim Scientific Assessment. Bozeman, Montana, 18-19 April 2017.	April 2017	presentation of results of lab trials evaluating lethality of various substances to salmonid embryos
Poole, A. S., A. V. Zale, M. A. Webb, and T. M. Koel. 2016. Ova suppression lab studies. Yellowstone Lake Working Group Meeting. Bozeman, Montana, 7 December 2016.	December 2016	presented findings of lab trials evaluating lethality of various substances to salmonid embryos
Plymesser, K., M. Blank, M. Conley, K. Kappenman, J. Cahoon, D. Dockery, and A. V. Zale. 2022. A scaled Denil fishway for upstream passage of Arctic Grayling. Fish Passage 2022, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington, 13-16 June 2022.	June 2022	We determined that a 0.6-scaled Denil fishway is probably a good alternative to standard-sized Denil fishways to enhance upstream mobility of Arctic Grayling in small, water-limited streams.
Pierce, C. L., M. A. Pegg, P. J. Braaten, and C. S. Guy. 2003. Growth of channel and flathead catfish in the Missouri and lower Yellowstone rivers. 64th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.	December 2003
Pierce, C. L., C. S. Guy, M. A. Pegg, P. J. Braaten. 2005. Growth responses of benthic fishes to environmental changes along the Missouri and lower Yellowstone Rivers. 135th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society.	August 2005
Olson, N. W., C. S. Guy, and K. D. Koupal. 2004. Interactions among three top-level predators in Harlan County Reservoir, Nebraska. 37th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society.	February 2004
Olson, N. W., C. S. Guy, and K. D. Koupal. 2004. Food habits and vertical distribution of three predators in Harlan County Reservoir. Annual Meeting of the Nebraska Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.	February 2004
Olson, N. W., C. S. Guy, and K. D. Koupal. 2004. Competitive interactions among predators in Harlan County Reservoir, Nebraska. 134th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society.	August 2004
Olson, N. W., C. S. Guy, and K. D. Koupal. 2003. Resource overlap among three predators in Harlan County Reservoir, Nebraska. 64th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.	December 2003
Oldenburg, E. W., P. C. Gerrity, C. S. Guy, and W. M. Gardner. 2005. Trammel net efficiency for sturgeon sampled in the Missouri River: Implications for sampling design. 38th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society.	February 2005
Oldenburg, E. W., P. C. Gerrity, C. S. Guy, and W. M. Gardner. 2005. Trammel net efficiency for juvenile pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus): Implications for sampling design. Scaphirhynchus 2005.	August 2005
Oldenburg, E. W., P. C. Gerrity, C. S. Guy, and W. M. Gardner. 2004. Trammel net efficiency for juvenile pallid and shovelnose sturgeon. 37th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society.	February 2004
Oldenburg, E. W., C. S. Guy, and W. M. Gardner. 2007. Does acclimation reduce post-stocking dispersal of age-1 pallid sturgeon? 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. POSTER	September 2007
Oldenburg, E. W., C. S. Guy, and W. M. Gardner. 2007. Assessment of post-stocking dispersal of age-1 pallid sturgeon: implications for acclimation. 40th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2007
Ogolin, V. A., C. S. Guy, M. A. H. Webb and L. M. Holmquist. 2024. Identifying the mechanisms for variation in pallid sturgeon growth. Annual Meeting of the North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society. PLATFORM	October 2024	This research tries to better understand the variation in observed growth of hatchery-reared pallid sturgeon.
Mullen, J., R. G. Bramblett, C. S. Guy, and A. V. Zale. 2006. Spatiotemporal variation of fish assemblages in Montana prairie streams. Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society, Bozeman, Montana, 15-19 May 2006. Invited.	May 2006
Mullen, J. A., R. G. Bramblett, C. S. Guy, and A. V. Zale. 2007. Spatiotemporal variation in prairie stream fish assemblages. 40th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2007
Mullen, J. A., R. G. Bramblett, C. S. Guy, and A. V. Zale. 2007. Spatiotemporal variation in prairie stream fish assemblages. 40th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Missoula, Montana, 13-16 February, 2007.	February 2007
Mullen, J. A., R. G. Bramblett, C. S. Guy, and A. V. Zale. 2007. Changes in Montana prairie stream fish assemblages across longitudinal and temporal gradients. 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	September 2007
Mullen, J. A., R. G. Bramblett, C. S. Guy, and A. V. Zale. 2007. Changes in Montana prairie stream fish assemblages across longitudinal and temporal gradients. 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, San Francisco, California, 2-6 September 2007.	September 2007
Meeuwig, M. H., C. S. Guy, and W. A. Fredenberg. 2009. Trophic relationships among bull trout, lake trout, and other fishes in a lake trout invaded system. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	August 2009
Meeuwig, M. H., C. S. Guy, and W. A. Fredenberg. 2008. Interactions between bull trout and lake trout for simulated cover habitat. 41st Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society.	February 2008
Meeuwig, M. H., C. S. Guy, S. T. Kalinowski, and W. A. Fredenberg. 2007. Influence of landscape structure on genetic structure of bull trout in Glacier National Park, Montana. 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	September 2007
Meeuwig, M. H., C. S. Guy, A. M. Dux, W. A. Fredenberg, and W. Michels. 2005. Glacier National Park bull trout: knocking on heaven's door. Salvelinus confluentus Curiosity Society 2005.	August 2005
Meeuwig, M. H. C. S. Guy, and W. A. Fredenberg. 2007. Trophic interactions between bull trout and nonnative lake trout in Glacier National Park, Montana. 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. POSTER	September 2007
Meeuwig, M. H. C. S. Guy, W. A. Fredenberg, and S. T. Kalinowski. 2007. Influence of migratory barriers on genetic diversity and similarity among bull trout populations in Glacier National Park, Montana. 40th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2007
McMahon, T. E., A. V. Zale, F. T. Barrows, J. Selong, and R. Danehy. 2006. Temperature and competition between bull trout and brook trout: a test of the elevation refuge hypothesis. Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society, Bozeman, Montana, 15-19 May 2006.	May 2006
McGarvey, L. M., C. S. Guy, J. G. McLellan, and M. A. H. Webb. 2018. The assessment of ultrasound and plasma sex steroid concentrations to assign sex and stage of maturity in wild Burbot. Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.	January 2018	This study evaluates the use of ultrasound and plasma sex steroids to assign sex and stage of maturity in wild Burbot.
McCullough, A., C. S. Guy, T. Horton. 2016. Factors influencing abundance of Arctic grayling in the Bighole River. Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.	February 2016	This work describes the factors influencing abundance of Arctic grayling in the Bighole River, Montana. This work will provide information so managers can enhance Arctic grayling populations in the Bighole River.
Maskill, P. A. H., J. A. Crossman, C. S. Guy, L. J. Halvorson, and M. A. H. Webb. 2017. Determining sex and stage of maturity of hatchery origin white sturgeon in the lower Columbia River, Canada. American Fisheries Society Meeting.	August 2017	This study will determine the sex and stage of maturity of hatchery-origin white sturgeon in the lower Columbia River, Canada. These results will inform stocking strategies that will be used for recovery.
Maskill, P. A. C., J. A. Crossman, C. S. Guy, L. J. Halvorson, and M. A. H. Webb. 2018. Determining sex and stage of maturity of hatchery origin white sturgeon in the lower Columbia River, Canada. Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.	January 2018	This study evaluates the efficacy of the conservation aquaculture program to conserve white sturgeon in the Columbia River, Canada.
MacDonald, D. C. S. Guy, A. V. Zale, and T. Koel. 2023. Relative abundances and diets of juvenile Lake Trout in Yellowstone Lake. 56th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 21-24 February 2023, Butte, Montana.	February 2023	This study evlauates the status of juvenile lake trout in Yellowstone Lake.
M. Heinemann, A. R. Litt, M. Lance, K. Vivian, J. Mullen, and A. V. Zale. 2018. Estimating detection probability of PIT tags consumed by white pelicans to improve inferences in fish movement and avian predation studies. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Butte, Montana, 29 January to 2 February 2018.	January 2018	We found that detection of simulated excreted PIT tags varied among habitat types.
Lukins, H. J., A. V. Zale, and F. T. Barrows. 2004. Triactinomyxon dynamics estimated by packed-bed filtration. 10th Annual Whirling Disease Symposium. Salt Lake City, Utah, 2-3 March 2004.	March 2004
Lukins, H. J., A. V. Zale, and F. T. Barrows. 2003. Temporal fluctuations in triactinomyxon densities. Pages 41-42 in Proceedings of the 9th Annual Whirling Disease Symposium. Seattle, Washington, 6-7 February 2003.	February 2003
Lewis, M. C., C. S. Guy, and E. W. Oldenburg. 2021. Individual characteristics, population density, and environmental conditions explain temporal variation in out-migration dynamics of juvenile Bull Trout. 54^th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. ONLINE	March 2021	This work describes the outmigration dynamics of bull trout in Montana.
Lewandoski, S., and C. Guy, J. Deromedi, P. Gerrity, and K. Johnson. 2014. Exploitation and population dynamics of burbot in the upper Wind River drainage. 2014 Annual Meeting of the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	March 2014	This work showed that over exploitation of burbot is not occurring in lakes in the Wind River range.
Leathe, S., G. Liknes, T. McMahon, A. Munro, E. R. Vincent, and A. Zale. February 2002. Epidemiology of whirling disease in the Missouri River, Montana: disease spread and trout population response five years after discovery. 8th Annual Whirling Disease Symposium. Denver, Colorado.	February 2002
Leathe, S., A. Tews, and C. S. Guy. 2014. Evolution of a strategy to monitor minnow abundance in the middle Missouri River. 47th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2014	This work illustrated the number of samples needed to achieve a desired precision for C/f data.
Lance, M., J. Mullen, D. Ritter, G. Madel, G. Grisak, A. Zale, and D. Owensby. 2016. Construction and operation of half-duplex PIT tag networks: lessons learned in the Missouri and Smith River watersheds. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Helena, Montana, 16-19 February 2016.	February 2016	Provides pragmatic advice on construction and operation of a PIT-tag network.
Lance, M., A. Zale, J. Mullen, R. Al-Chokhachy, G. Grisak and T. McMahon. 2017. Fish movement patterns in the Smith River watershed in central Montana. Wild Trout XII, West Yellowstone, Montana, 26-29 September 2017.	September 2017	Movement of fish in the Smith River is common and links distinct habitats and sub-populations, suggesting the importance of protecting fish movements at watershed scales.
Lance, M., A. Zale, J. Mullen, R. Al-Chokhachy, G. Grisak and T. McMahon. 2017. Fish movement patterns in the Smith River watershed in central Montana. Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society, Missoula, Montana, 22-25 May 2017.	May 2017	Movement of fish in the Smith River is common and links distinct habitats and sub-populations, suggesting the importance of protecting fish movements at watershed scales.
Lance, M. J., T. D. Ritter, A. V. Zale, G. G. Grisak, J. A. Mullen, S. Walsh, R. Al-Chokhachy, K. C. Heim, T. E. McMahon, and G. A. Liknes. 2019. Use of a network of autonomous PIT arrays to study movement behaviors of sympatric salmonids across an un-fragmented watershed. Joint Conference of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society, Reno, Nevada, 3 October 2019.	October 2019	Movements of fish in the Smith River watershed were diverse, connected distant locations, and probably contributed to meta-population function, population resiliency, and species diversity.
Lance, M. J., A. V. Zale, G. G. Grisak, J. A. Mullen, T. D. Ritter, R. Al-Chokhachy, T. E. McMahon, and G. A. Liknes. 2019. Variable demographic rates of sympatric fish species suggest sources, sinks, and ecological traps in a connected watershed. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Billings, Montana, 30 January to 1 February 2019.	January 2019	We determined that population sources and sinks vary among species and geographically in an unfragmented watershed.
Kaus, D., C. S. Guy, J. Burckhardt, and T. Neebling. 2018. Feasibility of non-native walleye population suppression in Buffalo Bill Reservoir, Wyoming. Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.	January 2018	This study evaluates the feasibility of suppressing non-native walleye in Buffalo Bill reservoir under the time and monetary constraints imposed on Wyoming Game and Fish staff.
K. Plymesser, M. Blank, J. Cahoon, K. Kappenman, T. McMahon, B. Triano, B., and A. Zale. 2020. A comparison of lab and field based passage data for Arctic grayling in Denil fishways. International Conference on River Connectivity (Fish Passage 2020), Lisbon, Portugal, 28 June to 3 July 2020 (cancelled because of the COVID-19 crisis).	June 2020	We show that passage of Arctic grayling in Denil fishways is comparable in laboratory and field settings.
Jones-Wuellner, M. R., and C. S. Guy. 2004. Status of Burbot (Lota lota) in Montana, USA. Fourth World Fisheries Congress, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada	May 2004
Jones-Wuellner, M. R., R. G. Bramblett, C. S. Guy, and A. V. Zale. 2004. Distribution, species richness, and predictive modeling of Montana prairie fishes. Poster presented at 37th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Whitefish, Montana, 2-6 February, 2004.	February 2004
Jones-Wuellner, M. R., C. S. Guy, and K. P. McDonald. 2005. Status of Burbot in Montana. 38th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society.	February 2005
Jaeger, M., A. V. Zale, T. E. McMahon, and B. Schmitz. 2003. Seasonal interaction of sauger movement and harvest in the Yellowstone River, Montana. 52nd Annual Workshop of the Great Plains Fishery Workers Association. Deadwood, South Dakota, 3-5 February 2003.	February 2003
Jaeger, M., A. V. Zale, T. E. McMahon, and B. Schmitz. 2003. Seasonal aggregation and exploitation of sauger in the lower Yellowstone River. Percis III The Third International Percid Fish Symposium. Madison, Wisconsin, 20-24 July 2003.	July 2003
Jaeger, M., A. V. Zale, T. E. McMahon, and B. Schmitz. 2003. Sauger movement and exploitation in the lower Yellowstone River. 133rd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Quebec City, Quebec, 10-14 August 2003.	August 2003
Jaeger, M., A. V. Zale, T. E. McMahon, and B. Schmitz. 2003. Sauger aggregation and harvest in the lower Yellowstone River. 36th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Great Falls, Montana, 10-14 February 2003.	February 2003
J. Gross, R. E. Gresswell, M. A. H. Webb, and C. S. Guy. 2009. Destruction of lake trout embryos in natural settings to enhance persistence of native trout. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	August 2009
Horton, T.B., and C.S. Guy. 2000. Habitat use and movement patterns of spotted bass in a Kansas stream. 130th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2000
Horton, T.B., and C.S. Guy. 1999. Habitat use of spotted bass in a southeast Kansas stream. 61st Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Chicago, IL.	November 1999
Holmquist, L. M., M. A. H. Webb, and C. S. Guy. 2015. Do Reproductively Active Hatchery-Reared and Released Pallid Sturgeon Behave like Reproductively Active Wild Pallid Sturgeon? 2105 North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish Society Meeting.	October 2015	This research describes the movements and reproductive status or wild and hatchery-reared pallid sturgeon. The purpose of this study is to determine if hatchery-reared pallid sturgeon have similar behavior as wild pallid sturgeon.
Holmquist, L. M., M. A. H. Webb, C. S. Guy. 2016. Reproductive Ecology of Hatchery-Reared and Wild Pallid Sturgeon in the upper Missouri River. Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society	February 2016	This work describes the reproductive ecology of hatchery-reared and wild pallid sturgeon in the upper Missouri River.
Heinemann, M., A. R. Litt, M. Lance, K. Vivian, J. Mullen, and A. V. Zale. 2018. Characterizing rearing habitat of American white pelicans using PIT tags from consumed fish. Poster presented at the Annual meeting of the Montana Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Butte, Montana, 22 February 2018.	February 2018	We found that detection of simulated excreted PIT tags varied among habitat types.
Harnish, R., A. V. Zale, and C. Clancy. 2007. Efficacy of fish screens at preventing entrainment of westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi juveniles in three irrigation canals of Skalkaho Creek, Montana. 40th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Missoula, Montana, 13-16 February, 2007.	February 2007
Harnish, R., A. V. Zale, and C. Clancy. 2007. Efficacy of fish screens at preventing entrainment of westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) juveniles in three irrigation canals of Skalkaho Creek, Montana. 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, San Francisco, California, 2-6 September 2007.	September 2007
Harnish, R., A. V. Zale, and C. Clancy. 2006. Fish screens: efficacy and population effects on Skalkaho Creek, Montana. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society, Bozeman, Montana, 15-19 May 2006.	May 2006
Guy, C.S., R.D. Schultz, and C.A. Cox. 2000. Variation in gonad development, growth and condition of white bass in Fall River Reservoir, Kansas. 130th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Ecology and Management of White Bass Poster Symposium.	January 2000
Guy, C.S. 2000. Fisheries research at Kansas State University. Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Fisheries Division Meeting. Pratt, KS.	January 2000
Guy, C.S. 1999. Effects of growth, mortality, and recruitment on stock density index values. 61st Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Chicago, IL.	November 1999
Guy, C. S., and R.G. Bramblett. 2006. The plight of the pallid: the cost of living in an endangered ecosystem. Annual Meeting of the Western Division, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	May 2006
Guy, C. S., and M. L. Brown. 2009. Scientific inquiry in fisheries research: systematic empiricism. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	August 2009
Guy, C. S., and M. J.. Hansen. 2012. Demography of native and nonnative lake trout populations: informing suppression or restoration management actions. 142nd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	August 2012
Guy, C. S., and M. C. Quist. 2001. Potential influence of harvest on shovelnose sturgeon populations in the Missouri River system: A case for pro-active management. Missouri Department of Conservation shovelnose sturgeon commercial harvest closure workshop, Invited.	July 2001
Guy, C. S., T. M. Koel, P. E. Bigelow, B. Ertel, A. Puchany, M. A. Briggs, T. O. Brendon, H. C. Glassic, D. J. MacDonald, C. W. Vender, and A. V. Zale. 2024. Rebuilding and ecosystem: a success story in the making. 57th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Lewistown, Montana. PLATFORM	February 2024	This research evaluates the lake trout suppression efforts in Yellowstone Lake and illustrates the recovery of Yellowstone cutthroat trout.
Guy, C. S., S. J. Schrank, M. Whiles, and B. Brock. 2000. Assessment of physicochemical, biological, and landscape level factors influencing presence or absence of Topeka shiner populations in Kansas stream, Topeka shiner recovery plan meeting, Invited.	October 2000
Guy, C. S., S. J. Schrank, M. R. Whiles, and B. R. Brock. 2000. Influence of instream, and landscape-level factors on the distribution of Topeka shiners in Kansas Streams. 62nd Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.	December 2000
Guy, C. S., S. J. Schrank, M. R. Whiles, and B. L. Brock. 2003. Factors influencing the distribution of Topeka shiners in Kansas streams. 36th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2003
Guy, C. S., P. J. Braaten, D. P. Herzog, J. Pitlo, and R. S. Rogers. 2009. Warmwater fish in rivers. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. POSTER.	August 2009
Guy, C. S., H. B. Treanor, K. M. Kappenman, E. A. Scholl, J. E. Ilgen, and M. A. H. Webb. 2014. River-reservoir transition zone is an ecological sink for pallid sturgeon. 2014 Upper Basin Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Team meeting. PLATFORM	March 2014	This work illustrates that the transition zone is anoxic and is an ecological sink for pallid sturgeon.
Guy, C. S., H. B. Treanor, K. M. Kappenman, E. A. Scholl, J. E. Ilgen, and M. A. H. Webb. 2014. Forgotten dead zone hinders pallid sturgeon recovery. 47th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2014	This research illustrated that the transition zone is anoxic and is an ecological sink for pallid sturgeon.
Guy, C. S., H. B. Treanor, K. M. Kappenman, E. A. Scholl, J. E. Ilgen, and M. A. H. Webb. 2014. Forgotten dead zone hinders pallid sturgeon recovery. 2014 Missouri River Natural Resources Conference and BiOp forum. PLATFORM	March 2014	This research showed that the transition zone is anoxic and is an ecological sink for pallid sturgeon.
Guy, C. S., A. M. Dux, M. H. Meeuwig, W. A. Fredenberg, W. Michels. 2005. Bull trout and lake trout in Glacier National Park: A tragic combination. 2nd Annual Science and History Conference, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.	August 2005
Guy, C. S. 2023. Cutthroat conservation: a Yellowstone Lake story. University of Idaho.	April 2023	This presentation was on the lake trout suppression program in Yellowstone Lake.
Guy, C. S. 2023. Cutthroat conservation: a Yellowstone Lake story. Gallatin County Friends of Science.	May 2023	This presentation was on the lake trout suppression program in Yellowstone Lake.
Guy, C. S. 2011. Char wars. Bozeman Fish Technology Center-Brown Bag Seminar, January 2011. PLATFORM.	January 2011
Guy, C. S. 2010. Char wars. Montana State University, Department of Ecology Seminar Series. PLATFORM.	November 2010
Guy, C. S. 2009. Overview of fisheries stock assessment tools identified in planning documents for pallid sturgeon recovery. Pallid sturgeon conference and workgroup meeting, Billings, Montana. PLATFORM	March 2009
Gresswell, R. E., C. S. Guy, M. J. Hansen, M. L. Jones, P. J. Martinez, C. Suski, and J. E. Williams. 2012. Role of external peer review in supporting invasive species suppression efforts. 142nd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	August 2012
Goodman, B. J., C. S. Guy, S. L. Camp, and W. M. Gardner. 2009. Effects of experimental discharge variation and water temperature on shovelnose sturgeon spawning in the lower Marias River, Montana. 2009 Missouri River Natural Resource Conference and BiOP Forum. PLATFORM	March 2009
Goodman, B. J., C. S. Guy, S. L. Camp, and W. M. Gardner. 2008. Effects of varying discharge on the ichthyplankton assemblage in the Marias River, Montana. . 41st Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society.	February 2008
Glassic, H, C. Guy, J. Rotella, C. Nagel, D. Schmetterling. 2019. Survival and abundance of paddlefish in the Missouri River above Ft. Peck Reservoir. 149th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society.	October 2019	This study measured the abundance of paddlefish in the Missouri River to help establish new sampling protocol.
Glaid, J., C. S. Guy, L. B. Mabbott. 2016. Outmigration dynamics of subadult bull trout in the Thompson River drainage, Montana. Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.	February 2016	This study describes the outmigration dynamics of bull trout and estimates survival by environmental state. These data will be used to assist in recovery of bull trout within the larger Clark Fork River basin.
Gilham, A., B. Shepard, and A. Zale. 2014. Effects of variable-intensity cattle grazing on salmonid populations in headwater streams on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Montana. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Chico, Montana, 5-7 March 2014.	March 2014	Cattle grazing can significantly affect trout biomass in small headwater streams where the dominant riparian vegetation is grass and dense woody vegetation is sparse.
Gerrity, P. C., C. S. Guy, and W. M. Gardner. 2005. Habitat, growth, and diet of stocked pallid sturgeon and indigenous shovelnose sturgeon in the Missouri River, Montana. 135th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society.	August 2005
Gerrity, P. C., C. S. Guy, and W. M. Gardner. 2005. Habitat use, diet, and growth of hatchery-reared juvenile pallid sturgeon and indigenous juvenile shovelnose sturgeon in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir. 38th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society.	February 2005
Gerrity, P. C., C. S. Guy, and W. M. Gardner. 2005. Habitat use and diet of hatchery-reared juvenile pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and juvenile shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana. Scaphirhynchus 2005.	August 2005
Gerrity, P. C., C. S. Guy, and W. M. Gardner. 2004. Food habits of hatchery-reared juvenile pallid sturgeon and juvenile shovelnose sturgeon in the Missouri River above Ft. Peck Reservoir, Missouri. 37th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society	February 2004
Gates, K., C. S. Guy, A. V. Zale, and T. B. Horton. 2006. Movement of resident and non-resident anglers in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: implications for transferring aquatic nuisance species. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society, Bozeman, Montana, 15-19 May 2006.	May 2006
Gates, K. K., C. S. Guy, A. V. Zale, and T. B. Horton. 2007. Myxospores to wading equipment materials. 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. POSTER	September 2007
Gates, K. K., C. S. Guy, A. V. Zale, and T. B. Horton. 2007. Movement of anglers, sediment transport, and the implications for carrying aquatic nuisance species. 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, San Francisco, California, 2-6 September 2007.	September 2007
Gates, K. K., C. S. Guy, A. V. Zale, and T. B. Horton. 2007. Movement of anglers and sediment transport: implications for moving aquatic nuisance species. 40th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2007
Gates, K. K., C. S. Guy, A. V. Zale, and T. B. Horton. 2007. Movement of anglers and sediment transport: implications for moving aquatic nuisance species. 40th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Missoula, Montana, 13-16 February, 2007.	February 2007
Gates, K. K., C. S. Guy, A. V. Zale, and T. B. Horton. 2007. Movement of anglers and sediment transport: implications for carrying aquatic nuisance species. 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	September 2007
Gates, K. K., C. S. Guy, A. V. Zale, and T. B. Horton. 2007. Adherence of whirling disease myxospores to wading equipment materials. Poster presented at the 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, San Francisco, California, 2-6 September 2007.	September 2007
Galloway, B. T., C. C. Muhlfeld, C. S. Guy, C. C. Downs, and W. A. Fredenberg. 2012. Feasibility assessment for translocation of imperiled bull trout populations in Glacier National Park. 45th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2012
Gale, S., A. Zale, T. McMahon, and C. Clancy. 2005. Fish screens as a management tool for inland native salmonids in Montana. 135th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Anchorage, Alaska, 11-15 September 2005.	September 2005
Gale, S., A. Zale, T. McMahon, and C. Clancy. 2004. Efficacy of fish screens on irrigation diversion canals at Skalkaho Creek, Montana. Poster presented at Wild Trout VIII. Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park, 20-22 September 2004.	September 2004
Gale, S., A. V. Zale, T. McMahon, and C. Clancy. 2005. Entrainment losses prior to and after fish screen installation at Skalkaho Creek, Montana. 2005 Annual Meeting of the Idaho Chapter American Fisheries Society. Boise, Idaho, 24-26 February, 2005.	February 2005
Gale, S., A. V. Zale, T. McMahon, and C. Clancy. 2005. Efficacy of fish screens on irrigation diversion canals at Skalkaho Creek, Montana. 38th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Missoula, Montana, 8-11 February, 2005.	February 2005
Gale, S. B., A. V. Zale, T. E. McMahon, and C. Clancy. 2004. Preliminary evaluation of entrainment losses and the efficiency of fish screens at Skalkaho Creek. Poster presented at 37th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Whitefish, Montana, 2-6 February, 2004.	February 2004
Furey, K., C. S. Guy, B. Lierrman, P. Saffel, and D. A. Schmetterling. 2024. Unexpected predator-prey dynamics requires alternative management strategies to improve a popular fishery. 154th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	September 2024	This research evaluates Gerrard strain rainbow trout as a biological control.
Furey, K., C. S. Guy, B. Lierrman, P. Saffel, and D. A. Schmetterling. 2024. Adapting to unexpected predator-prey dynamics in Georgetown Lake: Challenges and insights for fishery management. 57th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Lewistown, Montana. PLATFORM	February 2024	This research evaluates the Gerrad strain of rainbow trout as a biological control.
Furey, K., C. Guy, B. Lierrman, P. Saffel, and D. Schmetterling. Failure of predicted predator-prey dynamics results in alternative management strategies. 2024. 9th World Fisheries Congress. PLATFORM	March 2024	This presentation is on the lack of predation by Gerrard rainbow trout.
Fredenberg, C. R., C. C. Muhlfeld, C. S. Guy, and C. C. Downs. 2013. Lake trout suppression in an isolated backcountry lake in Glacier National Park. 46th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2013	Presentation describes the lake trout suppression program in Quartz Lake, Glacier National Park.
Ferguson, J., C. S. Guy, M. L. Taper, and J. M. Syslo. 2009. Examining mechanisms of coexistence between a threatened species and an introduced competitor. Montana Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology. PLATFORM.	December 2009
Eckelbecker, R., C. S. Guy, S. Schmetterling, and N. Heili. 2021. Relative-condition equations for Montana fishes. 54^th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. ONLINE	March 2021	This presentation is on relative condition factor for Montana fishes.
Eckelbecker, R., C. S. Guy, P. Gerrity, J. Deromedi, and T. Neebling. 2023. Who's eating whom: diet composition and overlap among three apex predators. Colorado-Wyoming American Fisheries Society meeting, Fort Collins, Colorado.	March 2023	This study evaluates the diet of three apex predators.
Eckelbecker, R., C. S. Guy, P. Gerrity, J. Deromedi, and T. Neebling. 2023. A species on the edge: can intraguild predation explain burbot decline. Western Division of the American Fisheries Society.	May 2023	This paper evaluates the factors related to predation on burbot.
Eckelbecker, R. W., C. S. Guy, P. C. Gerrity, J. W. Deromedi, and T. E. Neebling. 2023. Who's eating whom: diet composition and overlap among three apex predators. 56th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 21-24 February 2023, Butte, Montana.	February 2023	This study evaluations diets of three apex predators.
Eckelbecker, R. W., C. S. Guy, P. C. Gerrity, J. W. Deromedi, and T. E. Neebling. 2023. A species on the edge: can intraguild predation explain burbot decline. 153rd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	August 2023	This is research evaluating the predation on burbot by brown trout.
Eckelbecker, R. C. S. Guy, P. Gerrity, J. Deromedi, T. Neebling. 2024. When 4º C is not cold enough: Burbot decline due to temperature induced recruitment failure. 57th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Lewistown, Montana. PLATFORM	February 2024	This research shows that warming water temperatures will negatively influence recruitment of burbot.
Dux, A. M., C. S. Guy, W. A. Fredenberg, and L. Marnell. Distribution of lake trout in Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park from ultrasonic telemetry. 135th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society.	August 2005
Dux, A. M., C. S. Guy, W. A. Fredenberg, and L. Marnell. 2005. Seasonal and diel distribution of lake trout in Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park. Annual Meeting of the Idaho Chapter, American Fisheries Society.	February 2005
Dux, A. M., C. S. Guy, W. A. Fredenberg, and L. Marnell. 2005. Seasonal and diel distribution of lake trout in Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park. 38th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society.	February 2005
Dux, A. M., C. S. Guy, L. Marnell, and W. A. Fredenberg. 2004. Population characteristics of lake trout in Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park: Implications for removal. Wild Trout VIII.	September 2004
Dux, A. M., C. S. Guy, L. Marnell, and W. A. Fredenberg. 2004. Population characteristics of lake trout in Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park: Implications for removal. 37th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society.	February 2004
Dutton, A., C. Guy, E. Scholl, T. Cox, N. Beckman, W. Cross, J. Rotella. Guiding conservation of Pallid Sturgeon through the use of food webs. American Fisheries Society Meeting.	August 2017	This presentation reports on the food web developed for the upper Missouri River pallid sturgeon population. The purpose of the food web was to determine resource use by pallid sturgeon and relate those data to resource supply.
Dutton, A., C. Guy, E. Scholl, N. Beckman, W. Cross. J. Rotella. 2016. Diet overlap of two sturgeon species in the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.	February 2016	This work describes the diet of two sympatric sturgeon species with implications for competition and stocking rates.
Dutton, A., C. Guy, E. Scholl, N. Beckman, W. Cross. 2016. Diet overlap between pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon in the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers. 2016 Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.	January 2016	This paper describes the diet overlap between two sympatric sturgeon species and the potential for competition.
Duncan, M. B., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2012. Population connectivity of three prairie cyprinids in the Yellowstone River and its tributaries. 45th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Helena, Montana, 7-10 February, 2012.	February 2012
Duncan, M. B., R. G. Bramblett, A. V. Zale, and T. Haddix. 2012. Structural differences between the Yellowstone and Missouri River fish assemblages. Poster presented at the 45th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Helena, Montana, 7-10 February, 2012.	February 2012
Drinan, D. P., A. V. Zale, M. A. H. Webb, T. Andrews, M. L. Taper, and S. T. Kalinowski. 2010. Thermal adaptation of westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkia lewisi. 43rd Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Bozeman, Montana, 9-12 February, 2010.	February 2010
Detjens, C., A. V. Zale, T. M. Koel, A. Litt, and M. Schwartz. 2018. Use of eDNA to monitor the abundance of spawning Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in tributaries to Yellowstone Lake. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Butte, Montana, 29 January to 2 February 2018.	January 2018	A progress report on an ongoing study evaluating the use of eDNA to estimate abundances of spawning cutthroat trout.
Detjens, C. R., A. V. Zale, T. M. Koel, A. R. Litt, and M. K. Schwartz. 2020. Use of eDNA to estimate abundances of spawning Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in tributaries to Yellowstone Lake. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Kalispell, Montana, 25-28 February 2020.	February 2020	We describe the effect of system complexity on utility of eDNA to estimate abundances of spawning salmonids.
De Rito, J. N., A. V. Zale, and B. B. Shepard. 2004. Temporal reproductive isolation of Yellowstone cutthroat trout and rainbow trout, in the Yellowstone River, Montana. Annual Meeting of the Western Division American Fisheries Society. Salt Lake City, Utah, 1-3 March 2004.	March 2004
De Rito, J. N., A. V. Zale, and B. B. Shepard. 2004. An assessment of reproductive isolation between Yellowstone cutthroat trout and rainbow trout in the Yellowstone River, Montana. 37th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Whitefish, Montana, 2-6 February, 2004.	February 2004
De Rito, J. N., A. V. Zale, and B. B. Shepard. 2004. An assessment of isolating mechanisms between Yellowstone cutthroat trout and rainbow trout in the Yellowstone River, Montana. Poster presented at the 134th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Madison, Wisconsin, 22-26 August 2004.	August 2004
Davis, W., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2006. Coalbed natural gas development in the Powder River Basin: implications for warmwater stream fish assemblages. Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society, Bozeman, Montana, 15-19 May 2006. Invited.	May 2006
Davis, W. N., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2010. Effects of coalbed natural gas development on fish assemblages in the Powder River Geologic Basin, Wyoming and Montana. 140th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 12-16 September 2010. Invited.	September 2010
Davis, W. N., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2007. Fish assemblages in the Powder and Tongue rivers in relation to coalbed natural gas development. 40th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Missoula, Montana, 13-16 February, 2007.	February 2007
Davis, W. N., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2007. Fish assemblages in the Powder River Basin in relation to coalbed natural gas development. 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, San Francisco, California, 2-6 September 2007.	September 2007
Davis, W. N., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2006. Effects of coalbed natural gas development on fish assemblages in the Powder River Basin, Montana and Wyoming. 55th Annual Workshop of the Great Plains Fishery Workers Association, Glasgow, Montana, 30 January B 1 February 2006.	January 2006
Crapster, K., R. Al-Chokhachy, A. Sepulveda, W. L. Knotek, M. Young, and A. V. Zale. 2018. Do habitat attributes influence the relationship between native trout abundance and eDNA concentrations in northwest Montana? Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Butte, Montana, 29 January to 2 February 2018.	February 2018	evaluated effects of habitat on use of eDNA to quantify fish abundances
Cox, T., C. Guy, M. Webb, and L. Holmquist. 2019. Reproductive Ecology of Hatchery-origin Pallid Sturgeon: A New Hope. 149th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society.	October 2019	This research describes the reproductive ecology of pallid sturgeon in the upper Missouri River. This research is important for the conservation of pallid sturgeon throughout their range.
Cox, T. A. Dutton, C. Guy. 2017. Gape size of two sturgeon species in the upper Missouri River. American Fisheries Society.	August 2017	This study evaluates the differences in gape size between to sturgeon species to assist in identifying the mechanisms for diet differences.
Cox, B. S., C. S. Guy, and L. R. Rosenthal. 2009. Identifying lake trout spawning locations in Swan Lake, Montana. 42nd Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. POSTER	February 2009
Cox, B. S., C. S. Guy, W. A. Fredenberg, and L. R. Rosenthal. 2009. Population characteristics of lake trout in Swan Lake, Montana. 42nd Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2009
Cox, B. S., C. S. Guy, W. A. Fredenberg, and L. R. Rosenthal. 2009. Population characteristics of an invasive lake trout population with implications for removal. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	August 2009
Cox, B. S., A. M. Dux, M. C. Quist, and C. S. Guy. 2011. Use of a seismic air gun to reduce survival of salmonids embryos: a pilot study. 44th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	February 2011
Cook, K., A. Zale, D. Stagliano, M. Anderson, C. Guy, L. Albertson, and C. Barnhart. 2020. Reproductive timing of Western Pearlshell mussels in Montana. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Kalispell, Montana, 25-28 February 2020.	February 2020	We describe progress and initial findings of the first year of this ongoing study.
Cook, K., A. Zale, D. Stagliano, M. Anderson, C. Guy, L. Albertson, and C. Barnhart. 2020. Reproductive timing of Western Pearlshell mussels in Montana. 2020 Symposium of the Pacific Northwest Native Freshwater Mussel Workgroup, Vancouver, Washington, 26 March 2020.	March 2020	We describe progress and initial findings of the first year of this ongoing study. These findings will inform any future propagation efforts because propagation requires the collection of brooding mussels and suitable fish hosts at specific times.
Cook, K., A. Zale, D. Stagliano, M. Anderson, C. Barnhart, C. Guy, and L. Albertson. 2021. Reproductive phenology and hermaphroditism of Western Pearlshell Mussels in Montana. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, online, 1-5 March 2021.	March 2021	We described the heretofore unknown reproductive phenology of Western Pearlshell Mussels in Montana, including the unexpected finding that the species is monoecious here.
Cook, K. A. Zale, D. Stagliano, M. Anderson, C. Barnhart, C. Guy, and L. Albertson. 2021. Reproductive phenology and life-history traits of western pearlshell mussels in Montana. Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society Annual Meeting, virtual, 12-14 April 2021.	April 2021	We described the heretofore unknown reproductive phenology of Western Pearlshell Mussels in Montana, including the unexpected finding that the species is monoecious here.
Colombo, R., J. Garvey, K. J. Killgore, J. Koch, M. Pegg, M. C. Quist, A. Schery, T. Sutton, V. Travnichek, C. S. Guy, R. Klumb, N. Caswell, and S. Hale. 2009. Distribution, life history, and population status of the shovelnose sturgeon. 139th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	August 2009
Clevidence, C. T., J. M. Syslo, C. S. Guy, B. D. Ertel, and K. P. Stewart. 2012. Dietary assessment of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park. 45th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. POSTER	February 2012
Burckhardt, J. C., T. E. Neebling, D. J. Kaus, C. F. Johnson, C. S. Guy, and B. M. Johnson. 2018. Assessing the effects and probability of suppression of an illegally introduced walleye population. Western Division of the American Fisheries Society.	May 2018	This study evaluates the feasibility of walleye suppression to minimize predation on wild trout.
Buller, C., K Plymesser, M. Blank, K. Kappenman, J. Cahoon, and A. V. Zale. 2022. Upstream passage of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in a scaled Denil fishway. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Spokane, Washington, 21-25 August 2022.	August 2022	We show that scaled Denil fishways show promise for enhancing upstream mobility of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in small, water-limited streams.
Brown, P., and A. V. Zale. 2006. The isolated effects of sunlight, organic matter, and turbulence on the piscicides rotenone and antimycin. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society, Bozeman, Montana, 15-19 May 2006.	May 2006
Brown, P., C. S. Guy, L. Rosenthal, T. Koel, and R. Gresswell. 2014. An electrode array for increasing lake trout embryo mortality. 47th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2014	This work showed that an electrofishing grid can be effective at causing high mortality in lake trout embryos.
Brown, P., A. V. Zale, and B. Shepard. 2006. Barriers to prevent nonnative fish movement: a survey. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society, Bozeman, Montana, 15-19 May 2006.	May 2006
Brown, P. J., and A. V. Zale. 2008. Effects of fish size and stream characteristics on piscicide effectiveness. 41st Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Billings, Montana, 12-15 February, 2008.	February 2008
Brown, P. J., and A. V. Zale. 2007. Environmental conditions affecting the toxicity of piscicides. 40th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Missoula, Montana, 13-16 February, 2007.	February 2007
Brown, P. J., M. H. Meeuwig, and C. S. Guy. 2013. Efficacy of lake trout embryo destruction using a mobile electrode array. 46th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2013	Presentation describing the efficacy of electrofishing to induce mortality in lake trout embryos.
Brown, P. J., A. V. Zale, and B. B. Shepard. 2005. Barriers to prevent nonnative fish movement: a review. 38th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Missoula, Montana, 8-11 February, 2005. Invited.	February 2005
Brown, C. D., C. S. Guy, M. A. H. Webb, D. Rhea, and M. Smith. 2021. Reproductive ecology of mountain whitefish in dissimilar populations. 54^th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. ONLINE	March 2021	This presentation provides the preliminary results on a mountain whitefish project in Wyoming.
Brooke, C., and A. V. Zale. Seasonal and spawning movements of genetically pure and hybridized westslope cutthroat trout in the Fan Creek drainage, Yellowstone National Park. 40th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Missoula, Montana, 13-16 February, 2007.	February 2007
Briggs, M. A., M. A. H. Webb, C. S. Guy, and T. M. Koel. 2024. Reproductive ecology of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake. 154th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	September 2024	This research evaluates the reproductive ecology of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake.
Briggs, M. A., H. C. Glassic, C. S. Guy, S. T. Opitz, J. J. Rotella, and D. A. Schmetterling. 2024. Adaptive trout monitoring for a changing climate in the Yellowstone River, Montana. 9th World Fisheries Congress. PLATFORM	March 2024	This presentation is on adaptive sampling for the Yellowstone River.
Briggs, M. A., H. C. Glassic, C. S. Guy, S. T. Opitz, J. J. Rotella, and D. A Schmetterling. 2024. Climate change and open population models: The future of trout monitoring in the upper Yellowstone River. 57th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Lewistown, Montana. PLATFORM	February 2024	This research shows that open populations models are an alternative to the traditional abundance estimates used by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Briggs, M. A., H. C. Glassic, C. S. Guy, S. T. Opitz, J. J. Rotella, D. A. Schmetterling. 2023. Adapting trout monitoring to changing climate conditions in the upper Yellowstone River, Montana. 56th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, 21-24 February 2023, Butte, Montana.	February 2023	This research evaluates various monitoring efforts in the Yellowstone River.
Bramblett, R., T. Johnson, A. Zale, and D. Heggem. 2005. Development and evaluation of an index of biotic integrity for streams in the northwestern Great Plains. 135th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Anchorage, Alaska, 11-15 September 2005.	September 2005
Bramblett, R., K. Chase, R. Gresswell, S. Hostetler, J. Johnson, D. Roberts, and A. Zale. 2013. Simulated effects of climate change on the hydrology and fish assemblages of northern Great Plains streams. Annual Meeting of the Dakota Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Bismarck, North Dakota, 27-28 February 2013.	February 2013	predicts how climate change may affect prairie stream fishes
Bramblett, R. G., and A. V. Zale. February 2002. Distribution and status of fishes in Montana prairie streams. 2002 Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. Bozeman, Montana.	February 2002
Bramblett, R. G., T. R. Johnson, A. V. Zale, and D. G. Heggem. 2004. Using fish assemblages as indicators of aquatic ecosystem integrity for conservation of Montana prairie streams. Poster presented at the 4th World Fisheries Congress. Vancouver, British Columbia, 2-6 May 2004.	May 2004
Bramblett, R. G., C. S. Guy, A. V. Zale, K. P. McDonald and R. H. Snyder. 2005. Distribution and status of Montana prairie stream fishes. 38th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society.	February 2005
Bramblett, R. G., A. V. Zale, T. R. Johnson, and D. Heggem. 2004. Using fish assemblages as indicators of aquatic ecosystem integrity in Montana prairie streams. 37th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Whitefish, Montana, 2-6 February, 2004.	February 2004
Bramblett, R. G. and C. S. Guy. 2006. The plight of the pallid: the cost of living in an endangered ecosystem. 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	September 2007
Braaten, P.J., and C.S. Guy. 1999. Overwinter survival and growth of age-0 freshwater drum in the channelized Missouri River. 61st Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. Chicago, IL.	November 1999
Braaten, P.J., M.A. Pegg, C.S. Guy, and C.L. Pierce. 2000. Population dynamics of benthic fishes in the Missouri and lower Yellowstone Rivers. 130th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. St. Louis, Missouri.	January 2000
Boyer, J. K., C. S. Guy, M. A. H. Webb, and T. Horton. 2014. Behavioral ecology of mountain whitefish during spawning in the Madison River, Montana: implications for juvenile distribution. 47th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2014	This research illustrates the complex dynamics of mountain whitefish spawning behavior.
Boyer, J. K., C. S. Guy, M. A. H. Webb, and T. B. Horton. 2015. Understanding an overlooked native salmonid: spawning and early-life distribution of mountain whitefish in the Madison River, Montana.	November 2015	This research describes the spawning movement patterns of adult mountain whitefish and the distribution of juvenile mountain whitefish. This is the begin of a series of studies to better understand the factors that influence mountain whitefish recruitment in the Madison River, Montana
Boyd, J. W., C. S. Guy, T. B. Horton, and S. A. Leathe. 2008. Effects of water temperature and angling on mortality of salmonids in Montana streams. Gallatin-Madison Chapter of Trout Unlimited Annual Meeting, Bozeman.	July 2008
Boyd, J. W., C. S. Guy, T. B. Horton, and S. A. Leathe. 2007. Effects of water temperature and angling on mortality of salmonids in Montana streams. 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. POSTER	September 2007
Blank, M., C. Buller, K. Plymesser, M. Blank, K. Kappenman, D. Dockery, and A. V. Zale. 2024. Westslope Cutthroat Trout passage through scaled Denil fishways. Joint International Symposium on Ecohydraulics—Fish Passage Conference, 5-9 May 2024, Québec City, Québec, Canada.	May 2024	We show that scaled Denil fishways show promise for enhancing upstream mobility of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in small, water-limited streams.
Black, J. E., G. C. Poole, and A. V. Zale. 2011. Fish and angler use of instream habitat enhancement structures in “restored” stream reaches. 141st Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Seattle, Washington, 4-8 September 2011.	September 2011
Billman, H. G., C. S. Guy, K. M. Kappenman, J. Ilgen, and M. A. H. Webb. 2012. Effects of hypoxia on growth, behavior, and mortality of Scaphirhynchus and Polyodon larvae. 45th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter, American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM	February 2012
Billman, H. G., C. S. Guy, K. M. Kappenman, J. Ilgen, and M. A. H. Webb. 2012. Effects of hypoxia on growth, behavior, and mortality of Scaphirhynchus and Polyodon larvae. 142nd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. PLATFORM.	August 2012
Bellgraph, B. J., C. S. Guy, S. A. Leathe, and W. M. Gardner. 2005. Resource overlap between sauger and walleye in the Missouri River, Montana: implications for decling sauger populations. 135th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society.	August 2005
Bellgraph, B. J., C. S. Guy, S. A. Leathe, and W. M. Gardner. 2005. Movement, habitat use, and food habits of sauger and walleye: potential for competition in the middle Missouri River, Montana.	February 2005
Bear, B., T. McMahon, and A. Zale. 2005. Temperature effects on growth and survival of westslope cutthroat trout: implications for conservation and restoration. 135th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Anchorage, Alaska, 11-15 September 2005.	September 2005
Bear, B. A., T. E. McMahon, and A. V. Zale. 2005. Thermal requirements of westlope cutthroat trout. 38th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Missoula, Montana, 8-11 February, 2005.	February 2005
Bear, B. A., T. E. McMahon, and A. V. Zale. 2004. Influence of water temperature and competition on growth and survival of westslope cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi. Poster presented at 37th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Whitefish, Montana, 2-6 February, 2004.	February 2004
Bear, B. A., T. E. McMahon, and A. V. Zale. 2004. Determining ecologically relevant temperature criteria for salmonids: a laboratory approach. Poster presented at Wild Trout VIII. Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park, 20-22 September 2004.	September 2004
Barrows, F. T., A. V. Zale, H. Lukins, and T. E. McMahon. February 2002. Validation of packed-bed filtration for triactinomyxon quantification: laboratory and field trials. 8th Annual Whirling Disease Symposium. Denver, Colorado.	February 2002
Bahn, L., A. V. Zale, C. Clancy, and M. Lere. 2007. Fish losses to irrigation diversions on two tributaries of the Bitterroot River, Montana. 40th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Missoula, Montana, 13-16 February, 2007.	February 2007
Bahn, L., A. V. Zale, C. Clancy, and M. Lere. 2007. An assessment of fish losses to irrigation diversions on selected tributaries of the Bitterroot River, Montana. 137th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, San Francisco, California, 2-6 September 2007.	September 2007
Bahn, L., A. V. Zale, C. Clancy, and M. Lere. 2006. An assessment of native fish losses to irrigation diversions on Lost Horse and Tin Cup Creeks, Montana. Poster presented at the Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society, Bozeman, Montana, 15-19 May 2006.	May 2006
B. B. Shepard, C. Kruse, P. Clancey, L. Nelson, T. Andrews, S. Kalinowski, A. Zale, and D. Drinan. 2015. First generation results of the Cherry Creek westslope cutthroat trout restoration project. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Great Falls, Montana, 25-26 February 2015.	February 2015	Describes creation of what is now the the largest genetically pure population of westslope cutthroat trout in the Missouri River basin.
Ard, J. L., P. J. Brown, and A. V. Zale. 2008. Piscicide drip station placement efficiency. Poster presented at the 41st Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Billings, Montana, 12-15 February, 2008.	February 2008
Andrews, T., B. B. Shepard, A. Zale, and S. Kalinowski. 2011. A proposal to examine individual differences and among-population differences in dispersal in introduced populations of westslope cutthroat trout. 44th Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter American Fisheries Society. Great Falls, Montana, 8-11 February, 2011.	February 2011
Anderson, I., A. V. Zale, M. Ruggles K. Plymesser, M. Blank, J. Cahoon, and C. Guy. 2022. Effectiveness of the nature-like fishway at Huntley Diversion Dam, Yellowstone River, Montana. Annual Meeting of the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, online, 1-4 March 2022.	March 2022	We determined that nature-like fishways can provide upstream passage for diverse fish assemblages on large, free-flowing rivers, but the thoughtful placement of entrances and exits is imperative in ensuring the effectiveness of these structures throughout the year.
Anderson, I., A. V. Zale, K. Plymesser, M. Blank, J. Cahoon, and M. Ruggles. 2021. Effectiveness of a nature-like fishway on a large, uncontrolled river in Montana, USA. Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the American Fisheries Society, online, 11-14 March 2021.	March 2021	We determined that that this fishway provides some passage for numerous species but that passage may depend on hydraulic conditions near the exit, which change dramatically throughout the year.
Anderson, I., A. V. Zale, J. Cahoon, K. Plymesser, M. Blank, and M. Ruggles. 2021. Effectiveness of a nature-like fishway on a large, free-flowing river in Montana, USA. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Baltimore, Maryland, 6-10 November 2021.	November 2021	We determined that nature-like fishways can provide upstream passage for diverse fish assemblages on large, free-flowing rivers, but the thoughtful placement of entrances and exits is imperative in ensuring the effectiveness of these structures throughout the year.
Al-Chokhachy, R., P. Uthe, B. Shepard, and A. V. Zale. 2015. Temperature and streamflow effects on growth and survival of headwater cutthroat trout populations in the Greater Yellowstone Area. 145th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society. Portland, Oregon, 16-20 August, 2015.	August 2015	Compares effects of two aspects of climate change on vital rates of headwaters cutthroat trout populations.
Al-Chokhachy, R., P. Uthe, B. Shepard, A. Zale, and J. Kershner. 2014. Developing a mechanistic understanding of the effects of climate change on native and non-native salmonids in the Greater Yellowstone. 12th Biennial Scientific Conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming, 6-8 October, 2014.	October 2014	It has been nearly two decades since changing climatic conditions was broached as a major concern likely to drastically influence salmonids globally; however, there remains a paucity of research describing mechanistic relationships between how factors such as climate and local stressors (e.g., non-native species) interact to affect salmonid fitness and behavior. We found stream discharge to have the strongest effect on fish growth attributes; the strength of the discharge effect was greatest f

Theses and Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations	Publication Date
Williams, J. R. 2019. Quantifying the spatial structure of invasive lake trout in Yellowstone Lake to improve suppression efficacy. Master's thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	January 2019
Wellstone, Keith D. 2024. Development of a standardized monitoring protocol to assess the efficacy of nonnative fish suppression in the Lamar River watershed, Yellowstone National Park. 114 pages.	July 2024
Voss, Nicholas S. 2020. Distribution, phenology, growth, and overwinter mortality of age-0 smallmouth bass in the Yellowstone River, with implications for upstream range expansion. M.S. Thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman. 84 pages.	December 2020
Vatland, Shane J. 2015. Effects of stream temperature and climate change on fluvial Arctic grayling and non-native salmonids in the upper Big Hole River, Montana. Ph.D. Dissertation, Montana State University, Bozeman.	December 2015
Uthe, P. R. 2015, Life history characteristics and the effects of climate on growth of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in headwater basins. MS thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman.	February 2015
Tornabene, Brian J. 2014. Movements, habitats, and nesting ecology of spiny softshells in the Missouri River: the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors. M.S. Thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman. 215 pages.	April 2014
Thomas, N. A. 2017. Evaluation of suppression methods targeting non-native lake trout embryos in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. Master's thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	July 2017
Tennant, L. B. 2010. Spawning and early life-history characteristics of bull trout in a headwater-lake ecosystem. Master's thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	May 2010
Tanner Cox, Spawning readiness, spawning locations and habitat use of pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River above Ft. Peck Reservoir, Montana. M.S. awarded fall 2020.	November 2020
Talbott, M. J. 2010. Determining morphological and biochemical parameters associated with ovarian follicular atresia and caviar quality and yield in cultured white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus). Master's thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	May 2010
Syslo, J. M. 2015. Dynamics of Yellowstone cutthroat trout and lake trout in the Yellowstone Lake Ecosystem: a case study for the ecology and management of non-native fishes. Doctoral dissertation. Montana State University, Bozeman.	April 2015
Syslo, J. M. 2010. Demography of lake trout in relation to population suppression in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park. Master's thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	May 2010
Spinelli, Justin P. 2010. Spatial and temporal entrainment of fish from Hauser Reservoir, Montana. M.S. Thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman. 107 pages.	May 2010
Shepard, Bradley B. 2010. Evidence of niche similarity between cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkia) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis): Implications for displacement of native cutthroat trout by nonnative brook trout. Ph.D. Dissertation, Montana State University, Bozeman. 200 pages.	May 2010
Ritter, T. D. 2015. Connectivity in a montane river basin: salmonid use of a major tributary in the Smith River system. MS thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman.	May 2015
Richards, R. R. 2011. Movement of Scaphirhynchus species in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana. M.S. thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	November 2011
Reinhold, A. M. 2014. Responses of fish assemblages to bank stabilization in a large river. PhD dissertation, Montana State University, Bozeman. 171 pages.	November 2014
Puchany, Andriana R. 2021. Success of Westslope Cutthroat Trout and Arctic Grayling conservation translocations in Yellowstone National Park, Montana and Wyoming, USA. M.S. Thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman.	May 2021
Mike Siemiantkowski, Combination of acoustic telemetry and side-scan sonar provides insight for lake trout Salvelinus namaycush suppression in a submontane lake, Montana. M.S. awarded fall 2021.	November 2021
Meeuwig, M. H. 2008. Ecology of lacustrine-adfluvial bull trout populations in an interconnected system of natural lakes. Doctoral dissertation. Montana State University, Bozeman.	December 2008
McGarvey, L. M. 2019. Assessment of non-lethal tools to assign sex, stage of maturity, and reproductive condition in Burbot Lota Lota. Master's thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	January 2019
McCullough, A. R. 2017. Relations among Arctic grayling, nonnative salmonids, and abiotic conditions in the Big Hole River, Montana. Master's thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	November 2017
Maskill, P. A. C. 2020. Description of the reproductive structure, size, growth, and condition of hatchery-origin white sturgeon in the lower Columbia River, British Columbia, Canada. Master's thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman.	May 2020
Marsh, Jason W. 2021. Fish assemblage response to habitat restoration in Elk Springs Creek, Montana: implications for Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) restoration. M.S. Thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman. 95 pages.	January 2021
Madeline Lewis, Outmigration dynamics of bull trout in two tributaries to the lower Clark Fork River. M.S. awarded summer 2021.	August 2021
Lewandoski, S. A. 2015. Exploitation of burbot Lota Lota in the Wind River drainage, Wyoming. Master's thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	November 2015
Lance, Michael J. 2019. Spatial and temporal variability in movements and vital rates of sympatric salmonids in an unfragmented, inland watershed. M.S. Thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman. 112 pages.	May 2019
Holmquist, L. M. 2017. Reproductive ecology of hatchery-origin and wild pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River above Fort Peck reservoir, Montana. Master's thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	July 2017
Hayley Glassic, Assessment of the Yellowstone Lake food web during lake trout suppression and Yellowstone cutthroat trout recovery informs conservation benchmarks. Ph.D. awarded spring 2022.	May 2022
Goodman, B. J. 2009. Ichthyoplankton density and shovelnose sturgeon spawning in relation to varying discharge treatments. Masters thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	July 2009
Glaid, J. R. 2017. Subadult bull trout out-migration in the Thompson River drainage, Montana. Master's thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	July 2017
Gilham, A. T. 2015. Relationship between intensity of livestock grazing and trout biomass in headwaters of East Front Rocky Mountain streams, Montana. M.S. Thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman.	December 2015
Galloway, B. 2014. Feasibility assessment for translocation of imperiled bull trout populations in Glacier National Park, Montana. Master's thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman.	May 2014
Fredenberg, C. R. 2014. Efficacy of suppressing non-native lake trout in an isolated backcountry lake in Glacier National Park. Master's thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	November 2014
Eckelbecker, R. W. 2024. Ecological interactions and environmental stressors: assessing dietary dynamics and population stability of burbot amid non-native trout and warming winter temperatures. Ph.D. awarded summer 2024.	July 2024
Dutton, A. J. 2018. Feeding ecology and food-web interactions of the fish assemblage in the upper Missouri River and lower Yellowstone River with an emphasis on pallid sturgeon conservation. Master's thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	April 2018
Duncan, Michael B. 2019. Distributions, abundances, and movements of small, nongame fishes in a large Great Plains river network. Ph.D. Dissertation, Montana State University, Bozeman. 261 pages.	April 2019
Drinan, D. P. 2010. Thermal adaptation of westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi. MS thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	November 2010
Detjens, Colleen R. 2020. Use of eDNA to estimate abundances of spawning Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. M.S. Thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman. 73 pages.	December 2020
Cox, B. S. 2010. Assessment of an invasive lake trout population in Swan Lake, Montana. Master's thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	July 2010
Cook, Kristen A. 2022. Reproductive biology and phenology of western pearlshell mussels in Montana. M.S. Thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman. 120 pages.	May 2022
Colter Brown, Reproductive ecology and juvenile ecology of mountain whitefish in the upper Green River, Wyoming. M.S. awarded fall 2021.	November 2021
Brown, Peter. 2010. Environmental conditions affecting the efficiency and efficacy of piscicides for use in nonnative fish eradication. Ph.D. Dissertation, Montana State University, Bozeman. 109 pages.	May 2010
Boyer, J. K. 2016. Spawning and early life history of mountain whitefish in the Madison River, Montana. Master's thesis. Montana State University, Bozeman.	January 2016
Anderson, Ian R. 2022. Effectiveness of the nature-like fishway at Huntley Diversion Dam, Yellowstone River, Montana. M.S. Thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman. 111 pages.	January 2022
Allison Stringer. 2018. Status of Northern Pearl Dace and chrosomid dace in prairie streams in Montana. M.S. Thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman.	May 2018
Alex Poole. 2019. Evaluation of embryo suppression methods for nonnative lake trout in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA. M.S. Thesis, Montana State University, Bozeman. 108 pages.	January 2019

Technical Publications

Technical Publications	Publication Date
Zale, A., J. L. Smith, I. Handley, D. Letendre, and K. Mathers. 2013. A guide for transforming the culture of Montana State University by enhancing its diversity. ADVANCE Project TRACS, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana.	October 2013
Zale, A. V., and D. Rider. 2003. Comparative use of modified and natural habitats of the Upper Yellowstone River by juvenile salmonids. Final report to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska. 66 pages.	March 2003
Zale, A. V. 2003. Distribution, movements, and life history characteristics of genetically pure westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi in the Fan Creek drainage, Yellowstone National Park. Final report to National Park Service and Yellowstone Park Foundation. 103 pages.	March 2003
Vatland, S., R. E. Gresswell, and A. V. Zale. 2009. Evalaution of habitat restoration for the fluvial Arctic grayling in the Big Hole River, Montana. Final report to the Wild Fish Habitat Initiative, Montana University System Water Center, Bozeman, Montana. 36 pages.	April 2009
Steed, A. C., and A. V. Zale. 2007. Population viability of Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) in the Gibbon River, Yellowstone National Park. Final Report to the National Park Service. 78 pages.	September 2007
Shepard, B. B., and A.. V. Zale. 2005. Dyce Creek brook trout removal project: 2004 to 2005. Final Report to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Dillon, Montana. 20 pages.	December 2005
Shepard, B. B., M. L. Taper, and A. V. Zale. 2009. Evaluation of habitat restoration for the conservation of cutthroat trout. Final report to the Wild Fish Habitat Initiative, Montana University System Water Center, Bozeman, Montana. 94 pages.	January 2009
Ryce, E. K. N., and A. V. Zale. 2004. Bacterial coldwater disease in westslope cutthroat trout: hatchery epidemiology and control. Final Report to The Wild Fish Habitat Initiative, Montana University System Water Center, Bozeman, Montana. 13 pages.	December 2004
Ryce, E. K. N., A. V. Zale, E. MacConnell, and M. A. Adkison. 2002. Factors affecting the resistance of juvenile rainbow trout to whirling disease. Pages 27-28 in Proceedings of the 8th Annual Whirling Disease Symposium. Whirling Disease Foundation, Bozeman, Montana.	August 2002
Reinhold, A. M., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2014. Anthropogenic habitat change effects on fish assemblages of the middle and lower Yellowstone River. Completion Report to the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Technical Advisory Committee, Yellowstone River Conservation District Council. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks University Research Completion Report Series Number 2014-01.	December 2014
Meeuwig, M. H., and C. S. Guy. 2007. Evaluation and action plan for protection of 15 threatened adfluvial populations of bull trout in Glacier National Park, Montana. Final Scientific Report, U.S. Fish Wildlife Service.	August 2007
Lukins, H. J., A. V. Zale, and F. T. Barrows. 2004. Triactinomyxon dynamics estimated by packed-bed filtration. Pages 9-10 in Proceedings of the 10th Annual Whirling Disease Symposium. Whirling Disease Foundation, Bozeman, Montana.	March 2004
Lukins, H. J., A. V. Zale, and F. T. Barrows. 2003. Temporal, spatial, and discharge mediated dynamics of of triactinomyxon abundances and infection risk estimated directly by packed-bed filtration. Final report to the Whirling Disease Initiative of the National Partnership on the Management of Wild and Native Cold Water Fisheries, Bozeman, Montana. 26 pages.	December 2003
Lukins, H. J., A. V. Zale, and F. T. Barrows. 2003. Temporal fluctuations in triactinomyxon densities. Pages 41-42 in Proceedings of the 9th Annual Whirling Disease Symposium-Managing the Risk. Whirling Disease Foundation, Bozeman, Montana.	March 2003
Leathe, S., G. Liknes, T. McMahon, A. Munro, E. R. Vincent, and A. Zale. 2002. Epidemiology of whirling disease in the Missouri River, Montana: disease spread and trout population response five years after discovery. Pages 19-20 in Proceedings of the 8th Annual Whirling Disease Symposium. Whirling Disease Foundation, Bozeman, Montana.	August 2002
Jones-Wuellner, M. R., and C. S. Guy. 2004. Status of burbot in Montana. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Helena.	December 2004
Harnish, R. A., and A. V. Zale. 2007. Fish screen efficiency and effects of screened and unscreened irrigation canals on the downstream movement of westslope cutthroat trout juveniles in Skalkaho Creek, Montana.Final Report to The Wild Fish Habitat Initiative, Montana University System Water Center, Bozeman, Montana. 96 pages.	October 2007
Guy, C. S., and M. R. Whiles. 2000. Assessment of physicochemical and landscape features influencing Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) distribution in Kansas streams. Final Report, U.S. Geological Survey.	January 2000
Gale, S. B., and A. V. Zale. 2005. Evaluation of entrainment losses of westslope cutthroat trout at private irrigation diversions and the efficiency of fish screens on Skalkaho Creek, Montana. Final Report to The Wild Fish Habitat Initiative, Montana University System Water Center, Bozeman, Montana. 75 pages.	January 2005
Fredenberg, W. A., M. H. Meeuwig, and C. S. Guy. 2007. Action plan to conserve bull trout in Glacier National Park, Montana. Final report, U.S.G.S. Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Bozeman.	December 2008
Dux, A. M., and C. S. Guy. 2004. Evaluation of fish assemblages and habitat variables in streams bisecting the Going-to-the-Sun Road and peripheral roads in Glacier National Park. Glacier National Park, West Glacier.	December 2004
Duncan, M. B., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2012. Distribution, habitats, and tributary linkages of small and nongame fishes in the lower Yellowstone River. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks University Research Completion Report Series Number 2012-01.	September 2012
Doepke, P. D., T. M. Koel, C. S. Guy, A. S. Poole, N. A. Thomas, and A. V. Zale. 2017. Lake Trout suppression alternatives to gillnetting. Yellowstone Science 25(1):70-73.	January 2017
Davis, W. N., R. G. Bramblett, and A. V. Zale. 2006. Literature review and development of a study plan to assess the effects of coalbed natural gas activities on fish assemblages. Final Report to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Miles City, Montana. 79 pages.	February 2006
Davis, W. N., A. V. Zale, and R. G. Bramblett. 2008. Effects of colabed natural gas development on fish assemblages in tributary streams in the Powder River Basin, Montana and Wyoming. Final Report to The Wild Fish Habitat Initiative, Montana University System Water Center, Bozeman, Montana. 125 pages.	April 2008
Cox, B. S., M. C. Quist, A. M. Dux, and C. S. Guy. 2011. Use of seismic air guns to reduce survival of salmonid eggs and embryos: a pilot study. Idaho Department of Fish and Game Report Number 11-04.	November 2011
Brown, P., and A. V. Zale. 2009. Evaluation of the efficiency and efficacy of piscicides for non-native fish eradication. Final report to the Wild Fish Habitat Initiative, Montana University System Water Center, Bozeman, Montana. 38 pages.	January 2009
Bramblett, R. G., T. R. Johnson, A. V. Zale, and D. Heggem. 2003. Development of biotic integrity indices for prairie streams in Montana using fish, macroinvertebrate, and diatom assemblages. Final report to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 96 pages.	August 2003
Bear, B. A., T. A. McMahon, and A. V. Zale. 2004. Thermal requirements of westslope cutthroat trout. Final Report to The Wild Fish Habitat Initiative, Montana University System Water Center, Bozeman, Montana. 31 pages.	December 2004
Barrows, F. T., A. V. Zale, H. Lukins, and T. E. McMahon. 2002. Validation of packed-bed filtration for triactinomyxon quantification: laboratory and field trials. Pages 65-66 in Proceedings of the 8th Annual Whirling Disease Symposium. Whirling Disease Foundation, Bozeman, Montana.	August 2002
Bahn, L., and A. V. Zale. 2007. An assessment of losses of native fish to irrigation diversions on selected tributaries of the Bitterroot River, Montana. Final report to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. 118 pages.	November 2007
Adelman, I. R., P. Moy, M. Walsh, C. Caldwell, B. Durham, J. Isely, D. Jackson, and A. Zale. 2008. AFS topic oriented meetings: a new opportunity for information exchange. Fisheries 33:291.	June 2008

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

Montana Fishery Research Activities

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