Comprehensive Evaluation of Recommended Actions to Limit Fishery Escapement from Reservoirs

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Evaluate barrier effects on population dynamics and escapement rates in two Iowa reservoirs. Determine effects on abundance, recruitment, size structure, growth, and condition. Analyze capture-recapture data, evaluate angler harvest data, and estimate escapement rates and survival. Assess the influence of environmental factors on escapement. Continuously monitor, maintain, and download environmental data from data loggers (water level, flow rates, temp, time). Determine if differences in micro-habitat in the area immediately above each barrier affect escapement rates. Monitor and evaluate fish movement. Implant transmitters into a subset of adult Walleye and Muskellunge and release them into Big Creek and Brushy Creek to determine how much time is spent in various parts of the lake, including near each of the barriers. This aspect of the study should provide insights into mechanisms influencing escapement. Determine effects of multiple barrier configurations (opening size) on escapement. Implement a laboratory experiment that simulates reservoir spillways having barriers with different openings (1, 2, and 3”) and water levels. Describe advantages and disadvantages of these configurations and provide design recommendations. Develop a comprehensive fisheries management plan. During the course of the study, the investigator, the Iowa DNR and the Corps of Engineers will meet to work towards a comprehensive fisheries management plan. Periodic meetings will be scheduled with project personal as needed. Complete annual progress reports that document preliminary study results and a final report. Reports will be submitted to stakeholders for review and comment.

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