Spawning readiness, spawning location(s), and habitat use of pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana

Duration

September 2017 - June 2020

Narrative

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.