8061

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8061
• Author: Mueller, G. and P. Marsh.
• Title: Post-Stocking Dispersal, Habitat Use, and Behavioral Acclimation of Juvenile Razorback Suckers ‎(
• USFW Year: 1998.
• Copyright Material: NO

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I

The average maximum distance traveled by 21 fish was more than 2,080 mid (range 400-5,000
m/day). One fish (#438) traveled a total distance of 5 kmld. Juvenile fish frequented and moved
between Castle Creek Canyon and Mike's Canyon (RK 73-79). The average observed range was
2.2 kIn (0.1 to 7.4 km). We were unable to determine the actual dispersal range since we lost
contact with 50% of the study fish.

100
80
-
"$.
- 60
>>
u
c:
II
=
Cl" 40
II
...
'-
20
0

'_Tamarisk fIB Boulder . Pond weed I

Lake Mohave
(N=33)

Lake Powell
(N=77)

Figure 5. Cover used by juvenile razorback suckers released into lakes Mohave and Powell,
May through July 1997.

Lake Mohave Fish rapidly dispersed and we only maintained contact with one fish (#437) past
the third week. Fish #337 traveled 7.1 kIn in one day. On the fourth day we contacted and
followed fish #238 moving at a rate more than 3 kmlhour. It was traveling up the middle of the
reservoir and by mid-day had moved an astonishing rate of20.5 kmlday. The transmitter
traveled nearly 63 kIn, through the pelagic zones in Lake Mohave during the next four days,
suggesting it might have been eaten by a striped bass.

Equipment Performance and Survey Design

Signal reception was best under calm conditions and when the transmitter was located in open
water. At times signals could be heard at distances of 1-2 kIn. Wind, rain, wave action, and
watercraft traffic interfered with listening and reduced detection range. The disappearance of
nearly 80% of our transmitters in Lake Mohave caused us to examine if, and to what extent,
aquatic vegetation might interfere with signal strength. We found if transmitters were placed

11