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<br />.-~. ... <br /> <br />PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS, LIGHT TRAPPING AND NETTING <br /> <br />Methods <br /> <br />Physical water quality parameters were measured using a Hydrolab each trip. Readings <br />were taken by boat at 1-m depth intervals at the ponds deepest location. <br /> <br />Light traps were set to determine the presence of fish larvae, however, their use was <br />restricted to periods following telemetry work because it was believed their presence <br />could affect fish behavior. Light traps were set near suspected spawning areas for <br />intervals of two hours and overnight. Samples were examined in the field. Fish larvae <br />were separated from other organisms and preserved for later analysis. <br /> <br />CHLP was surveyed on July 23, 2003 and a resulting bathometry map was produced <br />(Map 1). This map will be further refined to show submergent vegetation, information <br />that will be presented next year. <br /> <br />Trammel nets were set March 17 to capture adult bonytail for the telemetry study. Only <br />large-meshed (7.5-cm stretched bar) nets were used to avoid capturing small fish. We <br />also set nets following the study to recapture study fish in order to examine and remove <br />transmitters. Immediately following the study (May 7) we set trammel nets parallel to <br />the High Levee at 04:00 hours to intersect fish returning to their cavities. <br /> <br />Realizing our opportunity to recapture large bonytail, we collected gut samples from fish <br /><40 cm using a nonlethal method of stomach and intestinal irrigation that was developed <br />for adult humpback and roundtail chub (Wasowicz and Valdez 1994, Valdez and <br />Hoffnagle 1999). We duplicated this technique using vinyl tubing and a hand water <br />pump (Wasowicz and Va1dez 1994). Water was forced through the intestinal track, <br />which flushed consumed material out ofthe fish's anal vent. The samples were collected, <br />preserved, and are being examined in the laboratory. <br /> <br />Results and Discussion <br /> <br />HydrolabMeasurements. Limnological parameters all appeared normal. CHLP <br />remained generally well mixed and parameters remained within acceptable limits. <br />Temperatures ranged between 16 and 30 DC, dissolved oxygen ranged from 7.7 to 10.8 <br />mglL, conductance ranged from 1207 to 1234 !-un/cm, and pH ranged from 7.1 to 7.6. <br /> <br />Fish Larval Collections. Larval light traps were periodically set to determine the <br />presence of fish larvae. Last year we were unable to collect any razorback sucker larvae <br />and with the absence of juvenile razorback suckers in the collection, we speculated that <br />either spawning or larval survival had not been successful. Light traps were again used, <br />except during the bonytail telemetry study. We discovered that adult bonytail avoided <br /> <br />12 <br />