7210

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7210
• Author: McMahon, T. E. and J. W. Terrell.
• Title: Habitat Suitability Index Models
• USFW Year: 1982.
• USFW - Doc Type: Channel Catfish.
• Copyright Material: NO

,. ~.
habitat is characterized by warm temperatures (Clemens and Sneed 1957; Andrews
et al. 1972; Biesinger et al. 1979) and a diversity of velocities, depths, and
structural features that provide cover and food (Bailey and Harrison 1948).
Optimum lacustrine habitat is characterized by large surface area, warm temper-
atures, high productivity, low to moderate turbidity, and abundant cover,
(Davis 1959; Pflieger 1975).
Fry, juvenile, and adult channel catfish concentrate in the. warmest
sections of rivers and reservoirs (Ziebe11.1973; Stauffer et a1. 1975; McCall,..
1977). They strongly seek cover,'but quantitative data on cover `requirements
of channel catfish in rivers-and reservoirs are not available.Debris,,logs,
cavities, boulders, and cutbanks in lakes. and, in low velocity (< 15 cm/sec).:
areas of deep pools and backwaters of. rivers will =provide cower,: ,f or channel
catfish (Bailey and Harrison 1948)._ Cover consisting of boulders and debris -
in deep water is important as overwintering habitat (Miller. 1966~Jester 1971;
Cross and- Collins 1975). Deep pools and littoral areas (< 5 m deep) with:;,
>_ 40% suitable cover are assumed to be optimum. Turbidities > 25 ppm but
< 100 ppm may somewhat moderate the need for fixed cover (Bryan et al. 1975),.
Riffle and run areas with rubble substrate and pools (< 15 cm/sec) and
areas with debris and aquatic vegetation are conditions associated with high
production~o.f aquatic. insects -(Hynes 1970) consumed by channel catfish in ,.
rivers (Bailey and Harrison 1948): Channel catfish are most abundant in river
sections with a diversity of velocities and structural.features. Therefore, it
is assumed that a riverine habitat with 40-60% pools would be optimum for
providing riffle habitat for food production and feeding and pool habitat-for
spawning and resting cover (Bailey and Harrison 1948). It also. is assumed
that at least 20% of lake or reservoir surface area should consist of littoral
areas.(<_ 5 m deep) to provide adequate area for spawning, fry and juvenile
rearing, and feeding habitat for channel catfish.
High standing crops of warmwater fishes are associated. with .total
dissolved solids (TDS) levels of 100 to 350 ppm for reservoirs in which the
concentrations of carbonate-bicarbonate exceed those of sulfate-chloride.
(Jenkins 1976).- It is assumed that high standing crops of channel catfish in
lakes or reservoirs will, on the average, correspond to this TDS level.
Turbidity in rivers and reservoirs and reservoir size are other factors
that may influence habitat suitability for channel catfish.-populations.
Channel catfish are abundant in rivers and reservoirs with varying levels of
turbidity and siltation (Cross and Collins 1975). However, low to moderate
turbidities (< 100 ppm) are probably optimal for both survival and growth
(Finnell and Jenkins 1954; Buck 1956; Marzolf 1957). Larger reservoirs
(> 200 ha) are probably more suitable reservoir habitat for channel catfish
populations because survival and growth are better than in smaller reservoirs
(Finnell.and Jenkins 1954; Marzolf 1957). Other factors. that, may affect
reservoir habitat. suitability for channel catfish are mean depth, storage
ratio (SR), and length of agricultural growing season: Jenkins (1974) found
that high mean depths were negatively correlated with standing crop of channel
catfish. Mean depths are an inverse correlate of shoreline development (Ryder.
et al. 1974), thus higher mean depths may mean less littoral area would be
available. .Jenkins (1976) also reported that. standing crops of catfishes
(Ictaluridae) peaked at an SR of 0.75. Standing crops of channel catfish were
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