Abstract
HABITAT USE AND MOVEMENT OF JUVENILE LAKE STURGEON IN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Nicholas C. Bloomfield1, Timothy W. Spier1, and Travis Moore2                                                                   
1Western Illinois University, Department of Biological Sciences, Macomb, IL 
61455. 2Missouri Department of Conservation, Hannibal, MO 63401.
Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvens) were largely extirpated from the 
Mississippi River from overfishing around the beginning of the 20th century.  
The Missouri Department of Conservation has been stocking fingerlings into 
the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers since 1984.  Previous studies have showed 
that adult and sub-adult fish are highly mobile, appear to have seasonal 
movements, use a variety of habitats, and repeatedly use certain sites.  The 
purpose of this study is to determine to what extent these characteristics 
apply to juvenile fish, as well as continuation of studies examining adult 
fish.  Fishing commenced in October and ran through November in Pool 24.  A 
total of 14 juvenile fish were implanted with sonic transmitters averaging 
620 mm and 2.0 kg, and an additional three adults were tagged as well 
averaging 1219 mm and 10.8 kg.  Six more juveniles will be tagged this spring 
when more favorable fishing conditions return.  Manual tracking has located 
all of these fish on at least one occasion, usually with a bottom preference 
of sand.  We have no documentation of fish leaving the pool.  A network of 
passive recievers spread out along the Mississippi River will aid in studying 
long distance movements as data comes in.
Keywords: Lake Sturgeon, extirpated, sonic transmitters, manual tracking, 
passive recievers
1.   Nicholas Bloomfield, 302 W Calhoun, Macomb, IL 61455.  Telephone: 
(309)371-4271.                             E-mail: NC-Bloomfield@wiu.edu
2.  Poster  (no)
3.   Student
4.  No