Author(s): Eva C. Enders; Douglas A. Watkinson; Colin Charles; Mark A. Pegg
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: The Canadian Fisheries Act requires the provision for unimpeded fish passage related to obstructions that may be hindering the path of fish. Consequently, at existing structures that may impede the passage of fish, modifications such as the installation of a fishway may be required to allow for unhindered up- and downstream fish movements. However, the determination if fish passage is impeded at a given structure is often difficult. Here, we use a large-scale, long-term fish movement study to establish barriers to fish movement in the Lake Winnipeg basin including the Winnipeg, Assiniboine, and Red rivers. In the frame of the project, 80 Bigmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus), 161 Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), and 48 Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) were tagged with acoustic transmitters (Vemco V16). Individual fish movements were studied and the seasonality in movement patterns analyzed. The study provided valuable insights into movement and residency of the different fish species in the Lake Winnipeg basin and evidence of frequent trans-border migration into the US portion of the watershed. The study also highlighted downstream passage at the St. Andrews Lock and Dam in Red River for several individuals but indications for blockage of upstream movements at the St. Andrews Lock and Dam in the Red River and the Portage Diversion on the Assiniboine River This biological knowledge on fish movements in the Lake Winnipeg basin highlights the need for fish passage solutions at different obstructions.
Year: 2018