Spring Movements of Paddlefish in a Prairie Reservoir System

ABSTRACT

Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) movements and habitat use were monitored in the Keystone Reservoir System, Oklahoma during 1996–1998 to determine reproductive activity patterns. Paddlefish spring spawning migrations were more dependent on water flows than water temperature or photoperiod. Paddlefish moved up the Cimarron River and Arkansas River in 1997 and 1998 when spring flows increased. However, they did not migrate up the rivers in 1996, a year with extremely low flows. Suitable spawning substrate was found in the Salt Fork River, a major tributary of the Arkansas River, and the tailwaters of Kaw Dam on the Arkansas River. Paddlefish were located over suitable spawning substrate in the Salt Fork River; however, no larvae were collected. Although paddlefish migrate up the Cimarron River in spring, minimal spawning habitat may limit successful spawning in that river. In 1998, paddlefish moved into the Salt Fork River rather than the Kaw Dam tailwaters, presumably because there was limited flow from Kaw Dam that spring. Paddlefish in the Keystone Reservoir system appear to have adapted to the high spring water temperatures and fluctuating flows enabling successful reproduction.