Developing User-Friendly Habitat Suitability Tools from Regional Stream Fish Survey Data

Abstract

We developed user-friendly fish habitat suitability tools (plots) for fishery managers in Michigan; these tools are based on driving habitat variables and fish population estimates for several hundred stream sites throughout the state. We generated contour plots to show patterns in fish biomass for over 60 common species (and for 120 species grouped at the family level) in relation to axes of catchment area and low-flow yield (90% exceedance flow divided by catchment area) and also in relation to axes of mean and weekly range of July temperatures. The plots showed distinct patterns in fish habitat suitability at each level of biological organization studied and were useful for quantitatively comparing river sites. We demonstrate how these plots can be used to support stream management, and we provide examples pertaining to resource assessment, trout stocking, angling regulations, chemical reclamation of marginal trout streams, indicator species, instream flow protection, and habitat restoration. These straightforward and effective tools are electronically available so that managers can easily access and incorporate them into decision protocols and presentations.

Received April 9, 2010; accepted November 8, 2010

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Numerous crews from the MDNR, U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, University of Michigan, and Michigan State University collected the field data. Many former University of Michigan students contributed data to this study, namely Matthew Baker, John Fay, Dana Infante, Catherine Riseng, and Kevin Wehrly. James Gapczynski (MDNR-IFR) performed initial entry of fisheries data in MRI databases. James Schneider, Philip Schneeberger, and Chris Freiburger provided thoughtful advice and manuscript reviews. We acknowledge Richard Clark (MDNR-IFR) for administrative support, and Ellen Johnston and Alan Sutton (MDNR-IFR) for assistance in preparation of this manuscript. This research was supported with funds from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (Study 680, Project F-81-R, Michigan), MDNR-FD, and the Michigan Professional Employees Society.

Notes

^aAll redhorses were also included in group 6 (suckers).

^bAll darters were also included in group 13 (perches).