Survival and Dispersal of Sonic-Tagged, Hatchery-Reared Burbot Released into the Kootenay River

Abstract

As part of recovery efforts for the Kootenay population of Burbot Lota lota, we monitored 109 sonic-tagged, hatchery-reared Burbot released at 1–3 years of age throughout Kootenay Lake and the Kootenay River over a 3-year period. Our objectives were to evaluate broodstock choice, assess differences in survival and dispersal by release site and age, and evaluate spawning movements. Overall, release survival was high (66%) and there was dispersal throughout the system (up to 235 km), involving both lacustrine and riverine habitat. Spawning movements were extensive (up to 59 km/d upstream) and suggest the use of known spawning locations. However, most age-1 releases had lower survival and remained in the release tributaries for 1 year postrelease, which was longer than expected and which warrants further investigation. Overall, this telemetry study provides a positive outlook on the current aquaculture rehabilitation efforts for Kootenay Burbot and provides direction for further work.

Received September 4, 2012; accepted January 30, 2013

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to thank the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho (KTOI) and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) for sponsoring this investigation and for Burbot rehabilitation efforts in collaboration with the Kootenai Valley Resource Initiative. We would like to thank Christin Davis of the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations; Don Miller of Kootenay Wildlife Services Ltd.; Jack Siple, Eric Wagner, and Chris Lewandowski of the KTOI; and Corie Laude of IDFG for field and logistical support. We would like to thank the many people at the University of Idaho Aquaculture Research Institute who are responsible for the continued success of spawning and rearing Burbot. Paul Anders of Cramer Fish Sciences reviewed an earlier version of this report. The Bonneville Power Administration provided funding for this project through the Northwest Power and Conservation Council's Fish and Wildlife Program, in cooperation with the IDFG and KTOI.