There are three primary tasks being added to this study:
Objective 1:
Validate the efficiacy of implanting loach minnow and spikedace with 8mm PIT tags.
Laboratory study – tag 50 LM and 50 SD ranging in size from 50 mm to 80 mm at ARCC Measure survival and tag retention over 30 days.
Objective
2:
Characterize dispersal and habitat use of stocked loach minnow and spikedace, with emphasis on dispersal downstream of fish barriers (likely locations are Blue River above fish barrier, Spring Creek (oak), and possibly other areas.) Stock 100+ loachminnow and spikedace with PIT tags.
Establish an array of 4 – 6 submersible antennas up and downstream of stocking location to quantify emigration Focus on movement below fish barriers if present in the system Objective 3:
Characterize dispersal and habitat use of naturally spawned loach minnow and spikedace, with emphasis on dispersal downstream of fish barriers.
Capture fish occurring at or near sites fish are stocked to contrast dispersal patterns of hatchery reared or naturally occurring fish Might conduct experiment in other stream if there are inadequate numbers of naturally occurring fish in streams stocked with hatchery fish