Project 2.1.1 / 2.5.15

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Project 2.1.1 / 2.5.15
Evaluation of Gear Efficiency and Asian Carp
Detectability
David Wahl, Steven Butler, Jonathan Freedman,
Greg Sass, Cory Suski, Matt Diana Illinois
Natural History Survey, University of
Illinois Kevin Irons, Jim Mick, Vic
Santucci Illinois Department of Natural
Resources Rob Colombo, Tim Spier Eastern
Illinois University Western Illinois University
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Objectives

• Evaluate effectiveness of traditional and
  alternative sampling gears for capturing juvenile
  and adult Asian carp
• Estimate probability of detecting Asian carp in
  different segments of Illinois River and the CAWS
• Determine the extent and timing of Asian carp
  reproduction in the Illinois River and CAWS
• Identify relationships between productivity,
  zooplankton abundance, and Asian carp abundance
• Conduct reach-scale electrofishing for Asian carp
  and other fish in the CAWS

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Study Sites
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Status

• Gears evaluated in 2010
• Trammel nets
• Experimental gill nets
• DC electrofishing w/ bow-mounted camera
• Hydroacoustics
• Purse seines
• Midwater trawl
• Performed reach-scale sampling in CAWS
• Entire CAWS electrofished 3 times in 2010
• Asian carp only collected downstream of electric
  barrier

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Status

• Larval fish sampling
• 238 larval fish samples from 14 sites, June
  October
• 2,053 larval fish collected
• Asian carp larvae only present in June from
  LaGrange Reach
• Productivity sampling
• 109 nutrient, chlorophyll, and zooplankton
  samples from 16 sites, June October
• Nutrients chlorophyll highly variable within
  CAWS
• Bubbly Creek, Cal-Sag Channel, Lake Calumet more
  eutrophic than other areas

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Future Plans

• 2011 gear evaluations (spring, summer, and fall)
• Trammel nets
• Hoop nets
• Tandem trap nets
• Experimental gill nets (surface and bottom)
• DC electrofishing w/ bow-mounted camera
• Hydroacoustics
• Purse seines (small and large mesh)
• Midwater trawl
• Mini-fyke nets
• Cast nets
• Seines

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Future Plans

• Detection probability modeling

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Future Plans

• Larval fish sampling
• Begin sampling early in year to overlap with peak
  spawning times of Asian carp and other fishes
• Multiple site visits each season (spring, summer,
  fall)
• Sample more frequently during periods when Asian
  carp larvae likely to be present (spring months,
  rising water levels)
• Productivity sampling will continue at all sites
  in 2011