Grand River Radio Telemetry

Abstract - A combination of radio telemetry and surface observations were used to characterize the movements and habitats of greater redhorse, Moxostoma valenciennesi, after spawning in the Grand River, Ontario, Canada. This river supports a large population of greater redhorse that migrate upstream in the spring to spawn on riffles. After spawning, greater redhorse moved as far as 15.2 km downstream of spawning areas, and maintained summer home ranges in low velocity runs. Mean (± SE) water depth used by greater redhorse was 46.3 ± 0.9 cm and water velocities were less than 5 cm/s. Greater redhorse were usually located over cobble/gravel substrates that were covered with Cladophora. Although interspecific associations with golden redhorse, M. erythrurum, common carp, Cyprinus carpio, smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu, and northern hog sucker, Hypentelium nigricans, were observed, most greater redhorse associated with conspecifics. Areas and habitat types used throughout the summer did not change, until relocation to overwintering areas occurred in early autumn.

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Smallmouth Bass Telemetry

Bunt, C.M., S.J. Cooke and D.P. Philipp. 2000. Effects of displacement on movement and habitat use of derby-caught smallmouth bass. American Fisheries Society Symposium

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Smallmouth Bass Ecology

Cooke S.J., C.M. Bunt and R.S. McKinley. 1998. Derby-determined vital statistics and trends of the smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu, recreational fishery in the middle reaches of the Grand River, Ontario. Canadian Field-Naturalist. 112: 451-458.

Abstract - Data from Grand River Bass Derbies (1988 - 1997) documents trends in relative abundance and provides information on vital statistics of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in the recreational fishery on the Grand River, Ontario.   The length-weight relationship for all fish entered in the derby was described as weight (g) = (2 x 10^-5) x total length (mm)^2.95.   A significant declining trend in mean length existed for the 10 longest fish entered in the derby each year over the 10 year period (r ² = 0.071, p < 0.05).   Relative weights observed were consistently below the length specific standard of 100, similar to other riverine smallmouth  bass populations.  Age and growth rates were similar to other northern riverine smallmouth bass populations, and the oldest fish observed was 16+ (441 mm TL).  Trends in the middle Grand River Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) data suggest that the relative abundance of smallmouth bass has decreased significantly since 1988 (r² = 0.552, p < 0.05), although the 10-year derby CPUE (0.36) is similar to CPUE from other riverine populations.  The derby data suggest that the population size and structure require further investigations to determine exactly where problems and management opportunities exist.