Kootenai River Fisheries Investigation : Stock Status of Burbot : Project Progress Report 2008 Annual Report.

• Main Authors: Paragamian, Valughn L., C., Laude Dorothy
• Other Authors: United States. Department of Energy.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: United States. Bonneville Power Administration. 2008
• Subjects: Ponds; Adults; Juveniles; Embryos; Progress Report; Rivers; Fisheries; Water; Sampling; 54 Environmental Sciences; Hatching; 13 Hydro Energy; Runoff; Monitors; Rearing; British Columbia; Canada; Burbot; Lota lota; lota
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2172/961824; http://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc926776/

Objectives of this investigation were to (1) monitor the population status and recruitment of burbot Lota lota in the Kootenai River, Idaho and British Columbia, Canada during the winter of 2006-2007; (2) evaluate the selective withdrawal system in place at Libby Dam to maintain the river temperature near Bonners Ferry between 1-4 C (November-December) to improve burbot migration and spawning activity; and (3) determine if a hatching success of 10% of eyed burbot embryos could be achieved through extensive rearing and produce fingerlings averaging 9.8 cm in six months. Water temperature did not fall below the upper limit (4 C) until mid-January but was usually maintained between 1-4 C January through February and was acceptable. Snowpack was characterized by a 101% of normal January runoff forecast. Adult burbot were sampled with hoop nets and slat traps. Only three burbot were captured in hoop nets, all at Ambush Rock (rkm 244.5). No burbot were caught in either slat traps or juvenile sampling gear, indicating the population is nearly extirpated. Burbot catch per unit effort in hoop nets was 0.003 fish/net d. Extensive rearing was moved to a smaller private pond and will be reported in the 2008-2009 annual report.