1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Lesser Slave Lake

Walleye Spawning Assessment

April – June, 1997

Prepared by:

Brian Lucko and Glenn Todd

October, 1997 Northwest Boreal Region

Alberta Conservation Association 1 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Abstract

In the spring of 1997, the Alberta Conservation Association conducted a study to confirm the presence of spawning walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) in six tributaries and at four shoreline areas within Lesser Slave Lake in northern Alberta. The six tributaries were the Swan River, Driftpile River, Marten River, Assineau River, Strawberry Creek and Mission Creek. The four shoreline areas include Joussard townsite, Giroux Bay (Faust townsite), Spruce Point Park, and mouth of the Driftpile River. Walleye were captured by electrofishing (primary method) and in some instances, gill netting. When spawning walleye were located, the site was revisited and kick sampling conducted to collect walleye eggs. Thirty kick sampling sites were established during this survey. Electrofishing produced 138 spawning walleye in the lower section of Strawberry Creek. The Driftpile River and Assineau River produced 7 walleye and 1 walleye respectively. No walleye were found in the Swan River and Marten River. A genetic test indicated that walleye eggs were found in Strawberry Creek and at 3 shoreline sites within Lesser Slave Lake: 1) Joussard, 2) Giroux (Faust) Bay, and 3) Spruce Point Park.

Alberta Conservation Association 2 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Table of Contents

Page

1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 2.0 STUDY AREA ...... 2 3.0 METHODS ...... 4 3.1 Electrofishing and Gill Netting ...... 4 3.2 Egg Sampling ...... 4 3.3 DNA Analysis ...... 4 3.4 Mapping of Sample Sites ...... 5 4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ...... 7 4.1 Water Temperature ...... 7 4.2 Fish Collection ...... 7 4.2.1 Strawberry Creek ...... 7 4.2.2 Driftpile River ...... 12 4.2.3 Swan River ...... 13 4.2.4 Assineau River ...... 15 4.3 Egg Sampling ...... 16 4.3.1 Strawberry Creek ...... 16 4.3.2 Driftpile River and Swan River ...... 19 4.3.3 Assineau River, Marten River and Mission Creek ...... 19 4.3.4 Lesser Slave Lake ...... 21 4.4 DNA Analysis ...... 23 5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 24 6.0 LITERATURE CITED ...... 25 Appendix ...... 27

ii 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

List of Tables Page

Table 1. Electrofishing capture results for the Lesser Slave Lake Spawning Assessment. Spring, 1997 ...... 10

Table 2. Gill netting capture results for the Lesser Slave Lake Spawning Assessment. Spring, 1997 ...... 11

Table 3. Egg kick sample sites and results for the Lesser Slave Lake Spawning Assessment. Spring, 1997 ...... 18

List of Figures Page

iii 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Figure 1a. Location of study area within the province of Alberta ...... 3

Figure 1b. Map of study area showing major tributaries ...... 3

Figure 2. Sampling locations in the Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment study area. Spring, 1997...... 7

Figure 3. Daily water temperature data from Strawberry Creek, Driftpile River and Swan River. Spring, 1997 ...... 9

Figure 4. Strawberry Creek (lower section) sampling sites with UTM coordinates...... 11

Figure 5. Strawberry Creek (upper section) sampling sites with UTM coordinates...... 12

Figure 6. Driftpile River (lower section) sampling sites with UTM coordinates...... 13

Figure 7. Driftpile River (upper section) sampling sites with UTM coordinates...... 13

Figure 8. Swan River (lower section) sampling sites with UTM coordinates...... 15

Figure 9. Swan River (middle section) sampling sites with UTM coordinates ...... 15

Figure 10. Assineau River sampling sites with UTM coordinates ...... 17

Figure 11. Marten River sampling sites with UTM coordinates ...... 20

Figure 12. Joussard and area egg sampling sites with UTM coordinates ...... 21

Figure 13. Giroux Bay (Faust townsite) egg sampling sites with UTM coordinates ...... 22

Figure 14. Spruce Point egg sampling sites with UTM coordinates...... 22

iv 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Lesser Slave Lake is rapidly becoming one of the more popular recreational lakes in northern Alberta. As a result, opportunities for the commercial development of shoreline areas are also increasing (Collett and Rhodes 1995). Commercial as well as recreational development around the lake and tributaries can have negative impacts on walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) spawning habitat.

Prior to 1995 walleye spawning in Lesser Slave Lake had only been documented on the northwest end of the lake with most walleye concentrating in the South Heart River system (Collett and Rhodes 1995). Traditional walleye spawning grounds are the rocky areas in white water below impassable falls and dams in river, or boulder, to coarse-gravel shoals of lakes (Scott and Crossman, 1973). Studies conducted in the late 70’s and early 80’s ( Dietz, 1979, 1982; Dietz and Tulman, 1981; Berry, 1979, 1981; O’Neil, 1983) indicated that Buffalo Bay and the lower South Heart River are probably the main walleye spawning grounds for Lesser Slave Lake. Hartman (1957) felt that the lower 5 km of the Grouard Channel was the likely spawning ground. However, none of these studies found large aggregations of female walleye. Also, these studies concentrated their efforts on Buffalo Bay and South Heart River. Collett and Rhodes (1995) showed marked use of inshore areas for spawning by walleye. From 1989 to 1993, the spring fishery on the west basin of Lesser Slave Lake averaged 675 kilograms of walleye per year (Alberta Environmental Protection – file data). In 1995, walleye catches during the west basin spring fishery rose dramatically to 3,950 kgs and then to 4,431 kgs in 1996 (file data). The alarming number of pre-spawn walleye, captured during the 1995 and 1996 spring commercial fisheries, prompted the confirmation that walleye are utilizing lakeshore and tributary habitats on Lesser Slave Lake for spawning purposes.

Possible reasons why there is an increased use of lakeshore habitats include over utilization of the traditional spawning areas (South Heart River and Grouard Channel) by the expanding walleye population or that the spawning stock has been adversely affected by the large silt loads in the South Heart River / Buffalo Bay system and are searching for more suitable spawning areas. Preliminary studies conducted in 1996 by Alberta Environmental Protection, Natural Resources Service indicated significant walleye spawning potential in the Swan River, Driftpile River and Strawberry Creek. From April 1997 to June 1997 the Alberta Conservation Association conducted a study to confirm the presence of spawning walleye in these main tributaries, at other tributaries with spawning potential (Assineau River, Marten River, and Mission Creek), and at various shoreline locations in Lesser Slave Lake. The detailed findings are presented in this document.

Identification of new areas being utilized by spawning walleye are important for the implementation of protection strategies that will help in the sustainability and growth of the population. The purpose of this project was to determine whether walleye populations in Lesser Slave Lake are utilizing tributaries (other than the South Heart River) and inshore areas for spawning.

1 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

2.0 STUDY AREA

Lesser Slave Lake is located within the Northwest Boreal region of Alberta approximately 250 km northwest of Edmonton. It is the largest lake in Alberta, which is completely within the province, possessing a surface area of 1160 km2. (Alberta Environment). The lake is comprised of two basins with an overall mean depth of 11.4m and a maximum depth of 20.5m. Several game fish species inhabit the lake, including walleye, northern pike (Esox lucius), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) as well as numerous non-game fish.

The Swan River, Driftpile River and Strawberry Creek all enter Lesser Slave Lake from the south. Historical streamflow data was provided by Environment Canada (1991). The annual mean discharge for the Swan River (1971 – 1990) was 14.3 cubic metres/second. The Driftpile River (1973 –1990) was 8.4 cubic metres/second. No discharge data were available for Strawberry Creek, however it is much smaller in size than the Swan or Driftpile Rivers. Figure 1 is a map of the study area showing major tributaries to Lesser Slave Lake and its location within the province of Alberta.

Northwest Boreal Region

Study Area

Edmonton

Calgary

Figure 1a. Location of study area within the province of Alberta

2 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

River Heart

South

Marten River

Lesser Slave LakeLake

Auger

BayBay

Joussard Spruce Pt. Giroux Park River River Bay

Strawberry Cr. Kinuso

Slave Lake

Driftpile

0 10 20 Swan Kilometers &

Figure 1b. Map of study area showing major tributaries to Lesser Slave Lake

3.0 METHODS

Several methods were employed to determine whether walleye were utilizing shoreline and tributary areas for spawning. Electrofishing and gillnetting were used to determine walleye presence and relative abundance at the study locations. When spawning walleye were located, the site was revisited and kick sampling was done to confirm walleye spawning by the presence of eggs. If eggs were found, substrates were sampled to determine the type of bed material. The location of all sampling sites was recorded by GPS and mapped.

Water temperatures were monitored on the Swan River, Driftpile River and Strawberry Creek. The mean, maximum and minimum water temperatures were recorded every 2 hours with a Ryan TempMentor digital recording thermometer.

3.1 Electrofishing and Gill Netting

Electrofishing was conducted to determine walleye presence and relative abundance in shoreline and tributary study areas. Efforts focused primarily on the three main tributaries of concern: 1)

3 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Swan River, 2) Driftpile River and 3) Strawberry Creek. Another tributary, the Assineau River was also surveyed near the mouth location by electrofishing. Site selection was dependent upon accessibility to the watercourse. A 5.9 metre electrofishing boat equipped with a Coffelt shocking unit and a pair of boom shocking anodes was utilized for the Driftpile River and Strawberry Creek. The Coffelt shocking system produced 8 – 15 amps pulsed DC. For smaller streams and streams with poor access, an Avon inflatable boat powered by a 15 h.p. motor was equipped with a Smith-Root 2.5 GPP and hand held anode that produced 1.0 to 3.0 amps pulsed DC. In areas where electroshocking proved to be ineffective (i.e. water depth greater than 12 feet or visibility reduced by high turbidity) gill nets were set. Gill net mesh size was 89 mm and net lengths varied with the size of the pool. The gill nets were set in pool habitats or along eddy lines. Fish captured were enumerated by species and assessed for sexual maturity and spawning condition. 3.2 Egg Sampling

Electroshocking sites were revisited in late May to early June and egg sampling was conducted to confirm and quantify walleye spawning at these locations. Priority was given to areas where walleye were captured and spawning substrates (i.e. cobble and rubble) found. A 15 second kick sample technique (Walty 1992, Collett and Rhodes 1995) was used to collect eggs at sampling locations by stirring a 1m2 area with the foot for 15 seconds while passing a fine meshed dip net through the roiled water. In deeper locations the same technique was performed from a boat using a long handled rake to stir the bottom. At creek site locations transects were established at 15-meter intervals with kicks at ¼, ½ and ¾ of the stream width. Egg kick locations on Lesser Slave Lake were selected where suitable spawning substrates were found and (in some instances) where easily identifiable landmarks would make any future re-sampling of those same sites possible. Egg sampling procedures on the lake were similar to those undertaken at the stream sites. At water depths of approximately five feet, sampling was ineffective on both the lake and stream sites due to a shortage of net handle. Water depth, substrate type and egg viability was recorded at the time of collection. Eggs were speciated at the time of sampling based on the criteria: translucent and pinkish; diameter 1.5 to 2.1mm; single oil globule (Auer 1982).

3.3 DNA Analysis

Previously, it was difficult to distinguish between walleye eggs and sucker (longnose and white) eggs. Walleye and suckers both spawn in the spring, utilise the same spawning tributaries and spawning habitat and their egg diameter is similar. In past years, questions have been raised over the positive identification of the walleye eggs. To answer these questions, a genetic test was

4 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

developed to distinguish between eggs of walleye and two species of sucker, white sucker and longnose sucker.

Control samples from the Lesser Slave Lake region were sent to a lab for DNA testing. The control samples consisted of 8 walleye (4 whole fish, 4 gonad samples) and 6 longnose/white suckers (2 muscle tissue, 4 gonad samples). The test involves preparation of total sample DNA followed by PCR amplification of a mitochondrial cytochrome b gene region and restriction digestion using Hae III or Hinf I (Bres 1997). See Bres 1997 for a full methodology on this procedure.

After the genetic test was successfully developed, egg kick samples that contained possible walleye eggs were analyzed for species verification. The samples were shipped frozen in water via air cargo. Species identification was based on the pattern of restriction digest products, using walleye and sucker species from the Lesser Slave Lake region as standards (Bres 1998).

3.4 Mapping of Sample Sites

All sites sampled (egg and electrofishing) had locations recorded using a Magellan Nav5000D GPS unit for later mapping using MapInfo Professional TM. Figure 2 is a map of the study area showing site locations for electrofishing, egg sampling and gill netting.

5 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

% Heart Buffalo 2 sites at Bay Marten River South

Lesser Slave LakeLake

Auger

BayBay May 10/97 Spruce Mission Ck. Giroux Point River May 10/97 Park site May 10/97 River Assineau Sites 1-9 River at Joussard Bay

Strawberry May 11/97

3 sites at Creek Giroux Bay (Faust) May 8/97 0 10 20

Driftpile Egg Sampling Sites May 13/97

Kilometers Electrofishing Sites

Swan Gill Netting Sites

Figure 2. Sampling locations in the Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment study area. Spring, 1997

6 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Water Temperature

Water temperature data were recorded at one location within each priority tributary (Driftpile River, Swan River, and Strawberry Creek). Figure 3 displays daily mean, maximum and minimum water temperatures from April 24 to June 3, 1997.

4.2 Fish Collection

A total of 13 electrofishing sites were completed. Eleven sites were on the priority drainages (5 on Strawberry Creek, 5 on the Driftpile River and 1 on the Swan River) and 2 sites on the Assineau river. Tables 1 and 2 summarize the electrofishing and gillnetting results and catch per unit effort for all sites. Maturity, fork length data and fork length distribution of the walleye captured during this study are presented in Appendix A.

4.2.1 Strawberry Creek

A total of 138 walleye (114 ripe males, 2 ripe females, 5 spent females and 17 green females), 9 northern pike, 16 lake whitefish, 18 longnose sucker and 53 white suckers were captured at Strawberry Creek. The majority of the walleye (76%) were captured upstream of the Strawberry Service bridge and downstream of Highway #2 crossing. Sampling locations on Strawberry Creek are shown in Figures 4 and 5. Walleye were occupying the faster current areas in the creek. Access to Strawberry Creek was good in the lower reaches and poor in the upper reaches. Beaver activity was present throughout the lower reaches, however no barriers to fish migration were observed. Bottom substrates consisted of silt and organic matter except for one small area (first corner upstream of Strawberry Service gas station bridge) with cobble/gravel. Only 1 ripe male walleye was captured in the upper section of Strawberry Creek south of Kinuso. There is a good possibility that barriers (log jams and/or beaverdams) were present downstream of Highway #2 due to the lack of walleye encountered while electrofishing.

7 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Strawberry Creek

18 16 14 12 Max 10 8 Min 6 4 Mean 2 Temperature (*C) 0 24-Apr-97 26-Apr-97 28-Apr-97 30-Apr-97 01-Jun-97 03-Jun-97 02-May-97 04-May-97 06-May-97 08-May-97 10-May-97 12-May-97 14-May-97 16-May-97 18-May-97 20-May-97 22-May-97 24-May-97 26-May-97 28-May-97 30-May-97 Date (d/m/y)

Driftpile River

18 16 14 12 Max 10 8 Min 6 4 Mean 2 Temperature (*C) 0 28-Apr-97 30-Apr-97 24-Apr-97 26-Apr-97 01-Jun-97 03-Jun-97

02-May-97 04-May-97 06-May-97 08-May-97 10-May-97 12-May-97 14-May-97 16-May-97 18-May-97 20-May-97 22-May-97 24-May-97 26-May-97 28-May-97 30-May-97 Date (d/m/y)

Swan River

18 16 14 12 Max 10 8 Min 6 4 Mean 2 Temperature (*C) 0 24-Apr-97 26-Apr-97 28-Apr-97 30-Apr-97 01-Jun-97 02-May-97 04-May-97 06-May-97 08-May-97 10-May-97 12-May-97 14-May-97 16-May-97 18-May-97 20-May-97 22-May-97 24-May-97 26-May-97 28-May-97 30-May-97 Date (d/m/y)

Figure 3. Daily water temperature data from Strawberry Creek, Driftpile River and Swan River. Spring, 1997

Table 1. Electrofishing capture results for the Lesser Slave Lake Spawning Assessment, 1997.

8 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Co-ordinates of Site Number Number CPUE Waterbody Date Effort (s) Species Start Stop Caught Observed Fish/100s Easting Northing Easting Northing

Strawberry Ck. 04/30/97 594345 6131260 592695 6130970 1866 WALL 3 3 0.32 LNSC 1 0.05

WHSC 2 0.11

NRPK 5 0.27

05/02/97 592026 6130900 590850 6131060 1086 LKWH 15 1.38 NRPK 1 0.09

05/05/97 594730 6131640 593605 6131220 2556 WALL 40 1.56 WHSC 7 0.27

05/07/97 599440 6130370 598400 6130980 803 WALL 1 0.12 WHSC 15 1.87

NRPK 2 0.25

05/09/97 594900 6131360 593605 6131220 3208 WALL 97 46 4.46 LNSC 17 0.53

WHSC 29 0.90

LKWH 1 0.03

NRPK 1 0.03

SPSH 1 0.03

Driftpile R. 05/08/97 571800 6126600 572700 6127700 1575 LNSC 30 1.90 NRPK 2 0.13

05/10/97 584500 6137400 586100 6137600 1928 WALL 3 5 0.41 NRPK 2 4 0.31

LNSC 7 0.36

05/10/97 586100 6137600 585100 6138500 274 no catch

05/10/97 586100 6137600 585500 6135600 509 WALL 2 0.39 NRPK 2 0.39

LKWH 20 3.93

05/11/97 575100 6129900 576300 6133500 2365 WALL 2 0.08 LNSC 250 10.57

WHSC 250 10.57

NRPK 2 0.08

Swan R. 05/13/97 604600 6119600 604300 6121700 1954 LNSC 500 25.59 WHSC 150 7.68

Assineau R. 05/15/97 614610 6139150 614250 6138800 867 WALL 1 0.12 LNSC 15 1.73

WHSC 1 0.12

05/15/97 614359 6139150 614400 6139500 227 LKWH 1 0.44 NRPK 1 0.44

Table 2. Gill netting capture results for the Lesser Slave Lake Spawning Assessment, 1997.

9 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Mesh Duration of Number CPUE Waterbody Date Co-ordinates Species Set (hrs) Caught Fish/100m2/24hrs. Easting Northing Size

Driftpile R. 05/10/97 584900 613700 3.5 1.5 WALL 2 28.70

05/11/97 575100 6129900 3.5 3.3 NRPK 3 19.57

Swan R 05/14/97 601824 6134985 3.5 1 WHSC 1 21.52

05/14/97 607157 6143732 3.5 1 NRPK 2 43.05

Lesser Electrofishing sites Slave Egg sampling sites ' Lake no walleye eggs found walleye DNA test - positive Gravel road Highway May 5/97 594620 6131650 594730 Strawberry 6131640 May 2/97 Service 594830 6131450 Bridge 593605 594330 594900 Creek 6131220 6131260 6131360 590850 592695 594345 6131060 Strawberry 6130900 592695 6131260 6130970 Hill and Hollow Campground May 9/97

Hwy #2 April 30/97 0 0.5 1

Kilometers

Figure 4. Strawberry Creek (lower section) sampling sites with UTM coordinates

10 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Egg sampling sites (no walleye eggs found) Kinuso Electrofishing sites ' River Gravel road Highway

Strawberry Swan

Creek

Hwy #2

598400 6130980 599250 6130650 598910 6130750 599290 6130570 0 0.5 1 599440 6130370 599420 May 7/97 6130360 599510 Kilometers 6130160

Figure 5. Strawberry Creek (upper section) sampling sites with UTM coordinates

4.2.2 Driftpile River

There were 7 walleye captured in the Driftpile River, 5 by electrofishing and 2 by gillnetting. Sampling sites on the Driftpile River are shown in Figures 6 and 7. Electrofishing at the mouth produced 3 walleye (2 green females and 1 ripe male) and gillnetting produced 2 walleye (both ripe males). Hundreds of spottail shiners and a few longnose suckers were also shocked along the rivers edge. The low numbers of walleye at the mouth indicate they may only be utilizing the area for feeding purposes. High turbidity caused by spring runoff and unstable, eroding banks reduced visibility to 10 centimetres. Electrofishing efficiency was greatly reduced by the turbid and deep water. The mean river depth was approximately 7 meters at the mouth sampling site. A large log jam situated 2 kilometers upstream from the mouth prevented upstream access for the electrofishing boat. Electrofishing was also conducted along the shoreline of Lesser Slave Lake immediately north and south of the Driftpile River (see Figure 6). The intent was to determine if walleye were congregating near the mouth or utilizing the shoreline for spawning purposes.

11 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Lesser Slave Lake

585100 ' 6138500 Electrofishing sites May 10/97 Gill Netting sites 586100 Gravel road 6137600 Giroux River May 10/97

May 10/97 585500 Driftpile 6135600

Driftpile Bay 0 0 1 2 Hwy #2 Kilometers

Figure 6. Driftpile River (lower section) sampling sites with UTM coordinates

576300 Driftpile ' 6133500 Hwy #2

May 11/97

River

575100 6129900 Egg sampling sites (walleye DNA test - negative) Electrofishing sites

Gill netting sites Driftpile 572700 Gravel road 3127700

0 1 2 571800 May 8/97 6126600 Kilometers

Figure 7: Driftpile River (upper section) sampling sites with UTM coordinates There were 2 walleye, 2 northern pike and 20 lake whitefish observed in 1.5 kilometers of

12 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

shoreline. Spawning potential was poor for walleye. Firm silt/clay substrates were present along the shoreline.

Float electrofishing was conducted on a 10 kilometer section in the middle reaches of the Driftpile River. Two ripe male walleye, 2 northern pike and hundreds of longnose and white suckers were captured. Short riffle areas and shallow runs dominated the upper section of the site. Substrates consisted of cobble and gravel. The lower section of the site (near Highway #2) exhibited much steeper banks, deep runs (over 2 meters) and silt/clay substrates. The majority of the suckers were captured at the top end of the section.

Electrofishing in the upper reaches of the Driftpile River on May 8 produced 2 pike and approximately 30 longnose suckers. Riverine habitat was predominately riffles and deep runs (>2 meters). The suckers were captured in the faster water where cobble was present. Electrofishing efficiency was reduced by high silt loads that caused poor water clarity (visibility approx. 8 cm) and low amperage output from the shocking unit.

Historical records have indicated that Alberta Fish and Wildlife conducted a sucker removal project from 1971 – 1976 on the Driftpile River (Zelt, 1973). Large numbers of suckers (mostly longnose) were removed because of an anticipated demand for mullet on the commercial market. In 1972, over 33,560 kgs (74,000 lbs.) of longnose suckers were processed. In reviewing the historical data and in discussions with local landowners (Raymond and Real Gagnon), who volunteered at this project for all 6 years, there were no walleye caught or observed during the trapping operation.

4.2.3 Swan River

Fish collection techniques produced no walleye. Figures 8 and 9 display the sampling locations on the Swan River. Gill netting at the mouth and approximately 16 km upstream of the mouth

13 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

607157 Lesser 6143732

Slave 4 AugerAu 3 Au Lake Bay

River 2 B Spruce 1 B Point Park

Gill netting sites

Gravel road ' Swan 601824 6134985 0 1 2

Kilometers Figure 8. Swan River (lower section) sampling sites with UTM coordinates

' Swan Valley Egg sampling sites Bridge (walleye DNA test - negative) Electrofishing sites

Gravel road George Gallagher's land Highway 604300 6121700 604408 6121585

River

May 13/97 Creek

0 1 2 Adams

604600 Kilometers 6119600 Swan

Figure 9. Swan River (middle section) sampling sites with UTM coordinates

produced 2 northern pike and 1 white sucker. Substrates in the lower reaches (mouth to town of

14 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Kinuso) were predominately sand and silt. Electrofishing was not conducted from the mouth to the Swan Valley bridge due to non-existent boat launch access. Steep eroding banks were prevalent throughout the river system, which made large boat launching impossible. The small rubber raft shocking system would not have been effective because of the large size of the Swan River in this section.

Float electrofishing was conducted over a 5.3 km section upstream of the Swan Valley bridge. Hundreds of longnose sucker and white sucker were captured but no walleye. Riffle sections contained gravel/cobble substrates, excellent for spawning. Poor light penetration into the water, caused by high silt loads, reduced electrofishing efficiency. The float shocking system was too small and underpowered for the size of the river.

4.2.4 Assineau River

Float electrofishing in the lower reaches of the Assineau River produced 1 walleye (observed not caught), 1 lake whitefish, 15 longnose suckers, 1 white sucker and an abundance of spottail shiners. Assineau River sampling sites with UTM coordinates are shown in Figure 10. Increased sediment loads reduced electrofishing effectiveness. Log debris at top end of site prevented upstream access of the shocking boat. Velocities were slow at the mouth location and increased upstream. Substrates consisted of sand and cobble at the top end of the site and firm silt/clay at the lower end. Good spawning habitat was present at the extreme upper part of site. Equipment problems caused the electrofishing run to be cut short.

4.3 Egg Sampling

A total of 30 kick sampling sites were completed during this survey. Table 3 gives a detailed summary of the egg kicks and DNA results for the Lesser Slave Lake spawning assessment.

15 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Lesser 614400 6139500 : May 15/97

Slave 614359 614610 6139150 6139150

Lake 614250 6138800 May 15/97 '

River Egg sampling sites (walleye DNA test - negative)

Electrofishing sites

615766 Gravel road 6137363

0 0.5 1

Kilometers Assineau Figure 10. Assineau River sampling sites with UTM coordinates

4.3.1 Strawberry Creek

Eight sites were sampled for walleye eggs on Strawberry Creek on May 21 and 23, 1997 (See Figures 4 and 5). Seven of the sites (88%) yielded no walleye eggs. One site (50 meters upstream of the Strawberry Service bridge) produced 25 walleye eggs from 3 kicks (mean 8.3 eggs/kick). The eggs were verified as walleye through DNA analysis. Numerous other eggs (sucker and/or pike), with diameters between 3.0 – 4.0 mm, were collected in the upper section of Strawberry Creek.

Substrates in Strawberry Creek ranged from detritus (decaying vegetation) to gravel/cobble. The site that produced 25 walleye eggs was a deep run (1.2 – 1.5 meters) and contained the only gravel/cobble substrates in the lower reaches of Strawberry Creek. Gravel/cobble substrates were more common in the upper section of Strawberry Creek, south of Kinuso. Water depths, at the sampling sites, ranged from 0.7 to 1.5 meters.

16 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Table 3. Egg kick sample sites and results for the Lesser Slave Lake Spawning Assessment,1997. Total # of eggs Walleye eggs Substrate Type Co-ordinates Depth Waterbody Location Date # of egg kicks collected present Easting Northing walleye(?) other (DNA testing) (metres) Lesser Slave Lake Giroux bay May 27,1997 587261 6131382 3 186 positive gravel/cobble/sand 0.7 – 1.2 Giroux bay May 27,1997 586566 6131533 1 68 no eggs kept cobble/sand/detritus 0.7 – 0.9 Giroux bay May 27,1997 586169 6131538 2 9 no eggs kept cobble 0.6 – 0.9 Spruce point site 1 May 28,1997 598280 6141933 15 170 positive sand 0.6 Spruce point site 2 May 28,1997 597306 6140602 6 4 no eggs kept sand & vegetation 0.7 Spruce point site 3 May 28,1997 596506 6139540 7 21 no eggs kept sand 0.6 Spruce point site 4 May 28,1997 595611 6138512 5 42 positive cobble/gravel/boulder 0.4 Joussard May 22,1997 568197 6138192 1 10 positive gravel 0.6 – 0.9 Joussard May 22,1997 568700 6138351 4 20 negative cobble 1.5 Joussard May 22,1997 567484 6138892 2 66 positive cobble 0.9 – 1.2 Joussard May 22,1997 568101 6138568 1 12 positive cobble 0.9 – 1.2 Joussard May 22,1997 567,089 6139332 2 34 positive cobble/gravel 1.2 Joussard May 22,1997 566,580 6139657 4 24 negative cobble/gravel 0.6 – 1.0 Joussard May 22,1997 566,210 6139765 2 18 positive cobble/gravel 0.4 – 0.9 Joussard May 22,1997 565788 6139845 2 12 positive cobble/gravel 0.4 – 1.2 Joussard May 22,1997 565,344 6140045 2 0 no eggs found cobble/gravel/silt 0.6 – 0.9 Swan River Gallagher’s Launch June 2, 1997 604408 6121585 6 69 negative cobble 0.3 – 0.9 Assineau River at bridge June 2, 1997 615766 6137363 8 159 negative gravel/cobble 0.4 Mission Creek festival grounds May22, 1997 565117 6139615 8 13 not tested gravel/cobble 0.6 – 1.2 Driftpile River Raymond Gagnon's June 3, 1997 575037 6129953 8 111 negative gravel/cobble 0.3 – 0.6 Marten River u/s of trib May 29,1997 631710 6152870 16 289 not tested cobble/gravel 0.3 – 0.9 Marten River d/s of trib May 29,1997 631520 6152920 2 28 not tested cobble/gravel 0.3 – 0.9 Strawberry Creek C&L logging yard May 23, 1997 598910 6130750 4 95 no eggs kept gravel/cobble 0.3 – 0.6 @ first B.D May 23, 1997 599250 6130650 2 30 not tested gravel 0.7 between dams May 23, 1997 599290 6130570 4 52 no eggs kept clay/gravel/detritus - top end of E.S. site May 23, 1997 599420 6130360 5 21 no eggs kept cobble/gravel 0.7 – 0.9 slower area May 23, 1997 599510 6130160 2 0 no eggs found silt/detritus 1.4 300m u/s of B.D. May 21, 1997 594830 6131450 3 0 no eggs found detritus 1.2 u/s of trib 125m May 21, 1997 594620 6131650 4 0 no eggs found - - strawberry service bridge May 21, 1997 594330 6131260 3 25 positive gravel/cobble 1.2 – 1.5

17 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

4.3.2 Driftpile River and Swan River

Both the Driftpile River and Swan River were not intensively surveyed for walleye eggs due to no walleye caught (at potential spawning areas) during the electroshocking survey. One site was sampled for walleye eggs in the Driftpile River on June 3, 1997 (See Figure 7). Eight kick samples produced 1 small unidentified egg (egg diameter approximately 1.9 mm) and 110 pike and/or sucker eggs. The unknown egg tested negative for walleye DNA. Kick samples were conducted in a variety of habitats, from shallow riffles (0.3 meters deep) to calm backwaters (0.8 meters deep). Substrates consisted of gravel/cobble with a thin layer of silt in the slower current.

One site was sampled for walleye eggs in the Swan River on June 2, 1997 at George Gallagher’s access (upstream of Swan Valley bridge). A detailed map of the location is shown in Figure 9. Six kick samples produced 69 sucker and/or pike eggs. Substrates were composed of cobble and water depths ranged from 0.3 to 0.9 meters. Only ¼ to ½ of the river width was available for kick samples. Most of the river was too deep for wading.

4.3.3 Assineau River, Marten River and Mission Creek

The Assineau River was surveyed on June 2, 1997 for the presence of walleye eggs. One sample site was established at the bridge crossing in the Hamlet of Assineau (See Figure 10). Eight kick samples produced 159 sucker and/or pike eggs (no walleye eggs). Substrates consisted of clean gravel and cobble that was most likely placed there to prevent the bridge abutments from washing out. Water depths were 0.4 meters.

Marten River was surveyed on May 29. 1997 for walleye eggs. There were 2 sampling areas established upstream of the lower bridge crossing (See Figure 11). Eighteen kick samples produced 3 small eggs, 1.5 mm in diameter (species unknown – eggs too small to be walleye) and 314 pike and/or sucker eggs (egg diameter 3.0mm). No DNA testing was conducted on these egg samples. Kick samples were conducted in riffles and runs with cobble and gravel substrates.

18 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

' Marten River River

631520 Tributary 6152920 Subdivision 631710 6152870

Marten

Lesser Unnamed

Slave Egg sampling sites (no walleye eggs found)

Gravel road

Lake 0 0.25 0.5

Kilometers Figure 11. Marten River sampling sites with UTM coordinates

Depths ranged from 0.3 to 0.9 meters. Habitat between the lake and the lower bridge crossing consisted of shallow pools, 0.4 to 2.0 meters deep with silt substrates (no spawning potential). If walleye utilize this creek, it appears to be limited. However, spawning areas could be further upstream.

Mission Creek, located in Joussard, was surveyed on May 22, 1997 for walleye eggs. One sample site was established immediately upstream of the festival grounds, close to the mouth location. Eight kick samples produced 13 pike and/or sucker eggs (no walleye eggs). Substrates consisted of gravel, cobble and the odd boulder. Kick samples were conducted in various habitats, from fast riffles to slow runs. Most eggs found in faster current. Water depths ranged from 0.6 to 1.2 meters. Fair spawning stream for walleye.

19 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

4.3.4 Lesser Slave Lake

Sixteen sites were sampled for walleye eggs in 3 different areas: 1) Joussard, 2) Giroux Bay and 3) Spruce Point Park. Figures 12 to 14 show egg sample site locations for the 3 areas on Lesser Slave Lake.

565344 Lesser 6140045 565788 6139845 566210 6139765 Slave 566580 ' 6139657 565117 6139615 Lake Joussard 567089 6139332 Creek

Mission 567484 6138892

568101 6138568

568700 6138351 568197 Highway #2 6138192

Egg sampling sites No walleye eggs found walleye DNA test - positive

walleye DNA test - negative

Highway 0 0.5 1 Gravel road Kilometers

Figure 12. Joussard and area egg sampling sites with UTM coordinates

Nine sites were sampled for eggs at Joussard on May 22, 1997. The Joussard location includes the shoreline in front of the Joussard townsite from Mission Creek to the access road situated at the extreme east end of Joussard, a distance of 3.5 kilometres. Sample sites to the east of the townsite were located approximately 400 meters from shore on willow clumps/rock outcroppings (rocks visible during low water levels). Substrates were primarily cobble and gravel. Water depths ranged from 0.4 to 1.5 meters. Egg densities ranged from 0 – 66 eggs/site with a mean of 21.8 eggs/site. The Mission Creek mouth site yielded no eggs. The 8 sites that contained

20 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Lesser Slave Lake

Marina 586169 586566 6131538 6131533 587261 6131382

Campground Highway #2 Faust

Egg sampling sites

walleye DNA test - positive walleye eggs - no DNA analysis

Highway Gravel road '

0 0.25 0.5

Kilometers Figure 13. Giroux Bay (Faust townsite) egg sampling sites with UTM coordinates

Lesser

Slave 598280 4 6141933 Lake 1

5973063 6140602 2

Egg sampling sites 596506 61395402 walleye DNA test - positive 3 walleye eggs - no DNA analysis

595611 Gravel road 61385121 Spruce 4 Point Park 0 0.5 1

Kilometers '

Figure 14. Spruce Point egg sampling sites with UTM coordinates

21 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

potential walleye eggs were tested for walleye DNA. Six egg kick samples tested positive for walleye DNA. This confirms that walleye utilize the lakeshore near the town of Joussard for spawning purposes.

Three sites were sampled for walleye eggs in Giroux Bay on May 27, 1997. The entire shoreline was investigated from the Driftpile River to the Faust townsite. Kick samples were conducted if suitable spawning substrates were found. Small patches of gravel, cobble and sand were found in front of the Faust campground and on exposed willow clumps situated 400 meters from shore. Water depths ranged from 0.6 to 1.2 meters. All of the sample sites yielded walleye eggs. Egg densities ranged from 9 – 186 eggs/site with a mean of 87.6 eggs/site. Eggs collected at the Faust campground were the only eggs tested for the presence of walleye DNA.. The egg kick sample tested positive for walleye DNA indicating that walleye utilize the shoreline area at Faust for spawning. Walleye also appear to be utilizing the cobble that was used in the construction of the marina.

Four sites were sampled for walleye eggs along the Spruce Point Park shoreline on May 28, 1997. All four sites contained possible walleye eggs but only two sampling sites were analyzed for walleye DNA. Egg densities ranged from 4 – 170 eggs/site with a mean of 59.3 eggs/site. Site 1 and site 4 yielded positive walleye DNA results. At site #1, one 15 second kick sample yielded 161 eggs. This particular spot was located on a small hump or rise on the lake bottom. A mat of decaying vegetation, present on the hump, appears to have trapped the eggs (possibly carried in by the wave action). Site #4 was located on the breakwater in front of Spruce Point Park. The breakwater was constructed to protect the marina from rough wave action and silt deposition. Water depths ranged from 0.4 to 0.7 meters.

4.4 DNA Analysis

The genetic testing was conducted by Northern Bioidentification Services Limited (NBS) in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Species verification (between walleye and suckers) was successful in the DNA testing of the control samples. Results of the tests showed specific differences between the two groups (Bres 1997). All 8 walleye samples (4 muscle tissue and 4 gonad samples) from the

22 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Lesser Slave Lake region were identical and all six sucker samples were identical. The mixtures of walleye and sucker samples are detectable in dilutions of 1:1 and 1:5 but not higher. Therefore in a combined sample this test has some power to distinguish the presence of walleye eggs within a number of sucker eggs (Bres 1997). The test can assign unknown eggs as either walleye or suckers, but will not distinguish the two sucker species. The 4 walleye gonad samples sent as “unknown species” were identified as walleye from the DNA test results.

Egg kick samples from 3 different areas of Lesser Slave Lake (Joussard, Giroux Bay and Spruce Point Park) and from 4 tributaries to Lesser Slave Lake (Driftpile River, Swan River, Assineau River and Strawbery Creek) were analyzed for walleye DNA at the NBS lab in Winnipeg. The presence of walleye DNA in the egg samples was found at all 3 areas of Lesser Slave Lake and in Strawberry Creek (see Table 3).

5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

To evaluate the magnitude of the walleye spawning run that occurs on Strawberry Creek a spring trapnetting study should be conducted. A trap should be placed anywhere downstream of the Strawberry Service Bridge. The creek appears to have a potentially important spawning run from the electrofishing effort and numbers of walleye captured. Anglers have been observed catching walleye from the far west bridge on Strawberry Creek in early to mid June (L. Fullerton and R. Servetnyk pers. comm.). Enumerating the walleye run would help to determine better management strategies for this tributary spawning area.

Walleye catches, especially pre-spawn females, have risen dramatically in the past few years during the spring pike fishery on Lesser Slave Lake. The data collected during this study indicates that walleye are utilizing lakeshore habitat for spawning in the west basin of Lesser Slave Lake. Protection strategies for walleye should be implemented in the spring fishery.

23 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

6.0 LITERATURE CITED

Alberta Environment. N.D. Tech. Serv. Div., Surv. Br. Unpubl. Data. Edmonton.

Alberta Environmental Protection. Natural Resources Service. File data. Northwest Boreal Region, Peace River. Fisheries Management Division.

Auer, N. A. (ed.). 1982. Identification of larval fishes of the Great Lakes basin with emphasis on the Lake Michigan drainage. Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Special pub. 82-3:744 pp.

Berry, D. 1979. The status of yellow walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) in the South Heart River, Alberta, Alberta Energy and Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Division. Man. Rep. 29p.

Berry, D. 1981. An investigation of the fisheries resources of the inshore area of Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta. Alberta Energy and Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Division. Man. Rep. 128p.

Bres, O. 1997. Development of a PCR based test to distinguish walleye eggs from those of longnose sucker and white sucker. Northern Bioidentification Service Ltd. Prep. for AB. Envir. Prot., Nat. Res. Serv. 7p. +1 app.

Bres, O. 1998. Genotyping fish egg samples to determine species. Northern Bioidentification Service Ltd. Preliminary report. Prepared for AB. Envir. Prot., Nat. Res. Serv.

Collett, T. and T. R. Rhodes. 1995. An investigation of critical shoreline fisheries habitat in Lesser Slave Lake, 1994 & 1995. AB. Envir. Prot., Nat. Res. Serv., Fish. Mgmt. Div. 40p.

Dietz, K. 1979. Some aspects of the life history of walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) in Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta. Alberta Energy and Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Division. Man. Rep. 26p.

Dietz, K. 1982. Spawning movements of Lesser Slave Lake walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) into Buffalo Bay and the South Heart River. Report for Alberta Energy and Natural Resources by K.G.D. Environmental Consultants Ltd. 22p.

Dietz, K. and C. Tulman. 1981. The life history of walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) in Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta. Alberta Energy and Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Division. Man. Rep. 14p.

Environment Canada. 1991. Historical Streamflow Summary for Alberta to 1990. Inland

24 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Waters Directorate. Water Resources Branch, Water Survey of Canada. Ottawa, Canada.

Hartman, G.F. 1957. Report on the Heart River pickerel study. Alberta Lands and Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division. Man. Rep. 11p.

Johnson, F. H. 1961. Walleye egg survival during incubation on several types of bottom in Lake Winnibigoshish, Minnesota and connecting waters. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 90(3): 312- 322.

O’Neil, J. 1983. Walleye spawning movements into Buffalo Bay and the South Heart River (1983). Report for Alberta Energy and Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife Division by R.L.and L. Environmental Services Ltd. 49p.

Potter, K. L. and T. R. Rhodes. 1997. 1994 Lesser Slave Lake summer angler creel survey. AB.Envir. Prot., Nat. Res. Serv., Fish. Mgmt. Div. Slave Lake. 56 p. + 6 app.

Scott W.B. and E.J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Ottawa. Government of Canada, Fisheries and Oceans. Bulletin 184. 996p.

Walty, D.T. 1992. A comparison of walleye egg densities and substrate preferences for two walleye spawning areas in the South Heart/West Prairie Rivers. AB. Envir. Prot., Nat. Res. Serv., Fish. Mgmt. Div. Peace River. Unpl. Rept.

Zelt, K. 1973. Harvesting Longnose Suckers from the Driftpile River, Alberta. Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division. Unpublished Report

25 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Appendix A

Maturity and fork length data for walleye captured during the Lesser Slave Lake Spawning Assessment. Spring, 1997

Legend Sex Method GF – green female ES – electroshocking RF – ripe female GN – gill netting SF – spent female RM – ripe male

26 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Species Length Sex Method Date Stream Location WALL 506 SF ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 456 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 461 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 483 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 445 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 444 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 403 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 450 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 426 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 428 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 450 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 406 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 467 GF ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 394 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 369 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 431 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 533 GF ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 675 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 383 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 387 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 445 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 453 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 401 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 380 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 419 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 461 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 465 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 452 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 525 GF ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 442 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 440 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 435 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 483 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 470 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 391 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 399 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 422 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 373 RM ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 492 GF ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 490 GF ES 05/05/97 Strawberry Ck. gas bar WALL 423 RM ES 05/07/97 Strawberry Ck. upper section WALL 450 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 465 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 423 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 389 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 403 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 547 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 444 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 437 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 393 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 437 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 406 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam Species Length Sex Method Date Stream Location WALL 400 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 406 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 440 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 450 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam

27 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

WALL 433 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 512 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 395 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 447 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 440 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 398 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 397 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 416 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 570 GF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 400 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 555 RF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 415 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 435 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 373 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 389 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 420 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 505 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 502 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 494 SF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 465 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 410 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 575 GF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 420 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 451 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 420 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 410 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 436 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 406 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 417 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 563 GF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 454 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 462 GF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 449 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 421 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 421 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 385 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 411 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 434 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 403 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 460 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 402 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 393 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 537 GF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 408 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 466 GF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 431 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 551 GF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 501 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 392 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam Species Length Sex Method Date Stream Location WALL 395 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 366 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 437 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 478 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 476 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 444 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 436 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 435 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam

28 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

WALL 455 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 433 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 522 GF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 362 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 525 GF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 392 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 385 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 492 GF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 700 SF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 612 RF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 425 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 450 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 483 GF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 680 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 461 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 416 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 384 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 511 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 437 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 427 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 501 SF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 519 GF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 504 SF ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 411 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 440 RM ES 05/09/97 Strawberry Ck. below beaver dam WALL 459 GF ES 05/10/97 Driftpile R. @mouth WALL 390 RM ES 05/10/97 Driftpile R. @mouth WALL 395 RM GN 05/10/97 Driftpile R. @mouth WALL 345 RM GN 05/10/97 Driftpile R. @mouth WALL 516 GF ES 05/10/97 Driftpile R. @mouth WALL 400 RM ES 05/11/97 Driftpile R. middle section WALL 481 RM ES 05/11/97 Driftpile R. middle section

29 1997 Lesser Slave Lake Walleye Spawning Assessment

Length Distribution Strawberry Creek and Driftpile River Walleye (sexes combined), Spring 1997

50 n=145

40

30

20

Percent of Walleye (%) Walleye of Percent 10

0 200 300 400 500 600 700 Fork Length (mm)

30