An Evaluation of Walleye in the Missouri River Between Holter Dam and Great Falls, Montana
An Evaluation of Walleye in the Missouri River between Holter Dam and Great Falls, Montana PPL-Montana MOTAC projects 771-09, 771-10, 759-11, 771-11 and Fisheries Bureau Federal Aid Job Progress Report Federal Aid Project Number F-113-R9, R10, R11, R12 Montana Statewide Fisheries Management Submitted to PPL-Montana 336 Rainbow Dam Great Falls, Mt. 59404 Prepared by Grant Grisak, Brad Tribby and Adam Strainer Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 4600 Giant Springs Road Great Falls, Mt. 49505 January 2012 1 Table of Contents Introduction…………………………………………………………………………… 5 Study Area……………………………………………………………………………. 5 Creel survey………………………………………………………………… 10 Angling……………………………………………………………………... 10 Fish Abundance………………………………………………………………………. 11 Tagging……………………………………………………………………………….. 15 Radio Telemetry……………………………………………………………………… 17 Early Life History…………………………………………………………………….. 28 Diet…………………………………………………………………………………… 32 Discussion…………………………………………………………………………….. 34 References……………………………………………………………………………. 37 2 List of Tables No. Page 1. Angler use statistics for Missouri River section 9, 1991-2009………………... 8 2. Economic statistics for the Missouri River section 9, 1995-2009……………... 9 3. Angler use statistics for Missouri River section 8, combined angler days with 9 section 9, and economic statistics for section 8 and section 9, 1991- 2009……………………………………………………………………………. 4. Landmarks and associated river miles in the Missouri River between Holter 18 Dam and Black Eagle Dam……………………………………………………. 5. Meristics of radio tagged walleye in Missouri River, total miles traveled and 26 total days radio transmitter was active, 2008-2011……………………………. 6. Locations in the Missouri River and proportional use by radio tagged walleye 27 2008-10. Missouri River, Montana……………………………………………. 7. Young of the year walleye seined at sites in the Missouri River between 30 Cascade and Great Falls……………………………………………………….. 8. Number of fish species sampled by year and total number of sites where 31 found.
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