Fisheries Assessment of the Kickapoo River from the Headwaters to Wilton,

Mary E. Temp 1, 2 1 Department of Resource Analysis, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona, Minnesota 55987; 2 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601

Keywords: Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI), warmwater, coldwater, trout stream classification, habitat assessment, electrofishing, Kickapoo River, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WiDNR), fisheries surveys

Abstract

In 2003, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WiDNR) conducted 5 fisheries surveys on the Kickapoo River between the Kickapoo River headwaters and Wilton, Wisconsin. Habitat surveys were also conducted on 3 of the 5 survey stations. Fisheries and habitat surveys were conducted as a part of the WiDNR baseline monitoring program. The objectives of monitoring the Kickapoo River were: to classify the stream according to aquatic life potential, help determine why this section of stream may not be reaching biotic potential, determine if resource management activities could improve stream conditions, document physical and biological trends, and quantify land and water use factors impacting the stream (WiDNR, 2000). Fisheries data from these stations were evaluated using the Coldwater Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) to Measure Environmental Quality and the IBI to Measure Environmental Quality in Warmwater Streams of Wisconsin. Trout per kilometer and biomass in kilograms per kilometer were also calculated based on actual fish caught per one time sampling effort. (Salmo trutta) population estimates were calculated for data on station 3 using the Chapman-Petersen method. Relative weights (Wr) were calculated for Brown trout in stations 1-4 based on standard weights (Ws) developed by Miewski and Brown (1994). Relative weights were also calculated for (Salvelinus fontinalis) in station 5 based on Ws values from Hyatt and Hubert (2001). Trout populations were evaluated and re-classification for part this section of the Kickapoo River was recommended. Species composition lists were compiled for each station and data were compared with past sampling efforts to evaluate fish community changes over time that might indicate changes in water quality, temperature conditions, and habitat changes. Habitat stations were evaluated using the Index of Habitat Integrity (IHI) for stations 1 and 3. Temperature data were collected 1997 through 2003 using a temperature logger above Wilton by the State Bike Trail. Instream and ambient air temperature data were compiled and compared. A Whole Effluent Toxicity (WET) test was conducted in station 1 and results were evaluated.

1 Introduction conditions. Currently unavailable is an IBI for coolwater, wadable, Wisconsin The La Crosse Area WiDNR sampled 15 streams, however several indicators of stations on the Kickapoo River between poor water quality apply to both warm 1999 and 2003. Sampling information and coolwater streams. was needed to assess the fisheries community on the Kickapoo River, fisheries populations, biotic potential, U%5 establish trout stream classification of ÚÊ the river, evaluate fisheries regulations set by the WiDNR, assess changes in the U%4 community over time, and provide water quality information. In 1999 and 2000, 10 fisheries U%3 stations were sampled between Ontario U%2 the Gays Mills Dam. In 2003, 5 stations were sampled on the upper reach of the U%1 Kickapoo River above Wilton. Data Wilton from all 15 stations were quite extensive, so this report is restricted to the analysis N ÚÊ Kickapoo springs U% Survey stations of the 5 survey stations from 2003. Kickapoo River State HWY The 2003 fisheries sampling effort 71 ÚÊ 131 started at the Highway (HWY) 131 Roads bridge above Wilton, and stations were Feeder Streams located throughout the stream to its Figure 1. Map of 2003 fisheries survey stations. origination upstream. This section of stream is approximately 12,080 meters Brown trout and brook trout long. The 5 stations surveyed covered populations were assessed and 949 meters of this stretch. Stations 1-4 classification of the stream is in the were wadeable, warmwater fisheries process of being upgraded accordingly stations. Mean stream widths per from non-classified trout water to stations range from 8.1 meters in station Class 1 above the Kickapoo Springs 1 to 3 meters in station 4. Station 5 was outlet. Relative weight (Wr) of brook a wadable, coldwater fisheries station and brown trout populations were and in contrast had a mean stream width evaluated and Proportional Stock of 1.5 meters. Figure 1 shows the 5 Densities (PSDs) were calculated. stations that were sampled on the Realizing the complexity of Kickapoo River in 2003. managing a stream’s fishery, this project Data from station 5 were evaluated looked at several other ecosystem factors using the Wisconsin IBI for Coldwater that affect the local fishery in addition to Streams and data from stations 1-4 were fish and habitat information. Other evaluated using the Wisconsin IBI for factors evaluated included geology, Warmwater Streams. The stretch of water temperatures, air temperatures, stream between stations 1-4 is indicative recent precipitation records, a Whole of a coolwater stream that has been Effluent Toxicity (WET) test, current degraded to create warmwater land use practices and trout stocking

2 information. While other factors also the WiDNR, is approximately 1.25 affect the fishery, this report is based on surface hectares (3 acres) in size, currently available data. contains a bottom draw dam, has been stocked with trout yearly in the past, and Background has been in existence since at least 1967. The WiDNR did work on this Watershed Characteristics impoundment in 1993, the dike was repaired and beaver dams were removed The Kickapoo River Watershed is from the adjoining Kickapoo River area. located in the non-glaciated area of No recent creel surveys are available for Wisconsin. The main stem of the this impoundment, however in 1970, car Kickapoo River is approximately 209 counts were preformed and 75 cars were kilometers (km) (130 miles) long counted in the parking lot at one time. starting just north of Wilton, and joining Today it remains a heavily used the at Wauzeka. recreational fishing area. Based on spatial analysis using Arcview Approximately 1,824 kilometers 3.2a, sub-watershed data layers in (1,135 miles) of stream enters the Wisconsin Transverse Mercator (WTM) Kickapoo River. The WiDNR has and datum NAD 1983/91, the Kickapoo classified 87.4 kilometers (54.3 miles) of River basin consists of 5 sub-watersheds these as Class 1 trout water, 123.6 totaling 1,990 square kilometers kilometers (76.8 miles) as Class 2 trout (491,694 acres). Table 1 shows the size water, and 108.6 kilometers (67.5 miles) of the 5 sub-watersheds in hectares and as Class 3 trout water. Classifications acres (WiDNR, 1998). The study area in are defined as follows. Class 1 is high 2003 was in a portion of the Upper quality trout water that has enough Kickapoo River sub-watershed. natural reproduction to sustain populations of wild trout near carrying Table 1. Sub-watersheds of the Kickapoo River capacity. Class 2 has some natural watershed basin and size structure. reproduction but not enough to take full Sub-watershed Hectares Acres advantage of available food and space. Lower Kickapoo 38,920 96,173 Class 3 trout water has marginal habitat Middle Kickapoo 63,876 157,848 Reads & Tainter Cr. 35,159 86,879 with no natural reproduction occurring, Upper Kickapoo 30,401 75,122 and indicates little to no survival of trout West Fork Kickapoo 30,585 75,577 from year to year (WiDNR, 2002).

One of the major tributaries to the Geology and Land cover main stem of the Kickapoo River in this section of river is Sleighton Creek. This The geology in the study area consists of creek enters the Kickapoo River in the layers of dolomite on the ridge tops with upper half of station 1 and was last underlying layers of sandstone and shale. surveyed in 1998. No trout were found Covered with shallow soils, a recent at that time and it was not classified as study done on baseflows in the Upper trout water (Raatz et al., 1998). Kickapoo Sub-watershed indicates that Just above station 4 is a man-made the pronounced topography of the area impoundment that flows into the creates strong local groundwater flow Kickapoo River named Kickapoo systems. This implies “that most Springs. This impoundment, owned by

3 groundwater flowing into a stream prairie, and lowland shrubs (WiDNR, originates from within its surface 1998). watershed” (Gaffield et al., 1998). The study area is still a traditional Groundwater that affects baseflow in agricultural area with three major this area originates from the St. feeding operations using the river for Lawrence Formation and Upper Tunnel watering and grazing of livestock. City Group. Gaffield’s (1998) study However, the region just south and suggested that wooded hillslopes are downstream of the survey area is probably the most critical recharge areas becoming increasingly a recreational to the watershed and that “spring forms destination. The Kickapoo River are an important hydraulic connection watershed has several large state-owned between aquifer and streams”. recreational areas that include: Wildcat High gradient coldwater streams in State Park at 1,457 hectares (3,600 this area rely heavily on ground water to acres) with only 65 of these hectares control summer stream temperatures. (160 acres) in crop production, the La The impact is greatest in headwater Farge Recreation Area at 3,468 hectares streams were the groundwater discharge (8,569 acres) with 362 hectares (894 rate is large relative to stream discharge acres) in crop production, and the (Gaffield, 2000). Other conditions Kickapoo River Wildlife Area which effecting instream temperatures include includes over 2,833 hectares (7,000 shading by riparian vegetation and acres) of DNR owned land and channel width with these factors being as easements. In 1999, it is estimated that important as groundwater inputs in some anglers and canoeist spent approximately locations. Gaffield’s research indicated 2 million dollars in the Kickapoo River springs produced the greatest cooling in Valley (Ripp et al., 2002). concentrated areas at a spring but diffuse Seven documented dams have groundwater discharge “probably existed on the Kickapoo main stem over provides valuable summer habitat in less the last 100 yrs. All dams have been than extreme weather conditions”. abandoned, except the Gays Mills Dam. Land cover for the Kickapoo River In 1971, the U.S. Army Corps of watershed in 1993, consisted of 28% Engineers (Corps) started construction of forage crops, 23% northern oak, 18% a new dam at La Farge but the project mixed/other broad-leaved deciduous was abandoned after local concerns were forest, 12% grassland, 12% corn, 2% raised and funding was canceled. other row crops, 1% coniferous forest, Removal of the dams, improved 1% wet meadow, and 1% barren. Pre- agricultural practices such as contour settlement land cover by comparison strips, the Trout Unlimited Home Rivers consisted of 86% deciduous forest with Initiative, and conversion of land from sugar maple, basswood, red oak, white agricultural to recreational use has oak, black oak, burr oak and oak helped improve river conditions in openings, 9% grassland and brush, 3% several areas. However, water quality mixed conifer/deciduous forest made up and fisheries community health still of white and red pine, and 2% wetland needs improvement especially in the vegetation, including lowland 2003 sampling area. Several water hardwoods, marsh, sedge meadow, wet quality issues still need to be addressed in the area above Wilton to improve

4 water quality including poor land use Kickapoo River. The WiDNR has been practices, bank erosion, lack of overhead stocking this portion of the Kickapoo cover in the stream corridor, grazing of River above Wilton since 1990 with woodlots, and illegal irrigation practice. brown trout. Over these last 13 years, More demographic and detailed 12,335 domestic-strain yearlings, 500 background information can be found in domestic-strain adults, and 3,060 wild- the State of the Basin Report - Lower strain yearlings have been stocked. The Wisconsin (Ripp et al., 2002) and 3,060 wild-strain, brown trout were “Integrated Demographic Information stocked in 2003 on April 30th. These and LandSat ™ Data at a Watershed trout had an average length of 165 Scale” (Kuczenski et al., 2000). millimeters (mm) (6.5”) with an average weight of 53 grams (g). Also 1,000 Fisheries domestic-strain, brown trout were stocked on April 14, 2003. The As early as 1947, there was already domestic-strain trout averaged 249 mm public interest in classifying the (9.8”) in length and 172 g in weight. Kickapoo River as trout water. A letter Both domestic and wild-strain fish were from WiDNR personnel, Thayre stocked between stations 2 and 4. Mc Cutchin to Charles Lloyd explains In 1997, 2 Hilsenhoff Biotic Index how panfish and bullheads were being scores were calculated for this reach of stocked between Ontario and La Farge at stream between station 3 and 4 off the time. Local sportsmen claimed to be Lincoln Avenue. This index indicates catching trout in this area but Mr. the amount of organic pollution based on McCutchin stated “the nearly impossible invertebrates sampled. Scores and rating conditions for shocking” at that time and for this test are defined in Table 2. The believed the Kickapoo River should Kickapoo River Hilsenhoff Biotic Index remain non-trout water (Mc Cutchin, scores ranged from 5.825 (fair) in April 1947). to 4.435 (very good) in October. This is Past fisheries sampling efforts important because it verifies organic occurred on the Kickapoo River between pollution is occurring in this section of 1940 and 1993. Previous fisheries the Kickapoo River during the spring. surveys on the study area occurred in 1962, 1970, and 1993 using Table 2. Hilsenhoff Biotic Index scores and electrofishing sampling techniques. rating model information. Biotic Water Degree of Organic Pollution During the time of these surveys, pH, Index Quality conductivity, water temperature, and 0.00-3.50 Excellent No apparent organic pollution habitat data were also collected. 3.51-4.50 Very Good Possible slight organic pollution Continuous forage species removal from the Kickapoo River by bait dealers, 4.51-5.50 Good Some organic pollution increase trout fishing in the area, water 5.51-6.50 Fair Fairly significant organic pollution quality improvement in surrounding 6.51-7.50 Fairly Poor Significant organic pollution streams, removal of several Kickapoo 7.51-8.50 Poor Very significant organic pollution River dams, and the stocking of trout in 8.51-10.00 Very Poor Severe organic pollution this area have increased the need for new data to affirm or reject possible trout This organic loading coincides with water status for this section of the when farmers would be doing spring planting and fertilizing on local farms.

5 Methods surveys on their property, and IBI protocols. Station length was The 5 stations surveyed on the established by taking the estimated mean headwaters of the Kickapoo River in stream length X 35 as specified in IBI 2003, were sampled by single run protocol. Some stations were lengthened electrofishing surveys with a stream to end at an instream habitat change. shocker on stations 1 through 4 with a Station 1 was the most downstream second mark and recapture run on station station gradually moving up stream to 3. The stream shocker consisted of a 1.8 station 5. Station lengths are indicated meter (m) (6’) long by .9 m (3’) wide in Table 3. fiberglass boat that was .4 m (15”) deep with a 2,500 watt generator. Three Table 3. Length of stations surveyed on the Kickapoo River in 2003. electrode probes were used on the front Station Length Meters of the boat with oblong anode rings that 1 240 were approximately 229 mm (9”) wide 2 250 by 305 mm (12”) long. A metal plate on 3 202 the bottom of the boat worked as the 4 120 cathode. Straight direct current (DC) 5 137

power was used during sampling. All The IBI to Measure Environmental stream shocker electrofishing stations Quality in Warmwater Streams of had 3 people netting using 6.35 mm Wisconsin was used to evaluate fish data (.25”) mesh. from stations 1-4. The warmwater IBI Station 5 was sampled using a model was used because the section of backpack shocker consisting of a 12 volt stream between Wilton and the DC battery with an adjustable pulse rate Kickapoo Springs outflow, which had that was set at 80 pulses per second with traditionally been a coolwater stream, a duty of 20% of available current. The has been degraded to warmwater status. anodes were consistent with the probes Instream temperature monitoring used on the stream shocker. The cathode between 1997 and 2003 indicate water consisted of an attached tail that was 1.8 temperatures exceeding coolwater m (6’) in length. One netter used a dip stream temperatures. Coolwater streams net consisting of 6.35 mm (.25”) stretch are considered streams with average mesh to sample the station. maximum daily mean temperatures All game fish were measured by .5 between 22oC and 24oC (Lyons et al., inch groups and weighed in grams. The 1996). No coolwater IBI exists for length of each fish was measured as total Wisconsin at this time. The Coldwater length. Non-game species were counted Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) to and aggregate weight was recorded. Measure Environmental Quality was Past sampling efforts only established used to calculate a water quality score non-game species as abundant (A), for station 5. common (C), or scarce (S), so non-game The warmwater IBI scores are species from these 2003 data were then based on 12 different metrics. The last 2 put into the appropriate categories. metrics only affect the score when Stations were established based on extreme. These include low numbers of past locations of surveys, ability to get individual fish or high percent of landowner permission to conduct deformities, eroded fins, lesions, or

6 tumors (Lyons, 1992). The 10 constant A poor rating indicates relatively few metrics are: species that are tolerant to low water quality, dominated by omnivores, habitat Species Richness and Composition generalists, with few top carnivores or Total number of native species simple lithophilous spawners, and Number of darter species growth rates and condition factors that Number of sucker species are sometimes depressed. A very poor Number of sunfish species rating shows very few species present Number of intolerant species that are mostly tolerant forms, exotics, or Percent that are tolerant species hybrids with few large or old fish. A very poor rating may also indicate not Trophic and Reproductive function enough species were present to calculate Percent that are omnivores an IBI (Lyons, 1992). Percent that are an insectivore The coldwater IBI looks at 5 Percent that are a top carnivore different metrics including: Percent that are simple lithophilous spawners (Lyons, 1992) Number of intolerant species Percent of all individuals that are Warmwater IBI scores range from tolerant species 0 to 100. Scores and ranges are Percent of all individuals that are top generalized into 6 categories. Table 4 carnivore species shows overall Warmwater IBI scores Percent of all individuals that are with the corresponding IBI rating. native or exotic stenothermal cold water or cool water species Table 4. IBI scores and corresponding IBI Percent of salmonid individuals that rating. are brook trout (Lyons et al., 1996). Overall IBI score Biotic Integrity rating 100-65 Excellent 64-50 Good Table 5 shows the coldwater IBI scoring 49-30 Fair system with the appropriate ratings. 29-20 Poor 19-0 Very poor Table 5. Coldwater IBI scores and ratings. No score Very poor Overall IBI score Biotic Integrity rating 100-90 Excellent An excellent rating represents 80-60 Good minimal human disturbance, expected 50-30 Fair 20-10 Poor species for habitat and stream size with a 0 or no score Very poor balanced trophic structure. Good represents a species richness that is An excellent rating indicates the least below expectations with a loss of the human disturbance, mottled sculpins most intolerant species and a trophic (Cottus bairdi) or slimy sculpins (Cottus structure that shows signs of an cognatus) are usually common, and imbalance. A fair rating shows a greater brook trout are the top carnivores. Good decrease in species richness, increased represents a stream that has some abundance of tolerant species, loss of environmental degradation and reduction intolerant species, a highly skewed in biotic integrity, exotic salmonids often trophic structure, and an older age class dominate, and brook trout or sculpins are of top carnivores that are rare or absent. either absent or uncommon. Fair

7 coldwater streams have moderate The data set only included fish 140 mm environmental degradation, intolerant (5.5 in) in length up to 554 mm (23 in). and native stenothermal coldwater Brook trout Wr was calculated using Ws species are uncommon or absent. Poor equation of log10 Ws (g) = -5.186 + streams have major environmental 3.103 log10 TL (mm) for station 5 degradation and total species richness (Hyatt and Huberts, 2001). may be relatively high but intolerant Proportional Stock Densities species and top carnivores are absent. (PSDs) for brown trout on stations 1-4 Very poor coldwater IBI scores were measured using number of fish > represent a stream that has had so much quality length/number of fish > stock degradation that either only warmwater length X 100. A brook trout PSD was or tolerant species remain (Lyon et al., calculated for station 5 using the same 1996). equation. Quality and stock lengths Data from stations 1 through 5 were based on lotic trout species were used to calculate biomass of trout research only. The brown trout stock in kilograms (kg) per hectare (pounds length used was 15 centimeters (cm) (6”) per acre), kg per kilometer (km) (pounds with a quality length of 23 cm (9”) per mile), number of trout per hectare (Milewski and Brown, 1994). The brook (acre), and number per km (mile). These trout stock length was 13 cm (5”) with a numbers were calculated based on actual quality length of 20 cm (8”) (Hyatt and fish caught with an estimated gear Huberts, 2001). A PSD of 40-70 is efficiency of 49%. This is consistent considered balanced, <40 dominated by with the gear efficiency calculated in the small fish, and >70 comprised primarily population estimate preformed in Station of large fish. 3. An overall population estimate of Limited habitat data were brown trout was calculated using collected on station 5. Habitat information from stations 1-4 for 10.5 information was collected on stations 1 km (6.5 miles) of stream. There was and 3 following the protocol established such a change in habitat and stream in the “Guideline For Evaluating Habitat conditions above the outflow of of Wadeable Streams” (Simonson et al., Kickapoo Springs that separate 1994). In stations 1 and 3, data were population estimates were calculated for collected at transect locations that ran brook trout in the upper reach and brown perpendicular to the stream bank. Each trout in the lower reach. A list of species station had 12 transects that were equally for all stations was also generated spaced throughout stations 1 and 3. Data showing total number caught. collection included substrate evaluation, The condition factor of brown stream width/depth measurements, trout on the Kickapoo was calculated instream fish cover measurements, using weight-length regressions, riffle/pool/run distances, stream bank grouping data from stations 1-4, and elevations, stream buffer information comparing them to the proposed and erosion. Measurements were then standard weight (Ws) equations and entered into the Index of Habitat length-categorization stands established Integrity (IHI) for Wisconsin. This by Milewski and Brown (1994). The Ws model calculated individual scores for equation for brown trout used was log10 riparin buffer width, bank erosion, pool Ws (g) = -4.867 + 2.960 log10 TL (mm). area, width:depth ratio, riffle:riffle or

8 bend:bend ratio, fine sediment, and are shown in Table 6. Station 5 scored cover for fish. An overall score was 90 or excellent rating using the then assigned representing a range from Coldwater IBI for Wisconsin streams. poor to excellent. Qualitative ratings are excellent > 75; good 50 to 74; fair 25 to Table 6. Warmwater IBI scores for stations 1-4. 49; poor < 25. Station Warmwater 1 24 poor Instream temperature data were 2 17 very poor collected at the lower end of station 3 3 12 very poor from 1997 through 2003. For this report 4 39 fair the temperature data from 2001-2003 will be used because those are the only The poor to very poor ratings of stations years that data for all months were 1-3 indicate a lack of species that are collected. A StowAway Tidbit intolerant to poor water quality. Low temperature data logger was used to scores for stations 1-4 also verify a record hourly temperatures each day. skewed trophic structure for the area Mean, median, minimum, maximum, with an older age class of top carnivores and range of temperature per month was that is rare or absent. Species are calculated. dominated by omnivores, habitat Precipitation data were acquired generalists, with few simple lithophilous from the National Climate Data Center. spawners. All of these indicators This information was based on readings suggest poor water quality in this area. from the Sparta, Wisconsin weather Brown trout populations greatly station. Precipitation records from 2002 increased over the past 10 years, going and half of 2003 were then compared to from 2 in 1,432 m of sampling in 1993 30-year precipitation averages. to 88 in 572 m of sampling in 2003. The On November 11, 2003 water PSD calculated for brown trout using samples were collected from the data from stations 1-4 equaled 22. The Kickapoo River in station 1. A Whole PSD for brook trout in station 5 equaled Effluent Toxicity (WET) test was 16. Any score under 40 indicates a performed. For this toxicity test fathead fishery dominated by small fish. minnows (Pimephales promelas) and Relative weights (Wr) calculated for water fleas (Ceriodaphnia dubia) were wild-strain and domestic-strain brown exposed to the undiluted water sample. trout at the time of stocking were 135 Survival/reproduction of Ceriodaphnia and 95 receptively. Wr’s of 105-95 were dubia and survival/growth rates for the considered in the normal condition fathead minnows in the sample water range. Scores calculated for fish were then compared to rates of surveyed indicated that 6% of sampled survival/growth/reproduction of brown trout over 5.5 inches long were laboratory controls (Koperski, 2004; above the 105 range, indicating better WiSLH, 2004). Water chemistry was than average condition with 79% in the evaluated for dissolved oxygen, pH, normal condition range, and 15% below conductivity, hardness, and alkalinity. the normal range of 95. None of the 6% that had condition factors greater than Results 105 were higher than 135, the original condition of stocked wild strain trout. Warmwater IBI scores for stations 1-4 These condition factors verify that

9 growth rates are poorer than expected if (Ceriodaphnia dubia) that were exposed this was a high quality stream. to the undiluted water sample. Habitat ratings were also Water chemistry showed dissolved calculated in 2003 for stations 1 and 3. oxygen levels around 11 mg/l, pH of 8, Station 1 was considered fair with a conductivity ranging between 391-455 rating of 43 and station 3 was considered umhos/cm, hardness ranging from 228- good with a rating of 60. However fish 236 mg/l, and an alkalinity of 211 mg/l. cover for both stations was considered All of these chemistry readings were poor with a rating of 0. within a range conducive to trout Monthly median, maximum, and survival. range of instream water temperatures collected in station 3 for July-December Station 1 in 2001-2003 showed maximum temperatures reaching at least 27.2oC A 240-meter section of stream on the (81oF) each year with minimum Kickapoo River was sampled starting at temperatures reaching -.07oC (31.88oF). the Hwy 131 bridge in Wilton and going Temperature highs and lows ranged up upstream. This area is just below were to 19oC (34.28oF) within a one month Sleighton Creek enters the Kickapoo period. Median water temperatures were River. This section of stream was also highest in July and August for all three surveyed in 1962 and 1970. The 1962 years. Median temperatures ranged from survey station was 732 meters long and 19.9oC (66.08oF) to 20.9oC (69.58oF). started downstream from the bridge. The Instream water temperatures were also 1970 station started at the bridge but was taken downstream by Ontario, 274 meters long. A complete listing of Wisconsin. These data consistently species found per year is shown in showed the same temperature variation Table 7. The table also shows each with similar maximums, medians, and species, tolerance to poor water quality ranges. Monthly mean ambient air and temperature type based on Lyons temperatures for January to July of 2003 (1992) classifications. showed no significant variation from 30 The greenside darter (Etheostoma year averages. blennioides) and the red shiner (Notropis Yearly precipitation in this area lutrensis) were also found on previous was 43.2 mm (1.7”) above average in occasions but were most likely 2002 and 168.9 mm (6.65”) below misidentified based on distribution average in 2003. Water levels were low ranges in Wisconsin established in when sampling occurred due to low “Fishes of Wisconsin” (Becker, 1983). accumulative precipitation starting in Important species changes in this station November 2002 to June 2003. During were the disappearance between 1962 the time of our sampling, it was also and 2003 from this stretch of the discovered that water was being Kickapoo River of the American brook removed from the stream in station 5 for lamprey (Lampetra appendix), central irrigation purposes. stoneroller (Campostoma oligolepis), The Whole Effluent Toxicity test and suckermouth minnow (Phenacobius showed no toxicity to fathead minnows mirabilis). However the previously (Pimephales promelas) and water fleas absent longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) became abundant.

10 Table 7. Fish species list by year for station 1 including 1962, 1970, and 2003. Temperature types and tolerances to poor water quality per species are presented. Abbreviations for number of species are as follows: S, scarce; C, common; A, abundant. Tolerance abbreviations are as follows: I, intolerant; T, tolerant; O, other. Appreviations for temperature types based on Lyons (1992) are as follows: ECD, exotic stenothermal coldwater; NCL, native stenothermal coolwater; NCD, native stenothermal coldwater; NWW native stenothermal warmwater; NEU, native eurythermal. ______Common name Scientific name Tolerance Temp. 1962 1970 2003 Lampreys Petromyzontidae American brook lamprey Lampetra appendix I NCL S S - Minnows - Cyprinidae Central stoneroller Campostoma oligolepis O NEU A A - Common shiner Luxilus cornutus O NEU A A C Bigmouth Shiner Notopis dorsalis O NWW C - C Suckermouth minnow Phenacobius mirabilis O NWW A - - Southern redbelly dace Phoxinus erythrogaster O NEU C S C Bluntnose minnow Pimephales notatus T NEU A S C Fathead minnow Pimephales promelas T NEU S - - Bullhead minnow Pimephales vigilax O NEU - - S Blacknose dace Rhinichthys atratulus T NEU A - A Longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae O NEU - - C Creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus T NEU A A C Suckers-Catostomidae White sucker Catostomus commersoni T NEU A A A Bullhead catfishes-Ictaluridae Stonecat Noturus flavus O NEU S S S Trouts-Saimonidae Oncorhynchus mykiss O ECD S - - Brown trout Salmo trutta O ECD S - C Brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis I NCD - - S (Only 1) Sunfishes-Centrarchidae Green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus T NEU - - S Perches-Percidae Fantail darter Etheostoma flabellare O NEU - C C Johnny darter Etheostoma nigrum O NEU S - C

Seventy-nine percent of all species The habitat rating index for station caught were tolerant to lower dissolved 1 was fair with a score of 43. Under the oxygen levels and disturbed habitat. rating system the following individual Actual number of brown trout ratings were also calculated: caught in this section of stream was riparian buffer/good, bank erosion (lack calculated to be 84 trout per km (134 of)/good, pool areas/fair, width to depth trout per mile). If the gear efficiency of ratio/fair, riffle to bend ratio/excellent, this sample were consistent with rates fine sediment/fair, and fish cover/poor. found in station 3, it could be estimated that the total population of brown trout Stations 2-4 in this stretch of the Kickapoo River was 171 trout per km (273 trout per mile) Fish species composition was evaluated with a biomass estimates of 20.6 kg per with comparable stations from previous km (74 lbs per mile). fisheries surveys paying particular

11 attention to 1970 and 1993 data on indicates a decrease in water quality stations 2-4. When looking at station conditions. Species intolerant to poor 2-4, species diversity increased from 10 water quality decreased between stations fish species in 1970, 17 in 1993 (Hanson 2-4 including redside dace (Clinostomus et al., 1993), to 18 in 2003. A detailed elongates), American brook lamprey, species comparison per station from the and sculpins. The most important of 1993 to 2003 data can be found in Table these decreases was the complete loss of 8. sculpins from station 3, where they were Though there was not a large change once common, and the loss of redside in the number of species between 1993 dace from stations 2/3. Species tolerant and 2003, the shift in species to poor water quality that became more composition between these years

Table 8 – Fish species list by year for stations 2-4 including 1993 and 2003. Temperature types and tolerances to poor water quality per species are presented. Abbreviations for number of species are as follows: S, scarce; C, common; A, abundant. Numbers following species found indicate what stations they were found throughout. Tolerance abbreviations are as follows: I, intolerant; T, tolerant; O, other. Appreviations for temperature types based on Lyons (1992a) are as follows: ECD, exotic stenothermal coldwater; NCL, native stenothermal coolwater; NCD, native stenothermal coldwater; NWW native stenothermal warmwater; NEU, native eurythermal. ______Common name Scientific name Tolerance Temp. 1993 2003 Lampreys Petromyzontidae American brook lamprey Lampetra appendix I NCL S 3 - Sculpins Cottidae Mottled Sculpin Cottus bairdi I NCL - C 4 Slimy Sculpin Cottus cognatus I NCL C 3/4 - Minnows – Cyprinidae Central stoneroller Campostoma oligolepis O NEU C C Common shiner Luxilus cornutus O NEU C S Bigmouth Shiner Notopis dorsalis O NWW - S 2/3 Southern redbelly dace Phoxinus erythrogaster O NEU S S Bluntnose minnow Pimephales notatus T NEU C A Fathead minnow Pimephales promelas T NEU S 2 S 3/4 Bullhead minnow Pimephales vigilax O NEU S 4 C 4 Blacknose dace Rhinichthys atratulus T NEU S 2 A 2/3 Longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae O NEU C C Redside dace Clinostomus elongatus I NCL C 2/3 S 4 Creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus T NEU C C Stickleback Gasterosteidae Brook stickleback Culaea inconstans O NCL C 4 S 3/4 Suckers-Catostomidae White sucker Catostomus commersoni T NEU A A Bullhead catfishes-Ictaluridae Stonecat Noturus flavus O NEU - S 2 Trouts-Saimonidae Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss O ECD - S 3 (Only 1) Brown trout Salmo trutta O ECD S 3 C 2/3/4 Perches-Percidae Fantail darter Etheostoma flabellare O NEU A A Johnny darter Etheostoma nigrum O NEU S C

12 common included the bluntnose minnow excellent, fine sediment/fair, and fish (Pimephales notatus), creek chub cover/poor. (Semotilus atromaculatus), fathead minnow, and the blacknose dace Station 5 (Rhinichthys atratulus). The percent of species tolerant to poor water quality Station 5 had a completely different was 67% in station 2, 65% in station 3, species composition that included 115 and 42% in station 4. Percent of mottled sculpins, 59 brook trout, 5 omnivorous species was 49% in station American brook lampreys (ammoceate), 2, 43% in station 3, and 11% in station 4. 1 brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans), These changes represent a change from and 1 white sucker (Catostomus poor water quality in station 2 to fair commersoni). With a mean stream water quality in station 4. width of 1.5 meters, this section of It should be noted that based on stream was considered excellent brook Beckers “Fisheries of Wisconsin” (1983) trout water. No direct survey fisheries distribution maps, it is probable comparison could be made based on past that sculpins identified in previous survey locations however a downstream surveys should have been identified as station surveyed in 1993 showed similar mottled sculpins not slimy sculpins. results. That station was above the Only mottled sculpins were found in Kickapoo Springs outflow and contained stations 4 and 5 in 2003, which would a more diverse species composition. It also indicated the slimy sculpins were also contained more adult brook trout misidentified. This is important to note and year classes, which would be because mottled sculpins are more expected because the streams width and tolerant to higher temperatures than depth are greater in that area. Relative slimy. weights (Wr) calculated for the brook The population estimate of brown trout in station 5 showed ¼ of the fish trout in station 3 using the Chapman- sampled had less than average condition Peterson model shows an estimated 430 factors. There were only 17 fish in the brown trout per km (696 per mile) with a sample size, so no distinct trend could be 95% confidence interval of +/- 134 trout assumed. per km (+/- 215 fish per mile). Biomass of brown trout in this section of stream Discussion was 48 kg per km (168 lbs per mile) of brown trout was based on average Fisheries weights X population estimates per inch group. Gear efficiency was 49%. No Wisconsin Warmwater IBI scores young of the year were found and only 2 indicate the water quality between age groups of brown trout were stations 1-4 is very poor to fair. Not apparent. only is the water quality marginal, trends The habitat rating index for station indicate the water quality and biotic 3 was fair with a score of 60. Individual fitness of the Kickapoo River between matrix ratings for station 3 were riparian station 1 and 4 has decreased over the buffer/good, bank erosion (lack of)/ last 10 years. This trend is apparent due good, pool areas/excellent, width to to the fact that previously sculpins were depth ratio/good, riffle to bend ratio/ found throughout station 3 and 4 not just

13 in station 4. American brook lampreys Stocked with brown trout in mid and late were not found in the 2003 surveys, April at a rate of 390 fish per km (625 however it should be noted that they fish per mile), survey work in early June were very scarce in past sampling showed an estimated rate of 273 fish per efforts. Redside dace, another species km (436 fish per mile). This difference 1 intolerant to poor water quality were also in an 1 /2 month period would indicate found in stations 2 or 3 before and now that survival rates are low. Low survival are only in station 4. Generally there has rates are also evident when looking at been an increase in fish species tolerant year to year survival. The stream has to poor water quality and a decrease in been stocked since 1990, however brown intolerant species. trout over 25.4 cm (10”) only comprised For the last 3 years, temperature an estimated 31 fish per km (49 fish per data collected in station 3 showed mile) or 9% of the survey sample. No instream water temperatures that reached brown trout were captured over 35.6 cm 27oC (81oF). Temperatures ranged up to (14”) long. Young of the year (YOY’s) 19oC (34.28oF) in a month period. were also absent in this section of the Unstable temperature conditions have Kickapoo River. This can be attributed lead to an increase in eurythermal fish to the extremely cold instream water species and a decrease in stenothermal temperatures during the peak spawning species. These temperature variations period. and extreme highs will not only affect Condition factors of the trout species composition but also limit brown stocked in April compared to the trout trout survival. caught in June, showed poor condition While this section of stream maintenance. It is expected that stocked should be considered Class 3 brown fish would loss some conditioning, trout water, conditions are less than however it is hoped that the length/ ideal. Brown trout prefer temperatures weight ratio would not fall below below 20oC (68oF) for satisfactory average expected condition. Of the fish growth, 12.2oC (54oF) for spawning, and stocked in April, ¾ of the fish stocked the upper lethal limit is considered were at 135% of average condition 25.6oC (78oF) (Becker, 1983). Even factors. Approximately 45 days later, though brown trout can survive 79% of fish displayed average temperatures up to 27.2oC (81oF) for conditioning and 6% had below average short periods of time, there are only a conditioning. few small feeder streams in this area that Even though water quality is not fish could seek refuge in during extreme the best in this stream, it must be noted temperatures. that 2003 was the first year that wild- Habitat sampling in station 1 and 3 strain brown trout were stocked in the scored adult fish cover as 0 or very poor. study area. In 2004, this area is Width to depth ratio ranged from fair to scheduled for stocking with only wild- good, and fine sediment ratings were fair strain brown trout and no domestic- indicating instream sedimentation was strain trout. A study done in the West occurring. The extreme temperature Fork of the Kickapoo River proved that conditions and lack of adult fish habitat yearly survival rates were much higher is reflected with a low PSD and average for wild brown trout strains vs. to below average condition factors. domestic-strain trout. Survival rates of

14 wild-strain brown trout were 1.3-4.5 redside dace . This species is on the times higher than domestic-strain brown states special concern list and due to its trout after 1 year and 4-42 times higher rarity may not be identified properly by after 2 years (Avery et al., 2001). harvester. This is also a species that has Several other streams around the state been declining in this section of stream have seen this same trend, were due to poorer water quality conditions previously poor trout streams had better over the last 10 years. survival rates and natural reproduction Station 5 is comprised of a totally when wild-strains of brown trout were different type of fisheries. This section introduced (Vetrano, 2004). Not only of stream is Class 1 brook trout water. are survival rates of wild trout higher, The brook trout population consists of growth rates improved in released wild- smaller fish and YOY’s. This area is strain fish and reduced noticeably the relatively small and lacks a lot of adult initial size advantage of domestic fish in fish cover. In 1993, more adults were the West Fork study (Avery et al., 2001) found directly down stream between Due to budget restraints, it should station 5 and the Kickapoo Springs be noted that the WiDNR stocking outflow. program is changing in 2004. All impoundments, including Kickapoo Land use Springs, will not be stocked. This is important to this section of the Kickapoo One of the major reasons for doing long Watershed because Kickapoo Springs is term monitoring of this stretch of the a major public impoundment and Kickapoo River was not only to assess provides accessibility to several different the fisheries but also to discover why user groups. In comparison, access on biotic potential and water quality were the main stem of the Kickapoo River substandard. Trends in the Wisconsin above Wilton is limited. From a have indicated that changes recreational perspective and due to poor in agricultural practices have decreased survival rates of stocked fish, it maybe a erosion rates, increased infiltration, better use of stocking resources to stock decreased flood peaks, and increased some of the brown trout scheduled for low flow in area streams (Gebert and the Kickapoo River main stem into Krug, 1996). However, it is apparent Kickapoo Springs instead. that this stretch of stream is not Seining by commercial bait following the same trend. harvesters heavily impacts this section of Several factors contribute to stream, especially in station 1. This is instream temperature conditions, so most likely the reason that central finding one particular cause-effect stoneroller and suckermouth minnows relationship may be impossible. What are no longer in station 1. The central can be ascertained is that a change in stoneroller species is particular water temperature occurred in the time susceptible to depletion in a specific period between 1993 and 2003 based on location because the species does not changes in fish species compositions. tend to move back into areas of over Temperature data between 2001-2003 harvest (Becker, 1983). Another species showed consistent warmwater that the WiDNR needs to be concerned temperatures from year to year even with in this section of stream is the though precipitation changed yearly.

15 Ambient air temperatures did not vary ultimately change the possible use of the significantly from 30-year average in the surface water, and stream classification 6-month period prior to our sampling (WiDNR, 1997) effort. Beaver activity in 1993 could Agricultural land use practices in have affected instream temperatures, the area are not following the same however they were removed in 1993 and trends as in lower areas of the Kickapoo removal should have actually improved Watershed. This area is still intensely water temperatures. farmed and ideal management practices It is reasonable to assume that are not in place. Stream banks remain warmer water would be entering the relatively unstable, buffer strips are Kickapoo River from Kickapoo Springs minimal, and erosion problems are and elevating stream temperatures. prevalent. Organic loading is occurring However, this impoundment has not had during spring planting and livestock any depth or discharge increase since the watering areas on the stream are 1960’s. Kickapoo Springs is also a common. The change from 86% bottom draw dam, which is suppose to deciduous forest in presettlement times reduce or eliminate the thermal effects of to approximately 42% forest in 1993, the impoundment. Stream widths will verifies the trend of deforestation in the also affect instream water temperatures. area. This is again especially critical due When comparing habitat surveys from to the shallowness of the aquifer 1993 to 2003, no appreciable difference providing baseflow to the Upper in stream widths or depths could be Kickapoo Watershed. Loss of found. vegetation and organic topsoil drastically Looking at as many factors as decrease the ability of the soil to absorb possible, it appears water quality has precipitation, creating flooding, and decreased due to poor land use practices erosion problems (Garfield et al., 1998). and illegal irrigation in the area. What we know for sure is that water was being Recommendations illegally drawn from the coldest part of the Kickapoo River for irrigation The Kickapoo River from the Hwy 131 purposes in 2003. The area this water Wilton, bridge to below the Kickapoo was drawn from has been under new Springs outflow should be monitored the ownership since 2000 and the water is next few years to evaluate if stocking being used for a commercial greenhouse wild-strain brown trout has improved operation. This could have a significant trout survival rates. All waters upstream impact on water temperatures in the of the Kickapoo Springs outflow should stream during the summer when water be classified as Class 1 trout water. This needs for irrigation would also be would provide protection of this section highest. This is especially critical due to of stream from further seining for forage the geology of the area, where relatively species, development of ponds, and use shallow aquifers contribute the most to of water for irrigation. the stream’s baseflow. A reduction in The temperature of the Kickapoo baseflow could increase stream River should continue to be monitored in temperatures to a level that would reduce Station 3. In conjunction, temperature habitat for cold-water species. A monitors should be installed below the reduction in quantity of water might outflow of Kickapoo Springs

16 impoundment to ascertain if the improve water quality conditions. They impoundment is having an effect on also need the means to implement these instream water temperatures. Even practices. As a part of this, illegal though Kickapoo Springs may not be irrigation from the stream in this area causing the higher than usual water should be stopped. temperatures, the WiDNR can possible The lack of fish cover in this area use control measures on the also makes this an ideal section of impoundment to improve water stream for the WiDNR’s easement temperatures. A temperature monitor program. Through this program not only should also be put in the feeder stream could poor land use practices be address that enters the Kickapoo River above the but also the stream could be narrowed impoundment. Fisheries surveys should and deepened, instream habitat could be be conducted next year also to assess the established, and overhead cover could be area between the outflow of the restored. This stream has the potential impoundment and upstream. of having trophy size brown trout due to From a recreational and biological the large amount of forage species but perspective, WiDNR resources might be only if temperature issues are addressed better allocated by only stocking half of and adult fish cover is provided. the wild brown trout scheduled for this Lastly, there is a proposed project section of the Kickapoo River into the on this stretch of stream to evaluate river proper next year. With limited stream flow and geology of the area access to this stretch of stream, low (Whistler, 2000). This project would survival rates, and the use of Kickapoo help define stream flows in the area and Springs in this area, it seems pragmatic evaluate future land use changes. If to provide more angling opportunities to funding becomes available, this could be a diverse clientele at the Kickapoo used to ascertain correlations between Springs impoundment. Enough wild land use, baseflow, and water quality brown trout would still be stocked into effects on fisheries compositions. the Kickapoo River to try and establish a better trout fishery. Follow up survey Acknowledgments work should be completed to determine if survival rates are better in this section I would like to thank my family, Pete, of stream using wild-strain brown trout. Anna, and Sadie for their patience Most importantly and probably the during the completion of this paper. I hardest to do, poor land use practices would also like to thank Dr. Mc Conville should be addressed in this section of for his patience and guidance on this stream. The best case scenario would be project. Last but not least, a big thank to provide financial incentives and you to all the WiDNR staff that provided educational information to the technical support, especially Pearl agricultural community to help improve Whistler, Dave Vetrano, John Raatz, land use practices. The community Cindy Koperski, Ralph Eswine, and needs to understand that establishing Dean Edlin. better erosion control methods, eliminate animal grazing and massive watering areas from the stream corridor, and provide better stream canopy will

17 References Lyons, J. 1992. Using the index of biotic integrity (IBI) to measure Avery, E. L., A. Niebur, and D. Vetrano. environmental quality in warmwater 2001. Field Performance of Wild and streams of Wisconsin. U.S. Forest Domestic Brown Trout Strains in Service. General Technical Report Two Wisconsin Rivers. WiDNR NC-149. 50 pp. Research Report 186. November Lyons, J., L. Wang. and T. D. Simonson. 2001, 15 pp. 1996. Development and validation of Becker, G. C. 1983. Fishes of an index of biotic integrity (IBI) for Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin coldwater streams in Wisconsin. Press, Madison. 1052 pp. North American Journal of Fisheries Gaffield, S.J. 2000. Evaluation of the Management 16:241-256. controls of summer stream Mc Cutchin, T. 1947. Kickapoo River temperature in the driftless area of investigations – written southwestern Wisconsin. University correspondence to Charles Lloyd. of Wisconsin. Madison. WiDNR La Crosse Service Center Garfield, S.J., K.R. Bradbary, and K. W. Files. Potter. 1998. Hydrologic assessment Milewski C. L. and M.L. Brown. 1994. of the Kickapoo Watershed, Proposed Standard Weight (WS) southwestern Wisconsin: Wisconsin Equation and Length-Categorization Geological and Natural History Standards for Stream-Dwelling Survey Open-File Report 1998-08, 81 Brown Trout (Salmo trutta). Journal pp. of Freshwater Ecology, Vol. 9, No. 2, Gerbert, W. A. and W.R. Krug. 1996. June 1994. 111-115. Stream Flow Trends in Wisconsin Raatz, J. R. et al. 1998. Sleighton Creek Driftless Area. Journal of the Stream Electrofishing Data American Water Resources Collection Sheet. Stations 1-4. Association. Vol. 32, No. 4, August WiDNR., La Crosse Service Center. 1996. Ripp, C., C. Koperski, and J. Folstad. Hanson, M., M. Andre, and J. Nuttal. 2002. The state of the Lower 1993. Stream Electrofishing Data Wisconsin River Basin. Wisconsin Collection Sheet – Kickapoo River – Department of Natural Resources. Monroe County. . June 14th–24th, Madison. Publ WT-559-2002. 1993 . La Crosse Sevice Center Files. Simonson, T. D., J. Lyons, and P. D. Hyatt, M.W. and W. A. Hubert. 2001. Kanehl. 1994. Guidelines for Proposed standard-weight equations evaluating fish habitat in Wisconsin for brook trout. N. American Journal Streams. U.S. Forest Service General fish Management. 21:253-254. Technical Report NC-164. Koperski, C. 2004. Personal Vetrano, 2004. Personal communication. January 4th, 2004. communication. January 2, 2004, WiDNR La Crosse Service Center. WiDNR La Crosse Service Center. Kuczenski, T. et al. 2000. Integrating Whistler, P. 2000. Memorandum: Demographic and LandSat Data at a Potential for Local Geology to alter Watershed Scale. UW-Madison. 41 Surface Water Conditions in the pp. Morris Creek/Kickapoo Watershed.

18 WiDNR, La Crosse Service Center evaluating habitat of wadable files. streams. Bureau of Fisheries WiDNR. 1997. Status of Groundwater Management and Habitat Protection, Quantity in Wisconsin. Madison. Monitoring and Data Assessment PUBL-DG-043-97 Section. WiDNR. 1998. The WISCLAND MadisonWiDNR. 2002. Wisconsin Land cover data based on data from Trout Streams. Madison. 1991-1993. Bureau of Enterprise Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene Information, Technology and (WiSLH). 2004. Applications. Madison. http://www.slh.wisc.edu/ehd/biomoni WiDNR. 2000. Guidelines for toring/wet.php. January 2nd, 2004.

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