Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports 2018 Evaluation of a Re-established Walleye Population within a Hydropower Reservoir Recovering from Acidification Dustin M Smith Follow this and additional works at: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd Recommended Citation Smith, Dustin M, "Evaluation of a Re-established Walleye Population within a Hydropower Reservoir Recovering from Acidification" (2018). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 7294. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/7294 This Dissertation is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by the The Research Repository @ WVU with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Dissertation in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you must obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Dissertation has been accepted for inclusion in WVU Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports collection by an authorized administrator of The Research Repository @ WVU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Evaluation of a Re-established Walleye Population within a Hydropower Reservoir Recovering from Acidification Dustin M. Smith Dissertation submitted to the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Design at West Virginia University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Forest Resource Science Stuart Welsh, Ph.D., Chair Kyle Hartman, Ph.D. Patricia Mazik, Ph.D. David Smith, Ph.D. David Wellman, M.S. Division of Forestry and Natural Resources Morgantown, West Virginia 2018 Keywords: reservoir, biomonitoring, acidification, hydropower, Walleye, acoustic telemetry, fish community, water quality Copyright 2018 Dustin M. Smith ABSTRACT Evaluation of a Re-established Walleye Population within a Hydropower Reservoir Recovering from Acidification Dustin. M. Smith Cheat Lake, a hydropower reservoir in northern West Virginia, was impacted for decades by acid mine drainage and acid precipitation. Acidification of Cheat Lake likely reduced fish species richness and fish abundance. From 1952–1977, only 15 fish species were collected, cumulatively. Additionally, the fish community was dominated by acid tolerant species such as Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) and White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii) (82% of mean annual relative abundance), while acid intolerant species such as Walleye were extirpated. Due to legislative action and subsequent funding of water quality treatment within the watershed (e.g., Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977), acidification issues have been mitigated over time. My study aimed to quantify temporal changes in the fish community of Cheat Lake, as they might be related to improvements in water quality. Additionally, from a fishery management perspective, I focused on evaluating population characteristics and spatial ecology of a reestablished Walleye (Sander vitreus) population in Cheat Lake. I examined changes in water quality data (1952–2015) and fish community data (1952– 2015) from Cheat Lake. Main lake pH averaged less than 5.0 prior to 1990 and averaged 5.8 in 1990. Since 1997, pH has averaged greater than 6.0 every year indicating reduction in acidification of Cheat Lake. Based on boat electrofishing and gill net surveys, I found that the fish community of Cheat Lake has significantly changed over time, likely owing to improvements in water quality. From 1990–2015, 18,387 fishes were collected using these methods. Additionally, 44 species were collected representing a substantial increase in species richness. The mean annual relative abundance of fishes captured from 2011–2015 was over 4 times greater than that from 1990–2001. Also, fish community composition significantly changed over time from 1990–2015. Changes in fish community composition were largely driven by increases in abundance of acid intolerant fish species such as Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu). I also evaluated population characteristics of the Walleye population. As expected, initiation of stocking significantly increased abundance of Walleyes within Cheat Lake as indicated by increases in gill net catch per unit effort (CPUE). Age and growth analysis indicated that the Cheat Lake Walleye population was characterized by fast growing individuals that reach large maximum sizes. Both male and female Cheat Lake Walleyes reach quality size (≥ 380 mm) after two years of growth. Specifically, female Walleyes reached larger maximum sizes (female L∞ = 754 mm; male L∞ = 502 mm) and grew faster after age-3 than male Walleyes. Increasing natural reproduction was also evident as indicated by collection of young of year in the fall of non-stocking years and through evaluation of year classes from age and growth data. Telemetry data provided information on distribution and movement patterns of Cheat Lake Walleyes. Walleyes exhibited seasonal and sex-based differences in distribution and movement, and large scale movements were correlated with water temperature and river discharge. Male Walleyes were found to use riverine habitats more often than female Walleyes, while females primarily used main lake habitats. All Walleyes showed a tendency for increases in core range shifts and changes in linear range in the spring and fall months. Shifts in core range and increases in linear range during spring were due to spawning movements. Both male and female Walleyes migrated to the headwaters of Cheat Lake prior to spawning, with male Walleyes migrating earlier than female Walleyes. For all Walleyes, upstream spawning migrations were correlated with elevated water temperatures (75% of migrations at water temperatures > 4.1°C). After spawning, female Walleyes typically migrated back to main lake habitats, while the majority of male Walleyes continued to use riverine habitats. During fall, individuals occupying riverine habitats made downstream movements to the main lake where they remained throughout the winter. Changes in the fish community and the establishment of a quality Walleye fishery were made possible due to water quality treatment within the watershed. Cheat Lake now supports a relatively diverse fish community, including abundant sportfish species. A reestablished Walleye population provides a unique fishery for anglers, where Walleye grow fast and have the potential to reach trophy sizes. Data on the improvements and status of the fish community, as well as movement data on the Walleye population, provide valuable information to managers and anglers alike. This information will be valuable for future management of the Cheat Lake fish community and will help conserve this valuable resource. Dedication I dedicate this dissertation to my wife Ashley, for her never-ending support of my career and academic endeavors, and for sacrificing without question so that I may pursue my dreams. I also dedicate this to my daughter Samara, who is the light of my world and means more to me than any degree ever could. iv Acknowledgements I have had the support of many while pursuing my degree, and I know undoubtedly that their support was what made my continued pursuit and ultimate completion of this dissertation possible. I must thank my family for supporting me throughout my academic and career endeavors. My Mom and Dad both instilled in me a love of the outdoors, and have supported me every step of the way. My wife Ashley has selflessly followed me wherever my career has taken us, and allowed me to pursue my dreams despite her sometimes putting her dreams on hold…for her I am eternally grateful and I absolutely could not have done this without her. My daughter Samara is the light of my world and always managed to put a smile on my face even in the most difficult times. Everything I do is for her and I hope to one day be able to support her dreams just as others in my life have supported mine. In addition to family, I have countless friends and colleagues to thank for their support. Nate Taylor and Corbin Hilling were both instrumental in completing the field work and both provided valuable advice in the development of this research. They both gave tirelessly to this project working extremely late hours, weekends, and even holidays to help complete the work. Throughout the project, they were both incredibly hard workers, valuable colleagues, and most importantly, irreplaceable friends. I am grateful to Scott Morrison and Frank Jernejcic for providing me with valuable advice throughout the project both related to this research and to my career. Scott introduced me to the telemetry methods I would end up using throughout the study and provided first hand field work advice that could be obtained nowhere else. Frank provided me with endless information and knowledge about my study area Cheat Lake and the work done in the watershed that he has been a part of for so many years. I thank all those who assisted with field work throughout the project including Missy Braham, Brian Crabill, Wendell Hofer, Amanda Renick, Bri Tierney and Zack Vucurevich. I thank my other fellow Welsh lab grad students Joni Aldinger, Austin Rizzo, and Patricia Thompson who were always willing to v lend a hand regardless of conditions and made the work that much more enjoyable. I thank my committee members Kyle Hartman, Pat Mazik, David Smith and Dave Wellman