Overwinter habitat use of shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus in the Kansas River was determined by radiotelemetry from November 1996 to March 1997 at water temperatures of 2–9°C. Eighty percent of the shovelnose sturgeon locations were in water depths of 1.0–2.0 m, where current velocities were 0.01–1.11 m/s at the surface and 0.02–0.79 m/s at the bottom. Depths and surface current velocities at fish locations were positively related to discharge (r = 0.47, P = 0.0001; r = 0.60, P = 0.0001, respectively); bottom current velocities were not significantly correlated (r = 0.08, P = 0.31) with discharge. Water depths, surface current velocities, and bottom current velocities were not significantly related to water temperature (P > 0.05). Ninety‐two percent of the shovelnose sturgeon locations were over sand substrate. Inside‐bend macrohabitats were used in proportion to their abundance (P > 0.05), whereas channel crossovers were used in greater proportion than their availability (P ≤ 0.05); outside‐bend habitats were avoided (P ≤ 0.05). During high discharge (>150 m3/s), shovelnose sturgeon appeared to move near shore or downstream of instream cover. Most shovelnose sturgeon moved less than 2 km during the study period, but one fish moved more than 8 km. Movement (km/d) and directional movement (i.e., upstream or downstream) were not related to discharge or water temperature (P > 0.05). These data indicate that shovelnose sturgeon use channel‐crossover macrohabitats and areas with bottom velocities of 0.02–0.79 m/s, independent of discharge. In addition, it appears that shovelnose sturgeon do not congregate in deep areas at water temperatures less than 9°C.
Spotted bass Micropterus punctulatus are popular sport fish in streams and reservoirs throughout the southeastern United States. Despite their popularity, there is a paucity of information on population characteristics and habitat requirements of spotted bass in streams. The purpose of this study was to document the factors that influence spotted bass populations in Kansas streams. Study sites were selected throughout the native range of spotted bass in Kansas. Spotted bass were sampled by electrofishing, and 31 habitat variables were measured at 16 study sites. Linear regression analyses (single and multiple) were used to determine relationships between habitat variables and spotted bass density (number/ha), biomass (kg/ha), catch per effort (CPE; number per minute of electrofishing), relative weight (Wr), and growth. Variability in density of spotted bass 180 mm or longer was best explained by rootwad area (m2/ha). However, variability in biomass and CPE of spotted bass 180 mm or longer was best explained by rootwads and undercut bank area (m2/ha). Relative weight was negatively correlated with density and CPE. Mean back‐calculated length at age 3 was positively correlated with Wr. These data indicate that habitat, such as woody debris and undercut banks, influences spotted bass density and biomass in Kansas streams.
Hoop nets with initial openings of 0.6 m and 0.8 m were set in a Missouri River tributary stream to determine if catch per unit effort (CPUE) and size structure [length (mm)] of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and flathead catfish Pylodictus olivaris differed between the two sizes of nets, set baited or unbaited. Catch per unit effort for channel catfish varied from 0 to 12 and was higher in 0.6-m hoop nets independent of bait; however, CPUE was only significantly higher in unbaited 0.6-m hoop nets @ = 0.03). Length of channel catfish captured in unbaited 0.6-m hoop nets was significantly @ = 0.03) lower than in unbaited 0.8-m hoop nets. Similar trends were observed for flathead catfish; however, sample sizes were low and subsequently statistical power (1-P) was r 0.13. Nevertheless, these data indicate that standardizing initial hoop size is important, especially if comparative information is sought.
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), green sunfish (Lepomis cyarzell~rs), largemouth bass (Micropterzrs salmoides), and longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) were sampled from 14 streams in southeastern Kansas for age determination and growth analysis. Growth rates for all species were highly variable among streams and were consistently lower than rates reported for these species from Missouri and Oklahoma streams. The results of this study provide important information on growth of centrarchids in Kansas streams.
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