Quist for their guidance and instruction. Their expertise in scientific research, writing, and communication was invaluable to this project and to my growth as a student and fisheries professional. Much thanks also to Dr. Philip Dixon, who served on my committee and provided valuable insight. This project would not have been possible without the faculty, staff, and students of Iowa State University, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. I would like to thank fellow graduate students Michael Colvin, Jesse Fischer, Timothy Parks, Tony Sindt, for their contributions to this project and my overall experience in Iowa. Without them, I would have never realized the awesomeness of Program R, shot my first goose, played drums in a rock band, or discovered the joy of sitting silently in a tree stand, respectively. I would next like to thank my family for their unwavering support and encouragement. I would especially like to thank my wife, Jennifer, for leaving mountains of Montana to follow her future husband to the flatlands of Iowa. I would never have made it through this experience without her love, understanding, and friendship. Lastly, I would like to dedicate this thesis to the memory of my grandfather, George Bakevich Sr., who took me fishing before I learned how to walk. Because of him, I grew up to appreciate the beauty, complexity, and value of watery places.