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Movements of Adult Radio‐Tagged Bighead Carp in the Illinois River
Author(s) -
Peters Lindsay M.,
Pegg Mark A.,
Reinhardt Ulrich G.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
transactions of the american fisheries society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1548-8659
pISSN - 0002-8487
DOI - 10.1577/t05-162.1
Subject(s) - bighead carp , hypophthalmichthys , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , geography , environmental science , biology , silver carp
Populations of invasive bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis in the Mississippi River basin are rapidly increasing in size and range. However, the rate of expansion is not well understood. We used radiotelemetry to document movements of bighead carp within the LaGrange Reach of the Illinois River, Illinois, where populations have been documented since 1993. We surgically implanted radio transmitters into 42 adults in June 2003 and May–July 2004. Successful relocation of individuals decreased over time and ended in August of both years. We analyzed 132 observations from 23 adults and found a mean (±SE) movement rate of 1.70 ± 0.74 km/d. The highest movement rate was 14.33 km/d. The maximum distance traveled by an individual was 163 km upstream in 35 d, and the top 10% of movements as observed by boat were between 26.5 and 56.5 km within 3–10 d. Forty‐three percent of fish died or dropped transmitters for unknown reasons, but handling, environmental conditions, or both may have contributed to the loss. Our study is the first to document the movement rates and patterns of bighead carp within the United States and shows that adults are capable of moving considerable distances in a short time. Immediate actions to prevent or control their spread are warranted.