Sampling techniques for burbot in a western non‐wadeable river

Abstract

Burbot, Lota lota (L.), populations are declining throughout much of their native distribution. Although numerous aspects of burbot ecology are well understood, less is known about effective sampling techniques for burbot in lotic systems. Occupancy models were used to estimate the probability of detection (truep^) for three gears (6.4‐ and 19‐mm bar mesh hoop nets, night electric fishing), within the context of various habitat characteristics. During the summer, night electric fishing had the highest estimated detection probability for both juvenile (truep^, 95% C.I.; 0.35, 0.26–0.46) and adult (0.30, 0.20–0.41) burbot. However, small‐mesh hoop nets (6.4‐mm bar mesh) had similar detection probabilities to night electric fishing for both juvenile (0.26, 0.17–0.36) and adult (0.27, 0.18–0.39) burbot during the summer. In autumn, a similar overlap between detection probabilities was observed for juvenile and adult burbot. Small‐mesh hoop nets had the highest estimated probability of detection for both juvenile and adult burbot (0.46, 0.33–0.59), whereas night electric fishing had a detection probability of 0.39 (0.28–0.52) for juvenile and adult burbot. By using detection probabilities to compare gears, the most effective sampling technique can be identified, leading to increased species detections and more effective management of burbot.

Assessment of burbot Lota lota (L. 1758) population sustainability in central European reservoirs

“…The weakness of this method was that only juveniles were captured. Day time electrofishing was performed for security reasons, even though Klein et al (2015) successfully used night electrofishing for both juvenile and adult L. lota in running waters. Therefore, electrofishing warrants further investigation.…”

“…Our fyke nets had smaller dimensions than the fyke nets used for L. lota sampling in other studies. Klein et al (2015) found however, that fyke nets with smaller dimensions can be more efficient than larger ones in a non-wadeable river and in contrast to Bernard et al (1991), reported a higher catch in larger than in smaller fyke nets in several lakes and the Tanana River in Alaska, U.S.A. With respect to those contradictory outcomes, the size is probably not the most important attribute and the low efficiency of fyke nets cannot be explained simply by the small dimension of the nets.…”

“…Therefore, evaluation of the efficiency of a L. lota stocking programme in Czech reservoirs requires an alternative monitoring scheme. Previous studies of L. lota have indicated that electrofishing (Klein et al, 2015), visual exploration (Edsall et al, 1993), fyke nets (Bernard et al, 1991) and longlines (Cott et al, 2013) may be suitable for assessing L. lota populations. Additionally, L. lota larvae have a pelagic stage and natural reproduction can be detected by fry trawling and vertical hydro-acoustics (Probst & Eckmann, 2009).…”

Efficacy of Using Data from Angler‐Caught Burbot to Estimate Population Rate Functions

“…The WGFD is also investigating the efficacy of suppression programs (Klein et al. , , ). Anglers have become interested in participating in suppression efforts and have organized multiple ice‐fishing tournaments for Burbot on Fontenelle and Flaming Gorge reservoirs, the two primary reservoirs in the system.…”

Combining Genetic, Isotopic, and Field Data to Better Describe the Influence of Dams and Diversions on Burbot Movement in the Wind River Drainage, Wyoming

“…We believe that this is true and not an artifact of sampling method, as we sampled the Wind River using habitat‐targeted electrofishing, which was one of the most effective methods identified for capturing Burbot in a very similar river in the region (Klein et al. ).…”