**The title, authors, and abstract for this completion report are provided below.  For a copy of the completion report, please contact the author at MBoogaard@usgs.gov or via telephone at (608) 781-6238. Questions? Contact the GLFC via e-mail or via telephone at 734-662-3209**

AVOIDANCE BEHAVIOR OF JUVENILE LAKE STURGEONS (ACIPENSER FULVESCENS) EXPOSED TO BAYLUSCIDE 3.2% GRANULAR SEA LAMPREY LARVICIDE

Michael A. Boogaard¹, Jane E. Rivera¹, and Mark P. Gaikowski¹

¹ U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, 2630 Fanta Reed Road, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603

December 2008

Abstract

Avoidance of juvenile lake sturgeons < 100 mm in length in response to application of the Bayluscide 3.2% Granular Sea Lamprey Larvicide was assessed. Clear plexiglas columns (107 cm in height, 30.5 cm in diameter) to evaluate the potential for the normally bottom-dwelling fishes to move vertically in the water column to avoid niclosamide dissolving from the Bayluscide granules. Vertical migration of lake sturgeons to > 15 cm off the bottom of the column was considered avoidance. Lake sturgeons began displaying avoidance behaviors within 4 to 8 min after the granules were applied and continued for up to 60 min. After 60 min, most or all of the sturgeons were near the surface in the treated columns. In contrast, little movement above the 15-cm mark was observed at any time in any of the control columns. The results of this study are similar to a previous study where juvenile lake sturgeons > 100 mm in length showed the ability to avoid granular Bayluscide. Taken together, we conclude that juvenile lake sturgeons of any size range can detect and avoid granular Bayluscide applications.