**The title, authors, and abstract for this completion
report are provided below. For a copy of the completion report, please
contact the GLFC via e-mail
or via telephone at 734-662-3209**
Passage options for walleye and Lake sturgeon
at the dam site on THE black sturgeon River, lake superior, canada
1 Integrative Biology, University of Guelph,
Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, 519-824-4120 x53620, rlmclaug@uoguelph.ca
2 Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Great Lakes Laboratory For Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences,
1 Canal Dr., Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 6W4
ABSTRACT:
A
two-day workshop addressing passage options for native fishes, including
walleye (Sander vitreus) and lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), at the Black Sturgeon Dam, Lake Superior, ON was held
27-28 January 2009 at the S. O. Conte Fish Research Center, Turners Falls,
MA. The workshop was needed because (i)
a recent report by the Upper Great Lakes Management Unit of the Ontario
Ministry of Natural Resources identified the dam as an impediment to rehabilitation of a once
productive walleye population in Black Bay, Lake Superior, (ii) lake sturgeon
has been assessed as threatened in the Great Lakes which is creating momentum
to re-establish connectivity between the Great Lakes and their tributaries for
remnant lake sturgeon populations, and
(iii) Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission
consider the Black Sturgeon Dam an integral part of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) control in Lake Superior. Selective passage of walleye and other fishes of
concern, such as lake sturgeon, could reconcile the benefits of increased
connectivity between Black Bay and the Black Sturgeon River with the control
benefits of denying spawning phase sea lamprey access to the Black Sturgeon
River. Eight of 10 workshop participants
believed that selective passage of walleye and other desirable fishes is
possible at the Black Sturgeon Dam. Two other participants were uncertain. The
participants identified a variety of features that make the Black Sturgeon Dam site
suitable to fish passage. Components of an ideal passage facility were
identified and used to specify uncertainties associated with each component
that could affect overall success at passing fishes. An experimental approach
was recommended; uncertainties with the fishway components will likely require
fine-tuning before effective passage rates are achieved. Any passage facility
at the Black Sturgeon Dam could be part of larger, experimental fish passage
collaboratory encompassing multiple strategic locations from across the basin.