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At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources
USGS1955

The reproduction of lake trout in southern Lake Superior

The principal spawning grounds of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush namaycush) in United States waters of southern Lake Superior are on rocky shoals at depths of less than 20 fathoms. Most spawning occurs in October and early November. Of the mature fish collected on or near the spawning grounds, 60 to 69 percent were males. Among mature fish the average length of females was greater than that of males; few males less than 24 inches or females less than 26 inches in total length were caught. Recoveries of lake trout tagged on the spawning grounds showed that some males remained in the immediate area for a period of several weeks during the spawning season. Marked fish showed a tendency to return during later years to spawning grounds on which they had been tagged, even though many of them ranged long distances between spawning seasons. The percentage of the total weight composed by gonads of maturing females collected in 1950 was 5.0 percent on August 11–30 and 12.3 percent on October 6–9, but this increase was not accompanied by an increase in the coefficient of condition. One volumetric and two gravimetric methods for estimating numbers of eggs in ovaries were evaluated. Some advantage in accuracy of estimate resulted from the drying of eggs in an oven before weighing on an analytical balance. Production of eggs by 70 lake trout ranging from 25.1 to 38.0 inches in total length and from 5.8 to 19.6 pounds in weight ranged from 2,476 to 17,119. Average production was 646 per pound of fish; this number was greater among fish 31.0 inches long or larger than for fish of smaller size. Thirteen fish identified by commercial fishermen as siscowets (Salvelinus namaycush siscowet) also showed extensive individual variation in numbers of eggs, although egg production tended to increase with increasing length and weight of the fish. A mature female siscowet as small as 16.5 inches long and a 15.7-inch mature male were collected about 45 miles north of Grand Marais, Michigan. Combined data from all collections showed that spawning of lake trout or siscowets may occur during at least 6 months of the year (June to November).

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1955

The effect of some sulfonamides on the growth of brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout

Sulfonamides such as sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin R ), sulfamerazine, and a mixture of sulfamerazine with sulfaguanidine were fed to apparently normal fingerlings of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), brown trout (Salmo trutta), and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri). None of these drugs had any growth‐affecting influence on rainbow trout. Growth of brook trout was somewhat retarded by sulfamerazine. The retardation of the growth of brown trout was greater with sulfamerazine than with the mixture of two sulfonamides. Sulfisoxazole did not retard growth of any of the three species. As soon as the medicated food was replaced with normal, brown trout resumed growth. Observations are also furnished on the tissue levels of sulfonamides and hemoglobin in the experimental trout.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1957

The near extinction of lake trout in Lake Michigan

After the collapse of the commercial fishery for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Lake Michigan in the late 1940's, the further decline of the population was traced by records of numbers of small lake trout (mostly 11 to 16 inches in total length and 3 to 5 years old) caught in small-mesh nets of the chub (Coregonus \[= Leucichthys\] spp.) fishery. By 1951 the estimated abundance of these lake trout in lower Lake Michigan was only about 4 percent of their abundance prior to the invasion of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). This remnant of the population declined severely in subsequent years to a point near extinction by 1955. In April-July 1955 only 8 lake trout were caught in 5 1/2 million linear feet of gill net. Statistics of the lake trout and chub fisheries in State of Michigan waters of Lake Michigan for the years 1929–1954 give no indication that the destruction of small lake trout in the chub fishery had any effect on the later abundance of lake trout of commercial size, or that this destruction was a significant factor in the collapse of the lake trout fishery. Lake trout were brought near extinction by lethal attacks of the sea lamprey and by the near or perhaps complete failure of natural reproduction in 1949 and subsequently. Comparisons in 1949 and 1950 of numbers of legal-sized lake trout caught in large-mesh nets with numbers of small fish taken in chub nets showed that both large and small lake trout declined over the same period, and that by these years the decline may have been greater among small than among legal-sized fish.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1957

Structure and growth of scales of yellow perch of Green Bay

The appearance of the scales of yellow perch differs with the location on the fish's body. Comparison of scales of Green Bay perch taken above and below the lateral line reveals the former to have more sharply defined circuli and to exhibit fewer false annuli and less of the shading that impedes accurate assessment of age. Estimates of age from modes in length-frequency distributions and from scale readings were the same for age-groups O, I, and II. Older age groups could not be detected in length distributions, but the similarity of all annuli makes it acceptable to conclude that the annulus is in fact a year-mark at ages beyond the II group. Scales of yellow perch may exhibit new growth in the latter part of May whereas others may not have started growing even in late July. The time of annulus formation varies with calendar year, with age (new growth starts earlier in the younger fish), and possibly with locality. Ages usually can be read from scales collected during the period of annulus formation, but occasionally difficulties are encountered. For larger yellow perch the relation between fish length and the radius of key scales was described by a straight line with a 2-inch intercept on the length axis when the scales were taken above the lateral line and by a straight line through the origin when the scales came from below the lateral line. Lengths calculated from both relations were inaccurate for small fish. Tables of corrections are given, based on the body-scale curves for small perch. The body-scale relations (determined from the same key scale) were similar for Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay perch but both differed sharply from the relation in the Green Bay populations. Good procedure requires high consistency in the field as to the point on the fish's body from which scale samples are taken and also a careful determination of the body-scale relation in each population studied.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1957

The control of the upstream movement of fish with pulsated direct current

Alternating-current electromechanical devices installed in the mouths of streams have proved effective in stopping the spawning migrations of the parasitic sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) which has seriously damaged Great Lakes fisheries. In a few streams, excessive mortality has occurred to other fish at the alternating-current barriers. A direct-current unit was developed in an attempt to reduce this mortality. This direct-current “diversion device” consists of a row of suspended negative electrodes which begins at the end of a trap wing and extends across the river at a downstream angle of 45° and a series of pipes (positive electrodes) driven into the stream bank. A second array, consisting of horizontal pipes installed downstream and parallel to the suspended electrodes and connected to a series of rods driven into the bank near the positive electrodes, controls the electrical field and dissipates the collecting influence of the positive side of the circuit. The electrical field is established from the end of the trap wing to the opposite bank. Fish are diverted away from the negative electrodes and toward the bank near which the trap is located. The array is activiated by pulsated direct current of essentially square wave shape with pulses at a duty cycle of 0.66 and a repetition rate of 3 per second. Direct-current diversion devices were operated in conjunction with alternating-current barriers during 1956 in the Chocolay River, Marquette County, and the Silver River, Baraga County, Michigan. A total of 15,814 fish comprising 21 species was handled at the Chocolay River with a mortality of 930, or 5.9 percent. If mortalities of fish moving downstream are disregarded, only 287, or 1.9 percent, of the fish moving upstream were killed in the Chocolay River. In the Silver River, 78,648 fish comprising 21 species were taken from the trap of the direct-current diversion device. The total kill of fish moving upstream, including 289 sea lampreys, was 1,016, or 1.3 percent. This river had presented a serious problem in the operation of an alternating-current control device during previous seasons. In 1955, 85.5 percent of three important species of fish were killed at the control structure. During 1956, this mortality was reduced to 8.1 percent by the operation of the direct-current equipment.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1957

Recent changes in the deep-water fish populations of Lake Michigan

The deep-water fish fauna of Lake Michigan consisted of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), burbot (Lota lota maculosa), seven species of chubs or deep-water ciscoes (Leucichthys spp.), and the deep-water sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis). Other species occupied the deep-water zone but were not typically part of the fauna. Lake trout, burbot, and a well established commercial fishery held the chub population in somewhat of a balance until the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) destroyed the lake trout and burbot. Released from predation, one species of chub (L. hoyi) increased until its abundance in 1955 was 347 percent of that in 1930–1933. It is the smallest and most slowly growing of the chubs in the lake. Other chubs were reduced in abundance (1954–1955 abundance only 37 percent of that of 1930–1932) by an increased fishing pressure and by sea lamprey predation which shifted to them when lake trout and burbot became practically extinct. Selective destruction of the large chubs reduced the average length by 1.5 and 2.2 inches in the northern and southern portions of the lake, respectively, and practically eliminated two largest species (L. johannae and L. nigripinnis). Chubs over 10 inches long made up 72 percent of the catches in 1930–1932, but only 21.5 percent in 1954–1955.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1957

Limnological surveys of the Great Lakes--early and recent

Early explorations on the Great Lakes were concerned largely with things easily collected or observed—common organisms, water levels, surface temperatures … Even when more scientific studies were undertaken, they were at first scattered and small-scale. Effective surveys became possible only through inter-agency cooperation which permits a pooling of facilities, staff, and equipment. Expansion of limnological research on the Great Lakes has been rapid in later years and the outlook for the future is good.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1956

Experimental induction of blue-sac disease

Blue‐sac disease, an abnormal condition of sac fry, has been recognized for nearly 90 years. At least 23 postulated causes have been advanced, but reports of consistently reproducible results have not been found in literature. Methods whereby blue‐sac disease was induced at will are described. Closed‐system incubation, whereby metabolic wastes accumulated, resulted in incidences of blue‐sac disease roughly proportional to the period of holding and to ammonia concentrations which developed. Blue‐sac disease was also induced by adding synthetic nitrogen compounds to water used for incubating eggs and fry.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1958

Fishery management problems and possibilities on large southeastern reservoirs

Principal problems concerning the fisheries of large reservoirs in the Southeast are: inefficient and highly selective exploitation of fish stocks, and protection and reclamation of damaged or threatened fisheries in tailwaters and tributary streams. Seven mainstream reservoirs on which data are available support an average angling pressure of 4.9 trips per acre per year and an average catch of 16 pounds of sport fish and 6 pounds of food fish. Commercial take is 7 pounds per acre. The rate of catch of sport fish, based upon tag returns, is only 3 percent. Sixteen storage reservoirs support an average angling pressure of 5.0 trips per acre per year and an average catch of 13 pounds of sport fish and 1 pound of food fish. Commercial catch is of no significance. Average rate of catch of sport fish is 17 percent of the catchable population. Fish population studies indicate that there are twice as many sport fish and four times as many food fish in mainstream than there are in storage reservoirs. Some reservoirs produce harmful effects downstream. Discharges of cold water may seriously reduce fishery values in tailwaters and downstream impoundments. Furthermore, migration of non-sport fish from reservoirs into tributary streams may reduce fishery values there. In recognition of these problems, the development and application of sound management procedures may be accomplished by controlling species composition and availability of fish through water level control, timber clearing, application of selective toxicants, commercial fishing, introduction of new fish species, and the management of tailwaters and tributaries. Extended research and interagency cooperation are necessary to properly develop and apply sound management. Promotion of angling and regulation of the fishery may best be realized by providing adequate fishing facilities, elimination of certain restricted areas, and in some cases revision of laws and regulations. Biologists must not only meet the present demands for improved sport fishing but must also balance fish yield by increasing the use of food fish by sport and commercial operations.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1957

Some problems of private trout hatchery operators

Disease, nutritional, and environmental problems in commercial production of trout are discussed, including mortality and age of spawners, copepod and gyrodactylid infections, suitable water temperatures, diseases (especially red mouth and back peel) and inspection of fish. It is concluded that experiences with hatchery procedures have varied greatly and often the commercial trout producer must adjust methods to fit his particular needs and conditions.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1958

Suggestions for reduction of natural mortality in fish populations

Illness, in fish as well as in other animals, when caused by an infectious disease, is often not the result of infection with pathogens alone. In many cases the pathogens and hosts can exist side by side without development of disease symptoms. Such symptoms, with resulting illness or death, appear only when the balance of mutual tolerance between the host and the pathogen is shifted in favor of the pathogen. Factors of several different kinds may render a host susceptible to disease; such things as poor nutrition, unfavorable physical conditions in the environment and the hereditary make‐up of the fish itself. Drugs may allow temporary control of infectious diseases but for the long‐range control it is better to increase the resistance of the host. Some suggestions are given, based largely on experience with disease control in hatcheries and fish farms, for minimizing natural mortality of fish from infectious diseases.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1958

Relationship between Secchi disc readings and light penetration in Lake Huron

Fifty-seven paired photometer and Secchi disc measurements made at 18 stations in Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron support the view that a counter-clockwise current usually occurs in the Bay with more transparent Lake Huron water flowing in along the northwest shore and less transparent Bay water flowing out along the southeast shore. The average percentage transmission of surface light intensity, at the Secchi disc depth, was 14.7 percent. Discrepancies in the relationship of disc readings to percentage transmission of surface light are related to the condition of the sky and sea. It is suggested that these discrepancies can best be explained on the basis of the spectral sensitivity of the human eye and its response to surface glare.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1959

Test of 34 therapeutic agents for control of kidney disease in trout

Sixteen strains of fish kidney disease bacterium were tested in vitro to determine their reaction to 34 therapeutic agents. On the basis of the results obtained ten of the drugs were employed in experimental therapy of kidney disease in eastern brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Erythromycin at the rate of 100 milligrams per kilogram of fish per day (4.5 grams per 100 pounds of fish) for 21 days gave the best results. Other drugs gave only temporary benefit if any.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1959

Infectious nature of pancreatic necrosis

To determine if pancreatic necrosis is a communicable disease of trout, lots of eyed brook trout eggs were obtained from four hatcheries. Pancreatic necrosis appeared spontaneously in trout from one of these hatcheries and the other strains were exposed to infection by suspension prepared from diseased fish. In all cases, typical pancreatic necrosis appeared in fish exposed to infection and the control fish remained healthy. Disease was more acute in fry fed brine shrimp nauplii than in those fed beef liver. Mortality data suggest that susceptibility to pancreatic necrosis decreases with the increased age of trout. No treatment for the disease is known, but sanitary measures were effective in preventing its spread.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1959

Effects of certain chemicals on mucus-producing cells of Petromyzon marinus

Tissue samples that contained slime-secreting cells were taken from the gills and epidermis of larval lampreys that had been poisoned by several compounds. Histochemical treatment of these pathological tissues helped delineate the fate of these mucus-producing areas of the ammocetes. It was shown that the slime-secreting cells, located at the tips of the gill filaments, lining the gill chamber, and scattered throughout the epidermis reacted differently to the same toxicant. The secretory cells of the gills were, without exception, the most sensitive to chemical attack.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1959

Studies on the life cycle of Apatemon gracilis pellucidus (Yamag)

A tetracotyliform metacercaria was found in the musculature of the brook stickleback (Eucalia inconstans). It is characterized by a tail‐like appendage on the cyst. The adult was reared in newly hatched chicks, and proved to be Apatemon gracilis pellucidus (Yamaguti, 1933). Attempts to infect snails, Physa, Stagnicola and Helisoma, were unsuccessful.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗
USGS1960

A Virus-like disease of chinook salmon

Consideration is given to a recurring disease of early feeding chinook salmon fingerlings at the Coleman, California, Federal Fish Cultural Station. The infection becomes manifest in the early spring months at low water temperatures and abates as the water temperature rises. Bacteriological studies have failed to yield the presence of a disease agent, either by cultural or staining procedures. The disease has been successfully transmitted from infected fish to healthy fish by the injection of bacteria-free filtrates prepared from diseased fish tissue. The causative agent is therefore believed to be a virus-like entity.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗