Danny Garrett (PhD) dlgfyb@mizzou.edu

Title: Movement, Habitat Use, and Spawning Chronology of Flathead Catfish and Blue Catfish in the Missouri River and tributaries

Advisor: Dr. Charles Rabeni

Flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris and blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus are native to the lower Missouri, Mississippi, and Ohio River basins of the central and southern United States. They occur in both lotic and lentic environments but thrive in large rivers and constitute large sport fisheries. Characterizing the movements of large catfishes and evaluating the use of habitat, particularly during the spawning period, has become increasingly important due to the growth of the sport fishery and a need for management strategies that integrate life-history characteristics. Information about movement is important for the management of these species and can help define the spatial scale necessary to achieve management goals. The purpose of my project is to characterize the seasonal movements of flathead and blue catfish in the mainstem Missouri River and tributaries including the Grand, Chariton, and Lamine Rivers. Using combination acoustic-radio transmitters, acoustic transmitters, and mobile tracking receivers, we are collecting movement data that will yield information on home range, resource selection, and spawning characteristics of these charismatic megafauna.