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Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Radio-Tagged Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and Shortnose (Chasmistes brevirostris) Suckers in Clear Lake Reservoir and Associated Spawning Tributaries, Northern California, 2015–17

Open-File Report 2021-1061
Prepared in cooperation with the Bureau of Reclamation
By: , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20211061

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Executive Summary

Data from a multi-year radio telemetry study were used to assess seasonal distribution patterns for two long-lived, federally endangered catostomids across substantially different water conditions in Clear Lake Reservoir, northern California. Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose (Chasmistes brevirostris) suckers, two species endemic to the Klamath Basin, were implanted with radio transmitters in each of 3 years in an effort to expand our understanding of seasonal sucker movements within the reservoir and their migrations in spawning tributaries. Clear Lake Reservoir and its tributaries are part of a critical management unit within the Lost River Basin Recovery Unit for populations of Lost River and shortnose suckers. We documented residency and migratory behaviors and how behaviors were affected by lake surface elevations and water management practices.

Adult suckers were captured during autumn trammel net sampling in the west lobe of the reservoir and implanted with internal radio transmitters. A total of 163 suckers were radio-tagged (75 in 2014, 64 in 2015, and 24 in 2016); 27 more shortnose suckers were tagged than Lost River suckers to reflect the larger population of shortnose suckers in the reservoir. Sex ratios were approximately equal for each species. Aerial telemetry surveys were used to monitor radio-tagged fish from January 20 to December 2 each year and to document the upstream extent of spawning migrations in the tributaries. Surveys were scheduled more frequently during the spawning season (February–June) when suckers are known to move out of the reservoir and into spawning tributaries.

Suggested Citation

Banet, N.V., Hewitt, D.A., Dolan-Caret, A., and Harris, A.C., 2021, Spatial and temporal distribution of radio-tagged Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose (Chasmistes brevirostris) suckers in Clear Lake Reservoir and associated spawning tributaries, Northern California, 2015–17: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2021–1061, 37 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20211061.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Executive Summary
  • Introduction
  • Description of Study Area
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusions
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Spatial and temporal distribution of radio-tagged Lost River (Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose (Chasmistes brevirostris) suckers in Clear Lake Reservoir and associated spawning tributaries, Northern California, 2015–17
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2021-1061
DOI 10.3133/ofr20211061
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Western Fisheries Research Center
Description vi, 37 p.
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial Clear Lake
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details