Reproductive ecology of hatchery-origin and wild pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana

Abstract

I evaluated movement and habitat use of hatchery-origin and wild Pallid Sturgeon in the upper Missouri River, upstream of Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana, in order determine how the ecology of hatchery-origin fish changes with sexual maturation, and if the reproductive ecology of reproductively-active hatchery-origin Pallid Sturgeon is similar to the few remaining reproductively-active wild Pallid Sturgeon. I also evaluated the influence of the timing and magnitude of peak discharge on spawning season movement of reproductively-active male Pallid Sturgeon.