**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

 

 

Robert McLaughlin1, Thomas Pratt2, and Eric Smyth1

 

 

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

 

 

 

June 2009

 

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.