Project period: 8 1 23-7 31 28PROJECT title: survival and habitat use of atlantic salmon in lake champlainaward purpose

The University of Vermont & State Agricultural College (UVM) received a $179,717.41 Cooperative Agreement award from the Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under the Cooperative Research Units program (CFDA 15.812). This 5-year project aims to use genetic mark-recapture and acoustic telemetry to test hypotheses and collect data to develop a life-cycle model for guiding Atlantic salmon restoration efforts in the Lake Champlain basin. Key activities include implanting acoustic transmitters in Atlantic salmon smolts, maintaining acoustic receivers, conducting genetic sampling and recapture via electrofishing and gillnetting, and collaborating with anglers. Expected deliverables include annual progress reports, a final report, a peer-reviewed publication, and presentations to management and scientific audiences. The intended beneficiaries are the Vermont Fish and Wildlife, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and recreational anglers on Lake Champlain.

Abstract

In this project, will use genetic mark-recapture and acoustic telemetry to test different hypotheses related to the effectiveness of atlantic salmon reintroduction efforts in the lake champlain basin and to collect data necessary to develop a life-cycle model that will be used to guide future restoration actions in this region. Despite annually stocking approximately 240,000 atlantic salmon smolts in lake champlain, limited recruitment from natural reproduction has been observed, which is one of the objectives set forth by the lake champlain fish and wildlife management cooperative. To address this issue, the lake champlain landlocked atlantic salmon river-run plan recommends developing a life cycle model to understand what factors are limiting their recruitment in different tributaries and to set quantitative metrics for restoration of habitats. To develop those models, estimates of overwinter survival in lake champlain are needed. The USGS-VT coop will use genetic mark-recapture to estimate overwinter survival. Additionally, will use acoustic telemetry to observe juvenile salmon habitat use and better estimate capture probability at the spawning tributaries for the genetic mark-recapture analysis. Activities to be performed - acoustic telemetryoimplant acoustic transmitters in atlantic salmon smoltsomaintain acoustic receivers (clean and replace batteries)oanalyze acoustic telemetry data genetic mark-recaptureocollect genetic samples from atlantic salmon smoltsoconduct sampling via electrofishing (fall) and gillnet (spring) to recapture tagged individualsocollaborate with lake champlain anglers to collect genetic samples from atlantic salmon yearlingsoconduct genotyping of all salmon that are released and recapturedofit cormack-jolly-seber model to estimate overwinter survival rates deliverables and expected outcomes -annual progress report final report one peer-reviewed publicationpresentations at local management meetings and national scientific meetings intended beneficiary(IES) -vermont fish and wildlifenew york department of environmental conservationus fish and wildlife servicerecreational anglers on lake champlain