Aquatic Research Laboratory - Lake Superior State University

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L A K E S U P E R I O R STAT E U N I V E R S I T Y
Aquatic Research Laboratory
“Creating Partnerships in Water Resources”
650 W. Easterday, Sault Sainte Marie, MI 49783; (906) 635-1949; www.lssu.edu/arl
Mission Statement: “The LSSU Aquatic Research Laboratory
will combine education and research on aquatic biota and
their associated habitats within the Great Lakes Basin to serve
the academic, scientific, and public communities.”
ARL Staff:
Ashley Moerke, PhD: Co-Director
Geoff Steinhart, PhD: Co-Director
Roger Greil: Manager
And many LSSU Students
A Fish Tale Comes True:
Edison Sault Electric Donates Building to LSSU
Edison Sault Electric Company President Don Sawruk
hands the “key” to the new ARL lab to former LSSU
president Dr. Betty Youngblood. Photo by J. Shibley.
Edison Sault Electric Company is a longtime partner with Lake Superior State University (LSSU) and
the Aquatic Research Laboratory (ARL) in promoting
education, research and outreach. Now, Edison has
donated a 16,000 square-foot, three-story building
which will allow the ARL to nearly quintuple its present size and modernize its facilities to enhance undergraduate training and education at LSSU.
Since the mid-1970s, Edison Sault, a subsidiary of
Wisconsin Energy company since 1996, has provided
space for LSSU's Aquatic Research Laboratory in the
ARL Newsletter 2008 Volume 3, Issue 1
east end of its hydroelectric power plant. Through
Edison's generosity, the ARL expanded over the years
and has outgrown the available space. The donation
will allow the ARL to add a number of facilities, including a visitor center and discovery room, given that
the ARL already hosts approximately 1,000 visitors
per year. In addition, the new building will include a
fish health laboratory, classrooms, teaching and research labs, and space to allow the ARL to support
collaborative projects with researchers outside LSSU.
President Donald Sawruk of Edison Sault said the
local area needs to help LSSU grow. "The ARL is a
unique project because you have a business working
hand-in-hand with a local university and that relationship turns out benefits both for students and the region," said Sawruk.
LSSU's President, Dr. Rodney Lowman, noted that
the work being done at the Aquatic Research Laboratory is an example of the fine "hands-on" training
Lake State students receive. “Not only do we turn out
fisheries and wildlife graduates who are in great demand,” said Dr. Lowman, “but the ARL also serves
sport fishers who benefit from the Atlantic salmon we
grow there. Our research on fish helps to prevent disease and improve the growth of fish in an ecologically
sound way.”
"This [new building] will allow us to add a hands(Continued on page 2)
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ARL Highlights-For more information visit: www.lssu.edu/arl
A Fish Tale Comes True
Greil, who has managed the ARL for 18 years.
"Edison has been a great partner over the years. They
on facility to get our visitors more involved when they have always been there for us when we needed them,
tour the lab," said Dr. Ashley Moerke. "It will let them and this is another example of the kind of support they
spend more time in the lab when they visit, and it will have given us. We owe them a lot."
give us a better ability to educate the community on
what we're doing and why."
The ARL offers the sort of "real-world" experience
that LSSU prides itself on. It provides students with a
variety of fish hatchery skills, research and monitoring
experience, and support for their senior thesis research
projects, all of which help them get jobs and placements in graduate schools. "Our current lab does include some research space, but we need to redesign
the rooms for each project," added Dr. Geoffrey
Steinhart. "With more dedicated lab space, we can
support many student projects and collaborate with
other agencies and universities much more easily."
"We are very excited about this building and the
opportunities it will open for us," commented Roger
The future home of the ARL. Photo by D. Traynor.
(Continued from page 1)
Fish & Wildlife Club Lands Regional Award
By Brandon Gerig (‘09)
The LSSU Fish and Wildlife Club was honored with the Most Active Student Sub-unit of the American
Fisheries Society, North-Central Division (NCD) Award. “Lake Superior State University stood out as the
unanimous award winner among seven nominated Student Subunits” said NCD President Jessica Mistak. This
was quite an accomplishment considering the club has only been an official subunit since December 2006.
The LSSU chapter received the award for its commitment to professional development and community service. Featured events included participating in a lake sturgeon telemetry study, lake surveys on the Hiawatha
Sportsmen’s Club and aiding in the maintenance of a Kids Fishing Pond in Sault Ste. Marie. Winning this
award adds to LSSU’s reputation as one of the premier universities in the Midwest for Fisheries Management.
Seventeen members of the LSSU Fisheries and Wildlife Club attended the 68th annual Midwest Fish and
Wildlife Conference in Madison, Wisconsin to receive the award. Additionally, at the conference, four members of the club were selected to attend the Janice Lee Fenske Memorial Breakfast. The breakfast, which was
by invite only, allowed exemplary students to engage professionals with questions regarding career and graduate school opportunities.
The conference also was a valuable experience in which students learned about current research while making connections with natural resource professionals. Two students presented their research projects at the
meeting. All students benefited from attending the meeting, and an LSSU Alumni Social, which allowed networking opportunities for graduate school, jobs and summer internships. Attending this meeting was definitely a highlight of the year for the club and we plan to continue a strong showing, representing LSSU well at
future meetings.
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To view the ARL FishCam visit: www.lssu.edu/arl/fishcam.php
Freshwater Mussels:
Pioneering Surveys in the Eastern UP
By Jen Johnson (‘08) and Kate Harriger (‘09)
Freshwater mussels, or what are popularly referred
to as “clams”, are some of the most endangered species in the world. Of the 45 species in Michigan, over
one-third are listed as a species of concern, endangered, or threatened. Information on the status and distribution of these important animals is vital for future
management decisions that would protect and preserve
these delicate populations.
During summer 2007, Fisheries and Wildlife students Jen Johnson and Kate Harriger were employed
by Michigan Natural Features Inventory to survey
freshwater mussels throughout the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This was the first time a scientific
evaluation had been conducted for these imperiled
animals in the Upper Peninsula. Initial thoughts were
that freshwater mussel populations would be low, but
it turned out to be quite the opposite. Several species
were documented; most notably fat muckets
(Lampsilis siliquoidea), cylindrical papershells
(Anodontoides ferussacianus), and giant floaters
(Pyganodon grandis). Surveys were conducted in of
wadeable streams using glass bottom buckets in order
locate mussels buried in the substrate. Survey sites
were marked using GPS units and later imported into
GIS software for further analysis.
Jen recently finished her senior thesis which analyzed possible correlations between geology/land use
and overall mussel populations. For her thesis, Kate is
Mussel researchers Kate Harriger (left) and Jen Johnson (right). Photo by: A. Johnson.
focusing on the distribution of mussels throughout
Hannah Creek, a small tributary to the Carp River, and
how it’s related to microhabitat and mussel age. Jen
presented her final results at this year’s meeting of the
Michigan Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.
Jen also received the inaugural Sault Naturalist’s Best
Senior Thesis Award, awarded for outstanding natural
resource research at LSSU. Kate will be presenting
her results at several conferences, including the 2008
Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference.
The LSSU Student Sub-unit of the
American Fisheries Society with their
Most Active Student Sub-unit Award.
The club received the award for their
professional development and service
activities during 2006-2007. Photo by
D. Workman.
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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Atlantic
Salmon, but Were Afraid to Ask By Jesse Kamps (‘09)
Each year, hundreds to over a thousand Atlantic
salmon (scientific name Salmo salar, meaning the
salmon leaper) return to the St. Marys River and the
Aquatic Research Laboratory, where they were
hatched. Eggs are collected from these returning fish
and raised in the hatchery. Each spring the ARL releases about 25,000 Atlantic salmon yearlings into the
St. Marys River. Fish from the ARL travel throughout
the Great Lakes and have been caught in every Great
Lake from Lake Superior to Lake Ontario.
Every fall, our salmon journey up the St. Marys
River to spawn, returning directly below the hatchery.
The fish are attracted to the flow and odor of the discharge water from the ARL’s hatchery. When the water temperature reaches 10°C, students start collecting
Atlantic salmon and taking records for our research.
The length, weight, and sex of each fish are recorded,
along with the number of sea lamprey scars. Fish also
are checked for fin clips, allowing the fish to be aged
(see How Old is My Catch? on page 5).
After all records are taken for each fish, they are
placed into sex-specific holding containers where they
remain (for up to two weeks) until they are sexually
“Stripping” eggs (left) and milt (right) from Atlantic
salmon. Photo by: J. Shibley.
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Dusty Arsnoe (‘07) holds a male Atlantic salmon in
spawning condition. Photo by: B. Lunn.
mature or “ripe.” When the Atlantics are ripe, they are
sedated to reduce stress. A female is stripped of eggs
by applying gentle pressure on the abdomen. Eggs are
stripped into a bucket where they will await the milt.
Males are stripped of milt in much the same fashion.
The milt and eggs are then mixed together and water
is added in order to start the fertilization process. Samples of both eggs and milt are taken and tested for diseases before any eggs from different pairings are
mixed together.
Fertilized eggs are cleaned with an iodine solution,
to remove any bacteria that may compromise the eggs.
Disinfected eggs are then placed into individual containers until results of the disease testing come back.
Eggs from parents that test positive for bacterial kidney disease (BKD) are discarded. Healthy eggs are
placed into eggs trays and are ready for rearing. Eggs
also are tested for early mortality syndrome (EMS, a
vitamin B deficiency) and all eggs are treated with a
vitamin B bath to stave off this damaging deficiency.
The young fish stay at the ARL for about a year and a
half and are released in May or June at a size ranging
from 6-12.” From there, we wait for their return in one
to three years.
How Old is My Catch?
Each year-class of Atlantic salmon receives a different fin clip to identify which fish are returning. If you
hold the fish upright, with the head away from you, the fish’s right fins are on your right, and the left fins on
your left. In 2008, you might catch Atlantic salmon of any year-class from 2004-2008 (see table below).
Year
Class
Fin Clip
Age in
2008
Average
Length
2008
2007
Right ventral
Right pectoral
1 year
2 years
< 15 in
22 in
2006
Left ventral
3 years
28 in
2005
Left pectoral
4 years
> 28 in
2004
Right ventral
5 years
> 28 in
Characteristics of different Atlantic salmon year
classes in the St. Marys River during 2008.
Fins of an Atlantic salmon. Picture: Cornell University
and the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation.
Fishing for Atlantics?
The St. Marys River supports world-class Atlantic salmon fishing. What makes the St. Marys so special?
“What is most unique about our Atlantics is that they aggressively feed in the river, unlike many Atlantic
salmon on the east coast,” says local fishing guide John Giuliani. Indeed, from May through late August, Atlantics in the St. Marys aggressively feed on the abundant prey fish. Once spawning starts, Atlantics will still
bite out of instinct and aggression. Some Atlantics are caught all winter long in the St. Marys River rapids.
Tips from local guide John Giuliani (www.worldsites.net/riverfishing):
• Atlantics attack schools of smelt at the surface—look for bird activity or splashes to find the fish.
• Troll minnow patterns (flies or spoons) at the surface in front of the hydroelectric plants during summer.
• Cast minnow patterns in the rapids (accessible only from the Canadian side, Ontario license required).
• Atlantics can be caught near DeTour, MI from mid-May through July, near Sault Ste. Marie, from midJune through July. Fishing off the docks or near the St. Marys River rapids is good through August.
News and Notes:
• LSSU has added a new Bachelor’s of Science degree in Fish Health. This degree will train the next genera-
tion of fish pathologists for agencies, zoos, and hatcheries. Look for a full description in our next newsletter!
• Jennifer Johnson (‘08) won the Sault Naturalist’s award for outstanding natural resources research.
• Dr. Ashley Moerke (LSSU), Andy Selle (Interfluve), Jessica Mistak (MDNR), and Peter Badra (MNFI) were
awarded a grant from the WE Energies Mitigation and Enhancement Fund titled “Distribution and habitat
requirements of freshwater mussels in wadeable streams of the Upper Menominee River Basin.”
• Dr. Gary Lamberti (Notre Dame), Dr. Dominic Chaloner (ND), and Dr. Ashley Moerke were awarded a
grant titled “Impacts of introduced Pacific salmon on ecological communities of Great Lakes’ tributaries”
from the Great Lakes Fishery Trust.
• Dr. Geoffrey Steinhart published an article titled “Should I stay or should I go? Optimal parental care decisions of a nest-guarding fish.” Evolutionary Ecology Research 10: 351-371.
Page 5
Panfish, Weevils, and Milfoil, Oh My!
By Corey Jerome (‘09)
Eurasian watermilfoil is an invasive species introduced into the United States in the 1940s. Watermilfoil has become a large problem within many inland
lakes because of its ability to form a dense surface
canopy and out-compete native plants. This nuisance
aquatic weed limits recreation abilities by impeding
boating traffic and other water recreation. Because of
problems caused by watermilfoil, lake associations
and conservation agencies have been looking into
ways to control the aquatic plant.
One possible control agent is the milfoil weevil.
This native aquatic insect eats the plant and lays its
eggs in the stems of Eurasian watermilfoil. Weevil
larvae damage the stem, which halts nutrient movement throughout plant. As weevils damage the plant, it
causes the milfoil to sink out of the water column.
Weevils can multiply quickly: within a typical growing season, weevils are able to complete three generations. Therefore, weevils are a good candidate for the
control of the milfoil because they can be self sustaining after the first planting.
An unknown factor I am studying for my senior
thesis is the predation on the weevil by panfish. Panfish are known to forage within weed beds and may
feed on milfoil weevils. Agencies are concerned that
panfish predation on weevils may limit weevil populations to where they will not be able to control Eurasian
water milfoil.
A milfoil weevil climbing on a Eurasian watermilfoil
stem. Photo: R. Johnson, Cornell Univ., Bugwood.org.
Alumni Update:
Tony Perotti (’98) – Tony was a founding member of
the LSSU Fish and Wildlife Club. “It was a little over
10 years ago,” said Tony, “that I remember attending
our first Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference. We
were wide-eyed, enamored, and inspired to bring to
light the successes of our program and LSSU.”
New ARL t-shirts and sweatshirts are now available. All feature a small chest logo and a large
logo on back. See our web site for more information and color pictures. Thanks to our models:
Brandon Gerig (‘09), Corey Jerome (‘09) and
Brianne Lunn (‘09). Photo: G. Steinhart.
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After graduating, Tony worked on several bird projects
with researchers from Mississippi to Wisconsin to
Nova Scotia. Tony currently resides in Manitou
Beach, MI and is operating his own consulting firm,
Perotti Wildlife and Habitat Management. In addition,
Tony is an aquarium biologist and product specialist at
Cabela’s in Dundee, MI.
Alumni: Send us your updates for future newsletters!
Please send them to gsteinhart@lssu.edu.
LSSU Hosts the MIAFS Meeting: Sweeps Awards!
LSSU hosted the annual meeting of the Michigan
Chapter of the American Fisheries Society on 3-5
March, 2008. It was the first time the meeting has
been held at LSSU and it has been over a decade that
MIAFS last convened in the Upper Peninsula.
Three LSSU students and two faculty presented
talks on their research. Another seven LSSU undergraduates presented research posters. In the end,
LSSU won both the best student presentation awards.
Scott Collins (‘08) won the best student presentation
award for his research on how Pacific salmon effect
stream communities. Ryan Namespetra (‘08) won the
best poster award for his research on sea lamprey control techniques. “The AFS meeting was a great way to
meet people and inform them about your research,”
said Ryan. “I feel that the senior thesis process was
very helpful in understanding research techniques.”
Seventy-six people attended the meeting which included 21 oral presentations and eight posters. For the
first time in many years, there were concurrent sessions for oral presentations and the meeting was well
received by MIAFS members. The plenary speaker
was Dr. Paul Seelbach (Institute for Fisheries Research (IFR), Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR)) spoke of Michigan’s proposed water withdrawal assessment process and water management policy.
Dr. Kevin Wehrly (IFR, MDNR) led a workshop
on non-gamefish identification that was so popular we
had to cap enrollment at 30 participants. The meeting
not only highlighted current research, but also gave
LSSU students, faculty, and staff a chance to highlight
Ryan Namespetra (‘08) presents his award winning
poster on sea lamprey repellents. Photo: G. Steinhart. LSSU’s activities and facilities.
Completed Senior Thesis Projects, 2007-2008
Scott Collins. 2008. Response of algal biomass and water chemistry to spawning Pacific salmon in three
northern Michigan streams.
Samantha Gabriel. 2008. Conditioning of wild salmon under simulated hatchery conditions.
Kurt Harjala. 2007. Can landscape parameters predict steelhead redd locations?
Roxann Huisman. 2008. Phosphorus concentrations in coho salmon from the Platte River Fish Hatchery.
Jennifer Johnson. 2008. Freshwater mussel distribution and relationships with landscape variables in northern
Michigan streams.
Michael Jones. 2007. Biological and chemical assessment of Kinross and Duke’s Lakes, Michigan.
Jason Lorenz. 2008. Predation on lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) eggs by three crayfish (Orconectes
spp.) species in the Peshtigo River, Wisconsin.
Alex Mwai. 2008. Genetic diversity of the yellow perch population in the St. Marys River, Michigan.
Ryan Namespetra. 2008. Behavioral response of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) to three possible chemical repellents.
Brian Narwocki. 2007. Effects of fishing tournament length on bass mortality.
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LSSU’S AQUATIC RESEARCH LABORATORY
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Please mail to: LSSU Aquatic Research Laboratory, 650 W. Easterday Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Thank you for your support!
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Aquatic Research Laboratory - Lake Superior State University

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