J : ~~ ;:....ryN:·.~ ..);ld We tla nds Research centerU. S. Fish and Wildlife Service7·..···J Cajundome BoulevardLafayette. La. 70500

ljio~og~/';dl 0erV'C0C'· ~-' I -: ' '''I Y"~l n I

---- - ----:-V'vS/OBf,·3:11 C.2F!::.WU/\R':' I ;a2

HAB!ITAT SUITABILITY INDEX M:;CEL3~

CHANNEL CATFISH

SK361. l' 54no . 82 ­10 .2

nand Wildlife Service'. Department of the Interior

The Biological Services Program was establi shed wi t hin the U. S. Fis hand Wil dlife Service to supply scientific information and me thodologies onkey environmental issues that impact fis h and wi l dli fe reso urces and theirsupporting ecosystems. The mission of the program is as follows:

• To strengthen the Fish and Wi l dl i fe Serv i ce i n its role asa primary source of information on national f ish and wild­life resources, particularly i n respe ct to env ironmentalimpact assessment . .

• To gather, analyze, and present info rmation that wi ll ai ddecisionmakers in the identi fication and resorut ion ofproblems associated with major changes in land and wateruse.

• To provide bet ter ecolog ical i nformation and eval uat ionfor Department of the Interior development programs , suchas those rel at i ng to energy developme nt.

Informati on develo ped by the Biological Ser vices Program is i nt endedfor use i n the planni ng and decis ionma ki ng process to prevent or mi nimi zethe impact of devel opment on fi sh and ~I i l d li fe . Research activ ities andtechnical assistance services ar e based on an anal ysis of t he is sues , adetermina tion of t he decisionma kers involved and the i r i nformati on needs,and an evaluat ion of t he st ate of t he ar t to identi fy i nformation ~aps

and t o determine priorit ies. This is a st ra tegy t hat wi l l ensure t hatthe products produced and di sseminated are t ime ly and useful .

Proj ects "have been initi ated i n t he following areas: coal ext ract ionand convers ion; power pl ants; geot hermal , mineral and oil shal e develop­men t; water res ource analysis , j ncludi ng s tream alterations and west ernwater allocation ; coastal ecosystems and Oute r Con tinent al Shelf devel op­ment ; and systems inventory , incl uding Na ti onal Wetl and Inventory ,habitat clas si f i cation and analysi s, and informat ion transfe r .

The Bi ological Services Program consists of the Offi ce of Bi ol ogi calSer vi ces in Washington, D.C. , wh i ch i s r espo nsibl e for overal l planning andma nagement; Nat ional Teams, whi ch provide the Program's cent ra l scie nti fi cand technical expertise and arrange ~o r contract i ng bi ol 09ica l services Istudies with states, universit ies, consulting firms , and othe r s; Regiona lSta f fs , who provide a link to problems at t he operati ng leve l; and staffs atcertain Fish and Wil dli fe Ser vice resear ch facili t i es , wh o conduct in-h ouseresearch stud ies .

HABITAT SUITABILITY INDEX MODELS: CHANNEL CATFISH

by

Thomas E. McMahonand

James W. TerrellHabitat Evaluation Procedures GroupWestern Energy and Land Use Team

U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceDrake Creekside Building One

2625 Redwing RoadFort Collins, Colorado 80526

Western Energy and Land Use TeamOffice of Biological Services

Fish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior

Washington, D.C. 20240

FWS/OBS-82/10.2February 1982

This report should be cited as:

McMahon, T. E., and J. W. Terrell. 1982. Habitat suitability index models:Channel catfish. U.S.D.l. Fish and Wildlife Service. FWS/OBS-82/l0.2.29 pp.

i i

PREFACE·

The habitat use information and Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) modelspresented in this document are an aid for impact assessment and habitat man­agement activities. Literature concerning a species' habitat requirements andpreferences is reviewed and then synthesized into HSI models, which are scaledto produce an index between 0 (unsuitable habitat) and 1 (optimal habitat).Assumptions used to transform habitat use information into these mathematicalmodels are noted, and guidelines for model application are described. Anymodels found in the literature which may also be used to calculate an HSI arecited, and simplified HSI models, based on what the authors believe to be themost important habitat characteristics for this species, are presented.

Use of the models presented in this publication for impact assessmentrequires the setting of clear study objectives and may require modification ofthe mode 1s to meet those obj ect i ves. Methods for reduci ng mode 1 complex i tyand recommended measurement techniques for model variables are presented inAppendix A.

The HSI models presented herein are complex hypotheses of species-habitatrelationships, not statements of proven cause and effect relationships.Results of mode~erformance tests, when available, are referenced; however,models that have demonstrated reliability in specific situations may proveunreliable in others. For this reason, the FWS encourages model users toconvey comments and suggestions that may help us increase the utility andeffectiveness of this habitat-based approach to fish and wildlife planning.Please send comments to:

Habitat Evaluation Procedures GroupWestern Energy and Land Use TeamU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service2625 Redwing RoadFt. Collins, CO 80526

iii

CONTENTS

PREFACE iiiACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vi

HABITAT USE INFORMATION 1Genera 1 1Age, Growth, and Food 1Reproduct ion 1Specific Habitat Requirements................................... 1

HABITAT SUITABILITY INDEX (HSI) MODELS................................ 4Model Applicability... 4Model Description - Riverine.................................... 5Model Description - Lacustrine.................................. 8Suitability Index (SI) Graphs for

Model Variables............................................... 9Riverine Model.................................................. 15Lacustrine Model............................................. 17Interpret i ng Mode 1 Outputs 22

ADDITIONAL HABITAT MODELS 24Mode 1 1 24Model 2 25Model 3 25

REFERENCES CITED 25

v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Dugan Sabins provided a major literature review in the early stages ofmanuscript development. We would like to thank Charles Walburg and CorlinCook for their suggestions and comments on earlier manuscripts. An earlierdraft was published as an appendix in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1981)1.Word processing was provided by Dora Ibarra and Carolyn Gulzow. The cover ofthis document was illustrated by Jennifer Shoemaker.

1U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1981. Standards for the development ofhabitat suitability index models. U.S.D.I. Fish and Wildlife Service, Divisionof Ecological Services, Washington, D.C. 103 ESM. n.p.

vi

CHANNEL CATFISH (Ictalurus punctatus)

HABITAT USE INFORMATION

General

The native range of channel catfish (Ictalurus Runctatus) extends fromthe southern portions of the Canadian prairie provinces south to the Gulfstates, west to the Rocky Mountains, and east to the Appalachian Mountains(Trautman 1957; Miller 1966; Scott and Crossman 1973). They have been widelyintroduced outside this range and occur in essentially all of the Pacific andAtlantic drainages in the 48 contiguous states (Moore 1968; Scott and Crossman1973). The greatest abundance of channel catfish generally occurs in the open(unleveed) floodplains of the Mississippi and Missouri River drainages (Walden1964).

Age, Growth, and Food

Age at maturity in channel catfish is variable. Catfish from southernareas with longer growing seasons mature earlier and at smaller sizes thanthose from northern areas (Davis and Posey 1958; Scott and Crossman 1973).Southern catfish mature at age V or less (Scott and Crossman 1973; Pflieger1975) while northern catfish mature at age VI or greater for males and at ageVIII or greater for females (Starostka and Nelson 1974).

Young-of-the-year (age 0) catfish feed predominantly on plankton andaquatic insects (Bailey and Harrison 1948; Walburg 1975). Adults are oppor­tunistic feeders with an extremely varied diet, including terrestrial andaquatic insects, detrital and plant material, crayfish, and molluscs (Baileyand Harrison 1948; Miller 1966; Starostka and Nelson 1974). Fish may form amajor part of the diet of catfish> 50 cm in length (Starostka and Nelson1974). Channel catfish diets in rivers and reservoirs do not appear to besignificantly different (see Bailey and Harrison 1948; Starostka and Nelson1974). Feeding is done by both vision and chemosenses (Davis 1959) and occursprimarily at night (Pflieger 1975). Bottom feeding is more characteristic butfood is al so taken throughout the water col umn (Scott and Crossman 1973).Additional information on the composition of adult and juvenile diets isprovided in Leidy and Jenkins (1977).

Reproduction

Channel catfish spawn in late spring and early summer (generally late Maythrough mid-July) when temperatures reach about 21° C (Clemens and Sneed 1957;Marzolf 1957; Pflieger 1975). Spawning requirements appear to be a majorfactor in determining habitat suitability for channel catfish (Clemens andSneed 1957). Spawning is greatly inhibited if suitable nesting cover isunavailable (Marzolf 1957).

Specific Habitat Requirements

Channel catfish populations occur over a broad range of environmentalconditions (Sigler and Miller 1963; Scott and Crossman 1973). Optimum riverine

habitat is characterized by warm temperatures (Clemens and Sneed 1957; Andrewset al. 1972; Biesinger et al. 1979) and a diversity of velocities, depths, andstructural features that provide cover and food (Bailey and Harrison 1948).Optimum lacustrine habitat is characterized by large surface area, warm temper­atures, high productivity, low to moderate turbidity, and abundant cover(Davis 1959; Pflieger 1975).

Fry, juvenile, and adult channel catfish concentrate in the warmestsections of rivers and reservoirs (Ziebell 1973; Stauffer et al. 1975; McCall1977). They strongly seek cover, but quantitative data on cover requirementsof channel catfish in rivers and reservoirs are not available. Debris, logs,cavities, boulders, and cutbanks in lakes and in low velocity « 15 cm/sec)areas of deep pools and backwaters of rivers will provide cover for channelcatfish (Bailey and Harrison 1948). Cover consisting of boulders and debrisin deep water is important as overwintering habitat (Miller 1966; Jester 1971;Cross and Collins 1975). Deep pools and littoral areas (s 5 m deep) with.:?: 40% su i t ab l e cover are assumed to be optimum. Turbidities> 25 ppm but< 100 ppm may somewhat moderate the need for fixed cover (Bryan et al. 1975).

Riffle and run areas with rubble substrate and pools « 15 cm/sec) andareas with debris and aquatic vegetation are conditions associated with highproduction of aquatic insects (Hynes 1970) consumed by channel catfish inrivers (Bailey and Harrison 1948). Channel catfish are most abundant in riversections with a diversity of velocities and structural features. Therefore, itis assumed that a riverine habitat with 40-60% pools would be optimum forproviding riffle habitat for food production and feeding and pool habitat forspawning and resting cover (Bailey and Harrison 1948). It also is assumedthat at least 20% of lake or reservoir surface area should consist of littoralareas (:=; 5 m deep) to provide adequate area for spawning, fry and juvenilerearing, and feeding habitat for channel catfish.

High standing crops of warmwater fishes are associated with totaldissolved solids (TDS) levels of 100 to 350 ppm for reservoirs in which theconcentrations of carbonate-bicarbonate exceed those of sulfate-chloride(Jenkins 1976). It is assumed that high standing crops of channel catfish in1akes or reservoi rs will, on the average, correspond to thi s TDS 1eve 1.

Turbidity in rivers and reservoirs and reservoir size are other factorsthat may influence habitat suitability for channel catfish populations.Channel catfish are abundant in rivers and reservoirs with varying levels ofturbidity and siltation (Cross and Collins 1975). However, low to moderateturbidities « 100 ppm) are probably optimal for both survival and growth(Finnell and Jenkins 1954; Buck 1956; Marzolf 1957). Larger reservoirs(> 200 ha) are probably more suitabl e reservoir habitat for channel catfi shpopulations because survival and growth are better than in smaller reservoirs(Finnell and Jenkins 1954; Marzolf 1957). Other factors that may affectreservoir habitat suitability for channel catfish are mean depth, storageratio (SR), and length of agricultural growing season. Jenkins (1974) foundthat high mean depths were negatively correlated with standing crop of channelcatfish. Mean depths are an inverse correlate of shoreline development (Ryderet al. 1974), thus higher mean depths may mean less littoral area would beavailable. Jenkins (1976) also reported that standing crops of catfishes(Ictaluridae) peaked at an SR of 0.75. Standing crops of channel catfish were

2

postively correlated to growing season length (Jenkins 1970). However, harvestof channe 1 cat fi sh reported in reservoi rs was not corre 1ated with growi ngseason length (Jenkins and Morais 1971).

Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels of 5 mg/l are adequate for growth andsurvival of channel catfish, but D.O. levels of ? 7 mg/l are optimum (Andrewset al. 1973; Carlson et al. 1974). Dissolved oxygen levels < 3 mg/l retardgrowth (Simco and Cross 1966), and feeding is reduced at D.O. levels < 5 mg/l(Randolph and Clemens 1976).

Adult. Adults in rivers are found in large, deep pools with cover. Theymove to-rTffles and runs at night to feed (McCammon 1956; Davis 1959; Pflieger1971; 1975). Adults in reservoirs and lakes favor reefs and deep, protectedareas with rocky substrates or other cover. They often move to the shorelineor tributaries at night to feed (Davis 1959; Jester 1971; Scott and Crossman1973).

The optimal temperature range for growth of adult channel catfish is26-29° C (Shrable et al. 1969; Chen 1976). Growth is poor at temperatures< 21° C (McCammon and LaFaunce 1961; Macklin and Soule 1964; Andrews andStickney 1972) and ceases at < 18° C (Starostka and Nelson 1974). An upperlethal temperature of 33.5° C has been reported for catfish acclimated at25° C (Carlander 1969).

Adult channel catfish were most abundant in habitats with salinities< 1.7 ppt in Louisiana, although they occurred in areas with salinities up to11.4 ppt (Perry 1973). Salinities s 8 ppt are tolerated with little or noeffect, but growth slows above this level and does not occur at salinities> 11 ppt (Perry and Avault 1968).

Embryo. Dark and secluded areas are required for nesting (Marzolf 1957).Males bu i l d and guard nests in cavities, burrows, under rocks, and in otherprotected sites (Davis 1959; Pflieger 1975). Nests in large impoundmentsgenerally occur among rubble and boulders along protected shorelines at depthsof about 2-4 m (Jester 1971). Catfish in large rivers are likely to move intoshallow, flooded areas to spawn (Bryan et al. 1975). Lawler (1960) reportedthat spawning in Utah Lake, Utah, was concentrated in sections of the lakewith abundant spawning sites of rocky outcrops, trees, and crevices. The maiecatfish fans embryos for water exchange and guards the nest from predators(Miller 1966; Minckley 1973). Embryos can develop in the temperature range of15.5 to 29.5° C, with the optimum about 27° C (Brown 1942; Clemens and Sneed1957). They do not develop at temperatures < 15.5° C (Brown 1942). Embryoshatch in 6-7 days at 27° C (Clemens and Sneed 1957).

Laboratory studies indicate that embryos three days old and older cantolerate salinities up to 16 ppt until hatching, when tolerance drops to 8 ppt(Allen and Avault 1970). However, 2 ppt salinity is the highest level inwhich successful spawning in ponds has been observed (Perry 1973). Embryosurvival and production in reservoirs will probably be high in areas that arenot subject to disturbance by heavy wave action or rapid water drawdown.

Fry. The optimal temperature range for growth of channel catfish fry is29-30° C (West 1966). Some growth does occur down to temperatures of 18° C(Starostka and Nelson 1974), but growth generally is poor in cool waters withaverage summer temperatures < 21° C (McCammon and LaFaunce 1961; Macklin and

3

Soule 1964; Andrews et al. 1972) and in areas with short agricultural growingseasons (Starostka and Nel son 1974). Upper incipient lethal level s for fryare about 35-38° C, depending on acclimation temperature (Moss and Scott 1961;Allen and Strawn 1968). Optimum salinities for fry range from 0-5 ppt;salinities ~ 10 ppt are marginal as growth is greatly reduced (Allen andAvaul t 1970).

Fry habitat suitability in reservoirs is related to flushing rate ofreservoirs in midsummer. Walburg (1971) found abundance and survival of frygreatly decreased at flushing rates < 6 days in July and August.

Channel catfish fry have strong shelter-seeking tendencies (Brown et al.1970), and cover availability will be important in determining habitat suit­ability. Newly hatched fry remain in the nest for 7-8 days (Marzolf 1957) andthen disperse to shallow water areas with cover (Cross and Collins 1975). Fryare commonly found aggregated near cover in protected, slow-flowing (velocity< 15 em/sec) areas of rocky riffles, debris-covered gravel, or sand bars inclear streams (Davis 1959; Cross and Collins 1975), and in very shallow« 0.5 m) mud or sand substrate edges of flowing channels along turbid riversand bayous (Bryan et al. 1975). Dense aquatic vegetation generally does notprovide optimum cover because predation on fry by centrarchids is high underthese conditions, especially in clear water (Marzolf 1957; Cross and Collins1975). Fry overwinter under boulders in riffles (Miller 1966) or move tocover in deeper water (Cross and Collins 1975).

Juvenile. Optimal habitat for juveniles is assumed to be similar to thatfor fry. The temperature range most suitable for juvenile growth is reportedto be 28-30° C (Andrews et al. 1972; Andrews and Stickney 1972). Upper lethaltemperatures are assumed to be similar to those for fry.

HABITAT SUITABILITY INDEX (HSI) MODELS

Model Applicability

Geographic area. The model is applicable throughout the 48 conterminousStates. The standard of comparison for each individual variable suitabilityindex is the optimum value of the variable that occurs anywhere within the 48conterminous States. Therefore, the model will never provide an HSI of 1.0when applied to water bodies in the Northern States where temperature-relatedvariables do not reach the optimum values for channel catfish found in theSouthern States.

Season. The model provides a rating for a water body based on its abilityto support a self-sustaining population of channel catfish through all seasonsof the year.

Cover types. The model is applicable in riverine, lacustrine, palustrine,and estuarine habitats, as described by Cowardin et al. (1979).

Minimum habitat area. Minimum habitat area is defined as the minimumarea of contiguous suitable habitat that is required for a species to succes­fully live and reproduce. No attempt has been made to establish a minimum

4

habitat size for channel catfish, although this species is most abundant inlarger water bodies.

Verification level. The acceptable output of these models is an indexbetween 0 and 1 which the authors believe has a positive relationship tocarrying capacity. In order to verify that the model output was acceptable,sample data sets were developed for calculating HSI's from the models.

The sample data sets and their relationship to model verification arediscussed in greater detail following the presentation of the models.

Model Description

It is assumed that channel catfish habitat quality is based primarily ontheir food, cover, water quality, and reproduction requirements. Variablesthat have been shown to have an impact on the growth, survival, distribution,abundance, or other measure of well-being of channel catfish are placed in theappropriate component and a component rating derived from the individualvariable suitability indices (Figs. 1 and 2). Variables that affect habitatquality for channel catfish, but which do not easily fit into these four majorcomponents, are combi ned under the "other component." headi ng. Levels of avariable that are near lethal or result in no growth cannot be offset by othervariables.

Model Description - Riverine

Food component. Percent cover (V2 ) is assumed to be important for rating

the food component because if cover is available, fish would be more likely tooccupy an area and utilize the food resources. Substrate (V 4 ) is included

because stream productior, pocent i a l of aquatic insects (consumed directly byboth channel catfish and their prey species) is related to amount and type ofsubstrate.

Cover co~nent. Percent pools (VI) is included because channel catfish

utilize pools as cover. Percent cover (V 2 ) is an index of all types of

objects, including logs and debris, used for cover in rivers. Average currentvelocity in cover areas (VIS) is important because the usable habitat near a

cover object decreases if cover objects are surrounded by high velocities.

Water quality component. The water quality component is limited totemperature, oxygen, turbidity, and salinity measurements. These parametershave been shown to effect growth or survival, or have been correlated withchanges in standing crop. Variables related to temperature, oxygen, andsalinity are assumed to be limiting when they approach lethal levels. Toxicsubstances are not considered.

5

Habitat Variables Life Requisites

II

II

II

II

II

(V 6 )season

Temperature (adult) (V s )

Temperature (fry) (Vl 2 )

Temperature (juvenile) (Vl 4 )

Di ssol ved oxyge~rn~(~V~s2)-=========~§~~~ Water qual ity (CWQ) ---~HSITurbidity (V7 ) -

Salinity (adult) (V9 )

Salinity (fry, juvenile) (Vl J )

Length of agricultural growing

~~ poo1s (V1 ) -====================-..-% cover (V2 ) - ~ Cover (CC)

Average current velocity (Vl S ) -------

~~ pools (V l )

% cover (V2 )

Dissolved oxy~g~e~n~(~V~s~)~===============~~Reproduction(CR)Temperature (embryo) (VlO ) ----===

Salinity (embryo) (Vl l )

Figure 1. Tree diagram illustrating relationship of habitat variablesand life requisites in the riverine model for the channel catfish.Dashed lines indicate optional variables in the model.

6

Habitat Variables

% cover (V 2) -

~6 1it tora 1 are~a-(~V~3~)~===~===========::='~ Food (CF)

Total dissolved solids (VIS)

HSI

-------

Temperature (adult) (V s )

Temperature (fry) (V I2)Temperature (juvenile) (V I 4)

Dissolved oxyge?rn~(~V~8~)-===========~::::~~7Water quality (CWO)Turbidity (V,) - II

Salinity (adult) (V 9 ) /

/Salinity (fry, juvenile) (VI 3) /

ILength of agricultural growing season (Vs )

Storage ratio (VIS)~ Other (COT)

Flushing rate (VI')

% cover (V 2)% littoral area (V 3)Dissolved oxygen (V8)1~==========~~~Reproduction (CR) ,

Temperature (embryo) (V I O)Salinity (embryo) (VII)

Figure 2. Tree diagram illustrating relationship of habitat variablesand life requisites in the lacustrine model for the channel catfish.Dashed lines indicate optional variables in the model.

7

Reproduction component. Percent pools (V l ) is in the reproductive compo­

nent because channel catfish spawn in low velocity areas in rivers. Percentcover (V 2 ) is in thi s component si nce channel catfi sh requi re cover for

spawning. If minimum dissolved oxygen (DO) levels within pools and backwatersduring midsummer (Va) are adequate, they should be adequate during spawning,

which occurs earlier in the year. DO levels measured during spawning andembryo development could be substituted for Va. Two additional variables,

average water temperatures within pools and backwaters during spawning andembryo development (Vl C ) and maximum salinity during spawning and embryo

develo~ment (V l l ) are included because these water quality conditions affect

embryo survival and development.

Model Description - Lacustrine

Food component. Percent cover (V2 ) is included since it is assumed that

if cover is available, channel catfish would be more likely to utilize an areafor feeding. Percent littoral area (V3 ) is included because littoral areas

generally produce the greatest amount of food and feeding habitat for catfish.Total dissolved solids (T05) (V l 6 ) is included because adult channel catfish

eat fish, and fish production in lakes and reservoirs is correlated with T05.

C0 ver comp0 nent. Per cent .c0 ver (V 2 ) i sinc1uded sin ce channe1 cat f is',

strongly seek structural features of logs, debri s , brush, and other objectsfor shelter. Percent littoral area (V3 ) is included because all life stage

predominantly utilize cover found in littoral areas of a lake.

Water quality component. Refer to riverine model description.

Reproduction component. Percent cover (V 2 ) is included since catfish

build nests in dark and secluded areas; spawning is not observed if suitablecover is unavailable. Percent littoral area (V3 ) is included since catfish

spawning is concentrated along the shoreline. DO (Va), temperature (V l C ) and

salinity (Vl l ) are included because these water quality parameters affect

embryo survival and development.

Other component. For reservoirs, storage ratio (Vl S ) and maximum flushing

rate when fry are present (Vl 7 ) are included in this component because storage

ratio may affect standing crop and the flushing of fry from a reservoir outletcan reduce the abundance of fry.

8

Suitability Index (51) Graphs for Model Variables

This section contains suitability index graphs for the 18 variablesdescribed above, and equations for combining selected variables into a speciesHSI using the component approach. Variables pertain to a riverine (R) habitat,lacustrine (L) habitat, or both (R, L).

Habitat Variable Suitability Graph

>,+J 0.6

><QJ

-0 0.8c

.......

a.a +-.-.................,.--..--.."T"""'"................-r..................+

0.4

0.2

1. a +-'-................,J"..........,.....-'-'-~.................................+

,..............Q

eu+J

~

Vl

Percent pools duringaverage summer flow.

R

a 25 50 75 100

%

R,L Percent cover (logs,boulders, cavities,brush, debris, orstanding timber) duringsummer within pools,backwater areas, andlittoral areas.

><QJ

-0C

.......

,..............Qeu+J

o 10 20 30 40 50

9

L (V 3 ) Percent littoral area 1.0during summer.

xQJ 0.8"0c

I-<

>, 0.6+>

..Cl 0.4res+>::5 0.2if>

0.0

0 25 50 75 100

%

R (V 4 ) Food production potentialin river by substrate typepresent during averagesummer flow.

l-

I-

f-

A) Rubble dominant inriffle-runs with somegravel and/or boulderspresent; fines (silt 1.0and sand) not common; xaquatic vegetation ~

abundan t (~ 3O~~ ) inc O.8I-<

pool areas.B) Rubble, gravel, .?;' 0.6

boulders, and finesoccur in nearly equal ..Cl 0 4amounts in ri ffl e-run.B .areas; aquatic vegeta~;t ion i sID- 3O~6 i n if> O.2pool areas.

C) Some rubble and gravel 0.0present, but fines orboulders are dominant;aquatic vegetation isscarce « 10%) in poola rea s .

D) Fines or bedrock arethe dominant bottommaterial. Little orno aquatic vegetationor rubble present.

10

A B CClass

o

R,L (V s ) Average midsummer water 1.0temperature withinpools, backwaters, or x

(l) 0.8littoral areas (Adult). -0c

.......

>, 0.6+-'

-r-r-

..0 0.4ro+-'

:::::lVI 0.2

0.0

10 20 30 40O(

R,L (V 6 ) Length of agricultural 1.0growing season (frost- xfree days). (l) 0.8-0

c.......

Note: This variable >, 0.6TSOpt i ona1. +-'

..0 0.4ro+-'

:::::l 0.2VI

0.0

0 125 250

Days

R,L (V 7 ) Maximum monthly average1.0turbidity during summer.

x 0.8(l)-0C

I--< 0.6>,

+-'

-r-r- 0.4..0ro

+-' 0.2 -:::::l

VI

0.0

100 200 300

ppm

11

xQ)

"'0C.....

R,L Average mlnlmum dissolvedoxygen levels withinpools, backwaters, orlittoral areas duringmidsummer.

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0.0

o 2 4mg/l

6 8

R,L (V9 ) Maximum salinity 1.0during summer x(Adult). Q) 0.8"'0

c.....c-, 0.6+-'.....

.....

..0 0.4rtl+-'.....::s 0.2(/)

0.0

0 5 10 15

ppt

R,L ( VI 0 ) Average watertemperatures within 1.0pools, backwaters,and littoral areas xduring spawning and Q) 0.8

"'0embryo development c

(Embryo) . c-, 0.6+-'

..... 0.4..0rtl+-'.....::s 0.2(/)

0.0

10 20 30O(

12

R,L (V 11 ) Maximum salinity 1.0during spawningand embr~o development >< 0.8(lJ

(Embryo) . "Ut::

I-t

>, 0.6+-'

r-.,- 0.4..Qco

+-'

::::l 0.2Vl

0.0

a 10 20ppt

R,L (V 12) Average midsummer water 1.0temperature within pool s , ><bacKwaters, or littoral (lJ 0.8-0areas (Fry). I::

>, 0.6+-'

r-'r- 0.4..Clco+-''r-::::l 0.2<./l

0.0

10 20 30 40

°C

R,L (V 1 J ) Maximum salinityduring summer >< 1.0(Fry, Juvenile).

(lJ

-0I::....... 0.8>,+-'-r--'

0.6.oro+-' 0.4'r-::::l

<./l

0.2

0.0

S 6 7 8 9 10ppt

13

R,L ( V14 ) Average midsummer water 1.0temperature within ><poo1s, backwaters, or Q.J

-0 0.8littoral areas c

>-i

(Juvenile). c-,+> 0.6..---r-t-

..0res 0.4+>......:::::l(/) 0.2

0.0

10 20 30 40O(

L (V 1 S ) Storage ratio. 1.0

><Q.J 0.8-0c

>-i

c-, 0.6+>..--..0 0.4res+>:::::l

(/) 0.2

0.00 2 3

L (V 1 6 ) Monthly average TDS(total dissolved 1.0solids) during ><

Q.J

summer. -0c 0.8>-i

c-,+> 0.6

..0res 0.4+>:::::l

(/) 0.2

0.0

0 500 1000

ppm

14

L (V 1 7 ) Maximum reservoir 1.0flushing rate whilefry present (Fry). x

OJ 0.8-0s::

.....~

>, 0.6-l..J

.D0.4

co-l..J

:::l 0.2Ul

0.0

4 5 6

Days

R (V 18) Average current velocity 1 .0in cover areas during

xaverage summer flow. OJ-0 0.8s::~

c-,0.6-l..J

.Dco 0.4+>:::l

Ul0.2

0.0

10 20 30 40 50

em/secRiverine Model

These equations utilize the life requisite approach and consist of fourcomponents: food, cover, water quality, and reproduction.

15

Water Quality (CWQ)'

+ V7 + 2(V a) + V9 + V1 3

7

3

If Vs, V1 2 , V1 4 Va, V9 , or V1 3 is S 0.4, then CWQ equals the lowest

of the following: Vs , V1 2 , V1 4 , Va, V9 , V1 3 , or the above equation.

Note: If temperature data are unavailable, 2(V 6 ) (length of agricul­

tural growing season) may be substituted for the term

2(V s + V1 2 + V1 4 )

in the above equation

Reproduction (CR).

C (V V 2 V 2 V 2 V )1/8R = 1 X 2 X a X 10 X 11

If Va, V1 0 , or V1 1 is s 0.4, then CR equals the lowest of the

following: V6 , V1 0 , V1 1 , or the above equation.

HSI determination.

If CWQ or CR is s 0.4, then the HSI equals the lowest of the

following: CWQ' CR, or the above equation.

16

Sources of data and assumptions made in developing the suitability indicesare presented in Table 1.

Sample data sets using riverine HSI model are listed in Table 2.

Lacustrine Model

This model utilizes the life requisite approach and consists of fivecomponents: food, cover, water quality, reproduction, and other.

Water Quality (CWQ)'

CWQ = same as in Riverine HSI Model

Reproduction (CR).

If Va, V1 0 , or V1 1 is ~ 0.4, then CR equals the lowest of the

following: Va, V1 0 , V1 1 , or the above equation.

17

Table 1. Data sources and assumptions for channel catfish suitability indices.

Variable and source

Bailey and Harrison 1948

Bailey and Harrison 1948Marzolf 1957Cross and Collins 1975

Bailey and Harrison 1948Marzolf 1957Cross and Collins 1975

Bailey and Harrison 1948

Clemens and Sneed 1957West 1966Shrable et al. 1969Starostka and Nelson 1974Biesinger et al. 1979

Jenkins 1970

Finnell and Jenkins 1954Buck 1956Marzolf 1957

Moss and Scott 1961Andrews et al. 1973Carl son et al. 1974Randolph and Clemens 1976

Perry and Avault 1968Perry 1973

Assumption

Optimum conditions for a diversity ofvelocities, depths, and structuralfeatures for channel catfish will befound when there are approximately equalamounts of pools and riffles.

The strong preference of all life stagesof channel catfish for cover indicatesthat some cover must be present foroptimum conditions to occur.

Lakes with small littoral area will pro­vide less area for cover and food pro­duction for channel catfish and are there­fore less suitable.

The amount and type of substrate or theamount of aquatic vegetation associatedwith high production of aquatic insects(used as food by channel catfish andchannel catfish prey species) is optimum.

Temperatures at the warmest time of yearmust reach levels that permit growth inorder for habitat to be suitable. Optimumtemperatures are those when maximum growthoccurs.

Growing seasons that are correlated withhigh standing crops are optimum.

High turbidity levels are associated withreduced standing crops and therefore areless suitable.

Lethal levels of dissolved oxygen areunsuitable. DO levels that reduce feedingare suboptimal.

Salinity levels where adults are mostabundant are optimum. Any salinitylevel at which adults have beenreported has some suitabilty.

18

Table 1. (concluded)

Variable and source Assumption

Brown 1942Clemens and Sneed 1957

Perry and Avault 1968Perry 1973

McCammon and LaFaunce 1961Moss and Scott 1961Macklin and Soule 1964West 1966Allen and Strawn 1968Andrews 1972Starostka and Nelson 1974

Allen and Avault 1970

Andrews et al. 1972Andrews and Stickney 1972

Jenkins 1976

Jenkins 1976

Wal,burg 1971

Miller 1966Scott and Crossman 1973Cross and Collins 1975

Optimum temperatures are those whichresult in optimum growth. Temperaturesthat result in death or no growth areunsuitable.

Salinity levels at which spawning hasbeen observed are suitable.

Optimum temperatures for fry are thosewhen growth is best. Temperatures thatresult in no growth or death are unsuit­able.

Salinities that do not reduce growthof fry and juveniles are optimum.Salinities that greatly reduce growthare unsuitable.

Temperatures at which growth of juvenilesis best are optimum. Temperatures thatresult in no growth or death are unsuit­able.

Storage ratios correlated with maximumstanding crops are optimum; those cor­related with lower standing crops aresuboptimum.

Total dissolved solids (IDS) levels cor­related with high standing crops of warm­water fish are optimum; those correlatedwith lower standing crops are suboptimum.The data used to develop this graph areprimarily from southeastern reservoirs.

Flushing rates correlated with reducedlevels of fry abundance are suboptimal.

High velocities near cover objects willdecrease the amount of usable habitataround the objects and are thusconsidered suboptimum.

19

Table 2. Sample data sets using riverine HS1 model.

Data set 1 Data set 2 Data set 3

Variable Data SI Data SI Data SI

% pools Vi 60 1.0 90 0.6 15 0.5

01 cover V2 50 1.0 10 0.4 5 0.210

Substrate for V4 s i It- 0.7 s i It- 0.5 sand 0.2food production gravel sand

Temperature-Adult(0 C) Vs 28 1.0 32 0.4 22 0.5

Growing season V6 180 0.8

Turbidity (ppm) V7 50 1.0 210 0.5 160 0.8

Dissolved oxygen(mg/l) Va 4.5 0.6 4.0 0.5 4.0 0.5

Salinity-adult(ppt) Vs < 1 1.0 < 1 1.0 < 1 1.0

Temperature-Embryos(OC) Vi O 25 0.8 21.5 0.5 28.5 0.5

Salinity-Embryo( ppt) Vii < 1 1.0 < 1 1.0 < 1 1.0

Temperature-Fry(0 C) V1 2 26.5 0.8 32 0.7 23 0.5

Salinity-Fry/Juvenile (ppt) V1 3 < 1 1.0 < 1 1.0 < 1 1.0

Temperature-Juvenile (0 C) V1 4 29 1.0 32 0.7 22 0.5

Velocity V18 15 1.0 5 1.0 30 0.3

20

Table 2. (concluded)

Data set 1 Data set 2 Data set 3

Variable Data 51 Data 51 Data 51

Component 51

CF = 0.85 0.45 0.20

Cr = 1. 00 0.62 0.31'-'

CWO = 0.87 0.40* 0.69

CR = 0.86 0.58 0.47

H51 = 0.88 0.40* 0.43

*Note: CWO S 0.4; therefore, H51 = CWO in Data 5et 2.

21

HSI determination.

HSI

If CWO or CR is ~ 0.4, then the HSI equals the lowest of the

following: CWO' CR, or the above equation.

Sample data sets using lacustrine HSI model are listed in Table 3.

Interpreting Model Outputs

The proper interpretation of the HSI produced by the models is one ofcomparison. If two water bodies have large differences in HSI's, then the onewith the higher HSI should be able to support more catfish than the water bodywith the lower HSI, given that the model assumptions have not been violated.The actual differences in HSI that indicate a true difference in carryingcapacity are unknown and likely to be high. We have aggregated a large numberof variables into a single index with little or no quantitative information onhow the variables interact to effect carrying capacity. The probability thatwe have made an error in our assumptions on variable interactions is high.However, we believe the model is a reasonable hypothesis of how the selectedvariables interact to determine carrying capacity.

Before using the model, any available statistical models, such as thosedescribed under model 3 in the next section, should be examined to determineif they better meet the goals of model application. Statistical models arelikely to be more accurate in predicting the value of a dependent variable,such as standing crop, from habitat related variables than the HSI modelsdescribed above. A statistical model is especially useful when the habitatvariables in the data set used to derive the model have values similar to theproposed model application site. The HSI models described above may be mostuseful when habitat conditions are dissimilar to the statistical model dataset or it is important to evaluate changes in variables not included in thestatistical model.

The sample data sets consist of different variable values (and theircorresponding SI score), which although not actual field measurements, arethought to represent realistic conditions that could occur in various channelcatfish riverine or lacustrine habitats. We believe the HSI's calculated fromthe data reflect what carrying capacity trends would be in riverine or lacus­trine habitats with the characteristics listed in the respective data sets.

22

Table 3. Sample data sets using lacustrine HS1 model.

Data set 1 Data set 2 Data set 3

Variable Data SI Data SI Data 51

01 cover V2 50 1.0 10 0.4 5 0.2/0

% littoral area V3 40 1.0 20 0.7 70 0.6

Temperature-Adult(0 C) Vs 26 1.0 20 0.3 33 0.2

Growing season V6 180 0.8

Turbidity V7 175 0.7 210 0.5 250 0.3

Dissolved oxygen Va 4.5 0.6 4.5 0.6 2.5 0.2

Sa1in ity-Adu It(ppt) V9 < 1 1.0 < 1 1.0 < 1 1.0

Temperature-Embryo(0 C) V10 25 0.8 21.5 0.5 28 0.5

Salinity-Embryo(ppt) V11 < 1 1.0 < 1 1.0 < 1 1.0

Temperature-Fry(0 C) V12 26.5 0.8 32 0.7 23 0.5

Sa1i nity-Fry/Juvenile (ppt) V13 < 1 1.0 < 1 1.0 < 1 1.0

Temperature-Juvenile (0 C) V14 29 1.0 32 0.7 22 0.5

Storage ratio V15 1.5 0.9 .3 0.7 0.8 1.0

TDS (ppm) V1 6 200 1.0 300 1.0 600 0.6

Flushing ratewhile frypre sen t (d ays ) V17 15 1.0 4 0.4 11 1.0

23

Table 3. (concluded)

1. 00 0.70 0.47

1. 00 0.52 0.33

0.82 0.30* 0.20*

0.83 0.56 0.20

0.95 0.55 1. 00

0.89 0.30* 0.20*

Variable

Component SI

CF =

Cc =

CWQ =

CR =

COT =

HSI =

Data set 1

Data SI

Data set 2

Data SI

Data set 3

Data SI

*Note: CWQ ~ 0.4; therefore, HSI = CWQ in Data Sets 2 and 3.

ADDITIONAL HABITAT MODELS

Mode 1 1

Optimal riverine habitat for channel catfish is characterized by thefollowing conditions, assuming water quality is adequate: warm, stable watertemperatures (summer temperatures of 25-31° C); an approximate 40-60% area ofdeep pools; and abundant cover in the form of logs, boulders, cavities, anddebris (> 40% of pool area).

HSI = number of above criteria present

3

24

Model 2

Optimal lacustrine habitat for channel catfish is characterized by thefollowing conditions, assuming water quality is adequate: warm, stable watertemperatures (summer temperatures of 25-30° C); large surface area (> 500 ha);moderate to high fertility (TDS 100-350 ppm); clear to moderate turbidities« 100 JTU); and abundant cover (> 40% in areas < 5 m deep).

HSI = number of above criteria present5

Model 3

Use the reservoir standing crop regression equations for catfishes pre­sented by Aggus and Morais (1979) to predict standing crop, then divide thepredicted standing crop by the highest standing crop value used to develop theregression equation, in order to obtain an HSI.

REFERENCES CITED

Aggus, L. R., and 0.1. Morais. 1979. Habitat suitability index equationsfor reservoi r s based on standi ng crop of fi sh. Nat 1. Reservoi r Res.Program. Rept. to U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv., Hab. Eval. Proj., Ft. Collins,CO. 120 pp.

Allen, K. 0., and J. W. Avault. 1970. The effect of salinity on growth ofchannel catfish. Proc. Southeastern Assoc. Game and Fish Commissioners23:319-331.

Allen, K. 0., and K. Strawn. 1968. Heat tolerance of channel catfish,Ictalurus punctatus. Proc. Southeastern Assoc. Game and FishCommissioners 21:399-411.

Andrews, J. W., and R. R. Stickney. 1972. Interactions of feeding rates andenvironmental temperature on growth, food conversion and body compositionof channel catfish. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 101(1):94-99.

Andrews, J. W., L. H. Knight, and T. Murai. 1972. Temperature requirementsfor high density rearing of channel catfish from fingerlings to marketsize. Prog. Fish-Cult. 34:240-242.

Andrews, J. W., T. Murai, and G. Gibbons. 1973.oxygen on the growth of channel catfish.102(4):835-838.

25

The influence of dissolvedTran s . Am. Fish. Soc.

Bailey, R. M., and H. M. Harrison, Jr. 1948. Food habits of the southernchannel catfish (lcta~rus lacustri2 punctatus) in the Des Moines River,Iowa. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 75:110-138.

Biesinger, K. E., R. B. Brown, C. R. Bernick, G. A. Flittner, and K. E. F.Hokanson. 1979. A national compendium of freshwater fish and watertemperature data. Vol. I. U.S. Environ. Protection Agency Rep., Environ.Res. Lab., Duluth, Minn. 207 pp.

Brown, B. E., 1. Inman, and A. Jearld, Jr. 1970. Schooling and shelterseeking tendencies in fingerling catfish behavior. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc.99(3):540-545.

Brown, L. 1942. Propagation of the spotted channel catfish (Ictalurus.lacustris QlJnctatus). Trans. Kansas Acad. Sci. 45:311-314.

Bryan, C. F., F. M. Truesdale, and D. S. Sabins.of the Atchafalaya Basin, annual report.Unit, Baton Rouge. 203 pp.

1975. A limnological surveyLouisiana Coop. Fish. Res.

Buck, H. D. 1956. Effects of turbidity on fish and fishing. Trans. N. Am.Wildl. Conf. 21:249-261.

Carlander, K. C. 1969. Channel catfish. Pages 538-554 in Handbook of fresh-water fishes of the United States and Canada, -exclusive of thePerciformes. Iowa State Univ. Press, Ames. 752 pp.

Carlson, A. R., R. E. Siefert, and L. J. Herman. 1974. Effects of lowereddissolved oxygen concentrations on channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)embryos and larvae. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 103(3):623-626.

Chen, T. H. 1976. Cage culture of channel catfish in a heated effluent froma power plant, Thomas Hill reservoir. Ph.D. Dissertation, Univ. Missouri,Columbia. 98 pp.

Clemens, H. P., and K. E. Sneed. 1957. Spawning behavior of channel catfish,ktaluru~ Lunctatus. U.S. Fish Wildl. Servo Spec. Sci. Rep.-Fish. 219.11 pp.

Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F. C. Golet, and E. T. LaRoe. 1979. Classifica-tion of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. U.S.D.I.Fish and Wildlife Service. FWS/OBS-79/31. 103 pp.

Cross, F. B., and J. T. Collins. 1975. Fishes in Kansas. Univ. Kansas Mus.Nat. Hist. Publ. Educ. Ser. 3. 180 pp.

Davis, J. 1959. Management of channel catfish in Kansas. Univ. Kansas Mus.Nat. Hist. Misc. Publ. 21. 56 pp.

Davis, J. T., and L. E. Posey, Jr. 1958. Length at maturity of channelcatfish (Ictalurus lacustris) in Louisiana. Proc. Southeastern Assoc.Game and Flsh.-COmmissioners 21:72-74.

26

Finnell, J. C., and R. M. Jenkins.Oklahoma waters: 1954 revision.37 pp. (Cited in Miller 1966.)

1954. Growth of channel catfish inOklahoma Fish. Res. Lab., Rept. 41.

Hynes, H. B. N. 1970. The ecology of running waters. Univ. Toronto Press,Canada. 555 pp.

Jenkins, R. M. 1970. The influence of engineering design and operation andother environmental factors on reservoir fishery resources. WaterResources Bull. 6(1):110-119.

Jenkins, R. M. 1974. Reservoir management prognosis: migraines or miracles.Proc. Southeastern Assoc. Game and Fish Commissioners 27:374-385.

Jenkins, R. M. 1976. Prediction of fish production in Oklahoma reservoirs onthe basis of environmental variables. Ann. Oklahoma Acad. Sci. 5:11-20.

Jenkins, R. M.,harvest inHa 11, ed.Publ. 8.

and D. 1. Morais. 1971. Reservoir sport fishing effort andrelation to environmental variables. Pages 371-384 in G. E.Reservoir fisheries and limnology. Am. Fish. Soc.-Spec.

Jester, D. B. 1971. Effects of commercial fishing, species introductions,and drawdown control on fish populations in Elephant Butte Reservoir, NewMex i co. Pages 265-285 in G. E. Ha 11, ed. Reservoi r fi sheri es andlimnology. Am. Fish. Soc~pec. Publ. 8.

Lawler, R. E. 1960. Investigations of the channel catfish of Utah Lake. UtahState Dept. Fish Game. Inform. Bull. 60-8. 69 pp.

Leidy, G. R., and R. M. Jenkins. 1977. The development of fishery compart­ments and popul at i on rate coeffi ci ents for use in reservoi r ecosystemmodeling. Contract Report Y-77-1, prepared for Office, Chief ofEngineers, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C. 72 pp.

Macklin, R., and S. Soule. 1964. Feasibility of establishing a warmwaterfish hatchery. Calif. Fish Game, Inland Fish. Admin. Rept. 64-14.13 pp. (Cited in Miller 1966.)

Marzolf, R. C. 1957. The reproduction of channel catfish in Missouri ponds.J. Wildl. Manage. 21(1):22-28.

McCall, T. C. 1977. Movement of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, inCholla Lake, Arizona, as determined by ultrasonic tracking. WesternAssoc. Game Fish. Comm. 57:359-366.

McCammon, G. W. 1956. A tagging experiment with channel catfish (Ictaluruspunctatus) in the lower Colorado River. Calif. Fish Game 42(4):323-335.

McCammon, G. W., and D. A. LaFaunce. 1961. Mortality rates and movement inthe channel catfish population of the Sacramento Valley. Calif. FishGame 47(1):5-26.

27

Miller, E. E. 1966. Channel catfish. Pages 440-463 in A. Calhoun, ed.In 1and fi sheri es management. Ca1if. Fi sh Game Re s .-Agency, Sacramento.546 pp.

Minckley, W. L. 1973. Fishes of Arizona. Arizona Fish Game Publ., Phoenix.293 pp.

Moore, G. A. 1968. Vertebrates of the United States. McGraw-Hill, New York.

Moss, D. D., and D. C. Scott. 1961. Dissolved oxygen requirements of threespecies of fish. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 90(4):377-393.

Perry, W. G. 1973. Notes on the spawning of blue and channel catfish inbrackish water ponds. Prog. Fish-Cult. 35(3):164-166.

Perry, W. G., and J. W. Avault. 1968. Preliminary experiments on the cultureof blue, channel, and white catfish in brackish water ponds. Proc.Southeastern Assoc. Game and Fish Commissioners 22:396-406.

Pflieger, W. L. 1971. A distributional study of Missouri fishes. Univ.Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist. Publ. 20(3):225-570.

Pflieger, W. L. 1975. Fishes of Missouri. Missouri Dept. Conserv. Publ.,Columbia. 343 pp.

Randolph, K. N., and H. P. Clemens. 1976. Some factors influencing thefeeding behavior of channel catfish in culture ponds. Trans. Am. Fish.Soc. 105(6):718-724.

Ryder, R. A. 1965. A method for estimating the potential fish production ofnorth-temperate lakes. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 94(3):214-218.

Ryder, R. A., S. R. Kerr, K. H. Loftus, and H. A. Regier. 1974. The morpho­edaphic index, a fish yield estimator - review and evaluation. J. Fish.Res. Board Can. 31(5):663-688.

Scott, W. B., and E. J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater fishes of Canada. Fish.Res. Board Can. Bull. 184. 966 pp.

Shrable, J. B., O. W. Tiemeier, and C. W. Deyoe. 1969. Effects of temperatureon rate of digestion by channel catfish. Prog. Fish-Cult. 31(3):131-138.

Sigler, W. F., and R. R. Miller. 1963. Fishes of Utah. Utah Fish Game, SaltLake City. 203 pp.

Simco, D. A., and F. B. Cross. 1966. Factors affecting growth and productionof channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. Univ. Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist.Publ.17(4):191-256.

Starostka, V. J., and W. R. Nelson.Fish Wildl. Servo Tech. Pap. 81.

1974. Channel catfish in Lake Oahe. U.S.13 pp.

28

Stauffer, J. R., Jr., K. L. Dickson, J. Cairns, Jr., W. F. Calhoun, M. T.Masnik, and R. H. Myers. 1975. Summer distribution of fish species inthe vicinity of a thermal discharge, New River, Virginia. Arch.Hydrobiol. 76(3) :287-301.

Trautman, M. B. 1957. Fishes of Ohio. Ohio State Univ. Press. 683 pp.

Walburg, C. H.survival,Hall, ed.Publ. 8.

1971. Loss of young fish in reservoir discharge and year-classLewis and Clark Lake, Missouri River. Pages 441-448 in G. E.

Reservoir fisheries and limnology. Am. Fish. Soc.-Spec.

Walburg, C. H. 1975. Food of young-of-year channel catfish in Lewis andClark Lake, a Missouri River reservoir. Am. Midl. Nat. 93(1):218-221.

Walden, H. T. 1964. Familiar freshwater fishes of America. Harper and Row,New York. 324 pp.

West, B. W. 1966. Growth, food conversion, food consumption and survival atvarious temperatures of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus(Rafinesque). M.S. Thesis. Univ. Arkansas, Fayetteville. (Cited inShrable et al. 1969.)

Ziebell, C. 1973. Ultrasonic transmitters for tracking channel catfish.Prog. Fish-Cult. 35(1):28-32.

29

50212 "01

REPORT DOCUMENTATION 11,- REPORT NO.

PAGE \- FWS/OBS-82/10.24. ntle and Subtitle

Habitat Suitability Index Models: Channel catfish

7. Author(s)

Thomas E. McMahon, and James W. Terrell9. Performing Organization Name and Address Ha bita t Eva 1uat ion Procedures Grou p

Western Energy and Land Use TeamU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceDrake Creekside Building One2625 Redwing RoadFort Collins, Colorado 80526

12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Address Western Energy and Land Use TeamOffice of Biological ServicesFish and Wildlife ServiceU.S. Department of InteriorWrtsh;ngton, D.C. 20240

15. Supplementary Notes

- llL Abstract (Limit: 200 words)

3. Recipient's Accession No.

February 19826.

8. Performing Organization Rept. No.

10. Project/Task/Worll Unit No.

11. Contract(C) or Grant(G) No.

(C)

(G)

13. Type of Report &. Period Covered

Literature concerning the habitat requirements of the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)is reviewed, and the data is then synthesized into Habitat Suitability Index models.

This is one in a series of publications developed to provide information on the habitatrequirements of selected fish and wildlife species. Numerous literature sources havebeen consulted in an effort to consolidate scientific data on species-habitat relation­ships. These data have subsequently been synthesized into explicit Habitat SuitabilityIndex (HSI) models. The models are based on suitability indices indicating habitatpreferences. Indices have been formulated for variables found to affect the life cycleand survival of each species. Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) models are designed toprovide information for use in impact assessment and habitat management activities. TheHSI technique is a corollary to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Habitat EvaluationProcedures.

~I

17. Document Analysis a. Descriptors

Habi tabi 1i tyFishes

b. Identifiers/Open-Ended Terms

HabitatHabitat Suitability IndexChannel catfishIctalurus punctatus

c. COSATI Field/Group

18. Availability Statement

Unlimited! 19. Security Class (This Report)

i Unclassified~ 20. Security Class (This Page)

. Unclassified

! 21. No. of Pages

! 29I

i 22. Price

i(S.. ANSI-Z39.18) See Instructions on Reverse

'J U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1982-578-124/186 REGION No.8

OPTIONAL FORM 212 (4-77~

(Formerly NTIS-3S)Department of Commerce

•

••• ..__ ....J~.

' .'· 0 ,,-

Hawaiian Islands (>

-(:( Headq uarters . Division of BiologicalServices, Wasnington, DC

x Eastern Energy anO Land Use TeamLeetown , WV

* Nationa l Coastal Ecosystems TeamSli dell , LA

• Western Energy and Land Use TeamFt. Coll ins . CO

• Locat ions of Regional Off ices

REGION 1Regional DirectorU,S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceLloyd Five Hundred Building, Suite 1692500 N.E. Multnomah StreetPortland , Oregon 97232

REGION 4Regional DirectorU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceRichard B. Russell Building75 Spring Street , S.W.Atlanta, Georgia 30303

IJ- - - ----

6 1r-- - -~-

L, JI : - ~- --I I

1- - -'I Il,_I 2 ,,-~--

-_.J

REGION 2Regional DirectorU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceP.O. Box 1306Albuquerque, New Mexico 87 103

REGION 5Regional DirectorU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceOne Gateway Cente rNewton Corner, Massachusetts 02158

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- ..~,.

REGION 3Regional DirectorU.S. Fish and WildlifeServiceFederal Building, Fort SnellingTwin Cities, Minnesota 551 J I

REGION 6Regional DirectorU.S. Fish and Wildli fe ServiceP.O. Box 25486Denver Federal CenterDenver, Colorado 8022 5

u.s.FISH ..WILDLIFE

f>ERVICE

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR hi?]u.s.FISH ANDWILDLIFESERVICE ~

"'-r rw T " "

As the Nat ion's pri ncipal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has respon­sibility for most of our ,nationally owned public lands and natural resources . This includesfostering the wisest use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife,preserving th & environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places,and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Department as­sesses our energy and mineral resources and works to assure that t heir development is inthe best interests of all our people. The Department also has a major respons ibility forAmerican Indian reservation communit ies and for people who live in island territories underU.S. adm inist ration.