WLR Monitoring Study CLBMON-05 (Year 4) Kinbasket Reservoir Burbot Life History and Habitat Use Assessment

Author: M. Kang, W.G. Warnock, R.S. Cope, A. Prince

- Determine the basic biological characteristics of Burbot populations in Kinbasket Reservoir (e.g., distribution, abundance, growth and age structure). - Assess the impact of winter drawdown of Kinbasket Reservoir on Burbot spawning habitat and spawning success. - Assess whether modifications be made to the operation of Kinbasket Reservoir to protect or enhance spawning success of these Burbot populations.

Mobile and fixed receiver tracking data collected from 2014 to 2017 indicated no clear movement pattern towards a specific congregation location in the pre-spawning and early spawning season. Most detections were made at Wood Arm/River, Sullivan Arm/River, Kinbasket River, and Kinbasket Outlet/Inlet. While data from fixed acoustic receivers indicated variability in the depths occupied by Burbot, significant differences among seasonal depth occupation patterns were observed in shallower habitat (approximately <14 m) use during assumed periods of spawning and deeper habitat use (approximately >19 m) during fall/early winter.

Mobile and fixed receiver tracking data collected from 2014 to 2017 indicated no clear movement pattern towards a specific congregation location in the pre-spawning and early spawning season. Most detections were made at Wood Arm/River, Sullivan Arm/River, Kinbasket River, and Kinbasket Outlet/Inlet. While data from fixed acoustic receivers indicated variability in the depths occupied by Burbot, significant differences among seasonal depth occupation patterns were observed in shallower habitat (approximately <14 m) use during assumed periods of spawning and deeper habitat use (approximately >19 m) during fall/early winter.