Observations on the life histories of the Columbia River chub and Columbia squawfish in western
Montana
by Cliff W Hill
A THESIS Submitted to the Graduate Faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
of Master of Science in Fish and Wildlife Management
Montana State University
© Copyright by Cliff W Hill (1958)
Abstract:
The life histories of the Columbia River chub and the Columbia squawfish were studied during the
summers of 1936 and 1937 in the drainage of the Big Blackfoot River, Montana. Both species occurred
in certain lakes of the drainage, in the lower portion of the Big Blackfoot River and in one principal
tributary. The Columbia squawfish also occurred in the upper portion of the Big Blackfoot River. Both
species inhabited shallow, vegetated areas in lakes. Columbia squawfish were found in areas of
relatively calm water in streams. The growth of Columbia River chub was studied by examining the
scales from 300 fish. Specimens of this species up to nine years of age were collected. Growth of
Columbia squawfish was based on examination of scales from 339 fish. Some individuals of this
species attained an age of at least l5 years. Columbia River chub matured sexually at three to five years
of age while Columbia squawfish matured at six to eight. Both species spawned in late May and early
June while average water temperatures were 55-65° F. The stomach contents of 42 Columbia River
chub and 83 Columbia squawfish were examined. Insects were the predominant item in the stomachs
of both species. Fish were found in some Columbia squawfish stomachs. OBSERVATIONS ON THE LIFE HISTORIES
OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER CHUB.AND COLUMBIA
SQUAMFISH B I.TzESTERN MONTANA
by
CLIFF W. HILL, JR.
A THESIS
Subm itted to th e G raduate F a c u lty
p a r t i a l f u l f i l l m e n t o f th e re q u ire m e n ts
f o r th e d eg ree o f
M aster o f S cien ce i n F is h and W ild life , Management
at
Montana S ta te C o lleg e
Approved:;
Bozeman; Montana
May, 1958
-
2/ b
f/
Table o f C o n te n ts
Page
A b s tra c t ..................................................................................................................
3
l h t r o d u c t i o n .........................................................................................................
L
D is tr ib u tio n and H a b ita t ...............................................................................
6
G r o w th ......................................................................................................................
10
R epro d u ctio n .........................................................................................................
16
Food H a b i t s .........................................................................................................
2h
S u m m a r y ..................................................................................................................
28
L i t e r a t u r e C ite d .................................................................................................
29
128347
-3 -
A b s tra c t
The l i f e h i s t o r i e s o f th e Columbia R iv e r chub arid th e Columbia
sq u aw fish were s tu d ie d duririg th e summers o f 1956 and 1957 i n th e d r a in ­
age o f th e Big B la c k fo o t R iv e r, M ontana. .B oth s p e c ie s o c c u rre d in
c e r t a i n la k e s o f th e d ra in a g e , i n th e lo w er p o rtio n o f th e Big B la ck fo o t
R iv e r and i n one p r i n c i p a l t r i b u t a r y . The Columbia squaw fish a ls o
o c c u rre d in th e u p p er p o r tio n o f th e Big B la c k fo o t R iver* Both s p e c ie s
in h a b ite d s h a llo w , v e g e ta te d a re a s i n la k e s . C olum bia■sq u aw fish were
found i n a r e a s o f r e l a t i v e l y calm w a te r in .s tr e a m s . Tlie grow th o f
Columbia R iv e r chub was s tu d ie d by exam ining th e s c a le s from 300 f i s h .
Specimens o f t h i s s p e c ie s up t o n in e y e a rs o f age were c o lle c te d * Growth
o f Columbia squ aw fish was b ased on ex am in atio n o f s c a le s from 339 f i s h .
Some in d iv id u a ls o f t h i s s p e c ie s a t t a i n e d an age o f a t l e a s t l5 y e a rs .,
Columbia R iv e r chub m atured s e x u a lly a t th r e e t o •f iv e y e a rs o f age w hile
Columbia squ aw fish m atured a t s ix to e i g h t . Both s p e c ie s spawned in
l a t e May and e a r l y June w h ile average w a te r te m p e ra tu re s were 55-65° F .
The stom ach c o n te n ts o f U2 Colum bia R iv e r chub and 83 Columbia squaw fish
were exam ined. I n s e c ts were th e predom inant ite m i n th e stom achs o f
b o th s p e c ie s . F is h were found i n some Columbia squaw fish sto m ach s.
Z
-Il-
In tr o d u c tio n
The Colum bia R iv e r chub (M ylocheilus c a u r i m s ) and th e Columbia
squ aw fish (P ty c h o c h e ilu s ore g o n e n se ) a re abundant n a tiv e f i s h e s i n th e
Columbia R iv e r d ra in a g e o f w estern, U n ite d S t a t e s .
Both grow to th e s iz e
o f many game f i s h b u t a re l i t t l e u t i l i z e d as fo o d and a re g e n e r a lly
c l a s s i f i e d as rough f i s h .
They may compete w ith t r o u t and salm on f o r
I
fo o d and s p a c e .
In one a re a th e Colum bia sq u aw fish was found to be an
im p o rta n t p r e d a to r on young sockeye salmon (R ic k e r, 19^1; F o e r s te r and
R ic k e r, 1 9 l |l ) .
Both ta k e b a i t r e a d i l y and a re c o n sid e re d a n u isa n c e by
a n g le r s .
U n til r e c e n t l y , l i t t l e work was done on th e s e f i s h e s .
In view o f
t h e i r abundance and w id esp read d i s t r i b u t i o n in w e ste rn M ontana, a s tu d y
o f t h e i r h a b its and l i f e h i s t o r i e s was u n d e rta k e n as a p a r t o f th e f i s h ­
e r i e s management program f o r th e a r e a .
The d rain ag e o f th e Big B lack fo o t
R iv e r was s e le c te d f o r th e p r e s e n t i n v e s t i g a t i o n , which was c a r r ie d out
d u rin g th e summers o f 1956 and 1957»
The Big B la c k fo o t R iv e r and i t s t r i b u t a r i e s d ra in p o r tio n s o f Lewis
and. C la rk , P ow ell and M isso u la c o u n tie s i n M ontana.
This d ra in a g e i n ­
c lu d es ab o u t 2,100 Square m ile s and i s bounded on th e e a s t and n o r th e a s t
b y th e Lewis Range, on th e n o rth and w est by th e Swan and M ission ra n g e s
and on th e so u th by th e G arnet Range.
i s about 9 ,000 f e e t .
The h ig h e s t p o in t i n th e d ra in a g e
The e le v a tio n of th e B ig B la ck fo o t R iv e r a t i t s
co n flu e n ce w ith th e C la rk F o rk , Columbia R iv e r i s 3,300 f e e t .
Most o f
th e a re a i s c h a r a c te r iz e d by sh a rp r e l i e f and i s v e g e ta te d b y c o n ife ro u s
fo re s ts .
The average g r a d ie n t o f th e Big B la c k fo o t R iv e r and i t s p r i n c i ­
p a l t r i b u t a r i e s i s a p p ro x im a te ly 11 f e e t p e r m ile*
The C le a rw a te r R iv e r i s th e l a r g e s t t r i b u t a r y o f th e Big B la c k fo o t
R iv e r.
I t o c c u p ie s a narrow wooded v a l l e y 32 m ile s lo n g ly in g n o r th o f
th e p r i n c i p a l d ra in a g e .
T his r i v e r flow s th ro u g h e i g h t la k e s w hich make
up a la r g e p a r t o f th e h a b i t a t s u ita b le f o r th e Colum bia R iv e r dhub and
th e Columbia s q u a w fish .
su rfa ce a re a .
These la k e s ran g e from 23 t o 1,200 a c re s in
They a re g e n e r a lly c h a r a c te r iz e d b y h a v in g a b ru p t s h o re ­
l i n e s and e x te n s iv e d ep th s (90 to 100 f e e t ) .
Tlie s h a r p ly i n c lin e d sh o a l
a re a s have bottom s o f g r a v e l and ru b b le' and th o s e w ith g ra d u a l s lo p e s
/
have bottom s o f sand o r s i l t , sometimes c o v ered w ith c o n s id e ra b le d e b ris
.
■
and l im it e d a re a s o f v a s c u la r v e g e ta tio n .
The w a te r o f th e d ra in a g e i s m o d e ra tely s o f t ( t o t a l a l k a l i n i t y ; 12
t o 20 p .p .m .) .
The d e e p e r la k e s s t r a t i f y th e rm a lly and c h e m ic a lly in
.summer b u t oxygen d e p le tio n i s n o t severe*
The. two minnows u n d e r c o n s id e r a tio n a re among th e most abundant
f i s h e s o f th e d ra in a g e .
O ther n a tiv e f i s h p r e s e n t a r e : R edside s h in e r
(G ila b a l t e a t a ) , Longnose dace (R h in ic h th y s c a t a r a c t a e ) , Longnose su ck er
(C atostom us cato sto m u s) , Columbia l a r g e - s c a le d su ck e r (CU m a c ro c h e llu s ) ,
C u tth r o a t t r o u t (Salmo c l a r k i ) , D o lly T arden (S a lv e lin u s malma) .
M ountain w h ite f is h (Coregonus w illia m s o n l) , Rocky M ountain s c u lp in
(C o ttu s b a i r d l punctulatus ) .
In tro d u c e d s p e c ie s in c lu d e ; Rainbow t r o u t
(Salmo g a i r d n e r i ) , Brown t r o u t (S^1 t r U t t a ) , Kokanee (Cncorhynchus n erk a
k e n n e r ly i) , E a s te r n Brook t r o u t (S a lv e lln u s f o n t i n a l l s ) , Y ellow p erch
—6—
(P e re a f la v e s c e n s ) , Largemouth b la c k b a s s (M c ro p te ru s sa lm o id e s) ,
Pumpkinseed (Lepomis K ibbosus) .
Three specim ens i n d e n t i f i e d as h y b rid s
betx-jeeh Colum bia s q u a n fis h and Colum bia R iv e r chub were c o lle c te d d u rin g
th e s tu d y .
H ybrids betw een th e s e s p e c ie s were p r e v io u s ly r e p o r te d in
Montana by W eisel (l95>3)»
The w r i t e r w ishes t o th a n k D r. Ci J s D. Brown and R ic h ard J . GrahaMj
who d ir e c te d th e s tu d y and a s s i s t e d i n th e p r e p a r a tio n o f th e m a n u s c rip t|
A rth u r Hi 1 # litn e y , who su g g e ste d th e problem and gave v a lu a b le h e lp ;
o th e r p e rs o n n e l o f th e Mbntatia F is h atid Game D epartm etit f o r a s s is ta n c e in
th e f i e l d ; and my w if e , G a il, fo r f i e l d a ssista n ce and encouragem ent.
The Montana F is h and Game D epartm ent fin a n c e d th e f i e l d in v e s t ig a ti o n
u n d e r F e d e ra l Aid to F is h e r ie s R e s to ra tio n P r o je c t F-1 2 -R.
The W rite r
was a g ra d u a te f e llo w Of th e N a tio n a l S cien ce F o u n d atio n f o r a p a r t Of .
th e p e rio d in v o lv e d .in th e S tu d y i
D is tr ib u tio n and H a b ita t
D is tr i b u t i o t i i
The d i s t r i b u t i o n o f th e Columbia R iv e r chub and th e
Columbia squaw fish w ith in th e Big B la ck fo o t R iv e r d ra in a g e was d eterm in ed
from c o l l e c t i o n s made d u rin g th e p r e s e n t s tu d y and from c o l l e c t i o n s made
b y th e Montana F is h and Game D epartm ent i n IpSU (Fig* l ) .
The fo llo w in g
sam pling methods were used: la k e s - g i l l n e t t i n g ; th e Big B la c k fo o t
R iv e r - dynam itin g ; th e Gl e e r water R iv e r below Salmon Lake - a n g lin g ;
th e C le a rw a te r R iv e r ab&Ve Rainy Lake - p b isb tiin g w ith ro te n b n e ; a l l
o th e r stre a m s t a t i o n s - e l e c t r i c a l Shbbking*
A number o f s m a ll stre am s
t r i b u t a r y t o th e Big B lackfO bt R iv e r were sam pled w ith o u t c o l l e c t i n g
CLEARWATER L. O
•
SUMMIT Lx
RAINY L. •
Sa l v a l . *
O MARSHALL L
)
^
)
INEZ L .«
•
SEELEY
•
PLACID L.
•
SALMON L '
COOPER'S L. e
BROWN'S
vV L .O „
BLACKFOOT
CLARK F O R K rX
COLUMBIA R.
O NEVADA LT
COLLECTION STATIONS
•
S Q .ft CRC. PRESENT
C SQ PRESENT
O NEITHER PRESENT
F ig u re I .
O l 2345
MILES
Map o f th e Big B la ck fo o t R iv er d ra in a g e 3 showing c o lle c tio n s ta t io n s
and o c cu rren ce o f th e Columbia R iv e r chub and Columbia sq u aw fish .
—8—
e i t h e r s p e c ie s .
sam pled.
O ther s m a ll stre am s w ith s te e p g r a d ie n ts were n o t
Ho r e c e n t c o ll e c t i o n s were made on th e Big B la c k fo o t R iv e r b e ­
low th e mouth o f th e C le a rw a te r R iv e r , a lth o u g h re c o rd s from 19I48 a re
a v a ila b le f o r t h i s a r e a .
R ecent c r e e l census re c o rd s a ls o show t h a t
b o th Columbia R iv e r chub and Columbia sq u aw fish a re p r e s e n t th e r e *
The Colum bia R iv e r chub was found t o be abundant in C e rta in la k e s
o f th e C le a rw a te r R iv e r d ra in a g e .
They o c c u rre d in sm a ll numbers in th e
b ro a d $ slow a re a s o f th e C le a rw a te r R iv e r below Salmon Lake and i n th e
Big B la c k fo o t R iv e r below th e mouth o f th e C le a rw a te r R iv e r .
Columbia squ aw fish were p r e s e n t in th e Same la k e s o f th e C le a rw a te r
R iv e r d ra in a g e .
T his s p e c ie s was a ls o p r e s e n t in C o o p e r's Lake, which
h as an o u t l e t i n t e r m i t t e n t l y flo w in g i n t o th e N orth F o rk , Big B la c k fo o t
R iv e r .' I t was n o t found in t h i s l a t t e r r i v e r .
The f i s h from C ooper’s
Lake- w ere more d a r k ly pigm ented th a n th o s e found in th e C le a rw a te r d r a in ­
age and i n th e B ig B la c k fo o t R iv e r.
Colum bia sq u aw fish w ere common i n
th e lo w er C le a rw a te r R iv e r and i n th e Big B la c k fo o t R iv e r below th e mouth
o f th e C le a rw a te r R iv e r.
They were a ls o found i n th e Big B la c k fo o t R iv e r
u p stream to a p o in t about two m ile s above th e mouth o f A r r a s tr a C reek.
C o lle c tio n s made a t s t a t i o n s i n th e u p p er p o r tio n o f t h i s r i v e r c o n ta in e d
o n ly la r g e f i s h (th o s e above A rr a s tr a C reek were 11 .3 - 1 ^ .7 in c h e s i n
le n g th * ) .
S earch es f o r young o f th e y e a r a t s e v e r a l s t a t i o n s on th e Big
B la c k fo o t R iv e r d is c lo s e d none more th a n
m ile s u p stream from th e mouth
* A ll le n g th m easurem ents u sed i n t h i s r e p o r t a re t o t a l le n g th s ; maximum
le n g th from t i p o f sn o u t t o th e lo n g e s t p a r t o f th e c au d a l f i n .
9
■
o f th e C le a rw a te r R iv e r .
-
E v id e n tly l i t t l e o r no s u c c e s s f u l re p ro d u c tio n
o c c u rre d i n th e u p p e r p o r tio n o f th e ran g e o f t h i s s p e c ie s .
H a b ita t»
I n la k e s , b o th Columbia R iv e r chub and Columbia sq u aw fish
were found t o o ccu r alm o st e x c lu s iv e ly in th e sh a llo w a re a s d u rin g summer.
Few f i s h were c a p tu re d in n e ts s e t a t d ep th s g r e a te r th a n 20 f e e t .
Both
s p e c ie s in h a b ite d a re a s where submerged v e g e ta tio n was p r e s e n t, e x ce p t
d u rin g th e spaw ning p e r io d .
At t h a t tim e f i s h were c a p tu re d i n open
a re a s as w e ll aS i n v e g e ta te d areas*
In S e e le y Lake d u rin g l a t e March,
19^ 7 , when ic e c o v er was p r e s e n t, f i s h o f b o th s p e c ie s were c a p tu re d i n
g i l l n e ts s e t i n v e g e ta tio n a t d ep th s o f e i g h t f e e t o r l e s s b u t n o t a t
g r e a t e r d e p th s .
These f i s h q u ite p o s s ib ly rem ained i n s h a llo w v e g e ta te d
a re a s d u rin g th e p e rio d o f ic e c o v e r.
Young o f th e y e a r Columbia R iv e r chub and Columbia sq u aw fish cap­
tu r e d i n la k e s b e fo re J u ly 8, 1957 were found i n w a te r l e s s th a n one f o o t
deep along ru b b le o r g r a v e l s h o re s .
A f te r A ugust I , th e s e f i s h were
found in n e a rb y a re a s o f submerged v e g e ta tio n a t d e p th s l e s s th a n th r e e
fe e t.
Columbia squaw fish i n th e Big B la c k fo o t R iv e r were c a p tu re d in- la r g e
p o o ls (8-12 f e e t deep and up t o 100 f e e t lo n g ) .
In th e C le a rw a te r R iv er
th e y were ta k e n in p o o ls and i n o th e r a re a s o f low g r a d ie n t.
Groups o f
f i s h l e s s th a n s i x in c h e s i n le n g th were a ls o observed i n r i f f l e a re a s o f
th e l a t t e r " riv e r, where th e y were c o n c e n tra te d in th e s h e l t e r o f th e
b o u ld e rs along th e r i v e r ’s e d g e .
Young o f th e y e a r were found in p ro ­
t e c t e d p la c e s n e a r sh o re and in back w aters o f th e Big B la c k fb o t R iv e r and
th e C le a rw a te r R iv e r.
—1 0 “
Growth
M ethods.
T o u n g -o f-th e -y e a r f i s h were c o lle c te d w ith a d ip n e t u n t i l
m id-A ugust, b u t a t t h a t tim e th e f i s h were a b le to evade t h i s n e t .
A
s e in e was u sed f o r su b seq u en t c o lle c tio n s i n la k e s .
The grow th o f o ld e r f i s h i n c e r t a i n la k e s was d e term in e d by examin­
in g s c a le s from f i s h c a p tu re d in' g i l l n e t s .
The n e ts u s e d were 125> f e e t
lo ng w ith 25 f o o t s e c tio n s o f 3A > I , 1 ^ , i § and 2 in c h sq u are mesh.
The l a r g e s t mesh was o f a s iz e cap a b le o f c a p tu rin g f i s h l a r g e r th a n any
e n co u n te re d d u rin g th e s tu d y .
Some young age groups were n o t v u ln e ra b le
t o th e n e t s .and were n o t c o lle c te d ^
S c a le s were ta k e n from each f i s h in
th e a re a betw een th e base o f th e d o rs a l f i n and th e l a t e r a l l i n e .
M easurem ents o f s c a le r a d i i were made w ith th e a id o f a s c a le p r o j e c t o r .
T o ta l le n g th s a t fo rm a tio n o f a n n u li were c a lc u la te d w ith a nomograph.
l i n e a r r e l a t i o n s h i p betw een s c a le r a d iu s and body le n g th was assumed.
A le n g th -fr e q u e n c y d i s t r i b u t i o n Was a ls o u sed f o r e v a lu a tin g th e
grow th o f Colum bia sq u aw fish in th e C le a rw a te r R iv e r.
F is h u sed were
c a p tu re d by s e in in g and a n g lin g .
Columbia R iv e r chub.
Young - 0f - th e -y e a r Columbia R iv e r chub from
P la c id Lake a tta in e d an average le n g th b£ 2<.2 in c h es b y Septem ber 1 2 .
1 # 7 (T able l ) .
\
S c a le s o f 300 f i s h c o lle c te d d u rin g 1956 were u sed f o r d e term in in g
th e grow th o f Columbia R iv e r chub i n P la c id Lake.
were m id-June and l a t e A ugust and e a r l y September*
th e sample were two y e a rs o ld .
C o lle c tio n periodsThe y o u n g est f i s h in
Age c la s s T I was n o t r e p r e s e n te d i n th e
June c o lle c tio n s b u t had a t t a i n e d a s iz e v u ln e ra b le t o th e 3 /h in c h g i l l
A
-1 1 -
T able I .
Growth o f y o u n g -o f-th e -y e a r Coltmibia R iv e r chub and Columbia
squ aw fish i n P la c id Lake, 1957•
D ate
Aug.
6
Aug, 16
S e p t. 12
Columbia R iv e r chub
Columbia squaw fish
L e n g th , in c h e s
No
Av.
Range
L en g th , in c h es
Range
Ay.
1 ,2
1 ,5
Isii
1*7
2 ,1
2.2
1 .1 - 1 .3
I ,l l - 1 .7
2 sO-2.I|.
n e t mesh by l a t e A ugust.
15
7
30
1 ,3 - 1 ,5
I , 6 -1 ,7
1 ,6 —2 eh
S c a le s from y d u h g -o f-th e -y e a r f i s h were exam­
in e d i n o rd e r to e v a lu a te grow th i n th e f i r s t summer and to a id i n l o ­
c a tin g th e f i r s t a n n u lu s .
The s c a le s o f young f i s h ( 2 .0 - 2 ,2 in c h e s in
le n g th ) c o lle c te d in Septem ber h a d 9-12 c i r c u i t .
The average s iz e o f fem ale Columbia RiVer chub was g r e a te r th a n t h a t
o f m a le s.
This r e s u l t e d from g r e a te r lo n g e v ity and from a s l i g h t l y f a s t ­
e r grow th r a t e i n fem ales (T able l l ) .
The av erag e c a lc u la te d le n g th o f
fem ales was 0 .2 in c h e s g r e a t e r th a n m ales a t f i v e y e a rs and 0 ,7 in c h e s
g r e a te r a t seven y e a r s , th e o ld e s t group i n w hich m ales were re p r e s e n te d .
The o ld e s t fem ale i n th e sample (13»5 in c h e s i n le n g th ) was aged a t n in e
y ears.
S e v e ra l m ales ( l O .h - l l * ! in c h e s i n le n g th ) were aged a t seven
y ears.
Columbia s q u a w fish .
T o u n g -o f-th e -y e a r o f t h i s s p e c ie s from P la c id
Lake a tta in e d an average le n g th o f 2 ,1 in c h e s by Septem ber 1 2 , 1957
(T able l ) .
Columbia squ aw fish c o lle c te d i n th e C le a rw a te r R iv e r below
Salmon Lake were c o n s id e ra b ly s m a lle r th a n th o s e ta k e n from P la c id Lake
a t com parable tim e s .
On August 3 , 1957, f i f t e e n f i s h averaged 0 .9 in ch es
i n le n g th (ra n g e ; 0 ,8 - 1 .0 ) and on A u g u st.21, e ig h t f i s h averaged 1 ,2
Table; IT..Age'
C la sa
Sample s iz e
F
I* ' M:
IT
6
ill.
76
18
IW
10
8
W
T
C a lc u la te d grow th o f Columbia E iv e r chub i n P la c id L ake.
Average, le n g th a t annulus fo rm a tio n
7
8
3
a
3
6
I.
2
6
2. a
a .6
9h
2 .6
a .8
7.0.
6
2h
2 .7
a .8
6 ,9
8 .6
9
•2 l
2 .7
a .T
6.7'
8 .3
9 .8
T
■
9
-
VT
23
31
'2a
2 .6
a .3 '
6 .3
8 .3
9 .6
10 s,7
. VIT
6
23
39
2 .6
a .a
6 .a
8 .1
9 .3
io .3
ii.a
VHT
IT
ll.
2 .7
a .3
6»a
8 .3
9 .8
10 .9
1 1 .7
1 2 .6
:
I.
I
3 .1
a .3 .
6 .7
8 .7
9 ,8
11 .3
1 2 .0
1 2 .7
1 3 .2
96' I l l
■ 300
2 .6
a .6
6 .7
"8,3
9 .6
1 0 .6
H «3
1 2 .6
1 3 .3
h
A verage
93
Tr immature;. Ift m ale;' E t fem ale; T i t o t a l .
-1 3 -
in c h e s i n le n g th (ran g e I . 1 - 1 .3 ) .
Growth o f young i n th e Big B lack fo o t
R iv e r was s im ila r t o t h a t i n th e C le a rw a te r R iv e r.
A le n g th -fre q u e n c y d i s t r i b u t i o n was made from 12? Columbia squaw fish
c o lle c te d in th e C le a rw a te r R iv e r below Salmon la k e (F ig . 2 ) .
H s h 1 . 9-
h»3 in c h e s i n le n g th were c o lle c te d by s e in in g on J u ly I ? , 1936 and f i s h
— III
---- Il
1.8
F ig u re 2 .
2 .4
3 .0
3.6
4 .2
4 .8
5.4
TOTAL LEN G TH , INCHES
— IV
6 .0
6.8
L e n g th -fre q u e n c y d i s t r i b u t i o n o f 127 Columbia sq u aw fish c o l l ­
e c te d in th e C le a rw a te r R iv e r, J u ly 17 and 27 and August 3,
1936.
It.2 -1 1 .3
in c h e s in le n g th were c o lle c te d b y a n g lin g on J u ly 27 and August
3 , 1936.
The le n g th -fr e q u e n c y d i s t r i b u t i o n o f th e s e combined sam ples e x -
-In ­
h i b i t e d modes a t 2 3 * 3 ,
were n o t e v id e n t.
ii©6 and 6 d l in c h e s »
Modes a t g r e a t e r le n g th s
An exam in atio n o f th e s c a le s o f th e s e f i s h in d ic a te d
t h a t th e above modes re p re s e n te d age c la s s e s I th ro u g h I ? .
The compara­
t i v e w eakness o f th e mode a t 3 .3 in c h e s was due to th e low v u l n e r a b i l i t y
o f t h i s s i z e group to b o th c o l l e c t i o n methods used*
in fo rm a tio n on grow th o f Columbia sqUaw fish i n A lva Lake was o b ta in e d
from s c a le s o f 26? specim ens c o lle c te d d u rin g th e summers o f 1956 and 19^7
(T able I I I ) „
Age c la s s e s IV th ro u g h XV were re p re s e n te d in t h i s sample*
S in c e no s m a lle r f i s h from A lva Lake were a v a ila b le 5 younger f i s h from th e
v
C le a rw a te r R iv e r and from P la c id Lake were used t o a id in e v a lu a tin g
grow th in th e f i r s t few y e a rs o f l i f e *
Y o u n g -o f-th e -y e a r Columbia squaw-
f i s h c o l l e c t e d i n P la c id Lake i n Septem ber (2*0 in c h e s i n le n g th ) had 9-12
c irc u li.
Fem ales grew s l i g h t l y f a s t e r and a t t a i n e d a g r e a t e r age th a n males*
The d if f e r e n c e in grow th, n o te d in a l l age c la s s e s i n th e A lva Lake sam ple,
was Oe 7 in c h e s a t fo rm a tio n o f th e n in th annulus *
The o l d e s t males i n th e
sample (1 3 .0 and 13e2 in c h e s lo n g ) were aged a t 11 y e a r s .
One fem ale 18*3
in c h e s lo n g was aged a t 15 y e a rs * S e v e ra l o th e r fem ales up to 22*3 in c h e s
in le n g th were c o l l e c t e d , b u t th e y c o u ld n o t be aged w ith any degree o f
c o n fid en ce and a re n o t in c lu d e d i n th e grow th d ata*
The grow th o f Columbia squ aw fish i n S e e le y Lake, b a se d on an examin­
a tio n o f th e s c a le s o f 72 f i s h , was s l i g h t l y g r e a te r th a n i n Alva Lake*
Age c la s s e s V I th ro u g h XV were re p re s e n te d i n t h i s sam p le.
Average c a lc u ­
l a t e d le n g th s a t annulus ( a) fo rm a tio n (s e x e s and age c la s s e s combined)
were? Al - 2*2; A2 - 3*5? A3 - 5*0; Aii - 6*5) A5 *- 7*93 A6 ^ •9*2; A7 ^
Table I I I ..
Ig e
C la ss
I*£
Sample s iz e
K
F
T
BT
h'
F
36
VI.
5"2
I
VII.
Sk
8
V III
26
BC
3
i
XI
XEEWfe
Averagq 169
C a lc u la te d grow th o f Columbia sq u aw fish i n Alva Lake..
Average le n g th at. annulus 1 fo rm a tio n
9
10
%
3
6
7
8
11
12.
I
2
3
'k
2 .0
3 .6
3 .1
6 .3
3.0
1 .9
3 .0
hJi
3 .7
7 .1
53
2 .0
3 .2 . It. 3' 3 .8
7 .2
8 .3
S
67
2 .1
3 .3
li.6
6 . 0. 7 ^
8 .L
9 .3
9
S'
ItQ
2 .2
3 .3
h~l
6 .0
7 .2
8 .J
9 .3
IO ^
21
11
33
2 .2
I . It
k ,i
6 .1
7 .3
8 .7
9 .8
1 0 .9
11 .8
lit
8
22
2 .1
3 .3
it *7
6 .0
7 .1
8 .2
9 .2
1 0 .2
11.2
1 2 .1
2
$
7
2 «It
3.%
it =7
3 .8
7 .2
8 .3
9.1t
10 «3
1 1 .3
1 2 .3
13.lt:
9
9
2 .1
3 .3
lt.3" 3 .7
7 .6
8 .3
9 .It
1 0 .3
1 1 .3
1 2 .3
1 3 .3
l i t ..Ik
ha
267
2 .1
3^,
It .6
7 .2
8» it
9 .3
io .3
11 .3
1 2 .3
13.1*
li t . it
3 .9
T e immature.j' M-E male °s Ti fem ale 5 Ti to ta l.*
iHe in clu d es- f is h . 12. years- and o l d e r «
1 0 .3 ; AG - I l d r s A9 - 12*6; AlO - 13+9; A ll - l W ; A12 - 15*9»
a l e , 1 7 oil. in c h e s i n le n g th , was aged a t l£ y e a r s s
One fem­
O thers lip t o 19»5
in c h e s i h ' le n g th c o u ld n o t be aged w ith ahy d egree o f c e r t a i n t y .
R ep ro d u ctio n
F e c u n d ity + F is h o f b o th s p e c ie s -Were c o lle c te d on March 2 ^ -2 ? , 19^7
i n S e e le y Lake f o r th e purpose o f e s tim a tin g egg num bers« About two
months i n advance o f th e spawning seaso n s i, t h i s Was a fa v o ra b le tim e f o r
c o l le c tin g o v a rie s s in c e eggs were la r g e enough f o r a c c u ra te e n u m eratio n ,
y e t th e r e was no d anger o f lo s s d u rin g c a p tu re *
th e f i s h and p re s e rv e d i n fo rm alin *
O v aries were removed from
A fte r rem oval o f a d h e rin g f a t t y
t i s s u e , t o t a l volume o f th e o v a rie s was d eterm in ed b y d isp la ce m e n t in
w a te r .
The o v a rie s were th a n broken up and two or th r e e sam p les, r e p r e ­
s e n tin g £-10 p e rc e n t o f th e t o t a l volume, w ere s e le c te d a t random*
eggs c o n ta in e d in th e s e sam ples were counted®
The
Volumes o f th e sam ples were
d e term in e d by d isp la c e m e n t and an e s tim a te o f th e t o t a l number o f eggs was
c alc u la te d ®
E s tim a te d egg numbers f o r seven Columbia R iv e r chub (11*8-12*8 in c h e s
in le n g th ) ra n g e d from 11,800 to 18,900 (T able IV)*
E stim a te d egg numbers
f o r seven Columbia sq u aw fish (11*3-13*8 in c h e s in le n g th ) showed much
g r e a te r v a r i a t i o n betw een in d iv id u a ls th a n Columbia R iv e r chub*
TwO f i s h ,
12*1 and 12*3 in c h e s lo n g , c o n ta in e d 27,£00 and 6 ,7 0 0 e g g s, r e s p e c tiv e ly .
MO r e l a t i o n s h i p betw een f i s h s iz e ahd number of eggs was n o te d in e i t h e r
s p e c ie s w ith in th e s iz e ra n g e s o f th e samples®
Age a t s e x u a l m a tu r ity *
The sample d is c u s s e d p r e v io u s ly (see
-1 7 -
Table 17»
Betitoatied n w b e re o f eggs c o n ta in e d i n th e o v a rie s o f f i s h '
c o lle c te d i n S e e le y Bake* March 2^* 26 and 27, 195>7*
T o ta l le n g th ,
. in c h e s
S p e c ie s
Colutobia H iv er chub
it
■ it
ii
Ie ig h t
pounds
lie 8
Number o f
11*800
n '
1 1 .9
O e66
16,boo
ii
it
12.1
0*70
18*900
it
ii
ii
12.3
, 0*73
13*200
it
n
ii
'12 .U
0.69
16,boo
H
it
ii
12,6
0,83
16*800
Ii
ii
it
12*8
0.76
13,boo
o .li6
18,200
Columbia sq u a trfish
'11.3
•
ii
it
' lle li
0 .U8
9,800
ii
ii
11*3
O a liS
19,200
it
H
1 2 *1 -
o .3 i
27*300
ii
ii
ii
it
12.3 '
0.2L
6*700
Ii
I,
13.8
0.78
20,000
20*700
.12,2
-1 8 -
"Gro-wth"^ p* 10) in d ic a te s t h a t Columbia R iv e r dhtlb i n P la c id Lake m atured
a t th r e e t o f i v e years- o f age*
o f 9k) o f age c l a s s I I I .
M ature m ales made up ab o u t 20 p e rc e n t ( l 8
M ature fem ales were w e ll r e p r e s e n te d i n age
c la s s TV; th e f i r s t age c la s s in which th e y w ere found*
f i f t y - o n e f i s h i n age ClasS V was immature *
Only one o f
The average c a lc u la te d le n g th
a t annulus fo rm a tio n o f th e m ature th r e e y e a r o ld m ales was 6„5 in c h e s |
t h a t o f th e m ature fo u r y e ar o ld fem ales was 8 *k in ch es*
Columbia squaw fish c o lle c te d i n Alva Lake m atured l a t e r i n l i f e th a n
Columbia R iv e r chub i n P la c id Lake*
A ttain m en t o f m a tu rity b y th e s e
Columbia squaw fish a ls o extended o v er a lo n g e r p e rio d o f y ears*
The
y o u n g est m ature male in th e sample was s i x y e a rs o f age and th e youngest
m ature fem ale was seven*
Immature f i s h made up th e m a jo r ity (26 o f ho) o f
age c l a s s V lT t and were p r e s e n t i n sm all numbers (3 o f 35) i n age c la s s
IK*
Average c a lc u la te d le n g th s a t annulus fo rm a tio n o f m ature seven y e ar
o ld m ales was 9*9 in c h e s > t h a t o f fem ales was 10*0 inches*
Spawning s e a s o n * Gonad c o n d itio n was re c o rd e d f o r a d u lt f i s h o f b o th
s p e c ie s c o lle c te d i n P la c id Lake between. May 28 and J u ly 6 * 1957 and in
S e e le y Lake betw een June 3 and J u ly
1957*
Fem ales were c la s s e d a s;
f u l l (in c lu d in g ' r ip e * and 1g re e n 1 in d iv id u a ls ) o r sp e n t * These two con­
d i t i o n s were r e a d i l y re c o g n iz e d j th e fo rm er i s c h a r a c te r is e d by la r g e
o v a rie s w ith d i s t i n c t la r g e eggs*, and th e l a t t e r by s m a ll, f l a c c i d o v a rie s
c o lo re d d a rk r e d by abundant v a s c u la r t i s s u e and c o n ta in in g o c c a s io n a l
la r g e eggs*
The d i s t i n c t i o n betw een g re e n and r i p e f i s h c o u ld n o t be
r e a d i l y e s ta b lis h e d and th e s e c la s s e s were combined*
Ah a d d itio n a l o v ary
c o n d itio n (d is c u s s e d b e lo w ), re p r e s e n tin g n o n -b re e d in g f i s h , was common
-1 9 -
among Coltunbia squawfish®
Males ware c la s s e d as? r i p e - w ith la r g e w h ite
t e s t e s from w hich sperm c o u ld be sq u eezed 5 o r sp e n t - w ith f l a c c i d , re d
t e s t e s i n w hich sperm was no lo n g e r a p p a re n te
A ll f i s h u se d i n e v a lu ­
a tin g th e spawning seasons, were c o lle c te d i n g i l l n e t s , e x c e p t th e June 9
and 16 c o ll e c t i o n s from P la c id la k e , which were o b ta in e d w ith a box tr a p
s e t a t th e o u t l e t .
Maximum-minimum w a ter te m p e ra tu re s were ta k e n t o th e n e a r e s t degree
F . a t th e o u t l e t s o f th e above la k e s a t in te r v a ls , o f I-It days from May 9
t o J u ly I , 195>7e
The therm om eters were suspended 1-2 f e e t below th e s u r ­
f a c e o f th e w a te r and w ere p r o te c te d from d i r e c t s u n l i g h t .
These tem pera­
t u r e s were b e lie v e d to be ab o u t th e, same as th o s e i n th e s h o a l a re a s
w hich th e f i s h in h a b ite d , a lth o u g h no com parisons were made.
W ater
te m p e ra tu re s e x p re ss e d i n F ig u re s 3 and h were d eterm in ed b y av erag in g
th e maximum and minimum re a d in g s f o r each th r e e day p e r io d , ■
Spawning a c t i v i t y o f Columbia E iv e r chub i n P la c id la k e was in
p ro g re s s when c o l l e c t i o n s began on May 28, 1957*
T h irty -n in e p e rc e n t (12 .
o f 31) o f t h e fem ales c a p tu re d on t h a t day were s p e n t.
Of th e fem ales
c o l l e c t e d i n n e t s s e t n e a r th e i n l e t , few (2 o f 18) had spawned w h ile m ost
(10 o f 13) fe m a les c o lle c te d n e a r th e o u t l e t had spawned.
The i n l e t s id e
o f th e la k e i s c h a r a c te r iz e d by e x te n s iv e s h o a l a re a s w ith san d and s i l t
b ottom s and abundant, v a s c u la r v e g e ta tio n w h ile most o f th e s h o a l a re a
w ith in one m ile o f th e o u t l e t h a s a b a re bottom o f g r a v e l o r r u b b le .
The
l a t t e r i s s im ila r to t h a t u sp d i n spawning by Columbia R iv e r chub in
W ashington Lake (S c h u ltz , 1 9 3 5 ),
I t i s p ro b a b le t h a t th o s e in d iv id u a ls
w hich became r i p e e a r l y had c o n c e n tra te d i n th e a re a s fa v o ra b le f o r spawn­
in g .
A ll m ales (108 in d iv id u a ls ) c o lle c te d i n b o th a re a s on May 28 were
rip e .
The number o f s p e n t fem ales in th e c o lle c tio n s o f May 29 th ro u g h
June 9 ro s e r a t h e r s t e a d i l y from $0 to 9U p e rc e n t (F ig . 3) e x c e p t f o r th e
94% (I6)
OF FEMALES
6 4 % (31)
49% (73)
PERCENTAGE
/
2 2 -2 4 2 5 -2 7
F ig u re 3»
2 8 -3 0
DATE= MAY, JUNE
Gonad c o n d itio n o f fem ale Colum bia R iv e r chub c o lle c te d in
P la c id L ake, 19$7« D o tted l in e in d ic a te s av erag e w ater
te m p e ra tu re a t o u t l e t .
WATER TEMPERATURE, °F.
SPENT
9 2 % (12)
—2 1 -
c o l l e c t i o n o f June
A ll n e ts l i f t e d on t h i s l a t t e r d a te were s e t i n
s o f t bottom ed a re a s w ith abundant v e g e ta tio n *
Some, unspawned fem ales were
p r e s e n t i n e a r l y J u ly c o lle c tio n s *
Average w a te r te m p e ra tu re s a t th e o u t l e t o f P la c id la k e r o s e r a t h e r
s t e a d i l y d u rin g th e l a t t e r h a l f o f May and re a c h e d a maximum o f 67° d u rin g
th e f i r s t week i n June*
Average w a ter te m p e ra tu re s a t th e b e g in n in g o f
spawning a c t i v i t y by Columbia R iv e r chub (p ro b a b ly ab o u t May 2k o r 250 was
a p p ro x im a te ly ^li0 »
Extrem es o f w a te r te m p e ra tu re s d u rin g th e peak o f
spawning a c t i v i t y were £2° on May 29 and 72° on June 3 and U»
Spawning a c t i v i t y o f Columbia squaw fish i n S e e le y Eake o ccu rred some­
what l a t e r th a n t h a t o f Columbia R iv e r chub in P la c id la k e *
Only 15> p e r ­
c e n t (3 o f 20) o f b re e d in g fem ales c o lle c te d on June 3 -5 had spawned (Fig*
U ),
The spawning sea so n o f Colum bia sq u aw fish was a ls o l e s s a b ru p t th a n
t h a t o f th e Colum bia R iv e r chub*
F o rty -s e v e n p e rc e n t (8 o f 15) o f th e
b re e d in g fem ales c o lle c te d on June 15 and 86 p e rc e n t (2h o f 28) o f th o se
c o lle c te d on June 26 were s p e n t,
Tem perature c o n d itio n s i n S e e le y Lake d u rin g th e p e r io d p r i o r to
spawning were s im ila r t o th o s e i n P la c id Lake.
Average te m p e ra tu re s d u r­
in g th e f i r s t two weeks i n June d id n o t re a c h th e l e v e l o f th o s e i n P la c id
Lake ( H g , It) ,
Average te m p e ratu re a t th e b eg in n in g o f spawning a c t i v i t y
b y Columbia squaw fish (p ro b a b ly a b o u t June l ) was a p p ro x im a te ly 5 8 °.
The
lo w e st w ater te m p e ra tu re d u rin g th e p e rio d o f spawning a c t i v i t y was 53°
on June 65 th e h ig h e s t was' 72° on June It and 6 *
D uring b o th y e a rs o f th e s tu d y c o n s id e ra b le numbers o f fem ale
Columbia squaw fish were found t o have', o v a rie s c o n ta in in g s m a ll g re y eggs
I0 0 % (9 )
PERCENTAGE
4 7 % (16)
4 0 % (IO)
16% (19)
3 0 -2
17% (6)
3 -5
DATE' MAY, JUNE, JULY
F ig u re L.
Gonad c o n d itio n o f fem ale Columbia squaw fish c o lle c te d i n S e e le y Lake
1957. D o tted l i n e in d ic a te s av erag e w ater te m p e ra tu re s a t o u t l e t .
WATER TEMPERATURE, e F.
OF FEMALES S P E NT
8 6 % (28)
—23“
w hich a p p a r e n tly would n o t have rip e n e d d u rin g th e b re e d in g seaso n o f
c o lle c tio n .
Tliese n o n -b ree d in g f i s h w ere p r e s e n t in th e c o lle c tio n s o f
M arch, 195>7 and i n a l l c o lle c tio n s th ro u g h o u t th e summers o f 1936 and
1937.
They c o u ld be d is tin g u is h e d r e a d i l y from th e r ip e n in g f i s h o f e a r l y
c o lle c tio n s as w e ll as from th e s p e n t f i s h o f l a t e summer, whose o v a rie s
c o n ta in e d v e ry m inute d e v e lo p in g eggs o f th e n e x t s e a s o n .
T w enty-five'
'
y
p e rc e n t (29 o f 117') o f fem ale Columbia sq u aw fish c o l l e c t e d . in S e e le y la k e
d u rin g J u n e , 1937 e x h ib ite d t h i s o v ary c o n d itio n and were c la s s e d as non­
b re e d in g f i s h .
w ater d r a in a g e .
Comparable numbers were found in o th e r la k e s o f th e C le a r ­
The f a t e o f th e s e eggs was n o t d e te rm in e d .
S ince th e y
were found in a s im ila r c o n d itio n th ro u g h o u t th e summer, i t i s u n lik e ly
t h a t th e y were re s o rb e d o r t h a t th e y r e p r e s e n te d l a t e spawning f i s h .
P ro b ab ly th e y were r e t a i n e d in t h i s g reen s t a t e over one o r more years-,
p erh ap s to r ip e n d u rin g some su b seq u en t spaw ning s e a so n .
This o v ary con­
d i t i o n was n o t found i n th e Columbia R iv e r chub.
A lthough re c o rd s o f gonad c o n d itio n in 1936 were l i m i t e d , i t was
a p p a re n t t h a t th e spawning seaso n s o f b o th s p e c ie s were ab o u t two weeks
V
l a t e r th a n in 1937.
D ata from th e w e ath e r s t a t i o n a t S e e le y Lake showed
t h a t te m p e ra tu re c o n d itio n s i n 1937 were about two weeks i n advance o f
th o s e in 1936*
Humerous a tte m p ts t o observe spawning were made d u rin g th e s tu d y b u t
none was s u c c e s s f u l.
A sc h o o l o f s e v e r a l hundred a d u lt Columbia squaw fish,
b e lie v e d t o be a spawning group, was o b serv ed from 3 to 11 p .m , on June 18,
1957 i n C o o p e r's L ake,
The f i s h were c o n c e n tra te d w ith in a few .y ard s o f
sh o re o v e r a ru b b le b o tto m .
O c c a s io n a lly one f i s h would d a r t tow ard
a n o th e r, b u t most o f th e a c t i v i t y c o n s is te d o f slow mass movement back
and f o r t h along th e s h o re .
n o te d .
No a c t i v i t y i n t e r p r e t e d as a c t u a l spawning was
The f i s h d id n o t appear to be d is tu r b e d b y th e l i g h t from a gaso­
l i n e l a n t e r n suspended over th e w a te r , b u t d is p e r s e d g r a d u a lly over a
p e rio d o f s e v e r a l hours*
Jeppsoh (1957) r e p o r te d t h a t Columbia squaw fish
spawned Over a ru b b le bottom a t d e p th s o f two t o tw elve in ch es*
S c h u lts
(1935) d e s c rib e d a s im ila r spawning s i t e s e l e c t e d b y Columbia R iv e r chub.
None o f th e th r e e Columbia squ aw fish x Columbia R iv e r chub
hybrids
c o lle c te d d u rin g th e s tu d y were s e x u a lly d ev elo p ed .
Food H ab its
M ethods.
Stomachs from s e le c te d Colum bia R iv e r chub and Columbia
Squaw fish were p re s e rv e d f o r s tu d y .
Methods u sed in c a p tu rin g f i s h u sed
f o r stom ach a n a ly s is were a n g lin g in Stream s and g i l l n e t t i n g in la k e s .
Net s e t s o f s h o r t d u ra tio n (two h o u rs o r l e s s ) were em ployed, b u t sin c e
o n ly a sm a ll number o f f i s h was Caught i n th e s h o r t d a y lig h t s e t s i t was
n e c e s s a ry to u se th e stom achs o f some f i s h c o lle c te d i n o v e rn ig h t s e t s .
F is h s e le c te d from th e l a t t e r were th o s e which ap p eared to have been in
th e n e ts a s h o r t tim e .
Stomachs were p re s e rv e d in 10 p e rc e n t fo rm a lin ,
e i t h e r a f t e r rem oval from th e f i s h o r i n s i t u .
The c o n te n ts o f each
stom ach were o bserved u n d e r m a g n ific a tio n and th e k in d s o f Organisms
p r e s e n t were n o te d .
V is u a l e s tim a te s ( to th e n e a r e s t 10 p e r c e n t) were
made o f th e f r a c t i o n each ite m c o n tr ib u te d to th e t o t a l .
Colum bia R iv e r chub.
I n s e c ts made Up 51 p e rc e n t o f th e stom ach con­
t e n t s o f h2 Columbia R iv e r chub (U .0 - 1 1 .0 in c h e s i n le n g th ) tak en betw een
-2j?-
August 6 and Septem ber 1 2 , 195>7 i n P la c id la k e and R ain y Lake ( Table ? ) .
A dult a n ts (26 p e rc e n t o f th e t o t a l ) were th e m ost abundant ite m .
These
in s e c t s were swarming i n g r e a t numbers in th e C le arw a te r d ra in a g e d u rin g
A ugust.
Eany o f them f e l l on th e s u rfa c e s o f th e la k e s , r e s u l t i n g in
e x te n s iv e u se b y f i s h .
D ip te ra la r v a e and m ayfly nymphs Were a ls o p r e s e n t
Table V.
Stomach c o n te n ts o f 1|.2 Columbia R iv e r chub c a p tu re d i n P la c id
Lake and R ainy Lake, August and Septem ber, 1957»
, ■I,. ■
-............. . ,mm
Average p e rc e n ta g e '
FTequenCy
Food organism
o f c o n te n ts
o f o c cu rren ce
G astropoda ...............................
P©l]y"COpOCl,cl »ee»eeee»e*eoe»
C la d o ce ra .................................
Hymenoptera . . . . . . . . . . . .
D i p t e r a ...................... ..
E phem eroptera . . . . . . . . .
C o le o p te ra ...............................
H em iptera .................................
O d o n a ta .....................................
T ric h o p te ra . . . . . . . . . . . . .
U n id e n tifie d in s e c t s .........
U n id e n tif ie d i n v e r t ..............
D e b ris ".................... ...................
P la n t m a te r ia l . . . . . . . . . . .
6
I
20
26
5
h
2
2
I
tr
11
' h
18
tr.
5
2
10
13
12
3
I
I
I
I
lit
7
15
I
* t r . means t r a c e .
i n m oderate numbers*
d w e llin g sp e c ie s*
te n ts .
N e a rly a l l o f th e m ay fly nymphs were o f one bottom
C lad o ceran s c o n s ti tu te d 20 p e rc e n t o f th e stomach con-»
These organism s were n o tic e a b ly abundant i n P la c id Lake d u rin g
l a t e A ugust and in R ainy Lake d u rin g e a r l y Septem ber.
p e rc e n t o f th e c o n te n ts .
S n a ils made up s i x
Large amounts o f sand were u s u a l l y p re s e n t in
stom achs c o n ta in in g s n a i l s and D ip te ra l a r v a e .
P la n t m a te r ia l o c c u rre d i n
—2 6 —
o n ly one stomach*
Columbia squaw fi s h .
I n s e c ts made up 92 p e rc e n t o f th e stom ach con­
t e n t s o f 32 Colum bia sq u aw fish (^*0- 1 0 .1 in c h e s i n le n g th ) c o lle c te d in
P la c id Lake and R ainy Lake betw een August 8 and Septem ber 1 2 , 1957
(T able ? l ) .
A dult a n ts w ere th e most abundant ite m (23 p e rc e n t o f th e
t o t a l ) and o c c u rre d in h a l f o f th e sto m ach s.
p e rc e n t o f th e c o n te n t s .
W ater boatmen made up 20
A dult damse l f l i e s a id bottom d w e llin g forms
(D ip te ra la r v a e and m ayfly nymphs) a ls o o c c u rre d i n m oderate num bers.
Only one stom ach c o n ta in e d th e c la d o c e ra n s w hich were abundant in th e
Columbia R iv e r chub sto m ach s.
Table V I.
One stomach c o n ta in e d two s m a ll to a d s *
Stomach c o n te n ts o f 32 Columbia sq u aw fish c a p tu re d i n P la c id
Lake and R ain y Lake, August and S eptem ber, 1957*
Food organism
Hymenoptera ............................
H em iptera . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ephemeropte r a ........................
O donata .....................................
D ip te r a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C o le o p te ra ...............................
O rth o p te ra . . . . . . . . . . . . .
U n id e n tif ie d i n s e c t s . . . . .
C la d o ce ra . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
U n id e n tif ie d i n v e r t . . . . . .
Jhiura . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
P la n t m a te r ia l . . . . . . . . . . .
D e b ris .....................
Average percentage
of contents
'
23
20
13
10
Li.
2
2
17
2
tr*
2
2
2
.'' Frequency
of occurrence
16
9
8
6
- 3
i|
I
16
I
I
I
2
2
F is h rem ain s were found i n f o u r o f e ig h t Columbia sq u aw fish stom achs
c o lle c te d i n Alva Lake on June 19, 195^»
Each c o n ta in e d th e rem ains o f
-2 7 -
one f i s h .
One o f th e rem ain s was i d e n t i f i e d a s a Coliimbia Squaw fishj,
a n o th e r as a Y ellow p e rc h .
The o th e r two were n o t i d e n tif ie d *
I n s e c ts
and p la n t m a te r ia l made up th e re m a in d er o f th e c o n te n ts o f th e e ig h t
stomachs*
The stom ach c o n te n ts o f h3 Columbia sq u aw fish (li.O -lO *! in c h e s in
le n g th ) c o lle c te d i n th e C le a rw a te r r i v e r below Salmon hake were a ls o
p r i n c i p a l l y o f in s e c t s (?6 p e r c e n t ) *
Two bottom sp raw lin g s p e c ie s o f may­
f l y nymphs c o n s ti tu te d 25' p e rc e n t o f th e t o t a l .
g ra ssh o p p e rs and c a d d is la rv a e were a ls o p re s e n t*
M oderate numbers o f
F ish rem ain s ( c y p r i-
n id s ) o c c u rre d i n two stom achs (T able V II)s
Table VTiTi
Stomach c o n te n ts o f k3 Columbia Squaw fish C ap tu red i n th e
C le a rw a te r R iv e r below Salmon la k e i n mid-summer*-
Food organism .
G astropoda
Ephem eropter a * . * * . * . . * *»»
O rth o p te ra * . * *. . ******; . *
T r ic h o p te ra &. . * * . * * ; * , i **
P le c o p te ra «. . ***. . ***. ***
Hymenoptera . * * . * * * . * * . . * .
C o le o p te ra
*iiiii.«*
D ip te ra ***. *«. . **<; ». *•. *«
Odonata . *#******. *. **. **&
U n id e n tif ie d in s e c ts
•U n id e n tifie d i n v e r t * *****
F r S h
e * e * t i * 6 e * e 6 * * * 6 . t f i e e *
P la n t m a te r ia l *«***•*.*■•
Average p e rc e n ta g e
■ o f c o n te n ts
2
25
11
7
2
2
' Frequency
o f o ccu rren ce
2
'
19
•6
12'
,
2
I
I
25?
8
it
6
it
I
2
I
It
I
23
It
' 2
9
10
R ic k e r ( I 9 i|l) found t h a t Columbia sq u aw fish over ICO irnii* lo n g in
C u ltu s Lake fe d l a r g e l y on f i s h e x ce p t d u rin g e a r l y summer*
F is h are
-2 8 -
a p p a r e n tly a minor ite m i n th e summer d i e t o f t h i s s p e c ie s i n th e Big
B ia ck fo o t d ra in a g e ,
in s e c t s made up th e h u lk o f th e c e n te r t s C f/th e
stom achs examined®
Summary
I*
The l i f e h i s t o r i e s o f th e Columhia R i1Ver chub and th e GOTtimbia
sq uaw fish were s tu d ie d d u rin g th e summers Of 195>6 and 1957 i n th e d ra in a g e
o f th e Big B la c k foOt R iv e r, M ontana.
2a
Both s p e c ie s o c c u rre d i n c e r t a i n la k e s o f th e d ra in a g e , i n th e
low er p o r tio n o f th e Big B laC kfoot R iv e r and i n one p r i n c i p a l t r i b u t a r y i
The Columbia squ aw fish a ls o o c c u rre d -in th e u p p er p o r tio n o f th e Big
B la c k fo o t R ivera
3a .Both S pecies in h a b ite d s h a llo w > v e g e ta te d a re a s i n la k e s a
Columbia squ aw fish were found i n a re a s o f r e l a t i v e l y calm w a te r in
s tre a m s .
\
It*
The grow th o f Columbia R iv e r chub was s tu d ie d b y exam ining th e
s c a le s from 300 f is h a
Specimens o f t h i s s p e c ie s up to n in e y e a rs o f age
were c o lle c te d a
5*
Growth o f Columbia squaw fish was b ased on e x am in atio n Of S c a les
from 3 3 9 'f is h a
Some in d iv id u a ls o f t h i s SpecieS a tta in e d an age Of a t
l e a s t 15 y e a rs a
6 » Columbia R iv e r Chub m atured s e x u a lly a t th r e e t o f i v e y e a rs Of
age w h ile Columbia squaw fish m atured a t s i x to eight®
Ji
Both S p ecies spawned i n l a t e May and e a r l y June w h ile average
w a te r te m p e ra tu re s were 55-65° F<
"29-
8s
The stom ach c o n te n ts o f 1|2 Columbia R iv e r chub arid 83 Cbliimbia
sq uaw fish were exam ineds
stom achs o f b o th species®
I n s e c ts were th e predom inant ite m i n th e
F is h were found in sbme Columbia squaw fish
stom achss
L i t e r a t u r e C ite d
F b e r s t e r 3 Ra Es and W» Ba R ickbrs
19bX» The E f f e c t o f R eduction o f P red a c io u s F is h oh S u r v iv a l o f
young Sbckeye Salmon a t C ultuS Lakes Js F ish * Res * Bds Can*
2(a):3l5-36,
Jeppson3 Paul*
1957s T he"C ontrol o f Squaw fish by Use o f D ynam ite.
C u lt. 1 9 (k ):1 6 8 " 7 is
P ro g s F iS h-
R ic k e r3 'W. Es
19^1 * The Consum ption o f young Sockeye Salmon b y P re d a c io u s-F ish # s
J 8 F i s h . Res* Bd* Can* 5 (3 ):2 9 3 "3 1 3 a
S c h u lts 3 L eonard Ps
■
1935* The Spawning H a b its o f th e Chub3 M ylocheilus c a u rin u s
a
Forage F is h o f Some Value* T ra n s. Am* F ish* S o c 65:1^3-7*
I f e i s e l j George F*
1955* Three New T h te rg e n e ric H ybrids o f C y p rin id F is h e s from W est­
e rn .Montana* Am. Midi* Nat* 5 3 (2 ) j 396-IfL l*
'V M
!■ I ' / ;
i -J1
1258N?
M O N TA N A S T A T E U N IV E R SIT Y L IB R A R IE S
mi mi i
ii 11 i
3 1 762 1001 4321
V 3
12CS<( ?
7 f