Status and Distribution of Arctic Grayling … and Distribution of Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) in the Pembina River, Alberta Mike Blackburn and Craig F ... Report Series Editor

CONSERVATIONCONSERVATION

REPORT REPORT

SERIESSERIES

Status and Distribution of ArcticGrayling (Thymallus arcticus) in the Pembina River, Alberta

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REPORT REPORT

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The Alberta Conservation Association is a Delegated Administrative Organization under Alberta’s Wildlife Act.

Status and Distribution of Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) in the Pembina River, Alberta

Mike Blackburn and Craig F. Johnson

Alberta Conservation Association, #203, Provincial Building, 111 – 54 Street,

Edson, Alberta, Canada, T7E 1T2

Report Series Editor PETER AKU P.O. Box 40027 Baker Centre Postal Outlet Edmonton, AB, T5J 4M9 Conservation Report Series Type Data, Technical ISBN printed: 978‐0‐7785‐5407‐3 ISBN online: 978‐0‐7785‐5408‐0 Publication Number: T/122 Disclaimer: This document is an independent report prepared by the Alberta Conservation Association. The authors are solely responsible for the interpretations of data and statements made within this report. Reproduction and Availability: This report and its contents may be reproduced in whole, or in part, provided that this title page is included with such reproduction and/or appropriate acknowledgements are provided to the authors and sponsors of this project. Suggested citation: Blackburn, M., and C.F. Johnson. 2004. Status and distribution of Arctic grayling

(Thymallus arcticus) in the Pembina River, Alberta. Technical Report, T‐2004‐003, produced by Alberta Conservation Association, Edson, Alberta, Canada. 25 pp +App.

Digital copies of this and other conservation reports can be obtained from: Alberta Conservation Association P.O. Box 40027, Baker Centre Postal Outlet Edmonton, AB, T5J 4M9 Toll Free: 1‐877‐969‐9091 Tel: (780) 427‐5192 Fax: (780) 422‐6441 Email: info@ab‐conservation.com Website: www.ab‐conservation.com

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Pembina River sub‐basin, found in the Athabasca River Drainage, supports the

most southern, naturally occurring population of Arctic grayling in Alberta. Prior to

the 1970’s, Arctic grayling were considered common throughout the mid to upper

reaches of the Pembina River mainstem. However, since that time, surveys on the

Pembina River mainstem suggest low numbers of this species. Consequently, the

Alberta Conservation Association, in collaboration with the Alberta Sustainable

Resource Development, conducted a study during the open water seasons of 2002 and

2003 to assess the present status and distribution of Arctic grayling in the Pembina

River.

The proposed study area included the Pembina River mainstem from the Lovett River

confluence downstream to the Paddle River. After preliminary sampling in 2002, the

study area was redefined in 2003 to include the Pembina River mainstem from the

mouth of the Lovett River downstream to the Highway 16 river crossing at Evansburg.

Species distribution, relative abundance, and population structure data were collected

using float electrofishing, angling, and snorkelling. Quantitative habitat data were also

collected including: wetted river widths, rooted river widths, and water temperature

data collected continuously through time from several locations in the study area. All

fish and habitat data were entered into Alberta Sustainable Resource Development’s

provincial fisheries database: the Fisheries Management Information System.

Over the two years, a total (combined float electrofishing, angling, and snorkelling) of

2817 fish were captured or observed in the Pembina River. Arctic grayling were rare,

accounting for less than 2.5% of the recorded total. Forty‐six Arctic grayling were

captured in 52.8 km and 591.7 minutes of electrofishing and 22.7 km and 56.5 hours of

angling. An additional 22 Arctic grayling were observed during four snorkelling

events for a total of 68 grayling. Arctic grayling float electrofishing and angling catch

rates from the Pembina River were considerably lower than reported for other Alberta

rivers. Angling accounted for 42 of the 46 Arctic grayling which were caught near a

road access; 33 of the 42 angling captures were from one pool immediately downstream

of a bridge crossing.

The mean fork length of Arctic grayling captured was 213 mm (range = 115 ‐ 339 mm).

Ninety‐five percent of the captured Arctic grayling were juveniles of either 1 or 2 years

of age.

Sampling was initiated during the spring and summer of 2002. Extremely low water

conditions during both 2002 and 2003 prevented spring, summer, and fall re‐sampling

of the float electrofishing sites. Although grayling were captured upstream from the

confluence with Paddy Creek only, we were unable to describe Arctic grayling seasonal

distribution.

Low numbers of Arctic grayling captured or observed in two years of sampling, low

electrofishing and angling catch rates, and a limited river distribution, suggests that

Arctic grayling stocks in the Pembina River are probably collapsed.

Key words: Alberta, Pembina River, Arctic grayling, distribution, abundance, size composition, float electrofishing, angling, snorkelling, age, size‐at‐age, catch rate.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was funded by the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA). In addition, the

ACA received in‐kind support from Alberta Sustainable Resource Development,

Fisheries Management Division in Edson, Hinton, and Stony Plain.

Stephen Spencer, Area Fisheries Biologist, Fisheries Management Division in Stony

Plain, and George Sterling, Area Fisheries Biologist, Fisheries Management Division in

Edson provided critical review of the project design and of this report, and contributed

to field data collection.

Special thanks to Calvin McLeod, East Slopes Business Unit Leader, ACA; and Kevin

Fitzsimmons, Fisheries Biologist, ACA, for critical review of this report.

Christian Weik, Geographic Information System Analyst, Foothills Model Forest

(Hinton, AB), provided assistance with generating the Pembina River profile data.

Thanks to Rudy Hawryluk, Don Hildebrandt, Julie Hebert, Corey Rasmussen, James

Milner, Norm Rodseth and Susan Parsons for their contributions to field data

collection.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................. ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................... iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................ v

LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... vi

LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................... vii

LIST OF APPENDICES ..............................................................................................viii

1.0 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................1

1.1 General introduction ............................................................................................1 1.2 Study rationale ......................................................................................................2 1.3 Study objectives ....................................................................................................2

2.0 STUDY AREA .......................................................................................................3

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS..........................................................................5

3.1 Site selection ..........................................................................................................5 3.2 Site length ..............................................................................................................6 3.3 Fish capture and data collection.........................................................................6 3.4 Habitat data ...........................................................................................................7 3.5 Data management and analysis..........................................................................8

4.0 RESULTS................................................................................................................9

4.1 Electrofishing.......................................................................................................10 4.2 Angling.................................................................................................................12 4.3 Snorkelling...........................................................................................................13 4.4. Size distribution of Arctic grayling..................................................................14 4.5 Age composition of Arctic grayling.................................................................15 4.6 Distribution of Arctic grayling .........................................................................16 4.7 Water temperature data.....................................................................................17

5.0 DISCUSSION.......................................................................................................18

6.0 REFERENCES......................................................................................................21

7.0 APPENDIX ..........................................................................................................26

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Location of the 2002‐2003 Arctic grayling study sites on the Pembina River, Alberta. ...................................................................................................4

Figure 2. Sites sampled using float electrofishing on the Pembina River, Alberta from May to October 2002 and 2003. ............................................................11

Figure 3. Sites angled as part of the Arctic grayling population assessment conducted on the Pembina River, Alberta in June to October 2002 and 2003....................................................................................................................12

Figure 4. Snorkelling sites on the Pembina River, Alberta during June to October in 2002 and 2003...............................................................................................14

Figure 5. Fork length frequency distribution of Arctic grayling captured from the Pembina River, Alberta in 2002 and 2003 using angling and electrofishing....................................................................................................15

Figure 6. Fork length‐at‐age of Arctic grayling captured from the Pembina River, Alberta in 2002 and 2003. ...............................................................................16

Figure 7. Distribution of Arctic grayling and other sport species captured during angling and electrofishing events or observed during snorkelling events in the Pembina River, Alberta in June to October 2002 and 2003. ..........17

Figure 8. Number of days the maximum water temperatures surpassed 25oC in the Pembina River in 2002 and 2003....................................................................18

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Fish species composition encountered during the Pembina River study in 2002 and 2003; n = 2817. Species codes after Mackay et. al. (1990). .........10

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LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1. Gradient or slope profile (meters above sea level) of the 2002‐2003 study sites on the Pembina River, Alberta..............................................................26

Appendix 2. Pembina River fish capture record form......................................................27

Appendix 3. Pembina River float‐electrofishing data form.. ...........................................28

Appendix 4. Pembina River flow data recorded by Alberta Environment near the Town of Entwistle Alberta in 2002 and 2003 . ............................................29

Appendix 5. Individual records of each fish captured during the summers of 2002 and 2003 as part of the Arctic grayling population assessment on the Pembina River, Alberta. ..................................................................................................31

Appendix 6. Summaries of fish captured at each electrofishing site during the 2002‐ 2003 survey on the Pembina River, Alberta. ...............................................75

Appendix 7. Summary of fish captured by angling on the Pembina River mainstem on July 4 to September 20, 2002 and August 7 to October 21, 2003. ..............81

Appendix 8. A regression model describing the relationship between fork length and total length for 11 Arctic grayling captured in the Pembina River during the summers of 2002 and 2003.......................................................................82

Appendix 9. The locations of water temperature data loggers deployed in the Pembina River mainstem, during the summers of 2002 and 2003. ..........83

Appendix 10. Summaries of daily maximum water temperatures collected by data loggers deployed throughout the Pembina River mainstem during the summers of 2002 and 2003. ............................................................................84

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1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 General introduction Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) have a Holarctic distribution, typically occurring in

northern freshwater drainages of Canada, Alaska, and Eurasia (Scott and Crossman

1973). Disjunct populations of grayling also occur in Montana, U.S.A., and are thought

to have been maintained by introductions through stocking from sources in Canada

(Scott and Crossman 1973). In Alberta, Arctic grayling are native to the Athabasca,

Peace, and Hay River drainages (Nelson and Paetz 1992), all of which flow into the

Arctic Ocean via the Mackenzie River. Although the Pembina River sub‐basin

(Athabasca River drainage) defines the southern fringe of indigenous populations of

Arctic grayling in Alberta, they have been captured on rare occasions from the Belly

River (South Saskatchewan River drainage) in southern Alberta (Nelson and Paetz

1992), likely as the result of dispersal from Montana (Scott and Crossman 1973).

Requiring cold, clear, clean water Arctic grayling are a species considered vulnerable to

habitat alterations and over‐exploitation because of their ease of capture, late maturity,

and slow growth (Scott and Crossman 1973). In the last 40 years, increased human land

use and improved access have contributed to habitat alteration and overexploitation

and the resulting decline of Alberta’s Arctic grayling stocks (Berry 1998). In 1998,

Arctic grayling was classified as a species of special concern, and provincially

designated with a “vulnerable” status in Alberta. Subsequently an Arctic grayling

management and recovery plan was developed in an effort to protect these decreasing

fish stocks (Berry 1998). In 1998 the Alberta government implemented more restrictive

regulations where winter and spring sport fishing seasons for Arctic grayling were

closed and anglers could catch and keep grayling during the summer period only

followed by a catch‐and‐release season during the fall (Berry 1998; Alberta Government

1998). This was done presumably to protect grayling when they were most

concentrated. Also, the allowable daily harvest was reduced from five to two fish with

an increase in the minimum‐size limit from 330 mm total length (TL) to 350 mm (Berry

1998; Alberta Government 1998). Catch‐and‐release fisheries (zero harvest) were also

established at certain streams (Berry 1998; Alberta Government 1998).

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1.2 Study rationale

The Pembina River watershed supports the most southern, naturally occurring

population of Arctic grayling in Alberta (Nelson and Paetz 1992). Prior to the 1970’s,

Arctic grayling were considered common throughout the mid to upper reaches of the

Pembina River mainstem with reported angler catch rates of Arctic grayling that

ranged from 1.0 to 3.0 grayling/hour and electrofishing catch rates of 0.5 to 1.0

grayling/minute (Bryski 1999). Since that time, the limited surveys conducted on the

Pembina River mainstem (Renewable Resources Consulting Services 1971; Antoniuk

and Carey 1979; Dickson and McCart 1980; Foothills Model Forest 1998) have reported

low occurrences of Arctic grayling. Current catch‐and‐release angling regulations

protect Arctic grayling stocks from harvest within the tributaries of the Pembina River;

however legal harvest is allowed (2 grayling over 35 cm) on the river’s mainstem

(Alberta Government 2003). It is unknown if the current regulations are effective for the

protection and sustainability of the native grayling population. To forestall a collapse

of the fishery, the Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (ASRD) identified the

management of the Pembina River Arctic grayling population as a priority and

developed a joint assessment project with the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA)

to collect data to support or adjust the current Pembina River Arctic grayling

management plan.

1.3 Study objectives

The objective of this study was to describe the status of Arctic grayling stocks within

the Pembina River mainstem. These data would be provided to ASRD fisheries

managers to assist in the development of a comprehensive fisheries management plan

for the Pembina River Watershed. The specific objectives of this study were:

1. To determine the distribution and abundance of Arctic grayling and

related habitat descriptors in the mainstem of the Pembina River

between the confluence with Lovett Creek (Highway 40 road crossing)

and the Highway 16 road crossing. These data can assist ASRD to

develop an Arctic grayling management plan for the Pembina River

mainstem, and possibly the entire watershed.

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2. To determine seasonal use of the Pembina River mainstem by Arctic

grayling.

3. To collect non‐lethal biological data from Arctic grayling captured

during the survey including fork length, weight, scales for ageing, and

sex and state of maturity if available. In addition, collect these data for

all fish species and provide to ASRD as a condition of the fish research

license.

2.0 STUDY AREA

Originating in the Rocky Mountains, the Pembina River mainstem flows east by

northeast for approximately 727 km until its confluence with the Athabasca River,

northeast of Fort Assiniboine, Alberta. Major tributaries to the Pembina River, from the

headwaters to the mouth, include the Lovett River, Dismal, Rat, and Paddy creeks;

along with the Bigoray, Lobstick and Paddle rivers. The Pembina River and its

tributaries occur in the subalpine, upper boreal, lower boreal mixedwoods, and lower

boreal ecoregions (Strong and Leggat 1992) and consequently, contain a variety of fish

habitats, ranging from swift, clear, cold water, with gravel‐boulder substrates in the

upper reaches to slow, turbid, warm water, with silty substrates in the lower reaches

(Wallace and McCart 1984).

The study area initially included the Pembina River mainstem from the confluence with

the Lovett River downstream to the confluence with the Paddle River near the town of

Barrhead, Alberta. After a preliminary sampling in 2002, the study area was reduced in

2003 to include the Pembina River mainstem from the mouth of the Lovett River (River

distance: km‐679) downstream to the bridge crossing on Highway 16 (km‐366) at

Evansburg, Alberta (Figure 1). This allowed for a more efficient use of resources in

2003.

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Figure 1. Location of the 2002‐2003 Arctic grayling study sites on the Pembina River, Alberta. Sampling sites are shown as river distance markers in km. Inset is a map of the province of Alberta. The 2002 study area is outlined and the 2003 reduced study area is shaded in grey.

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3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Site selection

Adult Arctic grayling generally migrate from larger rivers to smaller tributaries for

spring spawning and return to the larger rivers during the summer (Scott and

Crossman 1973, Stanislawski and Brown 1997). A recent study has also shown that

habitat diversity, in the form of size and depth of pools, channel complexity, and

substrate composition, are higher where tributary streams enter mainstem rivers (Rice

et al. 2001). Thus we believe that Arctic grayling will likely be located at or near

tributary junctions throughout this study, therefore sample sites were primarily aligned

with the mouths of major tributaries to the Pembina River in attempts to capture Arctic

grayling throughout the open water season. We also chose sample sites that had been

sampled previously (e.g., Renewable Resources Consulting Services 1971). Repeated

sampling of historical sites with those sampled in 2002 and 2003 provided us with the

opportunity to quantify spatial and temporal changes in the occurrence and abundance

of Arctic grayling. To ensure that habitats of differing gradients were sampled, survey

sites were plotted on a gradient profile for the Pembina River (Appendix 1). New sites

were identified based on the gradient profile where reaches appeared to exist. The final

choice of sites was based on site accessibility by all‐terrain‐vehicle (ATV) or truck.

A helicopter was used to survey the river for obstructions (logjams, shallow water,

waterfalls, etc.) and potential access points which were then marked on maps using a

handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) unit. We then used ArcView 3.0,

Geographic Information System (GIS) data (i.e. base layers on: roads, seismic lines,

pipelines, power lines) and 5‐m Indian Remote Sensing satellite imagery to identify any

potential access routes that were undetected during the helicopter flight. Access points

and routes that required ground‐truthing for accessibility and boat‐launching

capabilities were investigated using 4x4 trucks and all terrain vehicles (ATV). Some of

the sample sections were also canoed to assess what type of boat to use, as well as to

determine river conditions (e.g., water depth and wetted width) and navigational

hazards (e.g., sweepers, ledges, or logjams) that were difficult to evaluate from the

survey flight.

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3.2 Site length

Length of study reaches (i.e., river site length) was chosen according to Hughes et. al.

(2002). In order to sample representative fish assemblages for rivers ranging in width

from 10‐150 m and sampled using a raft‐mounted electrofisher, a minimum sampling

distance equal to 85 times the mean wetted channel width is required. Estimates of site

length recorded within ±100 m in the field using a hand‐held GPS unit were later

refined in the lab to within ±10 m using ArcView 3.1a. Waypoints were used to

calculate the total river length sampled and were marked at 500‐m intervals. The 500‐m

intervals were also used as reference points to release captured fish.

3.3 Fish capture and data collection

Fish were captured primarily by a three‐person team using float electrofishing from

July 4 to September 20, 2002 and June 27 to October 21, 2003. A 14‐foot Avon

Adventurer raft, equipped with a generator‐powered Smith Root 5.0 G.P.P.

electrofisher, was navigated by one crewmember while a second crewmember

controlled the anode and the third dip‐netted fish. Attempts were made to capture all

fish, but field crews selected for Arctic grayling when they were present. Species

composition and electrofishing effort (seconds) and settings (amperage, range, and

percent power) were recorded for each survey. Captured fish were kept in an onboard

live well until they were measured and released at each 500‐m transect. Very few

fish (<1%) demonstrated injuries or immediate mortality from electrofishing. It is

unknown what the post‐release delayed mortality rate was. In addition, fish were

captured using fly‐fishing gear in sections that were not suitable for rafting (e.g. low

water conditions or log jams). Both wet and dry flies were used in combination with a

5‐ or 6‐weight fly rod equipped with a floating line. Anglers recorded fish captured,

number of hours angled (±0.25 hours), and the distance angled. Although no immediate mortalities occurred from angling, it is unknown what the post‐release

delayed mortality rate was.

When water conditions were extremely low making the river impassable with the raft,

snorkelling was used to identify and describe the distribution and number of fish

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species (Thurow 1994). The river was divided into two units, river left and river right,

and two snorkellers drifted downstream side‐by‐side and counted fish in their half of

the river. When fish were encountered at a high rate (i.e., pools), the area would be

surveyed three times and each drift count was then used to determine a single mean

estimate.

Data were recorded on a “Fish Capture Record Form” (Appendix 2) at each 500‐m

transect. Fish were identified to species using Scott and Crossman (1973) and Nelson

and Paetz (1992) and species codes were assigned using Mackay et. al. (1990). Data

collection included: fork length (FL) and total length (TL) (±1.0 mm), sex and state of

maturity (when discernable), location (i.e. transect number), and any relevant

comments (i.e., any abnormalities present on the fish, clipped fins, or if the fish was a

mortality). In addition a stratified sample (2 fish/5 mm FL class) was collected for

mountain whitefish and Arctic grayling. Additional data collected from these fish

included: total weight (±1.0 gm), and scale samples (after Mackay et al. 1990). To avoid

mortality, scales rather than otoliths were used for aging Arctic grayling.

3.4 Habitat data

Quantitative habitat attributes were recorded on the “Pembina River Project‐ Float Data

Form” (Appendix 3). Rooted and wetted widths were measured at the beginning and

end of each 500‐m. Rooted and wetted channel widths were measured at a right angle

to the direction of the flow using a BushnellTM Yardage Pro 800 laser rangefinder (±1 m).

Arctic grayling demonstrate a maximum temperature preference of approximately 25oC

(Lohr et. al. 1996). As the study area is the southern limit of grayling distribution in

Alberta, we felt that daily maximum temperatures may help define summer

distributions. Continuous (2‐hour interval) water temperature data were collected

along the length of the Pembina River study area using Onset Computer Corporation

HOBOTM Temp data loggers. Data logger locations were determined by truck access

(i.e., road crossings or roads paralleling river) and loggers were deployed from July 7 to

October 14 in 2002 and from June 6 to September 28 in 2003. Data loggers were housed

in a watertight plastic container, secured with a 3.2‐mm steel cable to an anchor (e.g.,

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tree, large boulder, or bridge pillar) and weighted down with a 1.0‐kg lead weight.

This prevented the data logger from being swept downstream or out of the water

column during high flows. At the end of the study period, all the data loggers were

retrieved except for two (one in 2002 and one in 2003), which may have been swept

away by the river or stolen.

Flow data for the Pembina River in 2002 and 2003 (Appendix 4) were obtained from the

Alberta Environment River Basins web site (Alberta Environment 2002, Alberta

Environment 2003). These data were used primarily to assess river conditions and

assist with determination of which sampling technique should be used, i.e., boat or

float electrofishing, angling, or snorkelling.

3.5 Data management and analysis

Data were entered into Microsoft Access for analyses and reporting. To comply with

the conditions of the ASRD Fisheries Research License (FRL # 02‐2008 and 03‐2002),

data were entered into Fisheries Management Information System (FMIS) load forms

(Ledig et. al. 1998). These load forms were subsequently provided to ASRD for loading

into the provincial database (FMIS).

Data were analyzed using a variety of techniques. Calculating the frequency

distributions of FL resulted in histograms of these data. Although FL is the preferred

field measurement of length, TL is the measure used for management. To convert FL to

TL we compared TL against FL using least‐squares linear regression (JMP 5.1). The

resulting formula allows for predictions, within the range of data used in the

calculations, of TL from FL.

Float electrofishing catch rates were calculated as the number of fish captured per

wetted section area. Section area was calculated using section length times mean

wetted width. Fish catch rates were then converted to number of fish/1000 m2 to allow

for comparisons of catch in sections of differing river widths. Although a catch rate

that incorporates depth and subsequently volume may improve the ability to compare

between sites, this was not done to allow for increased efficiency in the field. We felt

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that the improvements to the final answer did not justify the cost of collecting these

data.

Temperature data were downloaded from the data loggers and saved as a Microsoft

Excel file. Microsoft Access was used to report the daily maximum temperatures.

Each survey site was geo‐referenced in the field using a handheld GarminTM 12 XL GPS

unit. Co‐ordinate data (waypoints and tracks) were collected as Universal Transverse

Mercator numbers (UTMs), Zone 11, North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83).

Waypoints and tracks were downloaded and saved as an ArcView shapefile using the

Department of Natural Resources Garmin (DNR Garmin) extension (Minnesota

Department of Natural Resources 2003).

4.0 RESULTS

A total of 10 float electrofishing, 11 angling, and 4 snorkelling events were conducted in

the Pembina River study area during both study years. During these events, a total of

2817 fish were captured and observed. In total, 1371 fish, comprised of 14 species were

captured and measured in 591.7 hours of electrofishing and 56.5 hours of angling

(Table 1) (Appendix 5). Another 1446 fish, comprised of 7 species, were counted during

the snorkelling events (Table 1).

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Table 1. Fish species composition encountered during the Pembina River study in 2002 and 2003; n = 2817. Species codes after Mackay et. al. (1990).

Number of Fish Common Name Code Species Captured Observed Arctic grayling ARGR Thymallus arcticus 46 22 Brook trout BKTR Salvelinus fontinalis 28 2 Bull trout BLTR Salvelinus confluentus 2 1 Burbot BURB Lota lota 3 0 Longnose dace LNDC Rhinichthys cataractae 32 0 Longnose sucker LNSC Catostomus catostomus 180 100 Mountain whitefish MNWH Prosopium williamsoni 923 1318 Northern pike NRPK Esox lucius 21 2 Pearl dace PRDC Margariscus margarita 35 0 Rainbow trout RNTR Oncorhynchus mykiss 1 0 Spoonhead sculpin SPSC Cottus ricei 14 0 Trout‐perch TRPR Percopsis omiscomaycus 42 0 Walleye WALL Sander vitreus 18 1 White sucker WHSC Catostomus commersoni 26 0 Total 1371 1446

4.1 Electrofishing

Ten float electrofishing efforts, five each in 2002 and 2003, were conducted at six

different survey sections within the Pembina River study area (Figure 2). Four of the

sites surveyed in 2002 were re‐surveyed in 2003. In total, 1264 fish, comprised of

14 species, were captured in 52.8 km of float electrofishing (25.3 km in 2002 and 27.5 km

in 2003) (Appendix 6). Although slightly more fish were captured in 2002 than in 2003

(650 fish in 2002 vs. 614 in 2003), the number of fish captured per wetted area remained

relatively constant (0.6 fish/1000 m2) between years.

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Figure 2. Sites sampled using float electrofishing on the Pembina River, Alberta from

May to October 2002 and 2003.

Arctic grayling were rarely captured (n = 4), contributing less than 1% to the total

electrofishing catch of 1264 fish. In both years combined, four Arctic grayling (two in

each year) were captured in 2,005,892 m2 (200.6 ha) of float electrofishing for catch rates

of 0.002 grayling/1000 m2 in each year. Effort expended in both years combined was

591.8 minutes (313.3 minutes in 2002 and 278.5 minutes in 2003) of electrofishing for a

catch rate of 0.006 and 0.007 grayling/minute in 2002 and 2003, respectively.

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4.2 Angling

Eleven angling events, five in 2002 and six in 2003, were conducted at 10 different

survey sites (one section sampled twice) (Figure 3). In total, 107 fish comprised of three

species (Arctic grayling, mountain whitefish, and brook trout), were captured in

56.5 hours (22.7 km) of angling (Appendix 7).

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N

Figure 3. Sites angled as part of the Arctic grayling population assessment conducted

on the Pembina River, Alberta in June to October 2002 and 2003. Sites were numbered in the order in which they were sampled, not where they are located on the river.

13

Arctic grayling accounted for 39% of the total angled catch (n = 107). In total, 42 Arctic

grayling were captured (24 in 2002 and 18 in 2003) for catch rates of 1.04 and

0.54 grayling/hour in 2002 and 2003, respectively. Thirty‐three of the 42 graylings (79%)

were captured in a single pool (km‐616) immediately downstream of a bridge crossing

during three separate sampling events (sites #4, #7, and #9 – one site recorded for each

sampling event) (Figure 3). When data collected from this one pool were eliminated,

the catch rates for Arctic grayling were 0.45 grayling/hour in 2002 and zero in 2003.

4.3 Snorkelling

Four snorkelling events, two each in 2002 and 2003, were completed at four different

sections on the mainstem of the Pembina River (Figure 4). In total, snorkel surveys

were completed over a combined distance of 5 km and resulted in the detection of 1446

fish (Table 1). Arctic grayling were observed in two of the four survey sections (km‐616

and 658) and accounted for less than 2% (n = 22) of all fish detected.

14

#Y

KM-727#

KM-700

#

KM-650

#

KM-600#

KM-550#

KM-500

#

KM-450

#

KM-400

#

KM-350

#

Edson

#

DraytonValley

#

#

Evansburg

(/32

(/16

(/47

(/40 (/22

(/16(/22

(/734#Y

#Y

#Y

#

Snorkel site

#

Snorkel site

#

Snorkel site

#

Snorkel site


#

PembinaRiver

StudyArea

N

Figure 4. Snorkelling sites on the Pembina River, Alberta during June to October in

2002 and 2003. The two upstream sites (KM‐673 and 658) were sampled in 2002, the two downstream sites (KM‐616 and 580) in 2003.

4.4. Size distribution of Arctic grayling

Size (FL) of Arctic grayling (electrofishing and angling combined) ranged from 115 to

339 mm with a mean of 213 mm (s = 47.6, n = 44) (Figure 5). The relationship between

FL and TL of Arctic grayling in the Pembina River was: TL = 1.09(FL) + 0.9774

(r2 = 0.9992; n = 11) (Appendix 8). As TL was not collected from each grayling captured,

we applied the regression equation and determined that the FL of a “legal sized” Arctic

grayling (i.e., 350 mm TL) was 321 mm. A previous study on the Little Smoky River

reported the same value i.e., 321 mm FL (Sterling and Hunt 1989). Based on this FL

estimate, only two of the 46 fish were large enough to be legally harvested by anglers.

15

012345678910

100 150 200 250 300 350Fork Length (mm)

# of Fish capturedured

Electrofishing Angling

Figure 5. Fork length frequency distribution of Arctic grayling captured from the

Pembina River, Alberta in 2002 and 2003 using angling and electrofishing.

4.5 Age composition of Arctic grayling

Age of Arctic grayling in the study area ranged from 1 to 3 years (FL = 125‐280 mm)

with a mean age of 1.55 years (s = 45.3, n = 20). Mean size‐at‐age was 172.9 mm (s =

26.9, n = 10) for age 1 fish, 244.6 mm (s = 19.0, n = 9) for age 2 fish, and 280 mm (n = 1)

for age 3 (Figure 6) with ages 1 and 2 fish comprising 95% of the sample. All grayling

that were not aged had FLs within the range of the aged fish (125 ‐ 280 mm) with two

exceptions (Figure 5). This suggests that the majority of the captured Arctic grayling

(n = 42) were likely 1‐2 years of age. Based on the length‐at‐age analysis, the larger

graylings (329 and 339 mm) were likely ≥4 years old.

16

50

100

150

200

250

300

0 1 2 3 4Age (years)

Fork Length (m

m)

Figure 6. Fork length‐at‐age of Arctic grayling captured from the Pembina River,

Alberta in 2002 and 2003 (n = 20).

4.6 Distribution of Arctic grayling

Arctic grayling were captured at six of the 16 sampled river sections (Figure 7). These

six sites were located between the mouth of the Lovett River (km‐679) and 150 m

downstream of the mouth of Dismal Creek (km‐536); 95% of the captures were

upstream of the Wolf Lake Road crossing (km‐579). However, grayling that were large

enough to be harvested legally by anglers (n = 2) were found immediately downstream

of the Wolf Lake Road crossing. Because few Arctic grayling were captured and sites

were not re‐sampled, seasonal use of the Pembina River mainstem could not be

determined.

17

#Y

#Y

#

BKTRMNWHRNTR

#

MNWHBKTR

#

BKTRBLTRBURBMNWH

# NOFISHCAUGHT

#

MNWHNRPKWALL

#

NOFISHCAUGHT

#

MNWH

#

MNWH

#

BURBMNWHNRPKWALL

#

MNWHNRPKWALL

#

BURBMNWHNRPKWALL

#

MNWHWALL

ARGR

ARGRARGR

ARGR

#

Edson

#

Drayton Valley

ARGR

#

#

#

BKTRMNWH

ARGR

30 0 30 60 90 Kilometers

Angle sectionsFloat electrofishing sections

#Y Single point angle sites N

PembinaRiverStudy Area

Figure 7. Distribution of Arctic grayling and other sport fish species captured during

angling and electrofishing events or observed during snorkelling events in the Pembina River, Alberta in June to October 2002 and 2003. Fish species codes follow Mackay et al. (1990) and are: Arctic grayling = ARGR, bull trout = BLTR, mountain whitefish = MNWH, rainbow trout = RNTR, brook trout=BKTR, northern pike=NRPK, burbot = BURB, and walleye= WALL.

4.7 Water temperature data

Temperature monitoring locations are presented in Appendix 9 for 2002 and 2003.

Charts were created displaying daily maximum temperatures at each site

(Appendix 10). Daily maximum temperatures in 2003 were not reported for sites #2 or

#8 (Appendix 9) because the data logger at Site #2 was discovered on the riverbank and

the data logger at Site #8 was missing. During both years, daily maximum water

18

temperatures surpassed 25oC (our specified avoidance temperature for Arctic grayling)

at all sites downstream of Paddy Creek (Site #5) (Figure 8; Appendix 9; Appendix 10).

Thus, high water temperatures likely precluded fish from occupying these river

sections.

0

2

4

6

8

10

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Site Number

Number of Days >25oC

2002 (days)

2003 (days)

Figure 8. Number of days the maximum water temperatures surpassed 25oC in the

Pembina River in 2002 and 2003.

5.0 DISCUSSION

Research on the status and distribution of Arctic grayling in the Pembina River was

initially slated to be completed during the open water season of 2002. However,

because of low water conditions, limited catches of Arctic grayling, and an

underestimation of the project’s scale, it was necessary to continue fieldwork during the

open water period in 2003. Based on the difficulty and subsequent low catch of

grayling in 2002, and research by Bryski (1999), the study area was reduced and

redefined to concentrate sampling efforts in river sections where Arctic grayling were

more likely to be distributed. Although this may bias the sample by overestimating the

number of grayling, we felt that a departure from a more random approach was

justified to locate the few grayling that seemed to exist in the river. Regardless of any

changes to sampling design, water levels and Arctic grayling captures were both low

during the second year of the study.

19

Float electrofishing catch rates of Arctic grayling in the Pembina River during 2002 and

2003 were relatively low when compared to historical rates. Historically, Arctic

grayling were considered common throughout the mid to upper reaches of the

Pembina River mainstem with reported electrofishing catch rates that ranged from 0.5

to 1.0 grayling/minute (Bryski 1999). Thus, the 2002 and 2003 catch rates of

0.006 grayling/minute and 0.007 grayling/minute, respectively were considered to be

poor.

When angling catch rates in the Pembina River (2002 and 2003) were compared to

historical rates, they appeared to be only moderately depressed. Historically angler

catch rate were reported as 1.0 ‐ 3.0 grayling/hour in the Pembina River prior to the

1970s (Bryski 1999). However, the catch rates of 1.04 grayling/hour in 2002 and

0.54 grayling/hour in 2003 were inflated because three angling events occurred in a

single pool where Arctic grayling were known to stage in the late summer, thus, biasing

the sample and likely overestimating the overall catch rate. This pool was targeted to

compensate for the lack of Arctic grayling biological data collected in the remainder of

the study area. By omitting the data collected from this one pool, catch rates decreased

to 0.45 grayling/hour in 2002 and 0.0 grayling/hour in 2003.

Summer water temperatures may have contributed to the distribution of Arctic

grayling stocks in the Pembina River. The distribution of salmonids within watersheds

is influenced by water temperature (Dunham et. al. 2003; Paul and Post 2001; Rieman

et. al. 1997) and can be used to determine suitable thermal habitats for Arctic grayling

(Lohr et. al. 1996). Lohr et. al. (1996) reported the upper ultimate incipient lethal

temperature – the most extreme temperature an organism can attain by acclimation –

for Arctic grayling as 25oC when acclimated to 20oC. In our study, all captures of Arctic

grayling occurred upstream of the Pembina River‐Paddy Creek confluence (Site #5

Figure 3) where water temperatures were greater than 25oC, suggesting that

behavioural avoidance of extreme temperatures may have influenced the distribution

of Arctic grayling in the Pembina River.

The most effective method used to capture Arctic grayling was angling. All angled

grayling were captured within close proximity to a road access and the majority of the

Arctic grayling were captured in a pool immediately downstream of one road crossing

20

where the fish were easily observed from the bridge deck. Since Arctic grayling are

vulnerable to moderate amounts of angling (Nelson and Paetz 1992) and all the

grayling captured during this study were in close proximity to a road suggests that

Arctic grayling are extremely vulnerable to angling within the Pembina River study

area.

Although it is probable that grayling are present in the unsampled sections of the

Pembina River, it is unlikely that they were present in any significant numbers. If Arctic

grayling were present in the Pembina River in large numbers, sampling efforts in 2002

and 2003 would have detected them. The extremely low water conditions likely caused

fish to congregate in smaller areas, making them more vulnerable to capture. It is also

possible that low water conditions in the river may have caused grayling to seek refuge

in the tributaries where water temperatures may have been cooler and instream cover

may have been more abundant. However, recent stream inventory efforts in Dismal

(McLeod and Gardiner 1999), Rat (Campbell and McLeod 2002), and Paddy Creeks

(Rasmussen and Johnson 2003), main tributaries to the Pembina River, captured very

few or no Arctic grayling.

During the present study, very few Arctic grayling were captured or observed in the

Pembina River. Those that were captured showed a narrow age (ages 1‐3) and size‐

class distribution and low electrofishing and angling catch rates, which were

characterized by a limited spawning stock (grayling > 330 mm TL; see Berry 1998), a

low proportion of older fish in the catch, and generally low numbers of younger fish

(i.e., reduced recruitment); especially when compared to other studies (Ripley 1997;

R.L.&L. Environmental Services Ltd. 1996; Sullivan and Johnson 1994). This suggests

that the Arctic grayling stocks in the Pembina River may be collapsed.

It is unknown what effect human‐use has had on the Arctic grayling population in the

Pembina River. Although forest harvest, oil and gas exploration and extraction, and

agriculture are present in the study area, their level of activity and effects has not been

quantified. Nonetheless, any program implemented to conserve this native population

of Arctic grayling in the Pembina River should consider all forms of human‐use, their

potential effects on the Arctic grayling populations and how these effects could be

mitigated.

21

6.0 REFERENCES Alberta Environment. 2003 Alberta’s River Basins. Online, Internet. Alberta

Environment. http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/basins/basinform.cfm.

Alberta Environment. 2002. Alberta’s River Basins. Online, Internet. Alberta

Environment. http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/basins/basinform.cfm.

Alberta Government. 2003. 2003 guide to Alberta sportfishing regulations. Sports

Scene Publications Inc., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Alberta Government. 1998, 1998 guide to Alberta sportfishing regulations. Alberta

Environmental Protection, Natural Resources Service, Edmonton, Alberta,

Canada.

Antoniuk, T.M., and P. Carey. 1979. Interim report on the foothills project aquatic

baseline assessment, 1978. Prepared for Gulf Canada Resources Inc., Calgary,

Alberta, Canada.

Berry, D.K. 1998. Alberta’s Arctic grayling management and recovery plan. Alberta

Environmental Protection, Natural Resources Service, Alberta, Canada.

Fisheries Management Division. 27 pp.

Bryski, M. 1999. Arctic grayling historical review‐ grayling fisheries of the Pembina

River sub‐basin in fisheries management area 4. Report for Alberta

Environmental Protection, Natural Resources Service, Fisheries Management

Division and the Alberta Conservation Association, Alberta, Canada. (Draft

report). 43 pp. +app.

Campbell, D., and C. McLeod. 2002. Northern East Slopes Co‐operative Fisheries

Inventory Program (CFIP) 2001/2002 Annual Report for Paddle River, Poison

Creek, and Rat Creek Drainages. 28 pp. +app.

http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/basins/basinform.cfm

22

Dickson, T.A., and P.J. McCart. 1980. Interim report‐fish populations in the vicinity of

the proposed pipeline sites on the Pembina River and Dismal Creek. Prepared

for Hudson’s Bay Oil and Gas Company Ltd. by Aquatic Environments Ltd.,

Calgary. Alberta, Canada. 26 pp.

Dunham, J., B. Rieman, and G. Chandler. 2003. Influences of temperature and

environmental variables on the distribution of bull trout within streams at

southern margin of its range. North American Journal of Fisheries

Management. 23:894‐904.

Foothills Model Forest. 1998. 1998 Fish and stream inventory‐site summaries.

Prepared for the Alberta Conservation Association, Weldwood of Canada

(Hinton Division), and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. Foothills

Model Forest, Hinton, Alberta.

Huges, R.M., P.R. Kaufmann, A.T. Herlihy, S.S. Intelmann, S.C. Corbett, M.C. Arbogast,

and R.C. Hjort. 2002. Electrofishing distance needed to estimate fish species

richness in raftable Oregon Rivers. North American Journal of Fisheries

Management 22:1229‐1240.

Ledig, B., G. Thorsley, M. Watson, and K. Zelt. 1998. Fisheries Management

Information System (FMIS) user manual. Alberta Environmental Protection,

Natural Resources Service, Alberta, Canada. Fisheries Management Division.

33 pp.

Lohr. S.C., P.A. Byorth, C.M., Kaya, and W.P. Dwyer. 1996. High‐temperature

tolerances of fluvial Arctic grayling and comparisons with summer river

temperatures of the Big Hole River, Montana. Transactions of the American

Fisheries Society. 125:933‐939.

Mackay, W.C., G.R. Ash, and H.J. Norris (eds.). 1990. Fish aging methods for Alberta.

R.L. & L. Environmental Services Ltd. in association with Alberta Fish and

Wildlife Division and University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. 113 pp.

23

McLeod, C., and K. Gardiner. 1999. Rocky Mountain House and Nordegg districts co‐

operative fisheries inventory program (CFIP) 1998 annual report. Produced by

the Alberta Conservation Association, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada.

47 pp. +app.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. DNR Garmin Extension for ArcView,

2003. Online, Internet. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mis/gis/tools/arcview/extensions/DNRGarmin/DN

RGarmin.html.

Nelson, J.S., and M.J. Paetz. 1992. The fishes of Alberta. 2nd Edition. The University of

Alberta Press and the University of Calgary Press. 437 pp.

Paul, A.J., and J.R. Post. 2001. Spatial distribution of native and nonnative salmonids

in streams of the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Transactions

of the American Fisheries Society. 130:417‐430.

Rasmussen, C., and C. Johnson. 2003. Edson and area co‐operative fisheries inventory

project 2003/2004 annual report. Produced by the Alberta Conservation

Association, Edson, Alberta, Canada. 19 pp. +app.

R.L. & L. Environmental Services Ltd. 1996. Population status and seasonal

distribution of Arctic grayling in the House River Drainage of Northeastern

Alberta, 1995. Prepared for Alberta Environmental Protection, Natural

Resource Service, Fisheries Management Division, Lac La Biche, Alberta. R.L. &

L. Report No. 460F:50 pp. +5 app.

Renewable Resources Consulting Services Ltd. 1971. An ecological study of wildlife

and fisheries in the Pembina and Sturgeon River Basins. Prepared for Water

Resources Division, Alberta Department of the Environment. 333 pp.

Rice, S.P., M.T. Greenwood, and C.B. Joyce. 2001. Tributaries, sediment sources, and

the longitudinal organisation of macroinvertebrate fauna along river systems.

Canadian Journal of Aquatic Sciences. 58:824‐840.

24

Rieman, B.E., D.C. Lee, and R.F. Thurow. 1997. Distribution, status, and likely future

trends of bull trout within the Columbia River and Klamath River Basins. North

American Journal of Fisheries Management. 17:1111‐1125.

Ripley, T. 1997. A stock assessment of the Kakwa River Arctic grayling (Thymallus

arcticus) population, fall 1997. Produced by the Alberta Conservation

Association. Northwest Boreal Region. 23 pp.

Scott, W.B., and E.J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater fishes of Canada. Bulletin 184,

Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Ottawa, 966 pp.

Stanislawski, S.S., and R.S. Brown. 1997. Spring movements of and spawning habitat

selection by Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus (Pallas)) in the Little Smoky

River Drainage, Alberta. Produced by FRM Environmental Consulting Ltd.,

Edmonton, Alberta. 116 pp.

Sterling, G., and C. Hunt. 1989. Preliminary survey; Arctic grayling movements and

age & growth in the Little Smoky River, Alberta, 1987 & 1988. Alberta Forestry,

Lands and Wildlife. Fish and Wildlife Division. East Slopes Region. 53 pp.

Strong, W.L., and K.R. Leggat. 1992. Ecoregions of Alberta. Alberta Forestry, Lands,

and Wildlife, Land Information Services Division, Resource Information Branch,

Edmonton, Alberta.

Sullivan, M., and C. Johnson. 1994. Arctic grayling sampled from the Little Smoky

River, August 1994. Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division memorandum (20

September 1994). 8 pp.

Thurow, R.F. 1994. Underwater methods for study of salmonids in the Intermountain

West. General Technical Report INT‐GTR‐307. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of

Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 28 pp.

25

Wallace, R.R., and P.J. McCart. 1984. The fish and fisheries of the Athabasca River

Basin‐ their status and environmental requirements. For Planning Division,

Alberta Environment, Edmonton. 269 pp. +app.

26

7.0 APPENDIX

Appendix 1. Gradient or slope profile (meters above sea level) of the 2002‐2003 study sites on the Pembina River, Alberta.

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

0 50000 100000 150000 200000 250000 300000 350000 400000Distance from River Headwaters (km)

Elevation (m)

Pembina ProfileElectrofishing and Angling sites

50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

27

Appendix 2. Pembina River fish capture record form.

Page ____ of ____

# Species

Fork Length (mm)

Weight (g)

Sex/ Maturity

Location

Capture method

Recap (y/n)

Old adipose clip

(y/n)

Dorsal #

Adipose clip today

(y/n)

Previous PIT (y/n)

PIT tag # Comments

12345b b b b b b b b b b b b b b

4950* Sex: Male (M), Female (F), or Unknown (U). If there is any doubt, put unknown.** Maturity: Immature, Mature, Ripe, Spent, or Unknown.*** Capture Methods: EF = backpack, FS = float shock, AN = angled, MT = minnow trap, GN = gill net, FF = fish fence

Fish Capture Record FormSite ID: __________ Date: _________________ Waterbody: _____________________

28

Appendix 3. Pembina River float‐electrofishing data form.

Waterbody Name:

Crew (EF) :

Turbidity:Stage:

Day Month YearSurvey Date

Access : Truck/Quad/Heli/Raft/Jet boat

Pembina River Project – Float dataform

Species Number

Fish Summary

Site ID:

EF SettingsRangeDCPercent Amperage

Comments:

Start StopTimeWater TempAir Temp

Transect Easting Northing Wetted Rooted Seconds Distance (m)U/S 0 0T1T2T3T4T5T6T7T8T9T10T11T12T13T14T15T16

UTM (NAD 83, zone 11) Widths (m) Electrofishing effort

Access Easting NorthingPut InTake Out

Site Name:

29

Appendix 4. Pembina River flow data recorded by Alberta Environment (http://www3.gov.ab.ca/env/water/basins/basinform.cfm) near the Town of Entwistle Alberta in 2002 and 2003 (Alberta Environment 2002, 2003) are shown in separate figures below. Entwistle is located at the downstream end of the study area.

River flow data recorded for the Pembina River near the downstream end of the study area, near Entwistle Alberta in 2002 (Alberta Environment 2002).

30

River flow data recorded for the Pembina River at the downstream end of the study area, near Entwistle Alberta in 2003 (Alberta Environment 2003).

31

Appendix 5. Individual records of each fish captured during the summers of 2002 and 2003 as part of the Arctic grayling population assessment on the Pembina River, Alberta. Codes for capture method are: AN = angling or EF = electrofishing.

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length

(mm) Weight (g) Site ID

River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method

ARGR 115 1 671 8‐Jul‐02 AN

ARGR 329 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF

ARGR 339 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF

ARGR 178 3 664 29‐Aug‐02 AN

ARGR 174 3 664 29‐Aug‐02 AN

ARGR 231 3 664 29‐Aug‐02 AN

ARGR 167 3 664 29‐Aug‐02 AN

ARGR 245 3 664 29‐Aug‐02 AN

ARGR 208 3 664 29‐Aug‐02 AN

ARGR 229 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

ARGR 161 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

ARGR 172 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

ARGR 238 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

ARGR 233 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

ARGR 240 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

ARGR 232 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

ARGR 185 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

ARGR 169 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

ARGR 169 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

ARGR 230 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

ARGR 233 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

ARGR 236 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

ARGR 222 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

ARGR 230 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

ARGR 201 222 115 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF

ARGR 125 135 19 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF

ARGR 246 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN

32

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method

ARGR 163 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN

ARGR 233 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN

ARGR 243 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN

ARGR 175 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN

ARGR 280 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN

ARGR 180 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN

ARGR 171 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN

ARGR 169 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN

ARGR 171 188 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN

ARGR 252 275 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN

ARGR 247 271 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN

ARGR 236 260 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN

ARGR 252 275 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN

ARGR 267 289 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN

ARGR 260 285 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN

ARGR 165 181 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN

ARGR 172 189 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN

BKTR 181 1 671 4‐Jul‐02 AN

BKTR 210 Lovett 679 07‐Aug‐02 EF









BKTR 178 3 664 29‐Aug‐02 AN

BKTR 205 217 100 Lovett 679 27‐Jun‐03 EF



33

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method








BKTR 234 177 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF




BKTR 169 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF



BLTR 263 188 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF

BLTR 424 783 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF

BURB 127 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF

BURB 414 346 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF

BURB 304 150 Paddy 512 15‐Jul‐03 EF

LNDC 48 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF












34

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method

LNDC 69 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF

LNDC 97 Lovett 679 07‐Aug‐02 EF

LNDC 90 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF








LNDC 71 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF

LNDC 97 11 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF

LNDC 102 10 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF

LNDC 35 Paddy 512 15‐Jul‐03 EF

LNDC 37 Paddy 512 15‐Jul‐03 EF

LNDC 83 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF





LNSC 355 510 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF










LNSC 76 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF

35

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method





















LNSC 210 120 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF











36

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method


LNSC 432 Lovett 679 07‐Aug‐02 EF






























37

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method



LNSC 359 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF





























38

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method

















LNSC 392 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF















39

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method





LNSC 372 580 Lovett 679 27‐Jun‐03 EF



LNSC 335 Lovett 679 27‐Jun‐03 EF











LNSC 385 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF

LNSC 182 85.3 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF

LNSC 425 1019 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF











40

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method





LNSC 385 728 Paddy 512 15‐Jul‐03 EF

LNSC 344 Paddy 512 15‐Jul‐03 EF

LNSC 364 531 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF

LNSC 389 590 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF

LNSC 59 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF

LNSC 355 585 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF

LNSC 339 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF

LNSC 350 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF

LNSC 380 696 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF

LNSC 374 513 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF

MNWH 237 1 671 5‐Jul‐02 AN

MNWH 239 1 671 6‐Jul‐02 AN

MNWH 249 1 671 7‐Jul‐02 AN

MNWH 132 20 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF














41

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method


MNWH 114 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF

MNWH 188 80 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF





























42

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method





















MNWH 226 Lovett 679 07‐Aug‐02 EF











43

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































44

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































45

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































46

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































47

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































48

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































49

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































50

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method

















MNWH 266 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF















51

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































52

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method






MNWH 185 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF















MNWH 257 3 664 29‐Aug‐02 AN

MNWH 251 3 664 29‐Aug‐02 AN

MNWH 196 3 664 29‐Aug‐02 AN

MNWH 142 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

MNWH 174 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

MNWH 180 4 618 8‐Sep‐02 AN

MNWH 194 Lovett 679 27‐Jun‐03 EF



MNWH 437 470 1074 Lovett 679 27‐Jun‐03 EF


53

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































54

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































55

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































56

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































57

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































58

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































59

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method











MNWH 213 112 Lovett 679 27‐Jun‐03 EF

MNWH 171 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF



















MNWH 160 176 45 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF

60

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































61

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































62

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































63

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































64

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































65

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method
































66

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method



MNWH 216 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 223 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 209 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 185 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 186 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 208 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 156 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 183 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 185 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 185 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 242 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 219 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 184 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 196 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 205 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 148 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 201 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 229 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 173 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 195 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 162 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 208 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 188 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 198 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 216 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 303 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 302 330 1030 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 238 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 215 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF

67

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method

MNWH 199 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 183 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 193 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 192 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 121 125 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 165 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 271 Paddy 512 15‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 247 Paddy 512 15‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 218 Paddy 512 15‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 115 Paddy 512 15‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 184 Paddy 512 15‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 358 540 Paddy 512 15‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 275 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 285 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 282 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 294 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 292 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 132 20 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 114 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 331 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 269 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 113 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 295 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 252 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 360 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 247 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 263 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 118 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 290 312 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 317 369 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 276 292 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF

68

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method

MNWH 245 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 258 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 115 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 134 23 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 125 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 115 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 124 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 126 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 272 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 242 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 113 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 247 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 363 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 220 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 255 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF MNWH 299 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN MNWH 285 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN MNWH 217 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN MNWH 281 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN MNWH 260 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN MNWH 237 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN MNWH 239 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN MNWH 267 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN MNWH 250 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN MNWH 347 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN MNWH 258 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN MNWH 209 7 618 14‐Aug‐03 AN MNWH 243 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN MNWH 205 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN MNWH 235 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN MNWH 275 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN

69

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method

MNWH 230 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN MNWH 284 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN MNWH 256 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN MNWH 249 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN MNWH 234 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN MNWH 273 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN MNWH 178 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN MNWH 251 9 618 03‐Sep‐03 AN NRPK 860 5210 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 276 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 844 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 542 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 477 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 530 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 289 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 314 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 499 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 475 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 322 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 554 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 314 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 844 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 530 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 475 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 477 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 289 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 542 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF NRPK 420 510 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF NRPK 659 1954 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 79 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF PRDC 75 Paddy 512 15‐Jul‐03 EF

70

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method

PRDC 77 Paddy 512 15‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 47 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 79 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 52 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 45 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 47 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 45 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 43 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 56 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 44 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 40 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 41 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 32 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 44 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 42 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 50 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 81 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 42 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 45 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 37 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 47 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 56 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 45 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 41 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 41 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 44 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 62 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 47 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 74 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 38 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 76 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF

71

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method

PRDC 47 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF PRDC 35 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF RNTR 150 158 32 Lovett 679 27‐Jun‐03 EF SPSC 88 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF SPSC 80 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF SPSC 56 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF SPSC 73 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF SPSC 80 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF SPSC 80 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF SPSC 62 Lovett 679 07‐Aug‐02 EF SPSC 103 Lovett 679 07‐Aug‐02 EF SPSC 52 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF SPSC 84 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF SPSC 84 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF SPSC 98 5 Lovett 679 27‐Jun‐03 EF SPSC 100 8 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF SPSC 110 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF TRPR 70 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF TRPR 60 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF TRPR 80 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF TRPR 53 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF TRPR 57 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF TRPR 57 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF TRPR 56 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF TRPR 52 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF TRPR 58 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF TRPR 58 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 58 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 58 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 62 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 71 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF

72

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method

TRPR 73 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 87 10 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 60 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 54 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 56 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 57 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 58 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 77 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 64 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 59 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 65 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 60 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 68 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 59 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 66 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 65 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 59 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 77 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 64 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 59 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 60 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF TRPR 39 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF TRPR 37 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF TRPR 64 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF TRPR 42 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF TRPR 44 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF TRPR 44 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF TRPR 60 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF WALL 79 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF WALL 420 770 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF WALL 350 400 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF

73

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method

WALL 340 400 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF WALL 465 1090 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF WALL 451 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF WALL 177 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF WALL 175 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF WALL 343 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF WALL 188 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF WALL 333 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF WALL 346 Dismal 536 21‐Aug‐02 EF WALL 451 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF WALL 346 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF WALL 343 Rat 524 22‐Aug‐02 EF WALL 397 Paddy 512 15‐Jul‐03 EF WALL 399 345 Paddy 512 15‐Jul‐03 EF WALL 450 982 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF WHSC 387 730 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF WHSC 387 780 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF WHSC 357 650 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF WHSC 417 960 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF WHSC 357 600 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF WHSC 453 1250 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF WHSC 447 960 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF WHSC 252 550 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF WHSC 407 850 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF WHSC 395 840 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF WHSC 349 560 Easyford 462 26‐Jul‐02 EF WHSC 375 730 Paddy 512 06‐Aug‐02 EF WHSC 401 Lovett 679 07‐Aug‐02 EF WHSC 401 Lovett 679 07‐Aug‐02 EF WHSC 396 Lovett 679 07‐Aug‐02 EF WHSC 349 Lovett 679 07‐Aug‐02 EF

74

Species Fork Length

(mm) Total Length


River km

Date of Capture

Capture Method

WHSC 343 Lovett 679 07‐Aug‐02 EF WHSC 375 Lovett 679 07‐Aug‐02 EF WHSC 355 Lovett 679 07‐Aug‐02 EF WHSC 427 Lovett 679 07‐Aug‐02 EF WHSC 414 900 Lovett 679 27‐Jun‐03 EF WHSC 391 798 Lovett 679 27‐Jun‐03 EF WHSC 392 741 Lovett 679 27‐Jun‐03 EF WHSC 387 789 Gravel Pit 670 09‐Jul‐03 EF WHSC 369 615 Dismal 536 16‐Jul‐03 EF WHSC 364 615 Rat 524 17‐Jul‐03 EF

75

Appendix 6. Summaries of fish captured at each electrofishing site during the 2002‐ 2003 survey on the Pembina River, Alberta.

Lovett River Section (KM‐679), August 7, 2002 and June 27, 2003 (easting 524206; northing 5870767).

Species Number Captured

Min Fork Length (mm)

Max Fork Length (mm)

Mean Fork Length (mm)

Catch Rate (#/1000m2)

2002a BKTR 9 178 257 215 0.089 LNDC 1 97 97 97 0.010 LNSC 32 177 450 383 0.318 MNWH 244 54 472 225 2.426 SPSC 2 62 103 83 0.020 WHSC 8 343 427 381 0.080

2003b BKTR 10 170 254 213 0.091 LNSC 14 214 446 389 0.127 MNWH 202 100 437 233 1.837 RNTR 1 150 150 150 0.009 SPSC 1 98 98 98 0.009 WHSC 3 391 414 399 0.027

aSection length = 4930 m; mean wetted width= 20.4m bSection length = 468 0m; mean wetted width= 23.5m

76

Gravel Pit Section, July 9, 2003 (easting 526815; northing 5867530).





Catch Ratea (#/1000m2)

ARGR 2 125 201 163 0.011 BKTR 7 140 254 206 0.038 BLTR 2 263 424 344 0.011 BURB 1 414 414 414 0.005 LNDC 2 97 102 100 0.011 LNSC 17 110 433 338 0.092 MNWH 243 110 345 205 1.316 SPSC 2 100 110 105 0.011 WHSC 1 387 387 387 0.005

aSection length = 5900 m; mean wetted width = 31.3 m

77

Dismal Creek Section, August 21, 2002 and July 16, 2003 (easting 595800; northing 5883536).






2002a

ARGR 2 329 339 334 0.012 BURB 1 127 127 127 0.006 LNDC 8 35 90 59 0.047 LNSC 45 68 422 319 0.267 MNWH 51 62 364 204 0.302 NRPK 10 289 844 485 0.059 PRDC 1 79 79 79 0.006 SPSC 2 52 84 68 0.012 TRPR 12 54 77 62 0.071 WALL 7 175 451 288 0.042

2003b

LNDC 5 35 83 71 0.030 LNSC 3 59 389 271 0.018 MNWH 20 113 360 253 0.121 PRDC 12 32 79 48 0.073 WALL 1 450 450 450 0.006 WHSC 1 369 369 369 0.006

aSection length = 4520 m; mean wetted width = 37.3 m bSection length = 4580 m; mean wetted width = 36.0 m

78

Rat Creek Section, August 22, 2002 and July 17,2003 (easting 602609; northing 5886121).






2002a

LNDC 1 71 71 71 0.005 LNSC 19 158 422 356 0.103 MNWH 15 66 364 204 0.081 NRPK 7 289 844 496 0.038 SPSC 1 84 84 84 0.005 TRPR 6 59 77 64 0.033 WALL 3 343 451 380 0.016

2003b

LNSC 5 339 380 360 0.026 MNWH 14 113 363 194 0.074 NRPK 2 420 659 540 0.011 PRDC 20 35 81 50 0.106 TRPR 7 37 64 47 0.037 WHSC 1 364 364 364 0.005

aSection length = 5420 m; mean wetted width = 34.0 m bSection length = 4920 m; mean wetted width = 38.4 m

79

Paddy Creek Section, August 6, 2002 (easting 608431; northing 5886369) and July 15, 2003 (easting 607514; northing 5885771).






2002a

LNDC 1 69 69 69 0.004 LNSC 12 117 424 319 0.045 MNWH 50 65 290 182 0.189 NRPK 2 276 860 568 0.008 SPSC 2 80 80 80 0.008 TRPR 8 58 87 66 0.030 WALL 4 340 465 394 0.015 WHSC 1 375 375 375 0.004

2003b

BURB 1 304 304 304 0.003 LNDC 2 35 37 36 0.006 LNSC 2 344 385 365 0.006 MNWH 6 115 358 232 0.018 PRDC 2 75 77 76 0.006 WALL 2 397 399 398 0.006

aSection length = 5280m; mean wetted width = 50.1m bSection length = 7450m; mean wetted width = 45.8m

80

Easyford Section of the Pembina River on July 26, 2002 (easting 621691; northing 5905078).





Catch Ratea (#/1000m2)

LNDC 12 47 93 61 0.040

LNSC 31 47 458 325 0.104

MNWH 15 132 281 198 0.050

SPSC 4 56 88 74 0.013

TRPR 9 52 80 60 0.030

WALL 1 79 79 79 0.003

WHSC 11 252 453 383 0.037 aSection length = 5160 m; mean wetted width = 57.8 m

81

Appendix 7. Summary of fish captured by angling on the Pembina River mainstem on July 4 to September 20, 2002 and August 7 to October 21, 2003.

Species Captured Catch Rate

(#/angler hour) Site #

Survey Date

Number of

Anglers

Hours Angled (0.25)

Section Length (m) ARGR MNWH BKTR ARGR MNWH BKTR

1 4‐Jul‐02 2 0.50 150 1 3 1 1.0 3.0 1.0 2 28‐Jul‐02 2 4.00 4000 2 30 0 0.3 3.8 ‐ 3 29‐Aug‐02 2 1.50 150 6 3 1 2.0 1.0 0.3 4 8‐Sep‐02 1 3.00 2100 15 3 0 5.0 1.0 ‐ 5 20‐Sep‐02 2 4.00 2070 0 0 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 6 7‐Aug‐03 2 2.00 3780 0 0 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 7 14‐Aug‐03 1 3.50 2130 9 12 0 2.6 3.4 ‐ 8 19‐Aug‐03 2 1.50 1530 0 0 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 9 3‐Sep‐03 4 3.00 20 9 12 0 0.8 1.0 ‐ 10 4‐Sep‐03 3 2.00 2580 0 0 0 ‐ ‐ ‐ 11 21‐Oct‐03 2 2.50 4160 0 0 0 ‐ ‐ ‐

82

Appendix 8. A regression model describing the relationship between fork length and total length for 11 Arctic grayling captured in the Pembina River during the summers of 2002 and 2003.

y = 1.09x + 0.9774R2 = 0.9992

0

100

200

300

400

0 50 100 150 200 250 300Fork Length (mm)

Total Length (mm)

83

Appendix 9. The locations of water temperature data loggers deployed in the Pembina River mainstem, during the summers of 2002 and 2003.

#

Pembina River Watershed

#East SlopesRegion

#

# ##

#

#

#

#

$Z

$Z $Z$Z

$Z

$Z

$Z

$Z

#Y

#Y #Y#Y

#Y#Y

#

Edson

#

Pembina River

#

Lovett River#

Easyford#

Dismal Creek

#

Paddy Creek

#

Rat Creek

##

Entwistle

#

#1 #

#2

#

#3

#

#4

#

#5

##6

# #7

# #8

N

20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 Kilometers

$Z Hobo temps deployed in 2003 only#Y Hobo temps deployed in 2002 and 2003

84

Appendix 10. Summaries of daily maximum water temperatures collected by data loggers deployed throughout the Pembina River mainstem during the summers of 2002 and 2003.

July 7 to October 14, 2002.

Site 1

051015202530

7/7/2002 7/31/2002 8/24/2002 9/17/2002 10/11/2002

Site 2

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

7/7/2002 7/31/2002 8/24/2002 9/17/2002 10/11/2002

Site 4

051015202530

7/7/2002 7/31/2002 8/24/2002 9/17/2002 10/11/2002

Site 5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

7/7/2002 7/31/2002 8/24/2002 9/17/2002 10/11/2002

Site 6

051015202530

7/7/02 7/31/02 8/24/02 9/17/02 10/11/02

Site 7

051015202530

7/7/02 7/31/02 8/24/02 9/17/02 10/11/02

Date (m/dd/yy)

Tem

pera

ture

o C

85

June 6 to September 28, 2003

Site 1

051015202530

6/6/2003 6/28/2003 7/20/2003 8/11/2003 9/2/2003 9/24/2003

Site 3

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

6/6/2003 6/28/2003 7/20/2003 8/11/2003 9/2/2003 9/24/2003

Site 4

051015202530

6/6/2003 6/28/2003 7/20/2003 8/11/2003 9/2/2003 9/24/2003

Site 5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

6/6/2003 6/28/2003 7/20/2003 8/11/2003 9/2/2003 9/24/2003

Site 6

051015202530

6/6/03 6/28/03 7/20/03 8/11/03 9/2/03 9/24/03

Site 7

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

6/6/03 6/28/03 7/20/03 8/11/03 9/2/03 9/24/03

Date (m/dd/yy)

Tem

pera

ture

o C

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Status and Distribution of Arctic Grayling … and Distribution of Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) in the Pembina River, Alberta Mike Blackburn and Craig F ... Report Series Editor