International eel symposium, 2003 - Quebec August 11, 2003
Poster Session

Seasonal Movements of American Eels in the Lower Shenandoah River, West Virginia

Hammond, S.D.* West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, West Virginia University, 322 Percival Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506
Welsh, S.A. West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, West Virginia University, 322 Percival Hall, Morgantown, WV 26506

Presenter email address: shammon1 AT mix.wvu.edu

Abstract Text: : The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recently listed research needs, including analysis of movements, to address management and conservation issues concerning the apparent population decline of American eel, Anguilla rostrata. We surgically implanted radio tags into 13 yellow eels (518-810mm TL) during fall 2001 and into seven yellow eels (362-781mm TL) in 2002. These eels were captured, tagged, and released in the Shenandoah River below Millville Dam, West Virginia. Eels were relocated weekly for 16 months using triangulation techniques. Movements of each eel were measured and tabulated per month and season. Movements in spring were associated with changes in water temperature and stream flow. Very little other movements were observed during the other seasons. Several eels over-wintered near mouths of tributaries with warmer water temperatures (~2-3^oC warmer) than the mainstem.