MOSCOW—The University of Idaho Fish Ecology Research Laboratory (UI FERL), is currently conducting a series of research projects to address multiple factors affecting fish populations within the Columbia River basin.

This year the group is continuing studies to evaluate upstream migrations of adult Pacific salmon in the Columbia and Snake rivers. Researchers are also developing methods that will improve migration success of Pacific lamprey returning to Idaho streams.

Several new evaluative studies will be conducted to observe four different species of fish and how they are affected by conditions in these waters. Fishery scientists will look at movement patters of white sturgeon and assess effects of warm river water temperatures on energetics and reproductive success of migrating adult salmon.

Further plans include addressing ecological impacts of American shad, which is an abundant but exotic species to the system, and conduct a pilot study to map and evaluate habitat use by salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River estuary. 

The UI FERL is housed jointly within the Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, College of Natural Resources.

This research center, directed by Christopher Peery with assistance from Chris Caudill, lead scientist, was developed as an outgrowth of efforts by our research team to initiate progressive and innovative areas of fisheries research within the University of Idaho.

The mission of UI FERL is to target research projects that foster an ecosystem approach to recovery and conservation of ESA listed and at-risk populations and their systems while providing educational opportunities for UI students. Past research topics have included studies on ecology of stream fishes, feeding behavior, productivity, survival, and movement patterns of salmon populations in small and large freshwater systems, and energetics of migratory and spawning behavior.

Most recently, researchers are concerned with how altered systems (warmer water temperatures, habitat loss, exotic species, etc.) affect management and conservation efforts for at-risk fish populations.

“We have been pleased with our success obtaining funded research over the last few years and we hope to be able to explore new areas of the research and sources of funding to maintain this level of productivity in the near future” Peery said.