Genoa National Fish Hatchery News and NotesGenoa National Fish Hatchery News and Notes

July 2017July 2017

United Special Sportsman Alliance Summerfest 2017!

The United Special Sportsman Alliance hosted its annual Summerfest weekend

in July and hundreds gathered to take part in the special event held for families

of children with disabilities and disabled veterans from all over. Genoa Na-

tional Fish Hatchery (NFH)

continued its tradition of partic-

ipating in the yearly event and

had a booth with display fish,

freshwater mussels, an aquari-

um with live fish, and educa-

tional outreach information

available. Staff from the hatch-

ery interacted with kids and

adults and taught native fish

and freshwater mussel identifi-

cation, the missions of the hatch-

ery were explained to identify

how the hatchery helps in the

world of conservation. Summer-

fest is an event that directly correlates to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service mis-

sion of protecting and enhancing our aquatic resources and connecting children

and adults with nature initiatives that Genoa NFH proudly supports. Connecting

children and adults with natural resources helps to develop an appreciation and

connection that will assist preserving natural resources for generations to come.

USSA is a non-profit “dream-wish granting charity that specialized in sending

children and veterans with life threatening illness’s and disabilities on the outdoor

adventure of their dreams. The annual Summerfest event offers family’s an oppor-

tunity to enjoy the outdoors, meet new friends and families, and enjoy multiple

days with fun fill activities. This year’s attractions included firearm education

and .22 rifle target practice, archery, watercraft rides, fishing, swimming, axe

throwing, arts and crafts, wood burning, treasure hunts, cranberry bog tours, hand

drawn portraits, an inflatable bouncy house, prize booths, horse drawn wagon

rides, and a bb gun exhibit and target practice. Items supplied by the USSA for

the event included all food and drinks, sporting equipment including all fishing

gear, guns and archery equipment for the shooting ranges, life jackets, and tents

for camping. For more information regarding USSA please visit their website at

http://childswish.org/

By: Aaron Von Eschen

About Genoa NFH

Genoa NFH was estab-lished over 80 years ago by the Upper Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Act. The mission of the hatchery has changed from providing sport fish for area waters to a con-servation hatchery con-cerned with the recovery of endangered aquatic species. The hatchery is open for tours during business hours. For large groups, please call for an appoint-ment. You can reach the hatchery at 608-689-2605 from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. You can also find us online at: fws.gov/midwest/genoa

And on Facebook at: facebook.com/GenoaNFH

Summerfest-goer enjoys learning fish ID

Genoa News and Notes July 2017 Page 2

The Mystery Has Been Solved For the last twenty years the white whale of mussel conservation has been the

host for the larvae of the spectaclecase mussel (Cumberlandia monodonta).

This Federally Endangered species has been the focus of host trials conducted

from Minnesota, south to Arkansas and east to Virginia and more than 40 spe-

cies of fish, salamanders and even aquatic insect larvae have been tested.

Last year in collaboration with the USGS at the Upper Midwest Environmen-

tal Science Center (UMESC) in La Crosse we tested a total of eighteen spe-

cies without determining a host. This winter we re-evaluated our target spe-

cies list and acquired thirteen new species to inoculate with spectaclecase lar-

vae. We were able to collect gravid spectaclecase from the St. Croix River on

June 1st and initiate host tests on the 3rd and 6th. Ultimately these tests also

yielded negative results. While our trials were being conducted a host was

found by our partners in Minnesota. Biologists at the Center for Aquatic Mol-

lusk Programs (CAMP) in Lake City, MN were able to determine that both

the mooneye (Hiodon tergisus) and goldeye (Hiodon alosoides) are suitable

hosts for the larvae of the spectaclecase. When this was announced our part-

ners at UMESC acted quickly to ensure that mooneye were sampled during

shocking efforts to look for naturally encysted spectaclecase larvae. Two

goldeye were collected in their electro-shocking efforts and each was con-

firmed to be naturally infested with spectaclecase larvae. This confirmed that

wild populations are using the host that was identified in the lab. It turns out

that mooneye and goldeye are such good hosts that the MN DNR produced

more juveniles than they have space to grow. They graciously offered to

share animals with us and we received 20,000 newly metamorphosed juvenile

specta-

clecase in

two sepa-

rate ship-

ments. We

split these

animals be-

tween several sediment tanks and our

MARS trailer. We hope that we can be suc-

cessful rearing them eventually releasing

them when they reach sufficient size. We

want to thank the MN DNR for sharing their

results and juveniles with us. With this dis-

covery we can now focus on other aspects of

recovery for this challenging species. By

Megan Bradley and Nathan Eckert

Genoa National Fish Hatchery’s mission is to recover, restore, maintain and enhance fish and aquatic re-sources on a basin-wide and national level by producing over 35 aquatic species of vary-ing life stages, partici-pating in active conser-vation efforts with our partners, and becoming a positive force in the community by educating future generations on the benefits of conser-vation stewardship

Pictures clockwise from top: Interstate Park on the St.

Croix where brooding spectaclecase were found this

year. A cooler full of adult spectaclecase; you can see

their feet out as they reorient themselves. Two juvenile

spectaclecase that came back to the boat because they

were attached by byssal thread to adults.

Genoa News and Notes July 2017 Page 3

YCC Enrollees Partner for Conservation The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offers a wide variety

of opportunity and experience for young adults to peak

interest in pursuing a career path related to natural and

aquatic resource management. These opportunities for

some come as early as high school through the Youth

Conservation Program (YCC). The YCC program was

established for young adults to accomplish conservation

work on public lands, provide gainful employment experi-

ence and to develop an understanding and appreciation for

natural resources. This year YCC crew members from

Genoa National Fish Hatchery visited Necedah National

Wildlife Refuge to lend a helping hand on some projects

taking place at the refuge and to expose themselves to an-

other area of conservation. YCC crew members from

both facilities partnered to strip paint off an existing ref-

uge building in preparation for a new paint job to

update the building. Afterwards YCC’s from Gen-

oa NFH were given a tour of the refuge and were

able to observe endangered whooping cranes and

other wildlife. Later in the summer YCC crew

members from Necedah visited the hatchery to help

Genoa’s YCC crew and staff with nature trail

maintenance. Flooding has caused extensive dam-

age to the hatchery’s nature trail the past couple of

years and the Necedah YCC crews have played an

important role in helping to repair the damage.

Following the trail makeover Necedah YCC crew

members were given a tour of the facility to see

what takes place at the hatchery and the efforts it

takes towards conservation of fish, mussels, and

monarch butterflies. Partnerships amongst the refuge

and hatchery give these young people an opportunity

to experience both career fields of conservation. The

YCC program gives students hands-on experience

related to fish and wildlife management and the op-

portunity to explore future career options. As the

summer draws to an end and school begins, the staff

at Genoa thanks the YCC’s at the hatchery and the

refuge alike for their hard work and dedication. By:

Aaron Von Eschen YCC crews hard at work at Necedah NWR

YCC crews at Necedah NWR

YCC crews pose after trail maintenance at Genoa

NFH

Genoa News and Notes July 2017 Page 4

Fish Hatchery Sets Up for RAGBRAI RAGBRAI, The Register’s An-

nual Great Bicycle Ride Across

Iowa, is an annual seven day

bicycle ride across the state of

Iowa held during the last week

in July. It holds the honor of

being the oldest, largest, and

longest recreational bike tour-

ing event in the world. It began

in 1973 as a six day ride across

Iowa by members of the Des

Moines Register and has grown

to include participants from all

50 states and many foreign

countries. The route varies

each year and averages over

460 miles beginning along the

western border and ending on

the eastern border of Iowa.

Thousands of volunteers make

the event possible as well as

communities along the route

serving as host communities to

the riders. This year’s route

ended on the eastern Iowa border town of Lansing just south of the Genoa National Fish Hatchery. As part of

the ending celebration of arriving riders the Genoa National Fish Hatchery took place in the event by setting

up a display booth and aquari-

um and interacted with people

who were completing the ride

as well as family members who

were awaiting the arrival of

their RAGBRAI participants.

Many people stopped by to visit

the hatchery set up and interact-

ed with staff about its mission

and conservation efforts. Edu-

cational conservation and out-

reach items were also available

to visitors. Events such as this

allow USFWS members to con-

nect people with nature and in

doing so accomplish a portion

of the missing of the U.S. Fish

& Wildlife Service. By: Aaron

Von Eschen

Setting up for RAGBRAI

Genoa’s set up complete with a

touch tank and fish on sticks!

Genoa News and Notes July 2017 Page 5

The Facts of Life….Hatchery Style Last November, Genoa NFH transferred 145 larvae to

the University of South Dakota for further study and

for placement in emergent cages the following spring.

The rest of the larvae were kept on station over the

winter in the hatchery pond after the great success the

station had the year before. The expectation this

spring was to once again see approximately 95% sur-

vival... reality was unfortunately no survivors. After

placing the cages in the exact same spot as the year

before, near fresh water and the airstone, water quality

did not seem to be the issue. Once the temperature

logger was downloaded, a possible explanation

emerged. Genoa experienced a very mild winter and

in addition, there were 3 distinct warm ups in the late

winter/early spring, with big swings in pond temperatures. While the larvae can usually handle swings in tem-

peratures, it is not known whether they would have come in and out of the dormant stage and if that might

have been a stressor causing the mortality. The out of the ordinary year continued with the egg collections.

During the summer months of 2016, collection efforts for the adults and eggs only yielded a few hundred eggs

as compared to a couple thousand in years past. As the eggs were held in captivity, a number of them devel-

oped much faster than expected, hatching out and growing enough to reach the final pre-emergent stage by the

end of the summer. To avoid literally putting all the eggs in one basket, the slower developing larvae were

transferred to 3 rearing locations: Genoa NFH, Illinois Dragonfly Research Facility (ILDRF) and the Urban

Stream Research Center (USRC). The station received 20 larvae in May, they were weighed and measured and

placed immediately in the pond cages. The mild winter, early pond warm up in the spring and with the larvae

at an advanced stage of development, 2 larvae attempted to emerge within the first month. After the monthly

inventory measuring size and weight, an additional 11 larvae were transferred to the ILDRF for placement in

emergent cages.

The remaining

larvae are contin-

uing to grow well

on station and

will be trans-

ferred at the end

of the summer.

To date, egg col-

lections seem to

be more normal

this year, with a

number of them

in captivity al-

ready and with-

out the early

hatching seen last

year. By Angela

Baran Dagendesh

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

11/1/2016 12/1/2016 1/1/2017 2/1/2017 3/1/2017

HED Over Winter Pond Temperature FY 2017

A graph depicting temperature fluctuations in the HED pond over winter

Weight along with head and body measurements are taken to

track growth of HED throughout the summer

Genoa News and Notes July 2017 Page 6

Genoa’s Archery Program

Genoa welcomed students from the local YMCA for a tour of the hatchery and a day of archery. Hatchery

staff members have partnered with the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) to offer students a

chance to experience archery as part of the hatchery outdoor classroom. Archery is a great tool to get children

outdoors. Hatchery staff biologist (Orey Eckes) recently was certified as a basic archery instructor trainer. This

training will allow other people at the hatchery, friends group members and anyone interest in becoming an

archery instructor to become certified to hold archery events.

Sturgeon Tagging Begins!!

Genoa Fish Hatchery relies on volunteers and friends members to

accomplish the task of tagging our lake sturgeon. Each sturgeon before stocking is indi-

vidually tagged by a coded wire tagging machine. This allows biologist to track growth

and survival rates after stocking. Thank You friends and volunteers for all your help!!!

Archery students waiting for commands Great shot! Students retrieve arrows to see what they hit!

Volunteer Don Schrader

comes back for the 2017

sturgeon tagging season

Volunteers hard at

work tagging stur-

geon!!

Genoa News and Notes January 2017 Page 7

Peshtigo River Lake Sturgeon Project USFWS Ecological Services Biologists from the Bloomington,

MN regional office joined hatchery staff to collect final water

samples and blood and tissue samples for analysis of emerging

contaminants. This study, supported by Great Lakes Restora-

tion Initiative, focuses on evaluating contaminants of emerging

concern within the Great Lakes basin. Examples include

chemicals found in pharmaceuticals and personal care prod-

ucts. These chemicals can alter hormone levels causing repro-

ductive declines in aquatic life. As this project wraps up for the

year the hatchery is hopeful to join forces in the future raising

fish from other rivers for this project.

Fish Health Inspections

Staff from the LaCrosse Fish Health Center sampled our lake sturgeon and other pond fish to certify them dis-

ease free prior to stocking. The Fish Health center analyzes for bacteria and other viruses that could be present

in the fish. They make sure our fish are healthy before they are stocked into public waters.

By Orey Eckes

Fish Hea;th team from the LaCrosse Fish Health Center sampling lake sturgeon and other

pond fish for their health certification before heading off station

Carefully removing tissue sam-

ple for testing

Ecological Services biologist taking blood

and tissue samples from sturgeon spawned at

the Peshtigo River

Genoa News and Notes January 2017 Page 8

Genoa Boosts Tribes Plan to Build Tribal Hatchery Fish hatcheries have changed over time and the Genoa National Fish Hatchery is no exception. The hatchery

was originally built with the intention of increasing bass and panfish populations. During the 50's, river species

composition changed with the

changes in the Upper Mississippi

River system's nine foot naviga-

tion channel. The locks modified

the River to more of a channel

based fish population, expanding

walleye and northern pike popu-

lations. Fish culture methods also

emerged for these species at this

time and the hatchery changed its

role to assisting state game agen-

cies increase these species in

their waters. Then the Fish and

Wildlife Service's mission was

further refined by the passing of

the Endangered Species Act in

1973. This began to define the

role of fish hatcheries as a recov-

ery tool that could be used to in-

crease endangered aquatic species chances of survival and reduce the threat of extinction. This has caused a

retooling of sorts over the years in our culture buildings as new species have differing rearing requirements.

The new rearing units displaced six 3 x 15 feet rearing tanks, one 6 x 30 foot raceway and one 200 gallon dis-

tribution unit. One of our other mission goals is to assist Native American tribes in their fish and wildlife man-

agement programs on tribal lands. Through contact with our tribal partners, we knew that The Mille Lacs Band

of Ojibwe of Central Minnesota is currently trying to build a tribal hatchery. The tribe was contacted to see if

they were interested in receiving some tanks for their new hatchery. They were indeed interested, and Jeff

Lockington made the first of two

trips to the tribe to drop off his

precious cargo. The tanks were

moved successfully even through

challenging Twin Cities traffic,

and tribal officials were very glad

to receive them. Not only were we

able to recycle some of our un-

needed equipment and have it put

to good use, but we were able to

meet our mission goal of assisting

the Tribes. By Doug Aloisi

New tanks being offloaded at Genoa National Fish Hatchery

Second load ready for departure to the

Mille Lacs band

Genoa News and Notes July 2017 Page 9

Upcoming calendar of events

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

September 2017

NCTC-Welcome to Stepping Up to Leadership Cohort

NCTC– Freshwater mussel propagation for Conservation

Elkador IA senior

citizens tour

Labor Day

Rainy River

Lake Sturgeon

to MN DNR

Rydell Harvest

Winged Maple

Leaf mussel

dive

Winged Maple

Leaf mussel dive

Melrose-Mindoro

school tour