Assessing adult Muskellunge movement in Buffalo Harbor, Lake Erie and the Niagara River

BHMUS

May 2016 - October 2021

The goal of the study is to determine the migratory patterns of adult muskellunge between the Buffalo Harbor, upper Niagara River and Lake Erie. The GLATOS array will be used to document whether Muskellunge that are tagged in Buffalo Harbor stay in the Harbor for most of the year or if they migrate to Lake Erie and/or the Niagara River. Buffalo Harbor once supported an excellent Muskellunge fishery that declined substantially since the 1990's. Knowledge about seasonal use of Buffalo Harbor by Muskellunge will help us determine the factors limiting the recovery of the Muskellunge population in the Buffalo Harbor.

• Determine the migratory patterns of adult muskellunge between the Buffalo Harbor, upper Niagara River and Lake Erie Determine the timing of seasonal Muskellunge movements in and out of Buffalo Harbor
• Determine the timing of seasonal Muskellunge movements in and out of Buffalo Harbor

• Knowledge of the seasonal use of Buffalo Harbor by Muskellunge will provide fishery managers with a better understanding of the habitat requirements of the Buffalo Harbor Muskellunge population. This information will be used to direct habitat restoration projects within Buffalo Harbor, Lake Erie and the Niagara River.

• Christopher Driscoll (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) - Christopher.Driscoll@dec.ny.gov

• Niagara Musky Association