Movement patterns of adult pike (Esox lucius L.) in a Belgian lowland river

Ine Pauwels, Peter L.M. Goethals, Johan Coeck, Ans Mouton

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    Abstract

    Northern pike, Esox lucius, needs different habitats to survive and reproduce and thus depends on the availability and accessibility of these habitats. To efficiently manage pike, information is needed on its spatial and temporal patterns of migration. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of adult pike migration and which environmental variables influenced migration. From December 2010, we followed 15 pike for 1 year by use of radio telemetry in the River Yser, a typical lowland river characterised by anthropogenic impacts such as artificial embankments. Pike migrated most in February and March, which could indicate they frequented spawning habitat in this period. Four environmental variables significantly affected pike migration, ranging from the location where pike were observed (strongest effect), over water temperature and flow to diel water temperature change (weakest effect). The relation between migration and the location where pike were observed could demonstrate that pike preferred specific regions in the river. Increasing water temperature triggered migration for both sexes, and males started migrating at lower temperatures than females, which suggests that males start migrating earlier. This was the only substantial difference observed between male and female pike migration. The results suggest that migration was inhibited by high flow, as no migration was observed at high flow. River managers can use this information to efficiently manage their pike populations, for example, by removing or temporarily opening hydraulic structures like valves, weirs and sluices.
    This may facilitate access to suitable habitats at moments pike needs these habitats to fulfil its life cycle.
    Translated title of the contributionBeweging en migratiepatronen van volwassen snoek in een Belgische laaglandrivier
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalEcology of freshwater fish
    Volume23
    Pages (from-to)373-382
    Number of pages10
    ISSN0906-6691
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014

    Thematic list

    • Water management
    • Fish

    EWI Biomedical sciences

    • B280-animal-ecology

    Taxonomic list

    • fishes (Pisces)

    Geographic list

    • Yser

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