The Influence of Rusty Crayfish and Zebra Mussel Invasion on Yellow Perch Population Dynamics in North-Central Minnesota Lakes

Author

Kendra Fink

Date of Award

12-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Andrew Hafs

Abstract

Over the last 50 years, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources standard fisheries survey catch rates of Yellow Perch have declined. Yellow Perch Perca flavescens are an important, widespread game fish, are essential prey species for Walleye Sander vitreus and other piscivorous fish and rely greatly on benthic resources through many life stages. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) like rusty crayfish Faxonius rusticus and zebra mussels Dreissena polymorpha have the potential to change water quality, vegetation and prey assemblages in aquatic systems and could cause shifts in energy flow, subsequently altering growth, condition, and maturity of native fish species. In this study, we nvestigated potential effects of these AIS by sampling 1,783 Yellow Perch from 14 lakes in north central Minnesota. We found that Yellow Perch growth, condition, mortality, and crayfish consumption were not significantly different between groups of lakes with only rusty crayfish present, only zebra mussels present, both AIS present, and neither AIS present. Additionally, variation in these metrics between lakes was not explained well by crayfish consumption. Lake effect and individual variation between populations was more important than the presence or absence of either AIS, indicating that Yellow Perch appear to be adaptive to changing lake conditions resulting from establishment of zebra mussels and/or rusty crayfish.

Recommended Citation

Fink, Kendra, "The Influence of Rusty Crayfish and Zebra Mussel Invasion on Yellow Perch Population Dynamics in North-Central Minnesota Lakes" (2023). Biology Graduate Theses. 6.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/thesis-biol/6