Retention of loop, monel, and passive integrated transponder tags by wild, free‐ranging Lake Sturgeon ( Acipenser fulvescens Rafinesque, 1817)

Abstract

Tagging or marking of fish is instrumental to fisheries biologists and managers seeking to distinguish groups of fish, track movement or migration patterns, and monitor population characteristics. However, tag loss can inhibit the ability of biologists and managers to reach these objectives. The ability of Lake Sturgeon to live for long periods of time and reach large sizes, in combination with their dynamic spawning activity, requires tags to be retained under a variety of environmental and physically demanding conditions. This study evaluated tag retention of loop, monel, and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags on wild, free‐ranging Lake Sturgeon in Lake Huron and the St. Clair – Detroit River System. Lake Sturgeon in this study were double‐tagged with both a PIT tag under one of the three anterior‐most dorsal scutes and an external tag (loop or monel) at the base of the dorsal fin. Fish were at large for up to 16 years. Overall, tag loss for PIT tags was 1% followed by monel tags at 12% and loop tags at 36%. Tag loss for loop tags was higher when the initial length of Lake Sturgeon tagged was smaller. Tag loss for monel tags increased with time at large but was not related to length at initial tagging. Monel tags left behind abrasion marks when attached to smaller Lake Sturgeon. PIT tag retention was higher than reported in previous studies that tagged other sturgeon species in different body locations. Monel tag retention was higher than other external tag types evaluated in previous studies while loop tags had similar retention rates to external tag types. Most previous studies on tag retention of sturgeon species were of shorter duration and conducted in laboratory settings, therefore loop tags may have performed more favorably during studies under short term laboratory settings. Results of this study suggest that PIT tags inserted below dorsal scutes represent a viable option for long‐term tracking of Lake Sturgeon. Monel tags attached at the base of the dorsal fin also seem to be a viable option relative to other external tag types, but should be limited to larger sturgeon as they can leave behind abrasion marks.