Theses and Dissertations Collection

Burbot Lota lota in the lower Kootenai River have been the recent focus of extensive conservation efforts, particularly the release of juvenile Burbot into small tributaries. Since 2012, approximately 12,000 juvenile Burbot have been released into Deep Creek, a small tributary of the Kootenai River. However, few Burbot have been detected at a passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag antenna on Deep Creek, thereby raising questions about the fate of Burbot released in the system. This research sought to evaluate survival, movement, distribution, and habitat and species associations of Burbot in Deep Creek. Survival of juvenile Burbot was estimated using mark-recapture analyses. Movement and distribution of Burbot were evaluated using stationary and mobile PIT tag antennas. I also identified habitat characteristics that were most closely related to the presence and relative abundance of Burbot. Results of this research will contribute to conservation and management of Burbot in the lower Kootenai River.