Jesse Fischer
Jesse is a Research Fish Biologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center.
Science and Products
Informing tailwater removal techniques for bigheaded carp
Invasive carp management in the Tennessee and Cumberland River Basin focuses on removal, and interest exists in extending removal efforts to tailwater environments of high-head locks and dams along the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Aggregations of Silver Carp and Bighead Carp (collectively referred to as bigheaded carp) can spend substantial amounts of time in the tailwaters of high-head dams...
Invasive Carp: Multi-Basin Movement
Invasive carp (Silver, Bighead, Grass, and Black Carp) continue to expand their range in North America, necessitating efforts to limit the spread and establishment of reproducing populations. Potential control measures include the installation of deterrents and targeted removals. Several key population bottlenecks occur at locks and dams in large rivers of North America, including locations on the...
Consumer-Grade Side-Scan Sonar Imagery of Invasive Silver Carp in a Missouri River Oxbow Lake, Creve Coeur Lake, 2023 September 20 Consumer-Grade Side-Scan Sonar Imagery of Invasive Silver Carp in a Missouri River Oxbow Lake, Creve Coeur Lake, 2023 September 20
In September 2023, the USGS demonstrated the use of side-scan sonar to image large densities of invasive carp in Creve Coeur Lake, Maryland Heights, Missouri, USA. A 400-meter reach was surveyed using a Humminbird Helix sonar system. Proprietary sonar data were converted to PNG image files (i.e., rectified and speed-corrected) using SonarTRX Pro. The resulting data set includes one CSV...
Data supporting the validation of First Annulus of Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Data supporting the validation of First Annulus of Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
A total of 83 Grass Carp and 92 Silver Carp were collected monthly from stocked ponds at Columbia Environmental Research Center. Length, weight, and collection date were recorded. The dorsal-fin rays and lapilli otoliths were collected from these specimens for the purpose of aging. An additional set of dorsal-fin rays and lapilli otoliths from Grass Carp collected in Truman Reservoir...
Fish target lengths of Silver Carp derived from Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar in backwater embayments of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, Kentucky, 2022 February 18–23 Fish target lengths of Silver Carp derived from Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar in backwater embayments of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, Kentucky, 2022 February 18–23
This dataset represents fish targets (presumed Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) recorded using Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar (ARIS; Sound Metrics, Bellevue, WA) in five backwater embayments of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, KY (2022 February). A surface-to-bottom block net was set across embayments in a “chevron” shape pointed upstream to guide fish movements downstream...
Consumer-grade sonar applications for silver carp in overwintering habitats of the Lower Mississippi River, 2023 January 31 Consumer-grade sonar applications for silver carp in overwintering habitats of the Lower Mississippi River, 2023 January 31
In January 2023, the USGS demonstrated the use of side-scan sonar and down-imaging sonar to locate and quantify fish including invasive carp. A dike pool in the study area was surveyed (254-meter reach) using a Humminbird Helix sonar system. Sonar surveys included concurrent recordings of side-scan and down-imaging sonar. Proprietary sonar data were converted to PNG image files (i.e...
Starved Rock navigation lock fish clearing hydroacoustic data, Illinois River (2020) Starved Rock navigation lock fish clearing hydroacoustic data, Illinois River (2020)
These datasets (e.g., 'Starved Rock fish clearing_multi-beam imaging sonar fish data_Pre-clearing_Sonar-s1.csv') include exported information (e.g., fish detection counts) from processed fixed-location multi-beam imaging sonar and mobile side-scan sonar data. Fish abundance in the navigation lock was determined using mobile side-scan surveys, while multi-beam imaging sonars were used to...
Fish collection and hydrological data for oxbows in western Iowa Fish collection and hydrological data for oxbows in western Iowa
The data set associated with this metadata is included in three separate csv files: 'Occupancy_Data', 'Stage_Raw', and 'Flood_Stage_Height'. 'Occupancy_Data' was used to fit the dynamic occupancy models and includes 17 columns: Time: time periods numbered 1 to 5; 'Oxbow': individual oxbows numbered 1 through 10; 'OxbowName': the name of each oxbow; 'Species': species encountered during...
Filter Total Items: 18
Efficacy of oblique bubble screen deterrents on redirecting live eggs and larvae of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) at different developmental stages Efficacy of oblique bubble screen deterrents on redirecting live eggs and larvae of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) at different developmental stages
Invasive carp have severely damaged aquatic ecosystems in the USA, particularly in the Mississippi River Basin. Behavioral deterrents have been developed in the last few decades to control population expansion into new ecosystems. However, none of these deterrents are capable of controlling early-life stage carp, which have limited or no mobility during their drifting stage in rivers...
Authors
Vindhyawasini Prasad, Juan Andrade Ramos, Cory Suski, P. Jackson, Amy George, Duane Chapman, Jesse Fischer, Benjamin Stahlschmidt, Rafael Tinoco
Side-scan sonar as a tool for measuring fish populations: Current state of the science and future directions Side-scan sonar as a tool for measuring fish populations: Current state of the science and future directions
Side-scan sonar (SSS) is a powerful tool that can be used to address many key questions in fisheries science. In principle, SSS uses dual transducers to transmit a narrow-beam, wide-angle acoustic signal as the survey vessel transits an area. The intensity of reflected sound is recorded to generate an image mosaic comprised of benthic substrates and targets in the water column, including...
Authors
Josey Ridgway, John Madsen, Jesse Fischer, Robin Calfee, Matthew Acre, David Kazyak
Limiting downstream dispersal of invasive carp egg surrogates using a laboratory-scale oblique bubble screen Limiting downstream dispersal of invasive carp egg surrogates using a laboratory-scale oblique bubble screen
We conceptualize and test a non-intrusive barrier, comprised of an oblique bubble screen (OBS) oriented at an angle to the mean flow, to prevent the downstream dispersal of invasive carp egg surrogates. Three surrogates of different densities and diameters were tested. Secondary flows created by the OBS were tuned to redirect surrogate eggs to facilitate their capture. Surface particle...
Authors
Vindhyawasani Prasad, C.D. Suski, P. Jackson, Amy George, Duane Chapman, Jesse Fischer, Rafael Tinoco
Precision of four calcified structures for age estimation of Black Carp Precision of four calcified structures for age estimation of Black Carp
Objective Black Carp Mylopharyngodon piceus is an emerging invasive species in North America with an expanding population in the Mississippi River basin. Current aging methods use a suite of structures for age estimation, and a single structure is needed to minimize processing time, to maximize consistency of age and growth measurements, and to allow for back-calculation of individual...
Authors
Patrick Kroboth, Anne Herndon, Cortney Cox, Jesse Fischer
Application of electricity and underwater acoustics to clear fish from a navigation lock during maintenance Application of electricity and underwater acoustics to clear fish from a navigation lock during maintenance
The presence of fish within navigation locks can introduce an environmental challenge for construction crews when maintenance is required. This study examined the effectiveness of a dual-deterrent fish herding technique using electricity and acoustic stimuli to reduce the abundance of fish within a navigation lock before a scheduled dewatering for maintenance. Fixed-location multi-beam...
Authors
Jose Rivera, Aaron Cupp, Josey Ridgway, Duane Chapman, Bethany Hoster, Matthew Acre, Robin Calfee, Jesse Fischer, James Duncker
Characterization of fish assemblages in eleven multi-use reservoirs from North Carolina, USA Characterization of fish assemblages in eleven multi-use reservoirs from North Carolina, USA
Managing impounded river systems is a recurring challenge for aquatic resource professionals because reservoirs serve multiple functions with different ecological and socioeconomic outcomes. However, research on fishes in reservoirs has disproportionally focused on recreationally and economically important species, with less attention directed toward fish assemblages despite the...
Authors
Stephen Parker, Tyler Coleman, Andrew Carlson, Jesse R. Fischer
Assessing the efficacy of oblique bubble screens for control of aquatic invasive species Assessing the efficacy of oblique bubble screens for control of aquatic invasive species
Non-physical barriers, such as bubble screens (or curtains), are promising low-impact strategies to deter the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in streams. Bubble screens have been successfully implemented to redirect and/or deter adult fish and to capture plastics in some rivers, but their efficacy on invasive fish at multiple life stages (eggs, larvae, and adult fish) is not yet...
Authors
Vindhyawasini Prasad, C.D. Suski, P. Jackson, Amy George, Duane Chapman, Jesse Robert Fischer, Rafael Tinoco
Emerging control strategies for integrated pest management of invasive carps Emerging control strategies for integrated pest management of invasive carps
Invasive carps are ecologically and economically problematic fish species in many large river basins in the United States and pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems throughout much of North America. Four species of invasive carps: black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)...
Authors
Aaron Cupp, Marybeth Brey, Robin Calfee, Duane Chapman, Richard Erickson, Jesse Robert Fischer, Andrea Fritts, Amy George, P. Jackson, Brent Knights, Gavin Saari, Patrick Kocovsky
Understanding fish assemblage structure in lentic ecosystems: Relative effects of abiotic factors and management legacies Understanding fish assemblage structure in lentic ecosystems: Relative effects of abiotic factors and management legacies
We investigated associations of fish assemblages and habitat characteristics (e.g., morphology and water chemistry) from 45 natural lakes and reservoirs in Iowa to determine whether species or trophic guild composition and environmental correlations were concordant between waterbodies of different origins. Overall, fish assemblage composition between natural lakes and reservoirs was...
Authors
Jesse Fischer, Michael C. Quist
Diurnal feeding behavior of the American Eel Anguilla rostrata Diurnal feeding behavior of the American Eel Anguilla rostrata
Despite potential to structure ecosystem food webs through top-down effects, the trophic interactions of the American Eel Anguilla rostrata remain largely understudied. All previous research on the trophic ecology of American Eel in inland aquatic ecosystems has been conducted in temperate continental regions of the species' range. These studies have led to a paradigm that American Eel...
Authors
Augustin Engman, Jesse R. Fischer, Thomas Kwak, Michael Walter
Recruitment phenology and pelagic larval duration in Caribbean amphidromous fishes Recruitment phenology and pelagic larval duration in Caribbean amphidromous fishes
Amphidromous fishes are major components of oceanic tropical island stream ecosystems, such as those of the Caribbean island, Puerto Rico. Fishes with this life history face threats related to the requirement for connectivity between freshwater and marine environments during early life stages. Pelagic larval duration and recruitment phenology are 2 early life-history processes that are...
Authors
Augustin Engman, Thomas Kwak, Jesse R. Fischer
Relationships among catch, angler catisfaction, and fish assemblage characteristics of an urban small impoundment fishery Relationships among catch, angler catisfaction, and fish assemblage characteristics of an urban small impoundment fishery
Urban fisheries provide unique angling opportunities for people from traditionally underrepresented demographics. Lake Raleigh is a 38-ha impoundment located on the North Carolina State University campus in Raleigh. Like many urban fisheries, little is known about angler use and satisfaction or how angling catch rate is related to fish availability in Lake Raleigh. We characterized the
Authors
Tomas Ivasauskas, Wilson Xiong, Augustin Engman, Jesse Fischer, Thomas Kwak, Kirk Rundle
Science and Products
Informing tailwater removal techniques for bigheaded carp
Invasive carp management in the Tennessee and Cumberland River Basin focuses on removal, and interest exists in extending removal efforts to tailwater environments of high-head locks and dams along the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Aggregations of Silver Carp and Bighead Carp (collectively referred to as bigheaded carp) can spend substantial amounts of time in the tailwaters of high-head dams...
Invasive Carp: Multi-Basin Movement
Invasive carp (Silver, Bighead, Grass, and Black Carp) continue to expand their range in North America, necessitating efforts to limit the spread and establishment of reproducing populations. Potential control measures include the installation of deterrents and targeted removals. Several key population bottlenecks occur at locks and dams in large rivers of North America, including locations on the...
Consumer-Grade Side-Scan Sonar Imagery of Invasive Silver Carp in a Missouri River Oxbow Lake, Creve Coeur Lake, 2023 September 20 Consumer-Grade Side-Scan Sonar Imagery of Invasive Silver Carp in a Missouri River Oxbow Lake, Creve Coeur Lake, 2023 September 20
In September 2023, the USGS demonstrated the use of side-scan sonar to image large densities of invasive carp in Creve Coeur Lake, Maryland Heights, Missouri, USA. A 400-meter reach was surveyed using a Humminbird Helix sonar system. Proprietary sonar data were converted to PNG image files (i.e., rectified and speed-corrected) using SonarTRX Pro. The resulting data set includes one CSV...
Data supporting the validation of First Annulus of Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Data supporting the validation of First Annulus of Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella and Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
A total of 83 Grass Carp and 92 Silver Carp were collected monthly from stocked ponds at Columbia Environmental Research Center. Length, weight, and collection date were recorded. The dorsal-fin rays and lapilli otoliths were collected from these specimens for the purpose of aging. An additional set of dorsal-fin rays and lapilli otoliths from Grass Carp collected in Truman Reservoir...
Fish target lengths of Silver Carp derived from Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar in backwater embayments of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, Kentucky, 2022 February 18–23 Fish target lengths of Silver Carp derived from Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar in backwater embayments of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, Kentucky, 2022 February 18–23
This dataset represents fish targets (presumed Silver Carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) recorded using Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar (ARIS; Sound Metrics, Bellevue, WA) in five backwater embayments of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, KY (2022 February). A surface-to-bottom block net was set across embayments in a “chevron” shape pointed upstream to guide fish movements downstream...
Consumer-grade sonar applications for silver carp in overwintering habitats of the Lower Mississippi River, 2023 January 31 Consumer-grade sonar applications for silver carp in overwintering habitats of the Lower Mississippi River, 2023 January 31
In January 2023, the USGS demonstrated the use of side-scan sonar and down-imaging sonar to locate and quantify fish including invasive carp. A dike pool in the study area was surveyed (254-meter reach) using a Humminbird Helix sonar system. Sonar surveys included concurrent recordings of side-scan and down-imaging sonar. Proprietary sonar data were converted to PNG image files (i.e...
Starved Rock navigation lock fish clearing hydroacoustic data, Illinois River (2020) Starved Rock navigation lock fish clearing hydroacoustic data, Illinois River (2020)
These datasets (e.g., 'Starved Rock fish clearing_multi-beam imaging sonar fish data_Pre-clearing_Sonar-s1.csv') include exported information (e.g., fish detection counts) from processed fixed-location multi-beam imaging sonar and mobile side-scan sonar data. Fish abundance in the navigation lock was determined using mobile side-scan surveys, while multi-beam imaging sonars were used to...
Fish collection and hydrological data for oxbows in western Iowa Fish collection and hydrological data for oxbows in western Iowa
The data set associated with this metadata is included in three separate csv files: 'Occupancy_Data', 'Stage_Raw', and 'Flood_Stage_Height'. 'Occupancy_Data' was used to fit the dynamic occupancy models and includes 17 columns: Time: time periods numbered 1 to 5; 'Oxbow': individual oxbows numbered 1 through 10; 'OxbowName': the name of each oxbow; 'Species': species encountered during...
Filter Total Items: 18
Efficacy of oblique bubble screen deterrents on redirecting live eggs and larvae of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) at different developmental stages Efficacy of oblique bubble screen deterrents on redirecting live eggs and larvae of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) at different developmental stages
Invasive carp have severely damaged aquatic ecosystems in the USA, particularly in the Mississippi River Basin. Behavioral deterrents have been developed in the last few decades to control population expansion into new ecosystems. However, none of these deterrents are capable of controlling early-life stage carp, which have limited or no mobility during their drifting stage in rivers...
Authors
Vindhyawasini Prasad, Juan Andrade Ramos, Cory Suski, P. Jackson, Amy George, Duane Chapman, Jesse Fischer, Benjamin Stahlschmidt, Rafael Tinoco
Side-scan sonar as a tool for measuring fish populations: Current state of the science and future directions Side-scan sonar as a tool for measuring fish populations: Current state of the science and future directions
Side-scan sonar (SSS) is a powerful tool that can be used to address many key questions in fisheries science. In principle, SSS uses dual transducers to transmit a narrow-beam, wide-angle acoustic signal as the survey vessel transits an area. The intensity of reflected sound is recorded to generate an image mosaic comprised of benthic substrates and targets in the water column, including...
Authors
Josey Ridgway, John Madsen, Jesse Fischer, Robin Calfee, Matthew Acre, David Kazyak
Limiting downstream dispersal of invasive carp egg surrogates using a laboratory-scale oblique bubble screen Limiting downstream dispersal of invasive carp egg surrogates using a laboratory-scale oblique bubble screen
We conceptualize and test a non-intrusive barrier, comprised of an oblique bubble screen (OBS) oriented at an angle to the mean flow, to prevent the downstream dispersal of invasive carp egg surrogates. Three surrogates of different densities and diameters were tested. Secondary flows created by the OBS were tuned to redirect surrogate eggs to facilitate their capture. Surface particle...
Authors
Vindhyawasani Prasad, C.D. Suski, P. Jackson, Amy George, Duane Chapman, Jesse Fischer, Rafael Tinoco
Precision of four calcified structures for age estimation of Black Carp Precision of four calcified structures for age estimation of Black Carp
Objective Black Carp Mylopharyngodon piceus is an emerging invasive species in North America with an expanding population in the Mississippi River basin. Current aging methods use a suite of structures for age estimation, and a single structure is needed to minimize processing time, to maximize consistency of age and growth measurements, and to allow for back-calculation of individual...
Authors
Patrick Kroboth, Anne Herndon, Cortney Cox, Jesse Fischer
Application of electricity and underwater acoustics to clear fish from a navigation lock during maintenance Application of electricity and underwater acoustics to clear fish from a navigation lock during maintenance
The presence of fish within navigation locks can introduce an environmental challenge for construction crews when maintenance is required. This study examined the effectiveness of a dual-deterrent fish herding technique using electricity and acoustic stimuli to reduce the abundance of fish within a navigation lock before a scheduled dewatering for maintenance. Fixed-location multi-beam...
Authors
Jose Rivera, Aaron Cupp, Josey Ridgway, Duane Chapman, Bethany Hoster, Matthew Acre, Robin Calfee, Jesse Fischer, James Duncker
Characterization of fish assemblages in eleven multi-use reservoirs from North Carolina, USA Characterization of fish assemblages in eleven multi-use reservoirs from North Carolina, USA
Managing impounded river systems is a recurring challenge for aquatic resource professionals because reservoirs serve multiple functions with different ecological and socioeconomic outcomes. However, research on fishes in reservoirs has disproportionally focused on recreationally and economically important species, with less attention directed toward fish assemblages despite the...
Authors
Stephen Parker, Tyler Coleman, Andrew Carlson, Jesse R. Fischer
Assessing the efficacy of oblique bubble screens for control of aquatic invasive species Assessing the efficacy of oblique bubble screens for control of aquatic invasive species
Non-physical barriers, such as bubble screens (or curtains), are promising low-impact strategies to deter the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in streams. Bubble screens have been successfully implemented to redirect and/or deter adult fish and to capture plastics in some rivers, but their efficacy on invasive fish at multiple life stages (eggs, larvae, and adult fish) is not yet...
Authors
Vindhyawasini Prasad, C.D. Suski, P. Jackson, Amy George, Duane Chapman, Jesse Robert Fischer, Rafael Tinoco
Emerging control strategies for integrated pest management of invasive carps Emerging control strategies for integrated pest management of invasive carps
Invasive carps are ecologically and economically problematic fish species in many large river basins in the United States and pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems throughout much of North America. Four species of invasive carps: black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)...
Authors
Aaron Cupp, Marybeth Brey, Robin Calfee, Duane Chapman, Richard Erickson, Jesse Robert Fischer, Andrea Fritts, Amy George, P. Jackson, Brent Knights, Gavin Saari, Patrick Kocovsky
Understanding fish assemblage structure in lentic ecosystems: Relative effects of abiotic factors and management legacies Understanding fish assemblage structure in lentic ecosystems: Relative effects of abiotic factors and management legacies
We investigated associations of fish assemblages and habitat characteristics (e.g., morphology and water chemistry) from 45 natural lakes and reservoirs in Iowa to determine whether species or trophic guild composition and environmental correlations were concordant between waterbodies of different origins. Overall, fish assemblage composition between natural lakes and reservoirs was...
Authors
Jesse Fischer, Michael C. Quist
Diurnal feeding behavior of the American Eel Anguilla rostrata Diurnal feeding behavior of the American Eel Anguilla rostrata
Despite potential to structure ecosystem food webs through top-down effects, the trophic interactions of the American Eel Anguilla rostrata remain largely understudied. All previous research on the trophic ecology of American Eel in inland aquatic ecosystems has been conducted in temperate continental regions of the species' range. These studies have led to a paradigm that American Eel...
Authors
Augustin Engman, Jesse R. Fischer, Thomas Kwak, Michael Walter
Recruitment phenology and pelagic larval duration in Caribbean amphidromous fishes Recruitment phenology and pelagic larval duration in Caribbean amphidromous fishes
Amphidromous fishes are major components of oceanic tropical island stream ecosystems, such as those of the Caribbean island, Puerto Rico. Fishes with this life history face threats related to the requirement for connectivity between freshwater and marine environments during early life stages. Pelagic larval duration and recruitment phenology are 2 early life-history processes that are...
Authors
Augustin Engman, Thomas Kwak, Jesse R. Fischer
Relationships among catch, angler catisfaction, and fish assemblage characteristics of an urban small impoundment fishery Relationships among catch, angler catisfaction, and fish assemblage characteristics of an urban small impoundment fishery
Urban fisheries provide unique angling opportunities for people from traditionally underrepresented demographics. Lake Raleigh is a 38-ha impoundment located on the North Carolina State University campus in Raleigh. Like many urban fisheries, little is known about angler use and satisfaction or how angling catch rate is related to fish availability in Lake Raleigh. We characterized the
Authors
Tomas Ivasauskas, Wilson Xiong, Augustin Engman, Jesse Fischer, Thomas Kwak, Kirk Rundle