James H Johnson, PhD
James Johnson is a Scientist Emeritus based in Cortland, NY.
My professional interests span both fisheries management and research which I attribute to a career spent working in both areas. On the management side, I especially enjoy working with Native American Tribes in helping them develop their fisheries programs. From a research perspective, I am particularly interested in the restoration of native fishes.
My interest in fisheries traces back to my early years spent on the St. Lawrence River with my great grandfather who fished commercially for lake sturgeon and other species near Ogdensburg, NY. I remember spending hours at a time in his live fish enclosure where he kept his catch, most likely annoying the heck out of the 4 – 6 ft sturgeon I was chasing around while American eels slithered around my legs. This was of course pre-Seaway, and now both of these species have greatly declined in the river and throughout much of their native range. I have been fortunate to be able to work on the restoration of both lake sturgeon and American eel, as well as other St. Lawrence River species as a member of the Fish Advisory Committee that oversees the fish mitigation funds for the upper river that came about from the FERC re-licensing process for the operation of the main stem dam at Massena, NY. My other interest in native fish restoration involves salmonids and heralds back to the decade I spent in the Pacific Northwest with the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho and the Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife knee deep in issues associated to the restoration of Pacific salmon and steelhead. My tour with the Nez Perce also began what has become over three decades of work with tribes, spanning coast – to – coast, helping them develop their fisheries programs.
Professional Experience
January 1998-Present – Eastern Great Lakes Branch Chief, USGS-Cortland, NY
July 1994-December 1997 – Laboratory Director, Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science, USGS-Cortland, NY
September 1989-July 1994 – Fish Ecology Section Leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wellsboro, PA
July 1984-September 1989 – Freshwater Program Manager, Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Portland, OR
June 1980-July 1984 – Director, Fisheries Dept., Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho, Lapwai, ID
February 1978-May1980 – Senior Aquatic Ecologist, New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY
September 1973-June 1976 – Fish Biologist, Lake Ontario Environmental Laboratory, Oswego, NY
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. (Fisheries Science) SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, 1993
M.S. (Fisheries Science) SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, 1978
B.S. (Fisheries Management) University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, 1973
Science and Products
Publications by this scientist
Landscape models of brook trout abundance and distribution in lotic habitat with field validation
Ontogenetic and diel variation in stream habitat use by brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in a headwater stream
Ontogenetic variation in food consumption of rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) in a central New York stream
Ontogenetic Variation in Food Consumption of Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) in a Central New York Stream
Occurrence of the Great Lake's most recent invader, Hemimysis anomala, in the diet of fishes in southeastern Lake Ontario
Diet shift of double-crested cormorants in eastern Lake Ontario associated with the expansion of the invasive round goby
A comparative analysis of double-crested cormorant diets from stomachs and pellets from two Lake Ontario colonies
Migratory salmonid redd habitat characteristics in the Salmon River, New York
Early observations on an emerging Great Lakes invader Hemimysis anomala in Lake Ontario
Habitat selection and spawning success of walleye in a tributary to Owasco Lake, New York
Feeding ecology of lake whitefish larvae in eastern Lake Ontario
Predation by fallfish (Semotilus corporalis) on Pacific salmon eggs in the Salmon River, New York
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Data releases by this scientist
Science and Products
- Publications
Publications by this scientist
Filter Total Items: 85Landscape models of brook trout abundance and distribution in lotic habitat with field validation
Brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis are native fish in decline owing to environmental changes. Predictions of their potential distribution and a better understanding of their relationship to habitat conditions would enhance the management and conservation of this valuable species. We used over 7,800 brook trout observations throughout New York State and georeferenced, multiscale landscape conditionAuthorsJames E. McKenna, James H. JohnsonOntogenetic and diel variation in stream habitat use by brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in a headwater stream
Although considerable information exists on habitat use by stream salmonids, only a small portion has quantitatively examined diurnal and nocturnal habitat variation. We examined diel variation in habitat use by age-0 and age-1+ brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) during summer and autumn in a headwater stream in northern Pennsylvania. Habitat variables measured included cover, depth, substrate, aAuthorsJ. H. Johnson, R. M. Ross, D. S. Dropkin, Lori A. RedellOntogenetic variation in food consumption of rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) in a central New York stream
We examined feeding periodicity of three size groups of the rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) at four-hour intervals over a 28-hour period during July in a headwater stream of the Susquehanna River drainage in central New York. Feeding activity was expressed as the ratio of stomach weight divided by the crayfish wet weight. The diel food consumption patterns of all three size groups of rusty crAuthorsJ. H. Johnson, C.C. NackOntogenetic Variation in Food Consumption of Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) in a Central New York Stream
We examined feeding periodicity of three size groups of the rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) at four-hour intervals over a 28-hour period during July in a headwater stream of the Susquehanna River drainage in central New York. Feeding activity was expressed as the ratio of stomach weight divided by the crayfish wet weight. The diel food consumption patterns of all three size groups of rusty crAuthorsJames H. Johnson, Christopher C. NackOccurrence of the Great Lake's most recent invader, Hemimysis anomala, in the diet of fishes in southeastern Lake Ontario
The Ponto-Caspian mysid, Hemimysis anomala, was first observed in southeastern Lake Ontario in May 2006. During July and August 2007, gill nets were fished in 6 to 8 m of water at two locations of known Hemimysis colonization in southeastern Lake Ontario to determine if fish that consume macroinvertebrates were beginning to include this new invasive mysid in their diets. Of nine fish species captuAuthorsB.F. Lantry, M. G. Walsh, J. H. Johnson, J.E. McKennaDiet shift of double-crested cormorants in eastern Lake Ontario associated with the expansion of the invasive round goby
The proliferation of the invasive round goby (Apollonia melanostoma) in the Great Lakes has caused shifts in the trophic ecology in some areas. We examined the diet of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritas) prior to, and immediately after, round goby population expansion at two colonies, Pigeon and Snake Islands, in eastern Lake Ontario from 1999 to 2007. Cormorant diet was determined fAuthorsJames H. Johnson, Robert M. Ross, Russell D. McCullough, Alastair MathersA comparative analysis of double-crested cormorant diets from stomachs and pellets from two Lake Ontario colonies
Double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) diets were compared with evidence from the stomachs of shot birds and from regurgitated pellets at High Bluff Island and Little Galloo Island, Lake Ontario. The highest similarity in diets determined by stomach and pellet analyses occurred when both samples were collected on the same day. Diet overlap dropped substantially between the two methods whAuthorsJames H. Johnson, Robert M. Ross, Russell D. McCullough, Alastair MathersMigratory salmonid redd habitat characteristics in the Salmon River, New York
Non-native migratory salmonids ascend tributaries to spawn in all the Great Lakes. In Lake Ontario, these species include Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), coho salmon (O. kisutch), steelhead (O. mykiss), and brown trout (Salmo trutta). Although successful natural reproduction has been documented for many of these species, little research has been conducted on their spawning habitat. We eAuthorsJames H. Johnson, Christopher C. Nack, James E. McKennaEarly observations on an emerging Great Lakes invader Hemimysis anomala in Lake Ontario
Hemimysis anomala, a Ponto-Caspian littoral mysid, is an emerging Great Lakes invader that was discovered in Lakes Michigan and Ontario in 2006. Similar to the native mysid Mysis diluviana, Hemimysis exhibits a diel vertical migration pattern but generally inhabits shallower and warmer waters than M. diluviana. Because basic information on the distribution, habitat use, and biology of Hemimysis inAuthorsMaureen G. Walsh, Brian F. Lantry, Brent Boscarino, Kelly Bowen, Jocelyn Gerlofsma, Ted Schaner, Richard Back, Jennifer Questel, A. Garry Smythe, Roberta Cap, Michael Goehle, Bryan Young, Marc A. Chalupnicki, James H. Johnson, James E. McKennaHabitat selection and spawning success of walleye in a tributary to Owasco Lake, New York
Walleyes Sander vitreus are stocked into Owasco Lake, New York, to provide a sport fishery, but the population must be sustained by annual hatchery supplementation despite the presence of appropriate habitat. Therefore, we evaluated walleye spawning success in Dutch Hollow Brook, a tributary of Owasco Lake, to determine whether early survival limited recruitment. Spawning success during spring 200AuthorsMarc A. Chalupnicki, James H. Johnson, James E. McKenna, Dawn E. DittmanFeeding ecology of lake whitefish larvae in eastern Lake Ontario
We examined the feeding ecology of larval lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in Chaumont Bay, Lake Ontario, during April and May 2004-2006. Larvae were collected with towed ichthyoplankton nets offshore and with larval seines along the shoreline. Larval feeding periodicity was examined from collections made at 4-h intervals over one 24-h period in 2005. Inter-annual variation in diet compositAuthorsJames H. Johnson, James E. McKenna, Marc A. Chalupnicki, Tim Wallbridge, Rich ChiavelliPredation by fallfish (Semotilus corporalis) on Pacific salmon eggs in the Salmon River, New York
Fallfish (Semotilus corporalis) are the largest native cyprinid in the northeastern United States and are the most abundant native species in the Salmon River, New York. The Salmon River is a high-quality spawning and nursery river for Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) migrating from Lake Ontario. Because of the large number of Pacific salmon spawning in the river in the fall extensive redd superAuthorsJ. H. Johnson, C.C. Nack, M.A. ChalupnickiNon-USGS Publications**
Johnson, J. H. and D. S. Dropkin. 1994. Biology of subyearling carp (Cyprinus carpio) in the Juniata River, Pennsylvania. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science 68:34-36.Rottiers, D. V. and J. H. Johnson. 1993. Gastric evacuation rates of larval American shad by two species of cyprinids. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2:147-151.Johnson, J. H. and D. S. Dropkin. 1993. Diel variation in diet composition of a riverine fish community. Hydrobiologia 149-158.Johnson, J. H. and D. S. Dropkin. 1992. Piscivory by the central stoneroller Campostoma anomalum (Osteichthyes: Cyprinidae). Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science 66:90-91.Johnson, J. H. and D. S. Dropkin. 1992. Predation on recently stocked American shad larvae in the Susquehanna River basin. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 12:504-508.Johnson, J. H., D. S. Dropkin, and P. G. Shaffer. 1992. Habitat use by a headwater stream fish community in North Central Pennsylvania. Rivers 3:69-79.Johnson, J. H., A. A. Nigro, and R. O. Temple. 1992. Evaluating enhancement of striped bass in the context of potential predation on anadromous salmonids in Coos Bay, Oregon. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 12:103-108.Johnson, J. H. and D. S. Dropkin. 1991. Summer food habits of spotfin shiner, mimic shiner, and juvenile fallfish in the Susquehanna River. Journal Freshwater Ecology 6:35-42.Sheppard, J. D. and J. H. Johnson. 1985. Probability-of-use for depth, velocity and substrate type by subyearling coho salmon and steelhead trout in Lake Ontario tributaries. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 5:277-282.Marsh, J. H. and J. H. Johnson. 1985. The role Stevens Treaty tribes in the management of anadromous fish runs in the Columbia Basin. Fisheries 10:2-5.Johnson, J. H. and P. A. Kucera. 1985. Summer-autumn habitat utilization of sub-yearling steelhead trout in tributaries of the Clearwater River, Idaho. Canadian Journal of Zoology 63:2283-2290.Johnson, J. H. 1985. Diel feeding ecology of the nymphs of Aeshna multicolor and Lestes unquiculatus (Odonata). Freshwater Biology 15:749-755.Johnson, J. H. 1985. Comparative diets of Paiute sculpin, speckled dace, and subyearling steelhead trout in tributaries of the Clearwater River, Idaho. Northwest Science 59:1-9.Johnson, J. H. and E. Z. Johnson. 1984. Comparative diets of subyearling redbreast sunfish and northern redbelly dace in an Adirondack Lake. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 2:587-591.Johnson, J. H. 1983. Summer diet of juvenile fishes in the St. Lawrence River. New York Fish and Game Journal 30:91-99.Johnson, J. H. 1983. Food habits of recently stocked subyearling Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in Lake Ontario. New York Fish and Game Journal 30:115-116.Johnson, J. H. 1983. Diel food habits of two species of setipalpian stoneflies (Plecoptera) in tributaries of the Clearwater River, Idaho. Freshwater Biology 13:105-111.Ringler, N. H. and J. H. Johnson. 1982. Diet composition and diel feeding periodicity of some fishes in the St. Lawrence River. New York Fish and Game Journal 29:65-74.Johnson, J. H. and E. Z. Johnson. 1982. Observations on the eye-picking behavior of the cutlips minnow, Exoglossum maxillinqua. Copeia 1982:711-712.Johnson, J. H. and E. Z. Johnson. 1982. Diel foraging in relation to available food in an Adirondack Mountain stream fish community. Hydrobiologia 96:97-104.Johnson, J. H. 1982. Summer feeding ecology of blacknose dace, Rhinichthys atratulus, in a tributary of Lake Ontario. Canadian Field-Naturalist 96:282-286.Johnson, J. H. 1982. Diet composition and prey selection of Cordulegaster maculata Sel. Larvae (Anisoptera: Cordulegasteridae). Notulae Odonatologicae 1:151-152.Johnson, J. H. 1982. Comparative diets of planted rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) and speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus) in a prairie impoundment in North Central Idaho. Proceedings West. Assoc. Fish and Wildlife Agencies 62:611-618.Johnson, J. H. 1981. The summer diet of the cutlips minnow, Exoglossum maxillinqua, in a central New York stream. Copeia 1981:484-487.Johnson, J. H. 1981. Predation on the eggs of steelhead trout by stream salmonids in a tributary of Lake Ontario. Progressive Fish-Culturist 43:36-37.Johnson, J. H. 1981. Food interrelationships of coexisting brook, brown, and yearling rainbow trout in tributaries of the Salmon River, New York. New York Fish and Game Journal 28:88-99.Johnson, J. H. 1981. Comparative food selection of subyearling coho salmon, Chinook salmon, and rainbow trout in a tributary of Lake Ontario. New York Fish and Game Journal 28:150-161.Johnson, J. H. 1981. Food habits and dietary overlap of perlid stoneflies (Plecoptera) in a tributary of Lake Ontario. Canadian Journal of Zoology 59:2030-2037.Johnson, J. H. and E. Z. Johnson. 1981. Feeding periodicity and diel variation in diet composition of subyearling coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) in a small stream during summer. Fisheries Bulletin, U.S. 79:370-376.Johnson, J. H. and N. H. Ringler. 1981. Predation on immature midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) by recently emerged coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch). New York Fish and Game Journal 28:121.Johnson, J. H. and N. H. Ringler. 1981. Natural hybridization of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) with notes on meristic variation. Copeia 1981:720-721.Johnson, J. H. and N. H. Ringler. 1981. Natural reproduction and juvenile ecology of Pacific salmon and rainbow trout in tributaries of the Salmon River, New York. New York Fish and Game Journal 28:49-60.Johnson, J. H. and N. H. Ringler. 1980. Diets of juvenile coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch) and steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) relative to prey availability. Canadian Journal of Zoology 58:553-558.Johnson, J. H. 1980. Production and growth of subyearling coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) and steelhead (Salmo gairdneri) in Orwell brook, tributary of the Salmon River, New York. Fisheries Bulletin, U.S. 78:549-554.Johnson, J. H. and N. H. Ringler. 1979. The occurrence of blow-fly larvae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) on salmon carcasses and their utilization as food by juvenile salmon and trout. Great Lakes Entomologist 12:137-140.Johnson, J. H. and N. H. Ringler. 1979. Predation on Pacific salmon eggs by salmonids in a tributary of Lake Ontario. Journal of Great Lakes Research 5:177-181.**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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