Mike Colvin, PhD
Dr. Mike Colvin is a Research Ecologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center
Dr. Mike Colvin received a Ph.D. from Iowa State University. He was a postdoctoral scholar at Oregon State University, where he trained in using structured decision-making and adaptive management of natural resources. As an assistant and associate professor at Mississippi State University, he taught courses in fisheries science, fisheries management, and natural resource decision-making. His research group applied decision-making approaches to conserving and managing aquatic resources. He joined the USGS in 2022 as a research ecologist.
Mike’s research efforts integrate management actions, monitoring, and research with structured decision-making and adaptive management. Current research areas include
- Supporting science components and decision analysis for endangered pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River,
- Adaptive management program development for invasive carps,
- Developing decision support tools for species status assessments of aquatic species in the southeast US, and
- Applying structured decision-making and adaptive management to natural resource problems.
Professional Experience
2022-present: Research Ecologist, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO
2020-2022: Associate Professor, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS
2014-2020: Assistant Professor, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS
2012-2014: Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis OR
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Fisheries Resources, Iowa State University, 2012
M.S. in Fisheries Biology, University of Idaho, 2005
B.S. Unity College, 2000
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Fisheries Society
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 36
Evaluating regional length limits in freshwater fisheries Evaluating regional length limits in freshwater fisheries
Length limits are often used in recreational fisheries management to prevent overharvest and manipulate fish size distributions. These regulations are ideally customized to meet water-specific stock dynamics and fishery objectives. However, in districts with numerous discrete waters, fisheries are commonly managed with a universal regional regulation. Evaluating alternative regional...
Authors
Andrew C. Shamaskin, Michael E. Colvin, Leandro E. Miranda
Selection of habitat-enhancing plants depends on predator-prey interactions Selection of habitat-enhancing plants depends on predator-prey interactions
Shallow areas of drawdown reservoirs are often devoid of adequate fish habitat due to degradation associated with unnatural and relatively invariable cycles of exposure and flooding. One method of enhancing fish habitat in these areas is to sow exposed shorelines with agricultural plants to provide structure once flooded. It remains unclear if some plants may be more suitable than others...
Authors
G. Coppola, Leandro E. Miranda, M. E. Colvin, H. R. Hatcher, M. A. Lashley
Catch rates for sturgeon chubs and sicklefin chubs in the Upper Missouri River 2004–2016 and correlations with biotic and abiotic variables Catch rates for sturgeon chubs and sicklefin chubs in the Upper Missouri River 2004–2016 and correlations with biotic and abiotic variables
A multiweek standardized sampling regime during 2004–2016 in a 60-km reach of the Upper Missouri River assessed reproduction and catch rates for Sturgeon Chub Macrhybopsis gelida and Sicklefin Chub Macrhybopsis meeki. We sampled age-0 Macrhybopsis (primarily Sturgeon Chubs, but potentially including Sicklefin Chubs) all years to indicate successful reproduction, but noted an inverse...
Authors
Patrick Braaten, David B. Fuller, Tyler M. Haddix, John R. Hunziker, Michael E. Colvin, Luke M. Holmquist, Ryan H. Wilson
Themes of contemporary inland fisheries goals Themes of contemporary inland fisheries goals
Goals are important for the effective execution of public trust responsibilities by state inland fisheries bureaus, but formulating meaningful goals is not simple. Often bureaus look to their past and to their sister bureaus in neighboring states when crafting goals for their own freshwater resources. Herein, we review the goal themes of fisheries bureaus using publicly available...
Authors
C.A. Aldridge, Leandro E. Miranda, M. E. Colvin
Pallid sturgeon seasonal habitat selection in a large free-flowing river, the lower Mississippi River Pallid sturgeon seasonal habitat selection in a large free-flowing river, the lower Mississippi River
Pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus (Forbes & Richardson, 1905, Bulletin of the Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History, 1905, 7, 37) are an endangered riverine sturgeon native to the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and declining numbers have been attributed to multiple stressors, including habitat loss and alteration. The lower Mississippi River provides a useful context to...
Authors
P. T. Kroboth, D. A. Hann, M. E. Colvin, P. D. Hartfield, H. L. Schramm
A seasonal population matrix model of the Caribbean Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis jamaicensis in eastern Puerto Rico A seasonal population matrix model of the Caribbean Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis jamaicensis in eastern Puerto Rico
Reliable estimates of life history parameters and their functional role in animal population trajectories are critical, yet often missing, components in conservation and management. We developed seasonal matrix population models of the Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis jamaicensis in the upper and lower forests of the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico, to describe the influence of early...
Authors
Julio C. Gallardo, Francisco Vilella, Michael E. Colvin
Non-USGS Publications**
Richardson, B.M., Griffin, M.J., Colvin, M.E., Wise, D.J., Ware, C., Mischke, C.C., Greenway, T.E., Byars, T.S., Hanson, L.A., and Lawrence, M.L., 2021, Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and occupancy models to estimate atypical Aeromonas hydrophila (aAh) prevalence in catfish: Aquaculture, v. 530, p. 735687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735687
Shirley, C.A., Colvin, M.E., Tiersch, T.R., and Allen, P.J., 2021, A generalized approach for sperm cryopreservation in the genus Pomoxis: Sperm cryopreservation and fertilization efficiency of black-stripe black crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus: Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, v. 52, no. 2, p. 405-417. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12763
Schumann, D.A., Colvin, M.E., Campbell, R.L., Wagner, M.D., and Schwarz, D.E., 2021, Suitability of passive integrated transponder tags and a new monitoring technique for at-risk madtoms (Noturus spp.): Endangered Species Research, v. 44, p. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01086
Norris, D.M., Hatcher, H.R., Colvin, M.E., Coppola, G., Lashley, M.A., and Miranda, L.E., 2020, Assessing Establishment and Growth of Agricultural Plantings on Reservoir Mudflats: North American Journal of Fisheries Management, v. 40, no. 2, p. 394-405. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10419
Jargowsky, M.B., Cooper, P.T., Ajemian, M.J., Colvin, M.E., and Drymon, J.M., 2020, Discerning the dietary habits of the smooth butterfly ray Gymnura lessae using two distinct methods, otolith identification and metagenetics: Journal of Fish Biology, v. 96, no. 2, p. 434-443. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14221
Coppola, G., Miranda, L.E., Colvin, M.E., Hatcher, H.R., and Lashley, M.A., 2019, Submergence responses of cool-season annual plants and potential for fish habitat: North American Journal of Fisheries Management, v. 39, no. 6, p. 1269-1276. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10359
Shaw, S.B., Beslity, J.O., and Colvin, M.E., 2019, Working towards a more holistic set of hydrologic principles to teach nonhydrologists: Five simple concepts within catchment hydrology: Hydrological Processes, v. 33, no. 16, p. 2258-2262. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13485
Ivey, M.R., Colvin, M., Strickland, B.K., and Lashley, M.A., 2019, Reduced vertebrate diversity independent of spatial scale following feral swine invasions: Ecology and Evolution, v. 9, no. 13, p. 7761-7767. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5360
Hatcher, H.R., Miranda, L.E., Colvin, M.E., Coppola, G., and Lashley, M.A., 2019, Fish assemblages in a Mississippi reservoir mudflat with low structural complexity: Hydrobiologia, v. 841, no. 1, p. 163-175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-019-04019-w
Guy, E.L., Mischke, C.C., Colvin, M.E., and Allen, P.J., 2019, Zooplankton selectivity by black buffalo in fertilized ponds: North American Journal of Aquaculture, v. 81, no. 3, p. 215-221. https://doi.org/10.1002/naaq.10089
Katzenmeyer, E.D., Colvin, M.E., Stewart, T.W., Pierce, C.L., and Grummer, S.E., 2019, Fish growth changes over time in a Midwestern USA lake: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, v. 148, no. 2, p. 493-506. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10149
Gallardo, J.C., Vilella, F.J., and Colvin, M.E., 2019, A seasonal population matrix model of the Caribbean red-tailed hawk Buteo jamaicensis jamaicensis in eastern Puerto Rico: Ibis, v. 161, no. 2, p. 459-466. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12703
Colvin, M.E., Peterson, J.T., Sharpe, C., Kent, M.L., and Schreck, C.B., 2018, Identifying optimal hauling densities for adult chinook salmon trap and haul operations: River Research and Applications, v. 34, no. 9, p. 1158-1167. https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.3348
Gilliland, C.R., Colvin, M.E., Rush, S.A., and Reagan, S., 2018, American alligators are predators of Paddlefish: An undocumented predator-prey linkage affecting Paddlefish population dynamics: Food Webs, v. 16, p. e00087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2018.e00087
**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.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 36
Evaluating regional length limits in freshwater fisheries Evaluating regional length limits in freshwater fisheries
Length limits are often used in recreational fisheries management to prevent overharvest and manipulate fish size distributions. These regulations are ideally customized to meet water-specific stock dynamics and fishery objectives. However, in districts with numerous discrete waters, fisheries are commonly managed with a universal regional regulation. Evaluating alternative regional...
Authors
Andrew C. Shamaskin, Michael E. Colvin, Leandro E. Miranda
Selection of habitat-enhancing plants depends on predator-prey interactions Selection of habitat-enhancing plants depends on predator-prey interactions
Shallow areas of drawdown reservoirs are often devoid of adequate fish habitat due to degradation associated with unnatural and relatively invariable cycles of exposure and flooding. One method of enhancing fish habitat in these areas is to sow exposed shorelines with agricultural plants to provide structure once flooded. It remains unclear if some plants may be more suitable than others...
Authors
G. Coppola, Leandro E. Miranda, M. E. Colvin, H. R. Hatcher, M. A. Lashley
Catch rates for sturgeon chubs and sicklefin chubs in the Upper Missouri River 2004–2016 and correlations with biotic and abiotic variables Catch rates for sturgeon chubs and sicklefin chubs in the Upper Missouri River 2004–2016 and correlations with biotic and abiotic variables
A multiweek standardized sampling regime during 2004–2016 in a 60-km reach of the Upper Missouri River assessed reproduction and catch rates for Sturgeon Chub Macrhybopsis gelida and Sicklefin Chub Macrhybopsis meeki. We sampled age-0 Macrhybopsis (primarily Sturgeon Chubs, but potentially including Sicklefin Chubs) all years to indicate successful reproduction, but noted an inverse...
Authors
Patrick Braaten, David B. Fuller, Tyler M. Haddix, John R. Hunziker, Michael E. Colvin, Luke M. Holmquist, Ryan H. Wilson
Themes of contemporary inland fisheries goals Themes of contemporary inland fisheries goals
Goals are important for the effective execution of public trust responsibilities by state inland fisheries bureaus, but formulating meaningful goals is not simple. Often bureaus look to their past and to their sister bureaus in neighboring states when crafting goals for their own freshwater resources. Herein, we review the goal themes of fisheries bureaus using publicly available...
Authors
C.A. Aldridge, Leandro E. Miranda, M. E. Colvin
Pallid sturgeon seasonal habitat selection in a large free-flowing river, the lower Mississippi River Pallid sturgeon seasonal habitat selection in a large free-flowing river, the lower Mississippi River
Pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus (Forbes & Richardson, 1905, Bulletin of the Illinois State Laboratory of Natural History, 1905, 7, 37) are an endangered riverine sturgeon native to the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and declining numbers have been attributed to multiple stressors, including habitat loss and alteration. The lower Mississippi River provides a useful context to...
Authors
P. T. Kroboth, D. A. Hann, M. E. Colvin, P. D. Hartfield, H. L. Schramm
A seasonal population matrix model of the Caribbean Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis jamaicensis in eastern Puerto Rico A seasonal population matrix model of the Caribbean Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis jamaicensis in eastern Puerto Rico
Reliable estimates of life history parameters and their functional role in animal population trajectories are critical, yet often missing, components in conservation and management. We developed seasonal matrix population models of the Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis jamaicensis in the upper and lower forests of the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico, to describe the influence of early...
Authors
Julio C. Gallardo, Francisco Vilella, Michael E. Colvin
Non-USGS Publications**
Richardson, B.M., Griffin, M.J., Colvin, M.E., Wise, D.J., Ware, C., Mischke, C.C., Greenway, T.E., Byars, T.S., Hanson, L.A., and Lawrence, M.L., 2021, Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and occupancy models to estimate atypical Aeromonas hydrophila (aAh) prevalence in catfish: Aquaculture, v. 530, p. 735687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735687
Shirley, C.A., Colvin, M.E., Tiersch, T.R., and Allen, P.J., 2021, A generalized approach for sperm cryopreservation in the genus Pomoxis: Sperm cryopreservation and fertilization efficiency of black-stripe black crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus: Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, v. 52, no. 2, p. 405-417. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.12763
Schumann, D.A., Colvin, M.E., Campbell, R.L., Wagner, M.D., and Schwarz, D.E., 2021, Suitability of passive integrated transponder tags and a new monitoring technique for at-risk madtoms (Noturus spp.): Endangered Species Research, v. 44, p. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01086
Norris, D.M., Hatcher, H.R., Colvin, M.E., Coppola, G., Lashley, M.A., and Miranda, L.E., 2020, Assessing Establishment and Growth of Agricultural Plantings on Reservoir Mudflats: North American Journal of Fisheries Management, v. 40, no. 2, p. 394-405. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10419
Jargowsky, M.B., Cooper, P.T., Ajemian, M.J., Colvin, M.E., and Drymon, J.M., 2020, Discerning the dietary habits of the smooth butterfly ray Gymnura lessae using two distinct methods, otolith identification and metagenetics: Journal of Fish Biology, v. 96, no. 2, p. 434-443. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.14221
Coppola, G., Miranda, L.E., Colvin, M.E., Hatcher, H.R., and Lashley, M.A., 2019, Submergence responses of cool-season annual plants and potential for fish habitat: North American Journal of Fisheries Management, v. 39, no. 6, p. 1269-1276. https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10359
Shaw, S.B., Beslity, J.O., and Colvin, M.E., 2019, Working towards a more holistic set of hydrologic principles to teach nonhydrologists: Five simple concepts within catchment hydrology: Hydrological Processes, v. 33, no. 16, p. 2258-2262. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.13485
Ivey, M.R., Colvin, M., Strickland, B.K., and Lashley, M.A., 2019, Reduced vertebrate diversity independent of spatial scale following feral swine invasions: Ecology and Evolution, v. 9, no. 13, p. 7761-7767. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5360
Hatcher, H.R., Miranda, L.E., Colvin, M.E., Coppola, G., and Lashley, M.A., 2019, Fish assemblages in a Mississippi reservoir mudflat with low structural complexity: Hydrobiologia, v. 841, no. 1, p. 163-175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-019-04019-w
Guy, E.L., Mischke, C.C., Colvin, M.E., and Allen, P.J., 2019, Zooplankton selectivity by black buffalo in fertilized ponds: North American Journal of Aquaculture, v. 81, no. 3, p. 215-221. https://doi.org/10.1002/naaq.10089
Katzenmeyer, E.D., Colvin, M.E., Stewart, T.W., Pierce, C.L., and Grummer, S.E., 2019, Fish growth changes over time in a Midwestern USA lake: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, v. 148, no. 2, p. 493-506. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10149
Gallardo, J.C., Vilella, F.J., and Colvin, M.E., 2019, A seasonal population matrix model of the Caribbean red-tailed hawk Buteo jamaicensis jamaicensis in eastern Puerto Rico: Ibis, v. 161, no. 2, p. 459-466. https://doi.org/10.1111/ibi.12703
Colvin, M.E., Peterson, J.T., Sharpe, C., Kent, M.L., and Schreck, C.B., 2018, Identifying optimal hauling densities for adult chinook salmon trap and haul operations: River Research and Applications, v. 34, no. 9, p. 1158-1167. https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.3348
Gilliland, C.R., Colvin, M.E., Rush, S.A., and Reagan, S., 2018, American alligators are predators of Paddlefish: An undocumented predator-prey linkage affecting Paddlefish population dynamics: Food Webs, v. 16, p. e00087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fooweb.2018.e00087
**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.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government