Steve Chipps, PhD
Unit Leader - South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Research Interests
Steve's research focuses primarily on the feeding ecology and bioenergetics of fishes. He and his students use quantitative tools such as energy budgets, diet analysis, stable isotopes, and foraging models to help address fisheries management questions.
Teaching Interests
Steve teaches graduate-level courses in Aquatic Trophic Ecology and Ecology of Aquatic Invertebrates at South Dakota State University.
Professional Experience
Assistant Unit Leader, South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 1999-2010
Unit Leader, South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 2010-
Education and Certifications
Ph D University of Idaho 1997
MS West Virginia University 1992
BS Davis & Elkins College 1989
Science and Products
Comparing isotope signatures of prey fish: does gut removal affect δ13C or δ15N?
Feeding ecology and energetics
Interrelationships between fish tissue mercury concentrations and water quality for South Dakota natural lakes and impoundments
Influence of Physiochemical and watershed characteristics on mercury concentration in walleye, Sander vitreus, M.
Hepatic element concentrations of lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) during spring migration in the upper Midwest
Diet composition and feeding patterns of adult shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) in the lower Platte River, Nebraska, USA
Diet composition and feeding patterns of adult shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) in the lower Platte River, Nebraska, USA
Competitive interactions between walleye (Sander vitreus) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) under various controlled conditions
Influence of drought conditions on brown trout biomass and size structure in the Black Hills, South Dakota
Invertebrate composition and abundance associated with Didymosphenia geminata in a montane stream
Interactions between walleyes and smallmouth bass in a Missouri River reservoir with consideration of the influence of temperature and prey
Application of non-lethal stable isotope analysis to assess feeding patterns of juvenile pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus: a comparison of tissue types and sample preservation methods
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 78
Comparing isotope signatures of prey fish: does gut removal affect δ13C or δ15N?
Stable isotope analysis is a quick and inexpensive method to monitor the effects of food web changes on aquatic communities. Traditionally, whole specimens have been used when determining isotope composition of prey fish or age-0 recreational fishes. However, gut contents of prey fish could potentially alter isotope composition of the specimen, especially when recent foraging has taken place or whAuthorsSteven R. Chipps, Mark J. Fincel, Justin A. VanDeHey, Andrew WuestewaldFeeding ecology and energetics
Successful management of walleye and sauger populations often requires a detailed knowledge of prey resources. As with many fishes, diets of juvenile Sander spp. are often different than those of adult fish and can have important implications for growth and survival. Similarly, spatial and temporal variation in diet composition can contribute to variation in growth and production of Sander populatAuthorsSteven R. Chipps, Brian D. S. GraebInterrelationships between fish tissue mercury concentrations and water quality for South Dakota natural lakes and impoundments
The purpose of this study was to determine whether water quality parameters commonly associated with primary productivity may be used to predict the susceptibility of a specific water body to exceed proposed fish consumption advisory limitation of 0.3 mg kg−1. South Dakota currently has nine lakes and impoundments that exceed fish tissue mercury advisory limits of 1.0 mg kg−1 total mercury, far exAuthorsSteven R. Chipps, Larry Stetler, James J. Stone, Cindy M. McCutcheonInfluence of Physiochemical and watershed characteristics on mercury concentration in walleye, Sander vitreus, M.
Elevated mercury concentration has been documented in a variety of fish and is a growing concern for human consumption. Here, we explore the influence of physiochemical and watershed attributes on mercury concentration in walleye (Sander vitreus, M.) from natural, glacial lakes in South Dakota. Regression analysis showed that water quality attributes were poor predictors of walleye mercury concentAuthorsCari-Ann Hayer, Steven R. Chipps, James J. StoneHepatic element concentrations of lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) during spring migration in the upper Midwest
High concentrations of some hepatic elements might be contributing to the decline of the continental lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) population. We evaluated hepatic element concentrations of male and female lesser scaup collected from the upper Midwest (Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota) during the 2003 and 2004 spring migrations. We measured concentrations of 24 elements in livers ofAuthorsAngela E. Pillatzki, Regg D. Neiger, Steven R. Chipps, Kenneth F. Higgins, Nancy Thiex, Alan D. AftonDiet composition and feeding patterns of adult shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) in the lower Platte River, Nebraska, USA
Two-hundred and seven adult shovelnose sturgeon ranging from 450 to 718 mm in length were sampled from June to October 2001 and May to July 2002 to determine diet composition and feeding patterns in the lower Platte River. Shovelnose sturgeon fed primarily upon aquatic insect larvae and nymphs (>99% composition by number). Diptera of the family Chironomidae were the dominant prey items in both yeaAuthorsT. Rapp, D.A. Shuman, B.D.S. Graeb, Steven R. Chipps, E.J. PetersDiet composition and feeding patterns of adult shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) in the lower Platte River, Nebraska, USA
Two-hundred and seven adult shovelnose sturgeon ranging from 450 to 718 mm in length were sampled from June to October 2001 and May to July 2002 to determine diet composition and feeding patterns in the lower Platte River. Shovelnose sturgeon fed primarily upon aquatic insect larvae and nymphs (>99% composition by number). Diptera of the family Chironomidae were the dominant prey items in both yeaAuthorsT. Rapp, D. A. Shuman, B. D. S. Graeb, S. R. Chipps, E. J. PetersCompetitive interactions between walleye (Sander vitreus) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) under various controlled conditions
The range of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) is expanding northward, creating new interactions with native predators, including walleye (Sander vitreus). We used a series of experiments to investigate competition between walleye (WAE) and smallmouth bass (SMB) at different life stages and light conditions, identified behaviors that allowed one fish to outcompete another, and evaluated whethAuthorsM.R. Wuellner, B. D. S. Graeb, D.W. Willis, B.J. Galster, T.M. Selch, S. R. ChippsInfluence of drought conditions on brown trout biomass and size structure in the Black Hills, South Dakota
We evaluated the influence of drought conditions on the biomass of brown trout Salmo trutta in Spearfish Creek, upper Rapid Creek, and lower Rapid Creek in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. Stream discharge, mean summer water temperature, the biomass of juvenile and adult brown trout, and brown trout size structure were compared between two time periods: early (2000–2002) and late drought (AuthorsDaniel A. James, Jerry W. Wilhite, Steven R. ChippsInvertebrate composition and abundance associated with Didymosphenia geminata in a montane stream
Didymosphenia geminata, a relatively new aquatic nuisance species that can form extensive, mucilaginous mats on stream substrates, was reported from Rapid Creek, South Dakota in 2002. To examine the association between D. geminata and the invertebrate community in Rapid Creek, macroinvertebrates were quantified using three gear types in the fall of 2006. D. geminata was present at two of four siteAuthorsDaniel A. James, Steven H. Ranney, Steven R. Chipps, Bryan D. SpindlerInteractions between walleyes and smallmouth bass in a Missouri River reservoir with consideration of the influence of temperature and prey
Walleyes Sander vitreus are the most popular fish among South Dakota anglers, but smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu were introduced to provide new angling opportunities. Some walleye anglers have reported reductions in the quality of walleye fisheries since the introduction of smallmouth bass and attribute this to the consumption of young walleyes by smallmouth bass and competition for shared pAuthorsMelissa R. Wuellner, Steven R. Chipps, David W. Willis, Wells E. AdamsApplication of non-lethal stable isotope analysis to assess feeding patterns of juvenile pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus: a comparison of tissue types and sample preservation methods
Traditional techniques for stable isotope analysis (SIA) generally require sacrificing animals to collect tissue samples; this can be problematic when studying diets of endangered species such as the pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus. Our objectives were to (i) determine if pectoral fin tissue (non-lethal) could be a substitute for muscle tissue (lethal) in SIA of juvenile pallid sturgeon, andAuthorsR.T. Andvik, J.A. VanDeHey, M.J. Fincel, William E. French, K.N. Bertrand, Steven R. Chipps, Robert A. Klumb, B. D. S. Graeb