Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

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

Filter Total Items: 78

Avoidance of strobe lights by zooplankton

Underwater strobe lights can influence the behavior and distribution of fishes and are increasingly used as a technique to divert fish away from water intake structures on dams. However, few studies examine how strobe lights may affect organisms other than targeted species. To gain insight on strobe lighting effects on nontarget invertebrates, we investigated whether underwater strobe lights influ
Authors
Martin J. Hamel, Nathan S. Richards, Michael L. Brown, Steven R. Chipps
By
Cooperative Research Units

Effects of littoral habitat complexity and sunfish composition on fish production

Habitat complexity is a key driver of food web dynamics because physical structure dictates resource availability to a community. Changes in fish diversity can also alter trophic interactions and energy pathways in food webs. Few studies have examined the direct, indirect, and interactive effects of biodiversity and habitat complexity on fish production. We explored the effects of habitat complexi
Authors
Michael P. Carey, K.O. Maloney, S. R. Chipps, David H. Wahl

Vulnerability of age-0 pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus to fish predation

Stocking is a commonly employed conservation strategy for endangered species such as the pallid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus. However, decisions about when, where and at what size pallid sturgeon should be stocked are hindered because vulnerability of pallid sturgeon to fish predation is not known. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vulnerability of age-0 pallid sturgeon to predatio
Authors
William E. French, B. D. S. Graeb, S. R. Chipps, K.N. Bertrand, T.M. Selch, Robert A. Klumb

Spatiotemporal patterns of wetland occurrence in the prairie pothole region of eastern South Dakota

We evaluated changes in wetland abundance, size, and classification between average (19791986) and above-average (19951999) precipitation periods for two physiographic regions in eastern South Dakota. Temporal shifts in wetland numbers, area, and class varied by topographic location. In high wetland density areas (> 8 wetlands/100 ha), our data suggests that larger, semipermanent wetlands expanded
Authors
S.N. Kahara, R.M. Mockler, K.F. Higgins, S. R. Chipps, R.R. Johnson

Composition and location of simulated lake-shore redds influence incubation success in kokanee, Oncorhynchus nerka

Methods for improving spawning habitat for lakeshore spawning kokanee, Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum), were explored by quantifying incubation success of embryos exposed to three substrate treatments in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho, USA. Substrate treatments included no modification that used existing gravels in the lake (EXISTING), a cleaned substrate treatment where existing gravels were sifted in the
Authors
M.J. Fincel, S. R. Chipps, D.H. Bennett

Predicting lesser scaup wetland use during spring migration in eastern South Dakota

The relative influence of physical, chemical, and biotic wetland characteristics on wetland use by spring migrating lesser scaup (Aythya affinis [Eyton]; hereafter "scaup") is not well understood. We compared characteristics of used and unused wetlands in eastern South Dakota. Used wetlands were larger (>2 ha; P = 0.05), with higher amphipod densities (>500 individuals m-2; P = 0.01) and higher ch
Authors
S.N. Kahara, S. R. Chipps

Consumption estimates of walleye stocked as fry to suppress fathead minnow populations in west-central Minnesota wetlands

Fisheries managers throughout the Prairie Pothole Region of Minnesota often use semi-permanent and permanent wetland basins to extensively culture walleye Sander vitreus fry. Waterfowl managers have expressed concern over this practice because of the potential influence that fish have on food resources used by waterfowl during development and migration. It is well known that native fathead minnows
Authors
M.C. Ward, D.W. Willis, B.R. Herwig, S. R. Chipps, B.G. Parsons, J.R. Reed, M.A. Hanson

Influence of fluctuating water levels on mercury concentrations in adult walleye

[No abstract available]
Authors
T.M. Selch, C.W. Hoagstrom, E.J. Weimer, J.P. Duehr, S. R. Chipps

Walleye consumption and long-term population trends following gizzard shad introduction into a Western South Dakota reservoir

The gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) was introduced into 1,955-ha Angostura Reservoir, South Dakota to provide increased prey resources for walleye (Sander vitreus). Linear correlation analysis indicated that following gizzard shad introduction, walleye catch-per-unit-effort and mean length at age have increased over time (r = 0.68 to 0.85, P = 0.02 to 0.001). Walleye stomach contents were colle
Authors
M.J. Ward, D.W. Willis, B.H. Miller, S. R. Chipps
By
Cooperative Research Units

Association between wetland disturbance and biological attributes in floodplain wetlands

We quantified the influence of agricultural activities on environmental and biological conditions of floodplain wetlands in the upper Missouri River basin. Seasonally-flooded wetlands were characterized as low impact (non-disturbed) or high impact (disturbed) based on local land use. Biological data collected from these wetlands were used to develop a wetland condition index (WCI). Fourteen additi
Authors
S. R. Chipps, D.E. Hubbard, K.B. Werlin, N.J. Haugerud, K.A. Powell, John Thompson, T. Johnson

Reticulate melanism in western painted turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii): Exploring linkages with habitat and heating rates

In western painted turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii), males often exhibit one of two morphs: (1) a reticulated form, characterized by an intricate network of dark markings on the carapace or (2) a non-reticulated form. Although several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the adaptive significance of reticulate melanism (RM) on western painted turtles, no attempts have been made to document whe
Authors
W.K. Gronke, S. R. Chipps, S.J. Bandas, K.F. Higgins

Biotic and abiotic correlates with black bullhead population characteristics in Nebraska sandhill lakes

We explored relationships among black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) population characteristics and physicochemical attributes in shallow lakes and quantified relationships between population characteristics of black bullhead and sport fishes. Lake characteristics and fisheries survey data were collected from the Sandhills region of northcentral Nebraska from May through June, 1998 and 1999. Relative a
Authors
Quinton E. Phelps, Matthew J. Ward, Craig P. Paukert, Steven R. Chipps, David W. Willis
By
Cooperative Research Units

Science and Products

  • Publications
    Filter Total Items: 78

    Avoidance of strobe lights by zooplankton

    Underwater strobe lights can influence the behavior and distribution of fishes and are increasingly used as a technique to divert fish away from water intake structures on dams. However, few studies examine how strobe lights may affect organisms other than targeted species. To gain insight on strobe lighting effects on nontarget invertebrates, we investigated whether underwater strobe lights influ
    Authors
    Martin J. Hamel, Nathan S. Richards, Michael L. Brown, Steven R. Chipps
    By
    Cooperative Research Units

    Effects of littoral habitat complexity and sunfish composition on fish production

    Habitat complexity is a key driver of food web dynamics because physical structure dictates resource availability to a community. Changes in fish diversity can also alter trophic interactions and energy pathways in food webs. Few studies have examined the direct, indirect, and interactive effects of biodiversity and habitat complexity on fish production. We explored the effects of habitat complexi
    Authors
    Michael P. Carey, K.O. Maloney, S. R. Chipps, David H. Wahl

    Vulnerability of age-0 pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus to fish predation

    Stocking is a commonly employed conservation strategy for endangered species such as the pallid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus. However, decisions about when, where and at what size pallid sturgeon should be stocked are hindered because vulnerability of pallid sturgeon to fish predation is not known. The objective of this study was to evaluate the vulnerability of age-0 pallid sturgeon to predatio
    Authors
    William E. French, B. D. S. Graeb, S. R. Chipps, K.N. Bertrand, T.M. Selch, Robert A. Klumb

    Spatiotemporal patterns of wetland occurrence in the prairie pothole region of eastern South Dakota

    We evaluated changes in wetland abundance, size, and classification between average (19791986) and above-average (19951999) precipitation periods for two physiographic regions in eastern South Dakota. Temporal shifts in wetland numbers, area, and class varied by topographic location. In high wetland density areas (> 8 wetlands/100 ha), our data suggests that larger, semipermanent wetlands expanded
    Authors
    S.N. Kahara, R.M. Mockler, K.F. Higgins, S. R. Chipps, R.R. Johnson

    Composition and location of simulated lake-shore redds influence incubation success in kokanee, Oncorhynchus nerka

    Methods for improving spawning habitat for lakeshore spawning kokanee, Oncorhynchus nerka (Walbaum), were explored by quantifying incubation success of embryos exposed to three substrate treatments in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho, USA. Substrate treatments included no modification that used existing gravels in the lake (EXISTING), a cleaned substrate treatment where existing gravels were sifted in the
    Authors
    M.J. Fincel, S. R. Chipps, D.H. Bennett

    Predicting lesser scaup wetland use during spring migration in eastern South Dakota

    The relative influence of physical, chemical, and biotic wetland characteristics on wetland use by spring migrating lesser scaup (Aythya affinis [Eyton]; hereafter "scaup") is not well understood. We compared characteristics of used and unused wetlands in eastern South Dakota. Used wetlands were larger (>2 ha; P = 0.05), with higher amphipod densities (>500 individuals m-2; P = 0.01) and higher ch
    Authors
    S.N. Kahara, S. R. Chipps

    Consumption estimates of walleye stocked as fry to suppress fathead minnow populations in west-central Minnesota wetlands

    Fisheries managers throughout the Prairie Pothole Region of Minnesota often use semi-permanent and permanent wetland basins to extensively culture walleye Sander vitreus fry. Waterfowl managers have expressed concern over this practice because of the potential influence that fish have on food resources used by waterfowl during development and migration. It is well known that native fathead minnows
    Authors
    M.C. Ward, D.W. Willis, B.R. Herwig, S. R. Chipps, B.G. Parsons, J.R. Reed, M.A. Hanson

    Influence of fluctuating water levels on mercury concentrations in adult walleye

    [No abstract available]
    Authors
    T.M. Selch, C.W. Hoagstrom, E.J. Weimer, J.P. Duehr, S. R. Chipps

    Walleye consumption and long-term population trends following gizzard shad introduction into a Western South Dakota reservoir

    The gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) was introduced into 1,955-ha Angostura Reservoir, South Dakota to provide increased prey resources for walleye (Sander vitreus). Linear correlation analysis indicated that following gizzard shad introduction, walleye catch-per-unit-effort and mean length at age have increased over time (r = 0.68 to 0.85, P = 0.02 to 0.001). Walleye stomach contents were colle
    Authors
    M.J. Ward, D.W. Willis, B.H. Miller, S. R. Chipps
    By
    Cooperative Research Units

    Association between wetland disturbance and biological attributes in floodplain wetlands

    We quantified the influence of agricultural activities on environmental and biological conditions of floodplain wetlands in the upper Missouri River basin. Seasonally-flooded wetlands were characterized as low impact (non-disturbed) or high impact (disturbed) based on local land use. Biological data collected from these wetlands were used to develop a wetland condition index (WCI). Fourteen additi
    Authors
    S. R. Chipps, D.E. Hubbard, K.B. Werlin, N.J. Haugerud, K.A. Powell, John Thompson, T. Johnson

    Reticulate melanism in western painted turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii): Exploring linkages with habitat and heating rates

    In western painted turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii), males often exhibit one of two morphs: (1) a reticulated form, characterized by an intricate network of dark markings on the carapace or (2) a non-reticulated form. Although several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the adaptive significance of reticulate melanism (RM) on western painted turtles, no attempts have been made to document whe
    Authors
    W.K. Gronke, S. R. Chipps, S.J. Bandas, K.F. Higgins

    Biotic and abiotic correlates with black bullhead population characteristics in Nebraska sandhill lakes

    We explored relationships among black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) population characteristics and physicochemical attributes in shallow lakes and quantified relationships between population characteristics of black bullhead and sport fishes. Lake characteristics and fisheries survey data were collected from the Sandhills region of northcentral Nebraska from May through June, 1998 and 1999. Relative a
    Authors
    Quinton E. Phelps, Matthew J. Ward, Craig P. Paukert, Steven R. Chipps, David W. Willis
    By
    Cooperative Research Units