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
Species‐ and habitat‐specific otolith chemistry patterns inform riverine fisheries management
Dietary bioprocessed soybean meal does not affect the growth of exercised juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Growth potential and habitat requirements of endangered age-0 pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Missouri River, USA, determined using a individual-based model framework
Fish Bioenergetics 4.0: An R-based modeling application
Development of a foraging model framework to reliably estimate daily food consumption by young fishes
Growth, food consumption, and energy status of juvenile pallid sturgeon fed natural or artificial diets
Test of a foraging-bioenergetics model to evaluate growth dynamics of endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)
Diet breadth and variability in Sander spp. inferred from stable isotopes
Community fisheries in eastern South Dakota: Angler demographics, use, and factors influencing satisfaction
Impacts of Northern Pike on stocked Rainbow Trout in Pactola Reservoir, South Dakota
Mink predation on brown trout in a Black Hills stream
Invertebrates in managed waterfowl marshes
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 78
Species‐ and habitat‐specific otolith chemistry patterns inform riverine fisheries management
Geology and hydrology are drivers of water chemistry and thus important considerations for fish otolith chemistry research. However, other factors such as species and habitat identity may have predictive ability, enabling selection of appropriate elemental signatures prior to costly, perhaps unnecessary water/age‐0 fish sampling. The goal of this study was to develop a predictive methodology for uAuthorsWilliam Radigan, Andrew K. Carlson, Jeremy Kientz, Steven R. Chipps, Mark J. Fincel, Brian D. S. GraebDietary bioprocessed soybean meal does not affect the growth of exercised juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Context: This 88-day experiment evaluated the rearing performance of juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed one of three isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets and reared at velocities of either 2.3 or 18.7 cm s-1.Objective: Evaluate the effects of diet and exercise during rainbow trout rearing.Design: Fishmeal was the primary protein source for one diet, with bioprocessed soybean meal (BSMAuthorsJill M. Voorhees, Michael Barnes, Steven R. Chipps, Michael BrowneGrowth potential and habitat requirements of endangered age-0 pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Missouri River, USA, determined using a individual-based model framework
An individual-based model framework was used to evaluate growth potential of the federally endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Missouri River. The model, developed for age-0 sturgeon, combines information on functional feeding response, bioenergetics and swimming ability to regulate consumption and growth within a virtual foraging arena. Empirical data on water temperature, waAuthorsDavid Deslauriers, Laura B. Heironimus, Tobias Rapp, Brian D. S. Graeb, Robert A. Klumb, Steven R. ChippsFish Bioenergetics 4.0: An R-based modeling application
Bioenergetics modeling is a widely used tool in fisheries management and research. Although popular, currently available software (i.e., Fish Bioenergetics 3.0) has not been updated in over 20 years and is incompatible with newer operating systems (i.e., 64‐bit). Moreover, since the release of Fish Bioenergetics 3.0 in 1997, the number of published bioenergetics models has increased appreciably frAuthorsDavid Deslauriers, Steven R. Chipps, James E. Breck, James A. Rice, Charles P. MadenjianDevelopment of a foraging model framework to reliably estimate daily food consumption by young fishes
We developed a foraging model for young fishes that incorporates handling and digestion rate to estimate daily food consumption. Feeding trials were used to quantify functional feeding response, satiation, and gut evacuation rate. Once parameterized, the foraging model was then applied to evaluate effects of prey type, prey density, water temperature, and fish size on daily feeding rate by age-0 (AuthorsDavid Deslauriers, Alex J. Rosburg, Steven R. ChippsGrowth, food consumption, and energy status of juvenile pallid sturgeon fed natural or artificial diets
Stocking of hatchery-raised fish is an important part of the pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus recovery program. In the wild, juvenile pallid sturgeon consume primarily aquatic insects, although little is known about specific dietary needs. In hatchery settings, pallid sturgeon are fed commercial diets that are formulated for salmonids. To compare food consumption, growth, and energy status ofAuthorsHilary A. Meyer, Steven R. Chipps, Brian D. S. Graeb, Robert A. KlumbTest of a foraging-bioenergetics model to evaluate growth dynamics of endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)
Factors affecting feeding and growth of early life stages of the federally endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) are not fully understood, owing to their scarcity in the wild. In this study was we evaluated the performance of a combined foraging-bioenergetics model as a tool for assessing growth of age-0 pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River. In the laboratory, three size classes of stAuthorsDavid Deslauriers, Laura B. Heironimus, Steven R. ChippsDiet breadth and variability in Sander spp. inferred from stable isotopes
We used stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen to evaluate trophic similarity between sauger Sander canadensis and walleye S. vitreus in three Missouri River impoundments characterized by unique differences in riverine habitat. Mean δ15N was similar for sauger and walleye in each reservoir ranging from 15.7 to 17.8‰ for sauger and 15.2 to 17.7‰ for walleye. However, mean δ13C was greater for saugeAuthorsM.J. Fincel, Steven R. Chipps, B. D. S. Graeb, M. L. BrownCommunity fisheries in eastern South Dakota: Angler demographics, use, and factors influencing satisfaction
We surveyed anglers on five community fishing lakes near Brookings, South Dakota to assess angler use and satisfaction. The community lakes attracted younger anglers when compared to statewide and national averages. Overall, satisfaction was generally high (74%) among anglers fishing community lakes. Logistic regression analysis showed that harvest rate, anglers targeting trout, familiarity with tAuthorsMichael J. Greiner, David O. Lucchesi, Steven R. Chipps, Larry M. GigliottiImpacts of Northern Pike on stocked Rainbow Trout in Pactola Reservoir, South Dakota
Establishment of nonnative Northern Pike Esox lucius in Pactola Reservoir, South Dakota, has prompted concern among biologists about the influence of this species on the lake’s intensively managed salmonid fisheries. Ancedotal information suggests that catch rates of Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss have declined while mean size and abundance of Northern Pike has increased, although quantitativeAuthorsNatalie C. Scheibel, Daniel J. Dembkowski, Jacob L. Davis, Steven R. ChippsMink predation on brown trout in a Black Hills stream
In the early 2000’s, declines in the brown trout (Salmo trutta) fishery in Rapid Creek, South Dakota, caused concern for anglers and fisheries managers. We conducted a radio telemetry study in 2010 and 2011 to identify predation mortality associated with mink, using hatchery-reared (2010) or wild (2011) brown trout. Estimated predation rates by mink (Mustela vison) on radio-tagged brown trout werAuthorsJacob L. Davis, Jerry W. Wilhite, Steven R. ChippsInvertebrates in managed waterfowl marshes
Invertebrates are an important food for breeding, migrating, and wintering waterfowl. Sparse study has been devoted to understanding the influence of waterfowl and wetland management on production of invertebrates for waterfowl foods; however, manipulation of hydrology and soils may change or enhance production. Fish can compete with waterfowl for invertebrate forage in wetlands and harm aquatic mAuthorsJoshua D. Stafford, Adam K. Janke, Elisabeth B. Webb, Steven R. Chipps