CSB/SJU Summer Research

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Stumpf Lake and Lake Sagatagan

Summer 2019 kicks off summer research at St. John's University!



This year we are analyzing length at age for Northern Pike (Esox lucius) on Stumpf Lake as well as Large Mouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) on Lake Sagatagan (Left)

Cross-section of Pike anal fin ray. This fish is aged 4 years

These campus lakes lack public launches and have lower fishing pressure than surrounding lakes.  We expect to see differences in length and age for these campus fishes when compared to similar local lakes that receive higher fishing pressure.  For aging structures, we are using a non-lethal method for Pike which uses anal fin rays.  For Largemouth Bass, fin rays do not reflect true age, so standard sagittal otolith methods are being used.

An otolith from a Largemouth Bass aged 17 years

Assisting with this research is Paige Folkerts, a Senior bio major from the College of Saint Benedict. Paige is a pre-vet student who has had an interest in fish from a young age.  She currently holds the record for the largest Pike (28") and smallest Pike (12") caught on Stumpf Lake. Paige has assisted in collection of Pike with different gear types, will be analyzing age structures on both Bass and Pike, and will create a poster to present her findings (coming soon). Additionally, Dr. Jen Schaeffer's research assistant, Amanda Bevan, is helping with Pike collection and is interested in pursuing a career in neuroscience.

Paige Folkerts and a 28" Northern Pike

Amanda Bevan determines length

Bass were collected early spring (55º surface) by electroshock with the help of Joe Stewig, the Sauk Rapids Area Supervisor.  We collected 44 Large Mouth Bass. Joe was kind enough to give a demonstration on electrofishing and take students out to net the fishes. Students also assisted in recording catch numbers, length and helped remove otoliths. 

Matt Captain (summer researcher) nets a LMB

Joe Stewig collects otoliths

Jess Torrison holds a 21" LMB

Pike have been collected via Fyke netting and angling.  Currently, we have 41 Pike and would like to have 2 fish per inch designation by the end of the summer. 

Additionally, we are also looking at how the gear type used for collection affects lactate levels in Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus). This study is ongoing. 

Updates soon!