Fish Population Estimation Methods

Cornell University, in collaboration with DEC, conducts a study on Oneida Lake to estimate fish populations using the mark-recapture method. This involves marking fish by clipping fins, which is non-detrimental, and then releasing them back into the lake. The ratio of marked to unmarked fish helps estimate the total population. Oneida Lake is known for its valuable walleye fishery, and the study aims to monitor population trends over time.

What is the primary method used by Cornell to estimate fish populations in Oneida Lake?

• Mark-recapture

• Tagging and tracking

• Aerial surveys

• Sonar scanning

Who is Tony VanDeValk and what role does he play in the Oneida Lake study?

• A local fisherman

• A research support specialist at Cornell

• A government official

• A fish hatchery manager

Why is it important to know the number of fish in a lake?

• To calculate water quality

• To determine the best fishing spots

• To manage fish populations effectively

• To predict weather patterns

What method is used to mark the fish in Oneida Lake?

• Clipping a fin

• Attaching a tag

• Painting a stripe

• Inserting a microchip

How does fin clipping affect the fish?

• It affects the fish's ability to swim

• It causes permanent damage

• It is harmless and the fin grows back

• It makes the fish more vulnerable to predators

What is the purpose of releasing marked fish back into the lake?

• To track their migration patterns

• To allow them to reproduce

• To estimate the total fish population

• To observe their behavior in the wild

What is the current estimated population of walleye in Oneida Lake?

• 500,000

• 1 million

• 2 million

• 750,000

How often is the mark-recapture study conducted on Oneida Lake?

• Every two years

• Every year

• Every three years

• Every five years

When were the previous high population levels of walleye observed in Oneida Lake?

• In the early 2000s and 2010s

• In the 1990s and 2000s

• In the 1980s and late 1950s

• In the 1970s and 1960s