study Area 



The study area included streams and rivers in northwest Montana 

 (Figures 1 and 2) primarily on lands in the Kootenai National 

 Forest. An additional 7 sites were sampled on streams in the 

 Flathead National Forest in an area adjacent to Kootenai National 

 Forest lands along the Stillwater River (Figures 2 and 3) . Study 

 sites were selected based on previous sampling of the watersheds 

 of the Kootenai and Flathead National Forests. Forest maps from 

 these National Forests were used to define watershed boundaries 

 within the study area. A broad spectrum of habitat types were 

 sampled. Most of the sample sites were recommended by Doug 

 Perkinson from the Kootenai National Forest, Don Skaar and Mike 

 Hensler from the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and Dave 

 Center from the Montana Natural Heritage Program. Others were 

 deduced from geomorphic features of candidate watersheds. 



Methods 



Various sampling techniques were experimented with in 1991 

 (Gangemi 1992) and repeated in 1992. Minnow traps and 

 electroshocking, in combination with the D-net, were the primary 

 techniques utilized in 1992. Minnow traps, measuring 40.6 cm in 

 length and 22.9 cm in height at the center, were used to sample 

 sculpin in lakes. Several holes were drilled in 35mm plastic 

 film canisters and then were filled with canned dog food. One 

 canister, with several large gravel particles (when possible, 

 with attached benthic macroinvertebrates) were placed inside each 

 trap. These baited traps were then used for a minimum 24 hour 

 set. 



Most lotic study sites were selectively sampled using a Smithroot 

 model 12 electroshocker. Electroshocker output ranged from 4 to 

 900 volts direct current depending on the conductivity of the 

 sample stream. The frequency of DC output remained at 60 pulses 

 per second for all streams sampled. Each habitat type present at 

 a particular site (i.e. pool, run, riffle, backwater and various 

 substrate types) was sampled with the shocker to assess the 

 micro-habitat preferences of the sculpin species. D-nets were 

 used in conjunction with the electroshocker. 



Sculpin were identified and temporarily labeled in the field. 

 Sample quantity ranged from 5 to 10 sculpin depending on sculpin 

 abundance and the opportunity for longitudinal sampling on the 

 same stream. At the field base, specimens were fixed in formalin 

 for 24 to 3 6 hours. Sculpin were then thoroughly rinsed and 

 preserved in 70% ETOH. All specimens were delivered to Dr. 

 William Could of Montana State University (and others) who will 

 verify the field identification. Sculpin for electrophoretic 

 analysis were forwarded to the University of Montana. 



