The goal of this research project is to address key uncertainties regarding the food habits of non-native predators in the lower Columbia River during the late summer and fall.  We will describe the role of juvenile American shad in the diet of non-native fish predators in terms of any impacts on their health and condition.  In addition, the project aims to evaluate the potential efficacy of localized reductions of smallmouth bass for predation control.  The project has the following specific objectives:

Document the food habits and physiological condition of smallmouth bass, walleye, and channel catfish in three reservoirs of the lower Columbia River during the late summer and fall; and
Describe and compare relative density and diet of smallmouth bass between sites perceived to be "hot spots" and other nearby sites.

Project results should contribute to a food-web based analysis of the lower Columbia River, should such an effort be undertaken in the future.  Research activities reflect the combined efforts by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Geological Survey (BPA project 2008-719-00), both of which have a long history of conducting predation research in the Columbia River Basin.  Collectively, the results from this study should provide managers with some key information to assess the need for actions to control or mitigate for the predatory impact of non-native piscivores on juvenile salmonids.