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Harry D. Van Meter

Publications and source records attributed to Harry D. Van Meter.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1979

Annotated list of the fishes of the Lake Ontario watershed

This annotated list of the fishes of Lake Ontario and its watershed is based on published distribution records, museum collections, and reports of fish surveys that confirm the occurrence of fish species dating back to the 1850's. It includes 130 forms (129 spp. + the hybrid splake), 20 of which have disappeared or are extremely rare today. Considering species present only in the lake proper, 64 were reported in 1929, and 51 of those remained in 1972-73 (13 having disappeared). Seventeen species and the splake are fishes not known to have occurred in the lake in 1929 or were introduced since then. A list of 86 references pertinent to the study of the fish fauna of the watershed is given. The present list, started in 1972, includes some information from as late as 1976.

Technical Report↗
USGS1978

Movements of walleyes tagged in eastern Lake Erie

In May, October and November of 1968, 2,456 walleyes of various ages were captured, tagged and released in eastern Lake Erie to determine seasonal movement of walleyes in that basin and the degree to which they intermingled with fish of the central and western basins. From 1968 to 1971, 275 of the tagged fish were recovered. Walleyes tagged in the spring on spawning grounds near Barcelona (N.Y.) moved northeasterly along the shore soon after spawning and spent the summer near the Buffalo-Niagara River Inlet area. Later returns indicated that they then reversed their direction of travel in late summer and fall and followed the shoreline back toward the spawning grounds off Barcelona. Young fish, tagged in the fall, also showed this pattern the following year. Westward movement into the central basin was insignificant, and no recoveries were reported from Canadian waters. Therefore, it is concluded that walleye populations in the United States waters of eastern Lake Erie are geographically separate from those in the western basin and that their management should be based on this inference.

New York Fish and Game Journal↗
USGS1973

Unharvested fishes in the U. S. commercial fishery of western Lake Erie in 1969

Potential commercial fish production was estimated for U.S. waters of western Lake Erie in 1969 from pounds landed and pounds discarded. Periodic observations of catches in haul seines and trap nets revealed that about 37% of the catch (by weight) in haul seines and 26% of that in trap nets were low-value fishes that were discarded. Projection of these discarded catches to include the total fishing effort indicated that an additional 2.8 million lb of low-value species would have been landed in 1969 if a reasonable profit had been assured. It is concluded that the sustained yield could be increased considerably with only a moderate increase in fishing effort.

Special Scientific Report - Fisheries↗
USGS1970

An annotated list of the fishes of Lake Erie and its tributary waters exclusive of the Detroit River

Dramatic fluctuations have occurred in the abundance of many species in Lake Erie and its tributary waters in the last century. Some fishes of former economic importance have become commercially extinct. Several species apparently have been extirpated, especially in the tributaries. It is believed that further changes in the abundance of other species will occur in the near future. This publication consolidates the confirmed records of fish species for Lake Erie and its tributaries. One hundred and thirty-eight species of fishes are listed and, where appropriate, brief comments on present and past distribution and abundance and economic status are given. Selected references are listed as additional sources of information for each species.

Ohio Journal of Science↗
USGS1970

A brief history of commercial fishing in Lake Erie

Salient features of the development of the industry from about 1815 to 1968, changes in fishing gears and methods, changes in the kinds and abundance of fishes caught, and the attendant effects of disappearing species on the stability of the fishery are described. The history and present status of the walleye, yellow perch, and eight other fishes, still taken in commercial quantities, are presented in more detail and are considered in the context of their effect on the current moribund state of the U.S. fishery. Past and present contributions of Lake Erie's tributaries and northerly connecting waters to the fishery are outlined briefly. The "outlook" for the fishery under present conditions of selective overfishing for high-value species, excessive pollution, ineffective and uncoordinated regulation, and antiquated methods of handling, processing, and marketing fish are discussed, and possible solutions to these problems are suggested.

Lake Erie↗
USGS1967

Fishery picture changing in Lake Erie: pollution a major factor, survey shows

The objectives of these cruises of the research vessel Musky II in 1965 and 1966 were: To determine changes in the fish population and environmental conditions in recent years; to determine if the geographic and depth distributions of certain species of fish in the summer differed from that in the autumn; and, to obtain much-needed information on the selectivity of experimental gill nets, particularly for the fresh-water drum (sheepshead) and the walleye. In general, the kinds of fishes, and the geographic and depth distribution of the catches in the eastern basin in June, 1966 did not differ greatly from those in September of the preceding year. The numbers of some fishes, however, had changed- the so-called trash fish were more abundant and the more desirable commercial species were less numerous than in 1965. Yellow perch was by far the most abundant species in the catches. Other fishes taken frequently included white suckers, stonecats, white bass, smelt, and walleyes. Sizeable populations of small-mouth bass and fresh-water drum were also found.

Conservationist↗
USGS1960

Lake Erie walleyes--again on the upswing?

SUMMARY The effect of DDT dust on wildlife was studied at Camp Bullis, Bexar County, Texas, in the summer of 1947. Studies were made on a 206.6 acre plot that was treated with DDT for experimental control of the Lone Star tick (Amblyomrna americanum). A dust consisting of one part of DDT to nine parts of pyrophyllite was applied at an average rate of 4.4 pounds of DDT per acre. The limits of DDT concentration that affected wildlife cannot be stated exactly because of a heavy rain that fell near the end of the dusting, and because of irregularity in DDT deposition. Since absolute uniformity of dusting could not be expected in any large scale DDT application, the effects observed in these trials were probably fairly representative. However, continued dry weather would have permitted longer exposure to DDT, possibly with more severe effects than those found in this study. The vegetation of the experimental area was roughly 70 percent ungrazed tall-grass prairie and 30 percent trees and shrubs. Ground and bush feeding birds were severely affected. Cardinals, lark sparrows, field sparrows, Bewick's wrens, Carolina wrens, Kentucky warblers, yellow-breasted chats, blue grosbeaks, and painted buntings were nearly or entirely eliminated from the treated area. Birds affected, but less drastically reduced in numbers, were yellow-billed cuckoo, black and white warbler, yellow-throated vireo, and white-eyed vireo. Birds found dead in the DDT area were 9 cardinals, 2 painted buntings, 2 lark sparrows, 1 yellow-breasted chat, and 1 white-eyed vireo. Bird mortality had begun by the day after dusting and was largely over by the end of the fifth day. Census of deer in DDT and check areas before and after treatment showed no reduction in deer numbers and no diminution in use of the DDT area. No deer or fawns were found dead or affected. Box-trapping of raccoons in DDT and check areas before and after treatment showed no effects that could be attributed to DDT. Limited observations on armadillos, striped skunks, and rabbits gave no indication of pronounced damage to these forms. No mammals of any kind were found dead or affected in or near the DDT area. Four rough green snakes and one Texan spiny lizard were found dead in the DDT area. Mortality was probably high among insectivorous reptiles.

Ohio Conservation Bulletin↗