Restoration in motion: Expanded migration and distribution of silver redhorse Moxostoma anisurum and shorthead redhorse M. macrolepidotum

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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Abstract

Habitat fragmentation poses a significant threat to migratory species. Dams are a common form of fragmentation, and recent restoration efforts around the Great Lakes have prioritized dam removal. We used acoustic telemetry to describe migratory movements of two redhorse species in the Sandusky and Cuyahoga rivers, Ohio, USA in relationship to habitat reconnection. Shorthead redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum) typically migrated from both rivers into Lake Erie between May and July, moving 40–248 km straight-line distance from the river before returning the following spring. We recorded individual cumulative distances up to 809 km between spawning seasons. Shorthead redhorse demonstrated tributary fidelity, but individuals from both rivers co-occurred along southern Lake Erie. Silver redhorse (M. anisurum) largely remained in their tagging tributary watersheds year-round. Cuyahoga River silver redhorse moved upstream from March to April 28.8 km on average and passed upstream of the historical Brecksville Dam (removed in 2020), occasionally reaching the next upstream dam. Telemetry data revealed redhorse use of newly available habitat upstream of dam removals and previously undescribed long-range adfluvial migration by shorthead redhorse.

Suggested Citation

Bonjour, S.M., Roberts, J.J., Mills, M.A., Walters, D., Mueller, A.T., Fischer, N.D., Trimbath, R.J., Wagner, C.P., Jenkins, P.I., and Acre, M.R., 2026, Restoration in motion: Expanded migration and distribution of silver redhorse Moxostoma anisurum and shorthead redhorse M. macrolepidotum: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, v. 83, p. 1-13, https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2025-0330.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Restoration in motion: Expanded migration and distribution of silver redhorse Moxostoma anisurum and shorthead redhorse M. macrolepidotum
Series title Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
DOI 10.1139/cjfas-2025-0330
Volume 83
Publication Date May 06, 2026
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher Canadian Science Publishing
Contributing office(s) Columbia Environmental Research Center, Great Lakes Science Center
Description 13 p.
First page 1
Last page 13
Country United States
State Ohio
Other Geospatial Cuyahoga River, Sandusky River
Additional publication details