Evaluation of Muskellunge Management and Stocking Strategies in Iowa | W81EWF 26 SOI 0005

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity trying to accomplish?

This opportunity supports a multi-year applied research project focused on improving how muskellunge (musky) are produced, stocked, and managed in Iowa lakes and reservoirs, including waters managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The main objective is to identify stocking approaches that lead to better survival, retention (keeping fish in the intended waterbody), and long-term fishery outcomes, so limited hatchery and management resources can be used more efficiently.

What are the expected real-world benefits of the project?

The project is intended to translate research into on-the-ground improvements, including higher-quality musky fisheries, improved angler success, and stronger recreational and economic benefits for communities near stocked lakes and reservoirs. The work also aims to increase the likelihood that stocked fish remain in the system long enough to reach trophy sizes and be available to anglers.

What is the key deliverable mentioned in the opportunity?

A central deliverable is an evidence-based update to Iowa's Muskellunge Management Plan (Meerbeek, 2014). The update is expected to reflect findings from the study and provide actionable guidance for stocking and management decisions, including lessons that could apply to USACE reservoirs and similar systems beyond Iowa.

How is the study organized?

The study is organized into three main tasks:

• Task 1: Population dynamics after stocking (survival, movement, habitat use, and escapement), including testing and refining stocking approaches through adaptive management.
• Task 2: Identifying lake/reservoir conditions that drive successful musky establishment and fishery performance, supporting more system-specific management criteria.
• Task 3: Project management and cooperative framework, including oversight by USACE and implementation with Iowa DNR and a CESU partner.

What does Task 1 focus on?

Task 1 focuses on what happens to musky after they are stocked, particularly survival, movement, habitat use, and escapement (fish leaving the intended system). The work includes tagging fish prior to stocking and monitoring fish behavior and inferred mortality after release using telemetry methods.

How will the muskellunge be tagged and monitored?

Before any fish are stocked, all muskellunge will be tagged with PIT tags. A subset of fish will also receive acoustic or radio transmitters. After stocking, monitoring will use acoustic receiver arrays and manual tracking of radio-tagged fish. Mortality is inferred from changes in movement patterns observed through telemetry.

Which fish culture and pre-stocking rearing methods will be compared?

The project compares multiple culture and pre-stocking rearing approaches, including:

• Traditionally raised fish (pond overwintering with live forage)
• Fish produced in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and fed pellets
• RAS fish given live forage for a short period (about two weeks) prior to stocking

What is meant by "adaptive management" in this project?

The project is designed as adaptive management, meaning early results will be used to refine stocking practices and then those refinements will be evaluated in the next year. An example provided is testing different stocking delivery methods such as shoreline ramp stocking versus offshore stocking, then using subsequent monitoring to determine whether the adjustments improved outcomes.

How will the project identify better stocking locations and habitat constraints?

Telemetry data collected after fish are stocked will be used to pinpoint effective stocking locations and to identify habitat features that may be limiting success. The information is also intended to highlight where habitat enhancements might improve musky survival and retention.

Why is escapement a concern, and how will the project address it?

Escapement can undermine stocking investments because fish may leave the intended lake or reservoir. The project will examine how factors like outlet design and system size affect losses. It will also develop recommendations with USACE regarding barrier options to improve retention where feasible.

What does Task 2 focus on?

Task 2 focuses on understanding which lake or reservoir conditions drive successful musky establishment and fishery performance. This includes habitat sampling and fisheries surveys across Iowa systems (including USACE sites) to evaluate factors such as water quality, habitat structure, and prey availability.

How will Task 2 influence future stocking decisions?

Task 2 is intended to move management away from a one-size-fits-all approach and toward system-specific stocking and management criteria. The goal is to help Iowa DNR target stockings where they are most likely to succeed and tailor approaches based on local constraints identified through surveys and sampling.

Will the project consider barriers to reduce escapement in current and future musky waters?

Yes. As part of Task 2 planning work, the project will assess the feasibility of barriers to reduce escapement in current and future musky waters, taking into account hydrology, environmental impacts, and operational constraints.

What is the expected output from Task 2?

The expected output is a comprehensive, actionable stocking and management plan for Iowa that updates the existing state management plan and aligns with USACE recreation and conservation goals. The opportunity also notes that the resulting framework could serve as a model for improving stocking outcomes in reservoirs nationwide.

What does Task 3 cover?

Task 3 covers project management and the cooperative framework used to deliver the work. USACE will manage the effort under the Planning Assistance to States program and hold regular stakeholder meetings to review technical progress, budgets, and evolving study needs.

Who will carry out the evaluation and implementation work?

The evaluation and implementation will be conducted jointly by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) and the selected CESU partner, using the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) structure to bring in additional expertise and capacity.

What reporting requirements are described?

Iowa DNR will document match contributions (including in-kind labor) and submit annual reports to USACE by October 15 each year. Each annual report covers the prior July through June period. USACE and Iowa DNR will also establish quality control requirements consistent with USACE standards.

What type of award is this (grant, contract, etc.)?

This is described as a discretionary cooperative agreement (not a contract).

How many awards are expected?

One award is expected.

What is the maximum funding amount?

The maximum funding level is $155,000.

Who is administering the opportunity?

The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC).

What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

CFDA 12.630.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is restricted to non-federal partners of the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU). Only organizations within that CESU network can apply.

What is the funding opportunity number?

W81EWF 26 SOI 0005.

What is the application deadline?

June 29, 2026.

Does the project include USACE-managed waters?

Yes. The project explicitly includes Iowa lakes and reservoirs, including waters managed by USACE.

Why does the opportunity discuss recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)?

The project explicitly explores the broader value of RAS production as hatcheries face increasing stress from extreme weather, water shortages, invasive species, and rising demand for stocked fish. RAS is positioned as a potentially more resilient and scalable tool for supporting recreational fisheries tied to USACE projects.

What kinds of monitoring technologies will be used after stocking?

The opportunity describes the use of acoustic receiver arrays and manual tracking of radio-tagged fish. These tools are used to monitor movement and behavior, and mortality is inferred from changes in movement patterns.

What kinds of management recommendations might come out of this work?

Based on the described tasks, the project may produce recommendations on stocking methods (including refinements tested through adaptive management), effective stocking locations, habitat features that limit success and where enhancements could help, and barrier options (where feasible) to reduce escapement and improve retention.

Is the project intended to be useful outside Iowa?

Yes. While the work is focused on Iowa waters, the opportunity emphasizes producing lessons applicable to USACE reservoirs and similar systems beyond Iowa, and suggests the framework could serve as a model for improving stocking outcomes in reservoirs nationwide.