A Yellow Bullhead catfish peeking out from rocks. Image credit: Garold W. Sneegas/USGS
Even at night, Minnesota's lakes are getting noisier and brighter. While research shows that recreational boating and shoreline docks disrupt daytime sport fish, little is known about how this 24/7 sensory overload affects nocturnal species. This project will learn how underwater noise and artificial light impact the nighttime feeding habits of the Yellow Bullhead. Researchers plan to set up underwater cameras, speakers, and lights in a perfectly quiet reference lake to learn how these human disturbances disrupt nocturnal life under the surface, helping understand how to protect lake life after hours.
Funding
This project is supported by a Minnesota Sea Grant 2026 Fast-Track Grant.
Project team
Lead Principal Investigator:
Trevor Keyler, Ph.D.
[email protected]
Assistant Professor of Biology
College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University
Co-Principal Investigator:
Brooke Vetter, Ph.D.
[email protected]
Assistant Professor of Biology
University of St. Thomas
Why Sea Grant?
This project supports Minnesota Sea Grant's focus area in Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture.
Uncovering how nighttime noise and light pollution disrupt native fish behavior will provide fisheries managers with data needed to protect the underlying lake food webs that sustain Minnesota's fishing industry.
Lead scientist(s)
Trevor D. Keyler, Ph.D.
[email protected]
Assistant Professor of Biology
College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University