Connor Cunningham

PIT Tag Monitoring & Infrastructure

• Monitor Bull Trout, Steelhead, and Salmon populations using PIT tag technology.
• Construct, operate, and maintain PIT tag interrogation sites (n = ~50).
• Improve and develop PIT tag detection infrastructure and methodologies.
• Manage, manipulate, and analyze PIT tag data using PTAGIS and associated software.
• Evaluate population trends, habitat improvement project effectiveness, etc., using PIT tag data.
• Inform stakeholders of current PIT tag trends via reports, presentations, and informal communications.

Acoustic Telemetry

• Conduct acoustic telemetry studies on Bull Trout.
• Perform surgical implantation of acoustic tags (Vemco & JSATS).
• Deploy, operate, and retrieve acoustic receivers in various aquatic environments.
• Manage, manipulate, and analyze acoustic telemetry data to assess fish movement and behavior.

Trap and Haul Operations

• Collect Bull Trout using various methods (Hook and line, tangle net, weir).
• Collect and transport genetic samples according to established protocols.
• Implant PIT tags in captured fish for tracking purposes.
• Coordinate trap and haul logistics through intra and interagency communication.

Mussel Surveys

• Conduct large-scale eDNA collection and sampling for mussel surveys.
• Perform visual snorkel surveys for various mussel species, including kayaking in small woody streams.

Gold Creek Monitoring

• Executed Gold Creek Bull Trout snorkel surveys, including night snorkeling/hiking and underwater species identification.

North Fork Tieton Parentage Study

• Led juvenile Bull Trout electrofishing, night snorkeling/dip netting, and genetics sampling.

Cle Elum Sockeye Smolt Trap and Haul

• Set and fished Oneida nets
• Coordinated USFWS, WDFW, Yakama Nation, and Bureau of Reclamation
• Trained staff and volunteers on how to operate and collect smolts from nets

Various

• Perform Bull Trout dewatering rescues and redd surveys.
• Assist with flume construction for fish passage.
• Assist BOR staff with fish recovery in irrigation infrastructure
• Assist Hatchery staff with various tasks

Administrative & Logistics

• Hold and manage purchase and travel cards with associated responsibilities.
• Develop and write technical reports and summaries.
• Schedule field and office work for self and potentially technicians.
• Participate in required trainings.
• Maintain equipment including boats, vehicles, and sampling gear.
• Attend and contribute to various inter and intra-agency meetings.

• Assisted with duties described under the Fisheries Biologist role during transition period, supporting ongoing projects.

• Supervised field technicians conducting creel surveys.
• Conducted creel surveys, engaging with anglers and the public.
• Performed data entry, management, and manipulation.
• Detected and removed coded wire tags (CWT) from sampled fish.
• Measured fish, collected scale and genetic samples.
• Operated remote camera traps for monitoring purposes.
• Conducted redd surveys for Steelhead and Pacific Lamprey.
• Operated catarafts for river access and surveys.
• Assisted with hatchery operations and fish culture (cleaning & feeding).
• Operated fish traps and ladders for monitoring and broodstock collection.
• Collected broodstock using tangle nets and angling methods.
• Performed live and dead spawning procedures.
• Reviewed fisheries management plans.

Research Projects

Evaluating Hooking Mortality of Rainbow Trout (White/Norfork River, AR)

• Supervised and mentored undergraduate volunteers during field sampling.
• Interacted with anglers and the public to gather data and provide project information.
• Applied Floy tags to track individual fish survival and movement.
• Operated, maintained, and trailered jet boats for river access.
• Managed project planning and logistics for field campaigns.
• Authored technical reports and contributed to publications.
• Managed data entry and performed statistical analysis.
• Designed experiments and constructed specialized sampling gear.
• Developed management recommendations based on research findings.

Tailwater Brown Trout Standard Weight Equation & Length-Categorization Standards

• Communicated with various state agencies to acquire and share data.
• Manipulated and interpreted large datasets for analysis.
• Performed statistical analysis to develop weight-length relationships.
• Authored technical reports detailing methods and findings.

Assessment of Hypoxia Related Mortality of Striped Bass Fishery (Norfork Lake, AR)

• Conducted boat electrofishing surveys to sample Striped Bass populations.
• Extracted, mounted, and processed otoliths for age determination.
• Monitored dissolved oxygen levels and fish respiration rates.
• Assessed survival rates in relation to environmental conditions.
• Collected age and length data for population analysis.

Investigating Vital Rates of Upper Mississippi River Fishes

• Assessed vital rates (growth, mortality) of select fish species.
• Collaborated with USFWS, USACE, USGS, UMER Ctr, and multiple state DNRs (MN, WI, IA, IL, MO).
• Extracted, processed, and aged otoliths from various fish species.
• Analyzed population distribution and habitat use patterns.

Crappie Population Demographics (Tablerock and Stockton Lake)

• Collaborated with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC).
• Extracted, processed, and aged otoliths from Crappie.
• Developed and applied population models to assess demographics.

Fish Community Characteristic and Assemblage (Big Piney and Gasconade Rivers)

• Sampled fish communities using various gears (hoop nets, fyke nets, electrofishing).
• Operated shallow water jet boats in riverine environments.
• Managed data entry for community analysis.

Investigation of Asian Carp (Neosho River)

• Interacted with the public and obtained landowner permission for access.
• Operated electrofishing boat for invasive species surveys and removal.
• Removed invasive Asian Carp species.
• Extracted otoliths and collected gametes for research purposes.
• Monitored the distribution of invasive species.

Teaching Assistant Roles

• Ichthyology
• Principals of Wildlife Management
• Fisheries Management
• Intro to Biology

• Monitored habitat of ESA listed Salmonids using PACFISH/INFISH Biological Opinion (PIBO) protocols.
• Conducted extensive stream habitat monitoring and assessment surveys.
• Planned logistics for extended backcountry stays (80+ hr. hitches), ensuring crew safety and efficiency.
• Collaborated effectively within small crews in remote settings with limited supervisor communication.
• Performed physically demanding fieldwork (50+ miles hiking/week) in challenging terrain, including bear country.

• Conducted eDNA sampling and backpack electrofishing surveys in streams to assess trout populations.
• Identified fish species encountered during surveys.
• Collected water quality and chemistry samples using field meters (e.g., YSI).
• Collected macroinvertebrate samples for water quality assessment.
• Performed rapid habitat evaluations using standardized protocols.
• Deployed and retrieved trotlines and gillnets for fish community sampling.

Publication

Cunningham, C., Graham, C., Kim, H., Phelps, Q. (2022). Rainbow Trout Growth and Survival on the Beaver Tailwater in Arkansas. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

Technical Reports

USFWS. (2024). Yakima Bull Trout Trap, Transport, and Monitoring Project.

Interagency. (2024). 2024 Annual Report for USFWS Section 10 ES Recovery Permit #ES38362D-2.

USFWS. (2023). Yakima Bull Trout Trap, Transport, and Monitoring Project.

USFWS. (2022). Yakima Bull Trout Trap, Transport, and Monitoring Project.

Presentation

Cunningham, C. (2025). PIT Tag Monitoring of KRD Supplementation Streams - 2024 Kittitas Reclamation District Annual Meeting. Ellensburg, WA.

Cunningham, C. (2024). Maintaining Connectivity using Trap and Haul for Yakima Basin Bull Trout Salvelinus Confluentus Curiosity Society. Winthrop, WA.

Cunningham, C. (2023). Kachess Reservoir Acoustic Telemetry. Bull Trout Work Group Meeting. Yakima, WA.

Cunningham, C. (2021). Rainbow Trout Growth and Survival on the Beaver Tailwater in Arkansas. National American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. Baltimore, MD.

Professional Volunteer Experience

• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Capture and tagging of Walleye in the Columbia River.
• Arkansas Game and Fish Commission: Norfork River & Dry Run Creek seasonal Trout population assessments, Striped Bass fish kill investigations, Freeze branding/marking (Brown Trout), PIT tagging (Brown, Rainbow, Cutthroat Trout).
• Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge: Electrofishing (native Brook Trout), Physical removal (non-native Brown Trout).
• West Virginia University Graduate Students: Brook Trout electrofishing, Hematocrit testing (minnow spp.), Smallmouth Bass gastric lavage & BIA, Smallmouth scale collection/preparation/aging.

General Volunteer Work

• Stream Clean-Ups
• Project Healing Waters - Guiding
• Trout Unlimited - Stocking, habitat restoration
• Bass Pro Outdoor Days - Verbal presentations and outreach