Nick Voss

Degree Held

B.S., Wildlife Biology, University of Montana, 2016

Degree Sought

M.S., Fish and Wildlife Management, Montana State University

Advisors

Dr. Alexander Zale
Dr. Robert Al-Chokhachy

Current Research

My research focuses on the distribution and ecology of the Yellowstone River’s rapidly expanding population of non-native Smallmouth Bass. Smallmouth Bass are prolific top-level predators that have severely impacted native fish species across the western U.S. and were recently observed in the Yellowstone’s legendary Paradise Valley, a nationally-celebrated salmonid fishery and stronghold for native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. As Smallmouth Bass become increasingly common in the upper Yellowstone, my graduate research focuses on understanding the role of temperature and discharge in controlling the upstream range boundary of this species. Specifically, I am developing a modeling framework to predict Smallmouth Bass recruitment success based on climatological data. Such tools may shed light on why Smallmouth are where they are today, and where they may be in the future under different climate warming scenarios.