Dr. George J. Schisler

Dr. George J. Schisler

Aquatic Research Section Leader

Contact Information

Colorado Parks and Wildlife
317 West Prospect Street
Fort Collins, CO 80526
Phone: (970) 472-4361
Fax: (970) 472-4457
Email: george.schisler@state.co.us

• Google Scholar Profile​
• ResearchGate Profile​

Education

• Ph.D., Fishery and Wildlife Biology — Colorado State University, 1999
• M.S., Fishery and Wildlife Biology — Colorado State University, 1995
• B.S., Biology and Fishery Science — University of Alaska, 1992

Current or Recent Positions

• Aquatic Research Chief — Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 2011-Present
• Aquatic Research Scientist — Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 2001-2011
• Post-Doctorate Fellow — Colorado State University, 1999-2000
• Research Associate — Colorado Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 1993-1999

Current or Recent Research Projects

Directs statewide aquatic research activities involving all aspects of native and non-native aquatic wildlife. Supervises a staff of 14 research scientists, hatchery technicians, and support staff. Ongoing research studies include evaluations of various strains of whirling disease resistant rainbow trout for hatchery production re-establishment in the wild.   

Areas of Interest/Expertise

My research interest areas include salmonid reproduction and strain selection, salmonid disease studies, the economic impacts of fisheries in Colorado, and angler creel and mail-in surveys. 

Publications

Erickson, T.A., G.J. Schisler, and E.R. Fetherman. 2023. Poststocking survival and myxospore evaluation of whirling disease‐resistant rainbow trout strains. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 43(2):586-599.

Americus, B., G. J. Schisler,  J.L. Bartholomew, and S.D. Atkinson. 2021. Myxobolus cerebralis causes presporogonic mortality in juvenile mountain whitefish. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 33(2):116-122.

Nehring, G. J. Schisler, L. Chiaramonte, A. Horton, and B. Poole. 2016. Accelerated deactivation of Myxobolus cerebralis myxospores by susceptible and non-susceptible Tubifex tubifex. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 121(1):37-47.

Purdy, P., E.A. Barbosa, C. J. Praamsma, and G. J. Schisler. 2016. Modification of trout sperm membranes associated with activation and cryopreservation. Implications for fertilizing potential. Cryobiology 73(1):73-79.

Nehring, R. B., G. Schisler, L. Chiaramonte, A. Horton, and B. Poole. 2015. Assessment of the long-term viability of the myxospores of Myxobolus cerebralis as determined by production of the actinospores by Tubifex tubifex. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 27(1):50-56.

​Fetherman, E. R., D. L. Winkelman, L. L. Bailey, G. J. Schisler, and K. Davies. 2015. Brown trout removal effects on short-term survival and movement of Myxobolus cerebralis-resistant rainbow trout. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 144:610-626.

Fetherman, E. R., D. L. Winkelman, M. R. Baerwald, and G. J. Schisler. 2014. Survival and reproduction of Myxobolus cerebralis resistant rainbow trout in the Colorado River and increased survival of age-0 progeny. PLoS ONE. 9(5):e96954.

​Fetherman, E.R., D. L. Winkelman, G. J. Schisler, and M. F. Antolin. 2012. Genetic basis of differences in myxospore count between whirling disease-resistant and –susceptible strains of rainbow trout. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 102:97-106.

Baerwald, M. R., Petersen, J. L., Hedrick, R. P., Schisler, G. J., and B. May. 2011. A major effect quantitative trait locus for whirling disease resistance identified in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Heredity. 106:920-926.

Fetherman, E. R., D. L. Winkelman, G. J. Schisler, and C. A. Myrick. 2011. The effects of Myxobolus cerebralis on the physiological performance of whirling disease resistant and susceptible strains of rainbow trout. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 23:169-177.

Schisler, G. J., N. K. M. Vieira, and P. G. Walker. 2008. Application of Household Disinfectants to Control New Zealand Mudsnails. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 28:1172–1176.

Schisler, G. J., K. A. Myklebust, and R. P. Hedrick. 2006. Inheritance of Myxobolus cerebralis resistance among F1-generation crosses of whirling disease resistant and susceptible rainbow trout strains. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 18:109–115.

Schisler, G. J., and E. P. Bergersen. 2002. Evaluation of risk of high elevation Colorado waters to the establishment of Myxobolus cerebralis​. Pages 33-41 in J. L. Bartholomew and J. C. Wilson, editors. Whirling disease: reviews and current topics. American Fisheries Society, Symposium 29, Bethesda, Maryland.

Schisler, G. J., E. P. Bergersen, P. G. Walker, J. Wood, and J. K. Epp. 2001. C​omparison of single-round polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and pepsin-trypsin digest (PTD) methods for detection of Myxobolus cerebralis. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. 45:109-114.

Schisler, G. J. and E. P. Bergersen. 2000. Effects of multiple stressors on morbidity and mortality of fingerling rainbow trout infected with Myxobolus cerebralis. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 129:859-865.

Schisler, G. J., E. P. Bergersen, and P. G. Walker. 1999. Evaluation of chronic gas supersaturation on growth, morbidity, and mortality of fingerling rainbow trout infected with Myxobolus cerebralis. North American Journal of Aquaculture. 61:175- 183.

Schisler, G. J., P. G. Walker, L. A. Chittum, and E. P. Bergersen. 1999. Gill ectoparasites of juvenile rainbow trout in the Upper Colorado River. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. 11:170-174.