Balancing Fisheries Management and Water Uses for Impounded River Systems

2008 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Predator Population ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Bear Lake ◽  
Bioenergetics Modeling ◽  
Diet Study ◽  
Water Uses

<em>Abstract</em>.—Strawberry Reservoir is Utah’s most important coldwater fishery, sustaining as many as 1.5 million angler-hours annually. Persistent problems with the introduced Utah chub <em>Gila atraria </em>have necessitated two reservoir-wide rotenone treatments. The most recent treatment in 1990 was the largest complete chemical treatment ever attempted to date. In an effort to avoid future rotenone treatments, the current management plan at Strawberry Reservoir includes the use of Bear Lake cutthroat trout <em>Oncorhynchus clarkii utah </em>as a biological controller of Utah chub populations. Gill netting studies, cutthroat population modeling, a year-long diet study, and bioenergetics modeling were used to assess the effectiveness of cutthroat predation in controlling Utah chub populations. Various fishing regulation scenarios have been utilized since the 1990 treatment in an attempt to produce the needed cutthroat predator population for Utah chub control. Earlier (1990–2002), more liberal cutthroat fishing regulations were not effective at creating the necessary predatory cutthroat population. Diet information indicated that large (>508 mm total length) cutthroat were effective predators on the chubs, and a slot limit on cutthroat was enacted in 2003 to produce these larger predators. The current slot limit has created a large population of cutthroat that is larger on average than have previously been documented in the reservoir. Since 2003, overall chub populations have decreased by 61%, and age-1 chubs have decreased by 97%. Diet studies and resulting bioenergetics analyses indicated that cutthroat were responsible for considerable predation pressure on these chubs. The Bear Lake cutthroat have proven to be effective predators on Utah chubs in Strawberry Reservoir, and their predation is likely the major factor in the recent declines in chub numbers. However, adequate protection from overharvest needed to be provided so that a large population of large cutthroat predators could be produced.

Balancing Fisheries Management and Water Uses for Impounded River Systems

2008 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Fishery Management ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
The Public ◽  
Management Objectives ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Flexible Management ◽  
Water Uses

<em>Abstract</em>.—Effective means to directly engage the public in determining reservoir fishery management objectives and strategies is a common challenge to managers. This paper examines the experiences and lessons acquired from three separate situations in which citizen advisory committees were used to assist fishery management biologists in resolving conflicts and setting management objectives for three lakes in Arkansas. Benefits included a better understanding on both the part of anglers and agency biologists of their respective motivations and preferences, a greater sense of shared ownership of solutions, and a well-defined but flexible management plan. The effectiveness of citizen advisory committees was challenged by dissent and mistrust among advisory committee members, failure of committee members to communicate management plans outside the committee proper, political intervention, and the threat to agency credibility if the agreed plans fail to be implemented. Citizen advisory committees can be an effective tool for crafting reservoir fishery management plans.

Metabolic performance and thermal preference of Westslope Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi and non-native trout across an ecologically relevant range of temperatures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille J. Macnaughton ◽  
Travis C. Durhack ◽  
Neil J. Mochnacz ◽  
Eva C. Enders
Keyword(s):  
Brook Trout ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Intermittent Flow ◽  
Performance Curve ◽  
Westslope Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Thermal Niche ◽  
Preferred Temperatures ◽  
Metabolic Performance

The physiology and behaviour of fish are strongly affected by ambient water temperature. Physiological traits related to metabolism, such as aerobic scope (AS), can be measured across temperature gradients and the resulting performance curve reflects the thermal niche that fish can occupy. We measured AS of Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 22°C and compared temperature preference (Tpref) of the species to non-native Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout. Intermittent-flow respirometry experiments demonstrated that metabolic performance of Westslope Cutthroat Trout was optimal at ~15 °C and decreased substantially beyond this temperature, until lethal temperatures at ~25 °C. Adjusted preferred temperatures across species (Tpref) were comparatively high, ranging from 17.8-19.9 °C, with the highest Tpref observed for Westslope Cutthroat Trout. Results suggest that although Westslope Cutthroat Trout is considered a cold-water species, they do not prefer or perform as well in cold water (≤ 10°C), thus, can occupy a warmer thermal niche than previously thought. The metabolic performance curve (AS) can be used to develop species‐specific thermal criteria to delineate important thermal habitats and guide conservation and recovery actions for Westslope Cutthroat Trout.

scholarly journals Hybridization of Snake River Cutthroat in the Lower Gros Ventre River

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 110-113
Author(s):  
Ryan Kovach ◽  
Lisa Eby
Keyword(s):  
Exotic Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarki ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Water Diversions ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Special Concern

The cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki is Wyoming's only native trout. The Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) is designated as a "species of special concern" by a number of agencies and conservation groups. Although the Yellowstone cutthroat trout has recently avoided federal listing because of robust headwater populations (USFWS 2006), they face continued threats across their range. The fine-spotted Snake River native trout is a morphologically divergent ecotype of the Yellowstone subspecies, although it is not genetically distinguishable (Allendorf and Leary 1988, Novak et al. 2005). The Gros Ventre, an important tributary of the Snake River located partially in Grand Teton National Park, historically supported robust populations of fine­ spotted Snake River cutthroat trout. Principal threats to Gros Ventre native trout, especially in the lower end of the drainage within the park boundaries, include both water diversions (loss of water and fish into irrigation ditches) and presence of exotic species.

Morphological and genetic concordance of cutthroat trout diversification from western North America

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest R Keeley ◽  
Janet L Loxterman ◽  
Sammy L Matsaw ◽  
Zacharia M Njoroge ◽  
Meredith B Seiler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Phenotypic Variability ◽  
Sequence Divergence ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Distance Measures ◽  
Western North America ◽  
Morphological Comparison ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Mtdna Sequence

The cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarkii (Richardson, 1836), is one of the most widely distributed species of freshwater fish in western North America. Occupying a diverse range of habitats, they exhibit significant phenotypic variability that is often recognized by intraspecific taxonomy. Recent molecular phylogenies have described phylogenetic diversification across cutthroat trout populations, but no study has provided a range-wide morphological comparison of taxonomic divisions. In this study, we used linear and geometric-based morphometrics to determine if phylogenetic and subspecies divisions correspond to morphological variation in cutthroat trout, using replicate populations from throughout the geographic range of the species. Our data indicate significant morphological divergence of intraspecific categories in some, but not all, cutthroat trout subspecies. We also compare morphological distance measures with distance measures of mtDNA sequence divergence. DNA sequence divergence was positively correlated with morphological distance measures, indicating that morphologically more similar subspecies have lower sequence divergence in comparison to morphologically distant subspecies. Given these results, integrating both approaches to describing intraspecific variation may be necessary for developing a comprehensive conservation plan in wide-ranging species.

The interactive effects of stream temperature, stream size, and non-native species on Yellowstone cutthroat trout

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Al-Chokhachy ◽  
Mike Lien ◽  
Bradley B. Shepard ◽  
Brett High
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Stream Temperature ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Stream Size ◽  
Native Salmonids

Climate change and non-native species are considered two of the biggest threats to native salmonids in North America. We evaluated how non-native salmonids and stream temperature and discharge were associated with Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) distribution, abundance, and body size, to gain a more complete understanding of the existing threats to native populations. Allopatric Yellowstone cutthroat trout were distributed across a wide range of average August temperatures (3.2 to 17.7ºC), but occurrence significantly declined at colder temperatures (<10 ºC) with increasing numbers of non-natives. At warmer temperatures occurrence remained high, despite sympatry with non-natives. Yellowstone cutthroat trout relative abundance was significantly reduced with increasing abundance of non-natives, with the greatest impacts at colder temperatures. Body sizes of large Yellowstone cutthroat trout (90th percentile) significantly increased with warming temperatures and larger stream size, highlighting the importance of access to these more productive stream segments. Considering multiple population-level attributes demonstrates the complexities of how native salmonids (such as Yellowstone cutthroat trout) are likely to be affected by shifting climates.

Balancing Fisheries Management and Water Uses for Impounded River Systems

2008 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Reservoir Management ◽  
The United States ◽  
River Systems ◽  
Interstate Disputes ◽  
Water Uses

<em>Abstract</em>.—Litigation regarding reservoir management is increasingly common. I used a range of examples in the United States to show that such litigation is generally ineffective and that most stakeholders can achieve better results through negotiated solutions. This article provides a brief introduction to this type of litigation and illustrates some of its basic limitations. Examples are drawn from several recent interstate disputes of the United States.

Balancing Fisheries Management and Water Uses for Impounded River Systems

2008 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Genetic Variability ◽  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
State Agencies ◽  
River Systems ◽  
Public Pressure ◽  
Rearing Techniques ◽  
Water Uses

<em>Abstract</em>.—Thirteen United States fishery agencies utilized routine supplemental stocking as a means to manage largemouth bass <em>Micropterus salmoides </em>populations in large (>405-ha) reservoirs. State agencies stocking largemouth bass used two strains (i.e., northern and Florida) as well as intergrades. Largemouth bass for stocking were raised in hatcheries, lakeside nursery ponds, or both. Among states, methods used to monitor fish in hatchery ponds and lakeside nursery ponds, the date ponds were drained, and methods to enumerate fish from the ponds varied. Although most states cited bolstering weak year-classes as their main reason for routine stocking, others noted increasing genetic variability within populations and public pressure as reasons that their agencies stocked large reservoirs with largemouth bass. As agencies continue to respond to public pressures for larger fish, they should consider the possible consequences of mixing stocks of largemouth bass. With continued development of agency rearing techniques, especially in lakeside nursery ponds, methods to enumerate fish should be considered to aid in future stocking evaluations. Improved rearing and stocking techniques will allow fisheries managers to utilize resource dollars in a way that provides benefit to anglers while ensuring the sustainability of largemouth bass populations.

Balancing Fisheries Management and Water Uses for Impounded River Systems

2008 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Release Site ◽  
Single Site ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Black Bass ◽  
Spotted Bass ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Population Effects ◽  
Water Uses ◽  
Negative Population

<em>Abstract</em>.—In Lake Martin (16,000 ha), Alabama, black bass <em>Micropterus </em>spp. tournaments occur nearly every weekend at a single site (Wind Creek State Park [WCSP]), which could cause fish to accumulate at this release site and potentially cause negative impacts to the population. Over a 7-month period, nearly 6,600 tour-nament-caught largemouth bass <em>M. salmoides </em>and spotted bass <em>M. punctulatus </em>were injected with a coded wire tag at different body locations before release at WCSP. After release, black bass were collected with electrofishing up to 1.5 years following release at 0–10 km from the release site and scanned for a tag. Although variable, a substantial proportion (10–70%) of tournament-caught black bass comprised the black bass population within 3 km of WCSP up to 3 months after release. After 3 months, proportions of tagged black bass within 10 km of WCSP decreased dramatically and by an order of magnitude after 1 year, which strongly suggested that these fish dispersed from WCSP. Over a 2- to 70-d period after release from a tournament, relative weights of tournament-released black bass were typically less than fish not released in tournaments. In addition, we collected and aged black bass throughout Lake Martin; relative weights of both black bass species were less and spotted bass growth was lower within 10 km of WCSP compared to other regions of Lake Martin. Even though black bass dispersed from the WCSP release site, these negative population effects were attributed to the constant translocation and accumulation of tournament-caught fish in this region of Lake Martin. In water bodies such as Lake Martin where mass translocation of black bass occurs annually at a single site, the use of live-release boats to transport tournament-caught black bass and the promotion and use of alternative release sites should be encouraged to reduce possible localized negative population effects.

Balancing Fisheries Management and Water Uses for Impounded River Systems

2008 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Flood Control ◽  
Fishing Pressure ◽  
Subjective Ratings ◽  
Behavioral Alterations ◽  
Western North Carolina ◽  
Boat Traffic ◽  
Fishing Behavior ◽  
Water Uses

<em>Abstract</em>.—We examined perceptions of and responses to crowding by boat anglers on hydropower and flood-control reservoirs in western North Carolina by reviewing angler opinion information obtained during year-long creel surveys conducted 1997–2006. Interview topics included subjective ratings of crowding on the day of interview, boating safety concerns, alterations to fishing trips due to crowding, types of behavioral alterations used to avoid crowding, and incidence of night fishing. Angler perceptions of crowding and resulting changes in fishing behavior were typically higher in warmer months and on reservoirs with greater fishing pressure. However, boat anglers on reservoirs with high fishing pressure but low nonfishing boat traffic reported fewer crowding concerns than on reservoirs with more diverse boating use. Spatial responses to crowding were reported on all waters and included fishing coves, diverting fishing trips to less-crowded reservoirs, and leaving the reservoir to avoid crowds. Temporal responses to crowding were more common on heavily used reservoirs and included fishing at night, avoiding weekends, and avoiding summer months. We recommend focusing access improvements on enhancements for off-season and night fishing, including improved access-area lighting and low-water ramps and docks.

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