Variation in angler distribution and catch rates of stocked rainbow trout in a small reservoir

Brian S Harmon; Dustin R Martin; Christopher J Chizinski; Kevin L Pope

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0190745

Variation in angler distribution and catch rates of stocked rainbow trout in a small reservoir

PLoS One. 2018 Jan 11;13(1):e0190745. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190745. eCollection 2018.

Authors

Brian S Harmon¹, Dustin R Martin¹, Christopher J Chizinski², Kevin L Pope³

Affiliations

¹ Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States of America.
² School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States of America.
³ U.S. Geological Survey-Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States of America.

Abstract

We investigated the spatial and temporal relationship of catch rates and angler party location for two days following a publicly announced put-and-take stocking of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Catch rates declined with time since stocking and distance from stocking. We hypothesized that opportunity for high catch rates would cause anglers to fish near the stocking location and disperse with time, however distance between angler parties and stocking was highly variable at any given time. Spatially explicit differences in catch rates can affect fishing quality. Further research could investigate the variation between angler distribution and fish distribution within a waterbody.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Conservation of Natural Resources
Models, Theoretical
Oncorhynchus mykiss*
Population Dynamics

Grants and funding

All project funding was provided by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration project F-182-R, which was administered by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Kevin L. Pope’s salary was provided by U.S. Geological Survey, and office and laboratory space was provided by the University of Nebraska. Non-financial support was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Management Institute. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.