Effect of brook trout removal from a spawning stream on an adfluvial population of Lahontan cutthroat trout
North American Journal of Fisheries Management
By: G. Gary Scoppettone, Peter H. Rissler, Sean P. Shea, and William Somer
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Abstract
Independence Lake (Nevada and Sierra counties, California) harbors the only extant native population of Lahontan cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi in the Truckee River system and one of two extant adfluvial populations in the Lahontan basin. The persistence of this population has been precarious for more than 50 years, with spawning runs consisting of only 30–150 fish. It is assumed that this population was much larger prior to the introduction of nonnative brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis. Brook trout overlap with cutthroat trout in upper Independence Creek, where the cutthroat trout spawn and their resulting progeny emigrate to Independence Lake. In 2005, we began removing brook trout from upper Independence Creek using electrofishers and monitored the cutthroat trout population. Stomach analysis of captured brook trout revealed cutthroat trout fry, and cutthroat trout fry survival increased significantly from 4% to 12% with brook trout removal. Prior to brook trout removal, the only Lahontan cutthroat trout progeny emigrating to Independence Lake were fry; with brook trout removal, juveniles were found entering the lake. In 2010, 237 potential spawners passed a prefabricated weir upstream of Independence Lake. Although the results of this study suggest that brook trout removal from upper Independence Creek has had a positive influence on the population dynamics of Independence Lake Lahontan cutthroat trout, additional years of removal are needed to assess the ultimate effect this action will have upon the cutthroat trout population.
Suggested Citation
Scoppettone, G.G., Rissler, P.H., Shea, S.P., Somer, W., 2012, Effect of brook trout removal from a spawning stream on an adfluvial population of Lahontan cutthroat trout: North American Journal of Fisheries Management, v. 32, no. 3, p. 586-596, https://doi.org/10.1080/02755947.2012.675958.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Effect of brook trout removal from a spawning stream on an adfluvial population of Lahontan cutthroat trout |
| Series title | North American Journal of Fisheries Management |
| DOI | 10.1080/02755947.2012.675958 |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Publication Date | June 15, 2012 |
| Year Published | 2012 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis |
| Publisher location | Philadelphia, PA |
| Contributing office(s) | Western Fisheries Research Center |
| Description | 11 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | North American Journal of Fisheries Management |
| First page | 586 |
| Last page | 596 |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Other Geospatial | Independence Lake |