Relationship of trout growth to frequent electrofishing and diet collection in a headwater stream

North American Journal of Fisheries Management
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Research on fishes sometimes requires that individual fish be captured and subjected to invasive procedures multiple times over a relatively short time span. Electrofishing is one of the most common techniques used to capture fish, and it is known to cause injury to fish under certain circumstances. We evaluated the relationship of growth rates in Columbia River Redband Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri to the number of times that they were captured via electrofishing and gastrically lavaged during the summer of 2018 in a mountainous, headwater stream. We captured fish between two and seven times over the course of 86 d using continuous (smooth) DC backpack electrofishing. We observed no relationship between the growth rate of Columbia River Redband Trout and the number of times that they were captured or gastrically lavaged. Although these findings contrast with hatchery electrofishing experiments, they may represent the greater resiliency of wild fish. It appears that researchers can use electrofishing and gastric lavage in cold waters at least once per month, and potentially up to twice per month, without greatly affecting the growth of wild Columbia River Redband Trout.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Relationship of trout growth to frequent electrofishing and diet collection in a headwater stream
Series title North American Journal of Fisheries Management
DOI 10.1002/nafm.10728
Volume 42
Issue 1
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher American Fisheries Society
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Seattle
Description 6 p.
First page 109
Last page 114
Country United States
State Montana
Other Geospatial Bear Creek, Libby Creek, Ramsey Creek
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details