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Net production, movement, and food of cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki clarki Richardson) in three Oregon coastal streams

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Title Net production, movement, and food of cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki clarki Richardson) in three Oregon coastal streams
Names Lowry, Gerald Roger (creator)
Chapman, Donald W. (advisor)
Date Issued 1964-02-14 (iso8601)
Note Graduation date: 1964
Abstract Unfished populations of cutthroat trout in three small coastal
streams in Oregon were studied from April of 1962 until November
of 1963. Population size, growth rate, and net production were
estimated for study areas in each stream. The nature of seasonal
movement patterns within the study areas and at fish traps was
examined. Food habits of trout during the time of emergence and
early growth of coho fry were studied.
The mean annual biomass of cutthroat trout for all streams
was 4.2 grams per square meter. Growth in length was greatest in
April and May and least in October and November. Net production
averaged 4.1 grams per square meter for the three streams. Growth
rates were about equal in the three streams, but production levels
were about 20 percent higher in one stream.
Upstream migrations of trout occurred from late October
until March, with a maximum in December. Kelts returned downstream
from December to April with the greatest numbers in
January and February. More than 90 percent of the downstream
movement of smolts occurred in February, March, April and May,
with numbers being consistently greatest in April. Two-year-old
smolts dominated the run in the two larger streams, while one-year-old
smolts did so in the smallest stream.
Small tributaries of the study areas were found to be very
important to cutthroat trout reproduction. Young trout were noted
to leave the tributaries at about one year of age. Trout 150 mm in
length that had never left the study streams were found in a gravid
condition near redd sites.
Food samples taken during the period of coho fry emergence
and early growth failed to show that cutthroat trout were important
consumers of young coho. Aquatic arthropods were consistently
an important part of the diet; earthworms decreased in importance;
and terrestrial arthropods increased in importance during the period
from February to June.
Genre Thesis/Dissertation
Topic Trout
Identifier http://hdl.handle.net/1957/21377

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