Record Details
Biology and production of the red-band trout (Salmo sp.) in four southeastern Oregon streams
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Biology and production of the red-band trout (Salmo sp.) in four southeastern Oregon streams |
| Names |
Kunkel, Clair
(creator) McIntyre, John (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 1976-05-14 (iso8601) |
| Note | Graduation date: 1977 |
| Abstract | The red-band trout is native to many small, isolated streams in southeastern Oregon. A study of the red-band population of Three- mile Creek and Reservoir was conducted from August 1973 to June 1975. Data were collected concerning population size, age composition, growth, biomass, recruitment, fecundity, and habitat. During the spring of 1975 similar data were collected for red-band populations in Home, Rattlesnake, and Buck creeks. The average trout biomass in Threemile Creek was 24.2 g/m2 and average production was 17.2 g/m2/yr. The production rate of 17.2 g/m2/yr is among the highest reported for salmonids in small streams and is probably in part due to the stable environment afforded by the springs which feed Threemile Creek. Biomass in the other study streams ranged from 2.4 to more than 6.7 g/m2 and production ranged from 1.2 to more than 4.2 g/m2/yr, not including production of age O-I fish. Trout biomass in Threemile Reservoir was 84 kg/ha in September 1974, and annual production was 80 kg/ha. The presence of the reservoir has increased the total production of the Threemile system by at least 12 times. Most female trout in the streams and reservoir matured at age III. Egg production in the Threemile system was considerably greater than in the other study streams. Spawners from the reservoir contributed nearly five times as many eggs to Threemile Creek as did the stream-dwelling females during the spring of 1974. The egg contribution of reservoir fish was probably greater than that required to perpetuate the observed trout densities in the stream. However, the resulting high density of fry may insure adequate contribution of young trout to the reservoir. Reservoir trout could serve as an egg source for rehabilitation of native trout in southeastern Oregon streams, where desirable. During spring more than 250 reservoir trout averaging 39.8 cm in length migrated into Threernile Creek to spawn, and provided excellent opportunity for anglers. Terminal reservoirs might be considered as management tools for trout populations in small streams, providing larger trout than the stream would normally produce. Such reservoirs could serve as multiple purpose water storage facilities for irrigation, stock watering, and trout production. The status of the trout populations studied was relatively good in stream sections that had not been disturbed by man's activities. |
| Genre | Thesis |
| Topic | Trout |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/9204 |
