Pike predation on hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon smolts in a northern Baltic river

Abstract –  The effect of pike Esox lucius predation on the mortality of newly stocked Atlantic salmon Salmo salar smolts was investigated in the Pyhäjoki River, Finland. The number of smolts eaten by pike was assessed by estimating the size of the pike population (mark–recapture experiment) and studying the stomach contents of pike. Before recapturing the pike, approximately 39,700 smolts were stocked upstream of the 2.5-km-long (89-ha) research area. The estimated size of the >40-cm pike population was 1507 (95% CL 1012–4731) individuals (17 pike and 29.8 kg·ha⁻¹). Pike were estimated to eat 29% of the released smolts during 1 week. The diet of the pike in the research area consisted almost entirely of smolts, whereas in the reference area with no stocked smolts, the meal sizes were significantly smaller and the importance of smolts as prey was substantially lower. Pike <40 cm had not eaten any smolts, probably indicating a size refuge for the smolts, or alternatively fear of intraspecific interactions or cannibalism of pike.     

Estuarine predation on radiotagged wild and domesticated sea trout (Salmo trutta L.) smolts

Abstract – Avian predation on emigrating wild and domesticated sea trout smolts was investigated in a fjord in the western Baltic Sea. In April 1997, 50 domesticated and 50 wild smolts were intraperitoneally tagged with radio-transmitters and released in a small coastal stream. Predation was recorded by signal interception in an estuarine breeding colony of cormorants and herons near the outlet of the stream. Of the 78 emigrating smolts, 51 (65%) were recorded as eaten. Predation rates were significantly higher among small than large smolts and significantly higher among domesticated smolts. The first 2 days after entering the sea, both wild and domesticated smolts suffered a severe daily predation rate (range 20–34%). The results support the hypothesis of a transient period immediately after exposure to full-strength sea water, where smolts experience an elevated risk of predation. A transient increase in postsmolt mortality may be found also in moderately saline environments (20–23 ppt).     

Effects of predation and intraspecific interactions on habitat use and foraging by brown trout in artificial streams

Abstract— We studied habitat use, foraging rates and behavior of 10 cm and 12 cm long brown trout, Salmo trutta , at two densities, 1.5 and 3.0 fish. m⁻², in artificial streams that contained either the amphipod, Gammarus pulex , alone or G. pulex together with the piscivore, northern pike, Esox lucius. Gammarus were stocked in and largely restricted to the pools at a density of 128 Gammurus. m⁻² . pool⁻¹ Large trout (12 cm) used pools more and riffles less when small trout (10 cm) were present than when small trout were absent. Small trout consumed fewer Gammarus when together with large trout than when alone, but showed no difference in habitat use in the presence and abscnce of large trout. Habitat use and number of Gammarus consumed per trout were not affected by trout density for either size-class when alone. For both size-classes of trout, use of pools and foraging rates were higher in the absence than in the presence of pike, and pike primarily resided in the pools. The number of aggressive interactions by both size-classes of trout decreased when pike was present. Our results indicate that for habitats that differ in food resources and predation risk, size structure may affect habitat use and foraging by brown trout.     

Stocking of brown trout, Salmo trutta L.: effects of acclimatization

One-year-old hatchery brown trout, Salmo trutta L., ( n  = 16 520) from a sea-run, local brood stock were marked and released (scatter-planted) into the River Laisälven in northern Sweden. Eight different groups were created using Alcian blue and Visible Implant Elastomer tags. Half the fish were kept in small enclosures in four stocking areas for 6 days before release. The other half were released just after transportation. To evaluate the effect of acclimatization on post-stocking performance, the areas were electric fished 2 months later. During the electric fishing survey, a higher number of the acclimatized hatchery fish were recaptured than those released immediately. The growth rate of stocked fish differed significantly between stocking areas and fish held in enclosures grew more than those released directly. The rate of recapture of hatchery fish varied between stocking areas (6.4–17.4%). Movements of juveniles within and between the stocking areas were low, and only 3.6% of the recaptured fish were found in an area not originally stocked. These results showed that acclimatization of fish before release increases the number and size at recapture within a stocking area.     

Genetic effects of introduced hatchery stocks on indigenous brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) populations in Spain

Abstract– To assess the levels of gene introgression from cultured to wild brown trout populations, four officially stocked locations and four nonstocked locations were sampled for one to three consecutive years and compared to the hatchery strain used for stocking. Allozyme analysis for 25 loci included those previously described as providing allelic markers distinguishing hatchery stocks and native populations. Different levels of hybridization and introgression with hatchery índividuals were detected in stocked drainages as well as in protected locations. These findings indicate that new policies for stocking and monitoring hatchery fish are needed if gene pools of wild Spanish brown trout populations are to be preserved.     

Foreign brown trout in protected landscapes as a consequence of connectivity

Abstract To preserve the local genetic patrimony of wild aquatic species, population enhancement should be limited to supportive breeding of native lineages and controlled releases in target areas with depleted population size. This is the case of brown trout, Salmo trutta L., in northern Iberia, a species of high economic and cultural value in the region. Employing a combination of conserved and hypervariable genetic markers, illegal stocking of domestic brown trout in protected areas (National Park, Natural Reserve) within the Cantabric chain was detected. The most likely origin of the domestic individuals was determined by assignment tests to hatchery stocks as a result of past releases conducted downstream and out of the protected areas. Where connectivity exists along a water course, the entire drainage should be considered as a single management unit to preserve the native genetic diversity of upstream protected areas.     

Annual movement of adult pike (Esox lucius L.) in a lowland river

Abstract –  The movement of ten radio-tagged adult pikes (57–113 cm) in the River Gudenå, Denmark, was investigated from September 1998 to September 1999. The movements of pike were characterised by long resident periods in the submergent vegetation, interrupted by short excursions to nearby areas. Two periods with more intense movement were observed; one period during early winter; and one period during spring from mid-March to mid-May. The increased movement during early winter may have been initiated by a slight temperature increase at this time, whereas the increased movement during spring coincided with the spawning of pike. Despite suitable spawning areas nearby the areas where pike resided most of the year, several pike, mainly females, migrated to distant localities during spring.     

Small-scale spatial variation in age and size at maturity of stream-dwelling brown trout, Salmo trutta

Abstract – This study documents substantial small-scale spatial variation in age and size at maturity of brown trout ( Salmo trutta ) found either in allopatry (above major waterfalls) or in sympatry (below waterfalls) with the Alpine bullhead ( Cottus poecilopus ) in forest streams in south-east Norway. Within two streams, female brown trout above waterfalls tended to delay the onset of sexual maturity, as compared with females from neighbouring sites below the waterfalls. Four additional streams were represented with either an allopatric or a sympatric site. There was considerable variation in age and size at maturity among these streams, but no consistent difference between allopatric and sympatric sites. It is suggested that the spatial variation in maturity responses is influenced by local opportunities for growth, and possibly also survival. Earlier studies in these streams have linked spatial variation in brown trout behaviour and demography to the presence or absence of the Alpine bullhead.     

Factors influencing the yield of brown trout, Salmo trutta m. lacustris L., in northern Finnish lakes

Abstract Lake-to-lake variation in brown trout, Salmo trutta m. lacustris L., yield from stocking was examined in 34 lakes in northern Finland. The trout were mainly stocked as 2–3-year-old fish. Catch statistics were compiled with information on water quality, water level fluctuations, fishing effort and lake geomorphology. Absolute brown trout yields (kgha^-1) increased with increasing stocking rate, but there was an indication of non-linearity at higher stocking densities. Relative yields (kg per thousand trout released) were highest at low stocking rates. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to determine the best predictive model for lake-to-lake variability in brown trout yields. Seventeen measured regressands were used initially, and then replaced with scores obtained in a principal component analysis of highly correlated water quality variables and species-specific fish yields. Three major determinants of brown trout yields in these lakes were found in both analyses: fish community, stocking rate and fishing effort. Brown trout yields from stocking were higher in lakes with proportionally high yields of vendace or vendace and whitefish and proportionally low yields of pike.     

Recaptures and resource use of native and non-native brown trout, Salmo trutta L., released in a Norwegian lake

Abstract Rate of recapture (gill netting), habitat use, and diet of three strains of stocked brown trout, Salmo trutta L., were compared with resident brown trout in a Norwegian lake. The strains originated from an alpine lake, from a boreal lake, and from the native brown trout population in the lake. Overall recapture rate was 5–8% for all strains. The low recapture rate could be due to the relatively small size at stocking; mean fish length varied between 13.1 and 14.5 cm with strain and stocking method. Two years after release, the frequency of the different strains decreased from about 12% in the first year to stabilize at about 1%. The alpine strain showed the highest overall recapture rate, whereas the native strain was recaptured at an intermediate rate. The overall recapture rate of scatter-planted brown trout was higher than that of spot-planted brown trout. Immediately after being stocked, introduced fish ate less and had a less-varied diet than resident trout; however, stocked fish adopted a natural diet within the first summer. The distribution of trout between the pelagic and the upper epibenthic habitat was similar for both the resident and the stocked brown trout. Results indicate that the habitat use of stocked brown trout is adaptive and becomes similar to that of indigenous fish.     

Erosion of the native genetic resources of brown trout in Spain

Abstract– We analyzed the introduction of hatchery-reared trout in the Riutort Creek, a small stream in the eastern Spanish Pyrennees. We used gene correlation matrices between individuals to analyze the fish coancestry in the Riutort Creek samples and in the hatchery stock. Hatchery fish disturbed the single ancestry in the native population of the creek, and were clearly detected with principal coordinate analysis of the gene correlation matrix. The amount of introgression produced by successful introductions was estimated from the principal coordinate analysis projections of the matrix of F_ST values between the putative native Riutort Creek population, the hatchery stock and the introgressed population. In only two years the amount of introgression rose to 10%, indicating that 5% of the native ancestry is lost each year as a result of the stocking program. Based on these results, we review the present understandings on the genetic impact of hatchery fish on indigenous Spanish brown trout populations. The stocking of these populations involves a non-native broodstock widespread through the Spanish hatcheries, but successful stockings appear to be limited to wild populations subjected to occasional releases in protected or unfished areas. Surprisingly, extensive stocking in fished areas result in a more limited genetic impact on the recipient native population.     

Influence of environmental factors on the density and biomass of stocked brown trout, Salmo trutta L., parr in brooks affected by intensive forestry

Abstract The influence of environmental factors on the density and biomass of stocked brown trout, Salmo trutta L., parr was studied in brooks subjected to intensive forestry in the Isojoki river basin, western Finland. Multivariate regression analysis showed that 69% of the variation in the population density of parr was determined by five variables: (1) mean water depth; (2) the abundance of pools; (3) stony bottom substrates with stones sized between 2 and 10cm in diameter; (4) undercut banks; and (5) the percentage of shading by trees. Correspondingly, 57% of the variation in the biomass of parr was determined by three variables: (1) mean water depth; (2) the abundance of pools; and (3) benthic vegetation. Dredging of the brooks and forest ditching had the most harmful consequences for the nursery habitats of brown trout parr. Measures for the rehabilitation of brown trout production in these brooks are discussed.     

Individual variation in early life-history traits in brown trout

Abstract – We studied the variability of early life history traits in individually raised progeny of brown trout Salmo trutta L. Eggs from two dams were each fertilized with sperm from 10 sires, producing 20 full-sib families. Each individual progeny was followed from fertilization until death without exogenous food. Egg size was positively correlated with a number of life-history traits, especially length and yolk sac volume at hatching and length at death, and these traits were strongly influenced by maternal effects. We found significant additive genetic variance for growth rate, length at death and life span without external food. Thus these early life-history traits may be modulated by natural selection. We found positive phenotypic and genetic correlations between most early life-history traits. However, life span without external food was negatively correlated with growth rate, indicating a genetic trade-off. ^Note     

Evaluation of large-scale stocking of early stages of brown trout, Salmo trutta, to angler catches in the French–Swiss part of the River Doubs

Around 500 000 brown trout, Salmo trutta L., alevins are stocked annually in the 24‐km section of the River Doubs under study. All the alevins stocked in the period 1994–1996 were identifiable by fluoromarking their otoliths with tetracycline chlorhydrate. Anglers' catches, between June 1997 and September 1998, comprised trout aged 1+ to 7+ , but most (90% +) were 2+ to 3+ or 4+ , with the majority at 2+ and 3+. There was no significant difference in the size for a given age between marked and unmarked angled trout. The contribution of stocked fish in anglers' catches was around 22% for the 1995 cohort. The contribution of stocking (cohorts 1994 to 1995–1996) to the 1998 catches was around 23% (95% confidence limits: 19–27%). The estimated recapture rate was three to four trout per 1000 alevins stocked for the 1995 cohort. The major contribution (78%) of natural recruitment to anglers' catches suggests that the fishery management based on natural recruitment is still realistic in this part of River Doubs.     

Interspecific hybridization between Atlantic salmon and brown trout introduced in the subantarctic Kerguelen Islands

In the subantarctic French territory of the Kerguelen Islands, Atlantic salmon Salmo salar was stocked to create a new population in the Korrigans drainage system. The analysis of historical scale collections showed that hybrids were inadvertently introduced with the original Atlantic salmon stocks. Later colonization of the Korrigans system by brown trout Salmo trutta was followed by interspecific hybridization between the two species. Our results highlight the importance of both routine genetic monitoring of hatchery stocks and considering the possible influence of other species when stocking is envisaged.     

Genetic basis of phenotypic differences between transplanted stocks of brown trout

Abstract– We present results from an experiment testing for the existence of genetically based phenotypic differences among populations of brown trout ( Salmo trutta L.) born and raised under entirely natural environmental conditions. Genetically tagged individuals from two stocks (A and B) were introduced into a drainage system in Sweden previously void of brown trout, and the first generation (F₁) progeny were sampled from two lakes during nine consecutive years. Phenotypic differences among groups of progeny (A, B, and the AB hybrid) are expected to reflect genetically determined dissimilarities between the introduced stocks. Phenotypic differences among progeny groups were observed for age at maturity and for migratory and reproductive behavior, and these characters are apparently determined by genetic factors to an extent that permit their detection even in the presence of confounding and naturally occurring sources of variation such as lake, age, cohort and year of sampling. There was also significant variation among offspring groups with respect to body size (length), but only a small proportion of the total variation in size could be attributed to stock differences. These genetically based stock characteristics may represent local adaptations, and the fishery management implications of these findings are discussed.     

The effects of ration size on migration by hatchery‐raised Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta)

Abstract – The possibility to increase the proportion of migrating hatchery‐reared smolts by reducing their food ration was studied. Lake‐migrating, hatchery‐reared salmon (Salmo salar) and trout (Salmo trutta) smolts were either fed normal rations, based on recommendations from the fish‐farming industry, or reduced (15–20%) rations. They were released into the River Klarälven, western Sweden, and followed as they swam downstream to Lake Vänern, a distance of around 25 km. For both Atlantic salmon and brown trout, smolts fed a reduced ration migrated faster than fish fed a normal ration. Furthermore, a higher proportion of salmon smolts fed reduced rations migrated to the lake than fish fed normal rations in 2007 but not in 2006. This difference between years corresponded to greater treatment differences in size and smolt status in 2007 than in 2006. For trout, the proportion of migrating individuals and smolt development did not differ with ration size. Trout migrants fed a normal ration had a higher standard metabolic rate (SMR) than nonmigrants, whereas there was no difference in SMR between migrating and nonmigrating salmon. These results show that it is possible to use a reduced food ration to increase the migration speed of both Atlantic salmon and brown trout and to increase the proportion of migrating Atlantic salmon.     

Growth and feeding responses of a hatchery population of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) at low temperatures

Abstract— Feed intake, specific growth rate and changes in body composition were studied in age 1+ (140-190 g) brown trout ( Salmo trutta L.) reared at three temperatures (2, 4 and 6°C) under continuous light conditions. Feed in take increased from 35.7 kJ-kg⁻¹.day⁻¹ at 2°C to 95.7 kJ-kg⁻¹-day⁻¹ at 6°C, and the growth rate increased from 0.19%-day⁻¹ to 0.42%-day⁻¹ over the same temperature range. The estimated lower temperature limits for feeding and growth were slightly above 0°C. For all groups of fish, the majority (about 75%) of the weight gain comprised water and protein, but lipid deposition tended to increase with increasing temperature. The deposition of lipid accounted for about 50% of the body energy gain at all temperatures.     

Spatial and temporal variation in prey selection of brown trout in a cold Arkansas tailwater

Abstract –  We examined prey utilisation patterns of brown trout ( Salmo trutta Linnaeus) as related to available benthos in a cold tailwater (Little Red River, Arkansas) having low biodiversity of benthic macroinvertebrates and low availability of fish as prey. Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled monthly in upstream and downstream sites over a 1-year period. Stomach content analysis was also performed on 30 brown trout (10 each of three size classes) collected monthly from each site. Benthic and diet diversities were low at both sites, as isopods ( Lirceus ) accounted for 67% and 51% of the numerical abundance upstream and downstream, respectively, and 80% and 70% of all prey consumed by upstream and downstream brown trout. Physid snails (upstream) and chironomid larvae (downstream) accounted for most of the remaining prey taxa consumed. Piscivory and consumption of terrestrial invertebrates were rare. There was no clear relation between diet diversity and trout size. Densities of benthic macroinvertebrates and prey consumption were significantly greater upstream than downstream. Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages and prey consumption were seasonally constant at both sites. Generally, prey consumption was consistent with availability of each prey in the benthos; the lack of benthic diversity and overwhelming abundance of one taxon ( Lirceus) most likely contributed to food selection patterns. Although isopods are abundant within this tailwater to serve as a forage base, the displacement of native fish fauna because of the thermal regime of hypolimnetic release from Greers Ferry Reservoir probably serves as a major limitation to brown trout growth.