Saving large fish through harvest slots outperforms the classical minimum‐length limit when the aim is to achieve multiple harvest and catch‐related fisheries objectives

We address the problem of optimal size‐selective exploitation in an age‐structured fish population model by systematically examining how density and size dependency in growth, mortality and fecundity affect optimal harvesting patterns when judged against a set of fisheries objectives. The study offers five key insights. First, while minimum‐length limits often maximize the biomass yield, exploitation using harvest slots (i.e. regulations that protect both immature and very large individuals) can generate within 95% of maximum yield; harvest slots also generally maximize the number of fish that are harvested. Second, density dependence in growth and size‐dependent mortality predict more liberal optimal size limits than those derived under assumptions of no density and size dependence. Third, strong density dependence in growth maximizes the catch of trophy fish only when modest harvest is introduced; the same holds for numbers harvested, when the stock–recruitment function follows the Ricker type. Fourth, the inclusion of size‐dependent maternal effects on fecundity or egg viability has only limited effects on optimal size limits, unless the increase in fecundity with mass (“hyperallometry”) is very large. However, large hyperallometry in fecundity shifts the optimal size limit for biomass yield from the traditional minimum‐length limit to a harvest slot. Fifth, harvest slots generally provide the best compromises among multiple objectives. We conclude that harvest slots, or more generally dome‐shaped selectivity to harvest, can outperform the standard minimum‐length selectivity. The exact configuration of optimal size limits crucially depends on objectives, local fishing pressure, the stock–recruitment function, and the density and size dependency of growth, mortality and fecundity.     

Analysis of the trophy sport fishery for the speckled peacock bass in the Rio Negro River, Brazil

Abstract  The middle portion of the Rio Negro River in Brazil near the equator supports a popular recreational sport fishery for speckled peacock bass, Cichla temensis (Humboldt). The objective of this study was to determine the effect of fishing mortality on this population. Fish were collected from sport-fishing ( n  = 72) and commercial ( n  = 103) catches and otoliths were aged to estimate longevity, growth and natural mortality. Recreational anglers in this region seek to catch, then release, larger speckled peacock bass; and fish larger than 62 cm standard length (SL) (about 4.5 kg) served as a bench mark to assess the potential impact of subsistence and commercial harvest on the abundance of larger fish in the sport fishery. Time of opaque band formation on otoliths generally coincided with the dry season (November to April); these bands appeared to form once per year, but formation was highly variable. Speckled peacock bass grew to 62 cm SL on average in 6.4 years, but some fish obtained this size in 4–5 years. Maximum age was 9 years, but most fish were less than 7 years. Instantaneous annual natural mortality ( M ) estimated from maximum size, longevity and growth ranged from 0.19 to 0.44. Simulation modelling predicted that exploitation rates of fish >25 cm SL similar to the estimated natural mortality rates would reduce the abundance of fish >62 cm by 67–89% compared with no harvest. Even modest exploitation rates of 5% and 10% would result in approximately 30–50% reduction, respectively, of these larger fish. Abundance of large speckled peacock bass that sustains the sport fishery is susceptible to low rates of exploitation in this remote region of Brazil.     

Exploitation of walleye in a Great Plains reservoir: harvest patterns and management scenarios

Abstract This study assessed exploitation and evaluated management options for walleye, Sander vitreus (Mitchill), in Glen Elder Reservoir, Kansas. A total of 2429 walleye varying from 240 to 687 mm was tagged with Carlin dangler tags during 2000–2003. After correcting for tag loss and non‐reporting, exploitation of walleye was estimated as 68.3%. More than 85% of the tagged walleye were harvested during April to June and 75% were harvested within 6 months after tagging. A Beverton‐Holt yield‐per‐recruit model was used to evaluate six minimum length limits varying from 250 to 610 mm. Given current exploitation rates, population demographics and harvest regulations (381‐mm minimum length limit), the walleye population is probably experiencing recruitment overfishing. Model results suggested that a 610‐mm minimum length limit would be required to prevent growth overfishing and a 533‐mm or longer minimum length limit would prevent recruitment overfishing.     

An assessment of recreational fishery harvest policies for Murray cod in southeast Australia

Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii is one of the world’s largest freshwater fish and supports popular fisheries in southeast Australia, but no previous modelling efforts have evaluated the effects of fisheries regulations or attempted to develop sustainable harvest policies. We compiled existing population metrics and constructed an age-structured model to evaluate the effects of minimum length limits (MLLs) and fishing mortality rates on Murray cod fisheries. The model incorporated a Beverton and Holt stock recruit curve, age-specific survivorship and vulnerability schedules, and discard (catch and release) mortality for fish caught and released. Output metrics included yield (kg), spawning potential ratio (SPR), total angler catch, total harvest, and the proportion of angler trips that would be influenced by each regulation based on recent creel survey data. The model suggested that annual exploitation (U) should be held to less than 0.15 under the current MLL of 500 mm total length to achieve an SPR > 0.3, a target usually considered to prevent recruitment overfishing. Exploitation rates at or exceeding 0.3 would cause SPR values to drop below typical management targets unless the MLL was set at or above 700 mm. Regulations that protected Murray cod from overfishing created higher angler catches and higher catch of trophy fish, but at a cost of reducing the proportion of angler trips resulting in a harvested fish. Expressing model output on a per-angler trip basis may help fishery managers explain regulation trade offs to anglers.     

Hooking mortality of white crappie, Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque, and spotted bass, Micropterus punctulatus (Rafinesque), in Texas reservoirs

Abstract. This study was conducted to estimate spring hooking mortality of white crappie, Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque, in Buchanan Reservoir, Texas, USA and summer hooking mortality of spotted bass, Micropterus punctulatus (Rafinesque), in Eagle Mountain Reservoir, Texas, USA. Reservoir surface water temperatures averaged 19 and 31°C, during white crappie and spotted bass experiments, respectively. White crappie (mean total length (TL) 267mm, range TL 190–340mm, standard error (SE) TL 6mm) were caught with size 5 single hooks baited with golden shiner, Notemigonus crysoleucas (Mitchill), and spotted bass (mean TL 220mm, range TL 143–326mm, SE TL 7mm) were caught with artificial lures (spinners) fitted with size 4 or 5 treble hooks. Fish were held in cages for 72 h to observe delayed mortality. Four of 43 white crappie (9·3%, 95% one-tail, upper confidence limit (UCL) = 13·7%) died and four of 47 spotted bass (8·5%, UCL = 15·2%) died. One of the white crappie that died was a sublegal-length fish. The relevance of these findings to the management of white crappie and spotted bass sport fisheries is discussed. It is concluded that under any management strategy necessitating release of some portion of the catch of white crappie and spotted bass, high survival of that portion could be expected.     

Evaluation of ageing accuracy with complementary non‐lethal methods for slow‐growing,northern populations of shoal bass

In the upper Chattahoochee River basin, where some populations of shoal bass, Micropterus cataractae Williams & Burgess, are imperilled, age and growth data are lacking. Age and growth of shoal bass in this basin were assessed with non‐lethal means using scales and mark–recapture. Mark–recapture data allowed for estimation of accuracy and determination of effects of any scale‐based inaccuracies on growth models. Scale‐based age estimates were accurate for 57% of the samples, and errors of 1 to 3 years included equal numbers of over‐ and underestimates of age. von Bertalanffy growth models based on scale ages were similar to those based on mark–recapture ages for ages 3–8 but noticeably divergent for younger and older fish. Scales provided estimates of longevity up to 12 years of age, and growth models produced from mark–recapture suggest scale ages underestimated age, especially for older fish. These populations of shoal bass live longer and grow slower than other populations, suggesting regional management strategies may be needed.     

Environmental influences on largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides populations in shallow Nebraska lakes

The influence of environmental variables on largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (Lacépède) populations in 22 shallow (mean depth 1.0–2.9 m) Nebraska lakes was evaluated. Largemouth bass exhibited density‐dependent size structure and growth, but not condition. Total annual mortality averaged only 30%. Deeper lakes contained low density largemouth bass populations with a high proportion of fish >380 mm, whereas larger lakes with little submerged vegetation had faster growth. The proportion of largemouth bass >380 mm and relative abundance tended to increase with emergent vegetation coverage. More stable recruitment was evident in shallower lakes with increased emergent vegetation coverage. Strong year classes were associated with cooler September air temperatures. Largemouth bass populations exhibited density‐dependent effects in lakes up to 332 ha. Lake depth, emergent vegetation and autumn air temperatures may influence largemouth bass populations more than previously suggested.     

Evaluating the potential effectiveness of harvest restrictions on riverine sunfish populations in Georgia, USA

Abstract  The effects of minimum length limits (MLLs) on bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque, redbreast sunfish, Lepomis auritus (Linnaeus), and redear sunfish, L. microlophus (Günther), fisheries in 13 river sections located across Georgia were evaluated. A Beverton–Holt equilibrium yield model was used to predict and compare the response of these fisheries to three MLL scenarios: 100 (i.e. no size limit), 125 and 150 mm. Model results indicated that natural mortality rates of all sunfish species examined in this study were low enough to allow harvest restrictions to be effective if growth was fast. If sunfish reached 203 mm in <4.0 years, then MLLs were generally effective in increasing size structure without decreasing yield or causing unacceptable declines in the number of fish available for anglers to harvest. Harvest restrictions resulted in minimal increases in size structure, declines in yield and a large decrease in the number of fish harvested by anglers if time to reach 203 mm was ≥ 8.0 years. Response to MLLs was more variable when fish grew to 203 mm in 4.0–6.5 years. Examination of mortality caps largely supported the results from the model, but there was indication that empirical rates of total annual mortality may have been biased high in some instances.     

Population characteristics of channel catfish near the northern edge of their distribution: implications for management

Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), populations in six lakes in northern Idaho, USA, were sampled to describe their population characteristics. During the summers of 2011 and 2012, 4864 channel catfish were sampled. Channel catfish populations had low to moderate catch rates, and length structure was dominated by fish <400 mm. Channel catfish were in good body condition. All populations were maintained by stocking age‐1 or age‐2 fish. Growth of fish reared in thermally enriched environments prior to stocking was fast compared to other North American channel catfish populations. After stocking, growth of channel catfish declined rapidly. Once stocked, cold water temperatures, prey resources and (or) genetic capabilities limited growth. Total annual mortality of age 2 and older channel catfish was generally <40%. Tag returns indicated that angler exploitation was low, varying from 0 to 43% among lakes. This research provides insight on factors regulating channel catfish population dynamics and highlights important considerations associated with their ecology and management.     

Factors influencing recruitment of walleye and white bass to three distinct early ontogenetic stages

Determining the factors that influence recruitment to sequential ontogenetic stages is critical for understanding recruitment dynamics of fish and for effective management of sportfish, particularly in dynamic and unpredictable environments. We sampled walleye (Sander vitreus) and white bass (Morone chrysops) at 3 ontogenetic stages (age 0 during spring: ‘age‐0 larval’; age 0 during autumn: ‘age‐0 juvenile’; and age 1 during autumn: ‘age‐1 juvenile’) from 3 reservoirs. We developed multiple linear regression models to describe factors influencing age‐0 larval, age‐0 juvenile and age‐1 juvenile walleye and white bass abundance indices. Our models explained 40–80% (68 ± 9%; mean ± SE) and 71%–97% (81 ± 6%) of the variability in catch for walleye and white bass respectively. For walleye, gizzard shad were present in the candidate model sets for all three ontogenetic stages we assessed. For white bass, there was no unifying variable in all three stage‐specific candidate model sets, although walleye abundance was present in two of the three white bass candidate model sets. We were able to determine several factors affecting walleye and white bass year‐class strength at multiple ontogenetic stages; comprehensive analyses of factors influencing recruitment to multiple early ontogenetic stages are seemingly rare in the literature. Our models demonstrate the interdependency among early ontogenetic stages and the complexities involved with sportfish recruitment.     

Rethinking length‐based fisheries regulations: the value of protecting old and large fish with harvest slots

Managing fisheries using length‐based harvest regulations is common, but such policies often create trade‐offs among conservation (e.g. maintaining natural age‐structure or spawning stock biomass) and fishery objectives (e.g. maximizing yield or harvest numbers). By focusing harvest on the larger (older) fish, minimum‐length limits are thought to maximize biomass yield, but at the potential cost of severe age and size truncation at high fishing mortality. Harvest‐slot‐length limits (harvest slots) restrict harvest to intermediate lengths (ages), which may contribute to maintaining high harvest numbers and a more natural age‐structure. However, an evaluation of minimum‐length limits vs. harvest slots for jointly meeting fisheries and conservation objectives across a range of fish life‐history strategies is currently lacking. We present a general age‐ and size‐structured population model calibrated to several recreationally important fish species. Harvest slots and minimum‐length limits were both effective at compromising between yield, numbers harvested and catch of trophy fish while conserving reproductive biomass. However, harvest slots consistently produced greater numbers of fish harvested and greater catches of trophy fish while conserving reproductive biomass and a more natural population age‐structure. Additionally, harvest slots resulted in less waste in the presence of hooking mortality. Our results held across a range of exploitation rates, life‐history strategies and fisheries objectives. Overall, we found harvest slots to represent a valuable option to meet both conservation and recreational fisheries objectives. Given the ubiquitous benefits of harvest slots across all life histories modelled, rethinking the widespread use of minimum‐length limits is warranted.     

Using angling and electric fishing to estimate smallmouth bass abundance in a river

Estimating abundance is fundamental to effective fishery management but can be challenging in a river where spatial and temporal heterogeneity may preclude the consistent use of a single sampling gear and different gears have differing size selectivity and capture probabilities of fish. In this study, the number of smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède, was estimated based on mark–recapture data from angling and boat electric fishing in a 4.2‐km regulated section (mean width = 115 m) of the Broad River, South Carolina, USA. Closed‐population capture–mark–recapture models were fit in the Bayesian hierarchical modelling framework with an estimated number of 2,380 fish (95% credible interval: 1,578–3,693) over 200 mm TL, although simulations indicated that abundance would be slightly overestimated (<20%) when two gears selected for different individuals. Integrating two gear types into a mark–recapture study can provide a method for assessing abundance in spatially or temporally heterogeneous habitats.     

Outbreak of hirame rhabdovirus infection in cultured spotted sea bass Lateolabrax maculatus on the western coast of Korea

In this study, we determined the cause of a disease outbreak in spotted sea bass, Lateolabrax maculatus reared in culture cages on the western coast of Korea in 2013. The major signs in the diseased fish exhibited were haemorrhaging on the membranes of the abdomen, gastrointestinal organs and opercular gills, as well as an enlarged spleen. No external morphological signs of infection were visible, except for a darkening in colour. No parasites or pathological bacteria were isolated from the diseased fish; however, epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) cells inoculated with tissue homogenates from the diseased fish showed cytopathic effects (CPEs). Virus particles in the EPC cells were bullet‐shaped, 185–225 nm long and 70–80 nm wide, characteristic of Rhabdoviridae. Polymerase chain reaction analyses of homogenized tissues from the diseased fish and supernatants of cell cultures with CPEs indicated specific, 553‐bp‐long fragments corresponding to the matrix protein gene of the hirame rhabdovirus (HIRRV). Phylogenetically, the HIRRV phosphoprotein gene of spotted sea bass was more closely related to phosphoproteins from Chinese and Polish HIRRV strains than from other Korean strains. To our knowledge, this is the first report of HIRRV infection in cultured spotted sea bass.     

Spawning distribution and abundance of a northern Chinook salmon population

Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), is an important biological and cultural resource in Alaska, but knowledge about Chinook salmon ecology is limited in many regions. From 2009 to 2012, spawning distribution and abundance of a northern Chinook salmon population on the Togiak River in south‐west Alaska were assessed. Chinook salmon preferred deeper mainstem channel spawning habitat, with 12% (14 of 118 tags in 2009) to 21% (22 of 106 tags in 2012) of radio‐tagged fish spawning in smaller order tributaries. Tributary spawners tended to have earlier run timing than mainstem spawners. Chinook salmon exhibited extended holding and backout (entering freshwater but returning to saltwater before completing anadromous migration) behaviours near the mouth of Togiak River, potentially prolonging their exposure to fishery harvest. Mark–recapture total annual run estimates (2010–2012) ranged from 11 240 (2011) to 18 299 (2012) fish. Exploitation of Chinook salmon ranged from 36% (2012) to 55% (2011) during the study period, with incidental fishery catches near the mouth of the river comprising the largest source of harvest.     

Growth variations within a farm of mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) held near fish cages: importance for the implementation of integrated aquaculture

Fish farming releases extensive amounts of particulate organic waste that can be exploited by bivalves in integrated culture. We tested if mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis cultured at two depths (1 and 6 m) in a raft, moored 170 m from a fish farm had greater growth than bivalves held 550 m from the fish cages. Mussel growth was monitored monthly, covering the second phase of the culture, from thinning‐out to harvest (March to November 2011). We also studied if fish solid and dissolved nutrients increased the organic content of the seston and chlorophyll‐a levels near the fish cages through weekly samples. Results showed no differences in seston, chlorophyll and physiochemical characteristics of the water among rafts. Maximum growth and Condition Index (CI) occurred during spring–summer (April–August), when mussels had access to greater food quality and quantity. Mussels cultivated close to the cages showed similar shell length, weight and CI compared with mussels distant from the fish farm. Average shell length, meat dry weight and CI at harvest were 76.31 mm, 2.51 g and 23%. Bivalves cultured distant from the fish cages displayed 26% higher biomass than the other raft at the end of the experiment. Differences in biomass were explained by the significantly higher recruitment of mussel seed observed at the raft distant from the fish cages from June to November. The lack of a significant enhancement in growth of the bivalves cultured next to finfish is discussed.     

Survival and serum biochemical responses of spotted sea bass Lateolabrax maculatus during simulated waterless live transportation

Waterless live fish transportation is an alternative and promising transport strategy, which may reduce shipping costs, increase stocking density and improve survival of some species. Spotted sea bass is one of the most economically important marine fish in China. However, waterless transportation has not yet been studied on spotted sea bass. To explore the possibility of waterless transportation of spotted sea bass and its sublethal stress responses, the survival rate and dynamics of blood biochemical parameters were evaluated in the present study by preserving it under no water, less water and water (control) conditions for 9 hr. The serum biochemical parameters including total protein, cortisol, glucose, lactate, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total carbon dioxide (TCO₂), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), ammonia, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malonaldehyde (MDA) were investigated. Results showed that the survival rates of fish in all groups gradually declined with time increasing. At the end of transportation, the survival rates in the control group, less‐water group and no‐water group decreased to 49.11%, 15.60% and 23.96% respectively. Significant changes were observed in several selected serum biochemical parameters, including glucose, lactate, ALT, TCO₂, BUN and ammonia during simulated waterless transportation, which might negatively affect the physiological homeostasis of fish, leading to the high mortality in present study. In general, waterless transportation of spotted sea bass was possible, but it might be rather suitable for short time than long time.     

Stress assessment,quality indicators and shelf life of three aquaculture important marine fish,in relation to harvest practices,water temperature and slaughter method

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of harvest practices and slaughter method on stress, quality and shelf life of whole fish (gilthead sea bream, European sea bass and red sea bream) towards the development of a humane slaughter practice. The use of hook and line resulted in significantly lower plasma cortisol and glucose in European sea bass and gilthead sea bream. Water temperature at harvest affected significantly the concentrations of stress indicators (plasma cortisol and glucose), mainly in European sea bass and gilthead sea bream. No significant differences were observed between the harvesting methods, regarding fish appearance, microbial spoilage and sensory scoring and subsequently shelf life. However, significantly lower hardness was recorded in fish harvested using the electric stunner, compared to the fish killed with slurry ice of the same harvesting period. Shelf life ranged between 13–18 days for gilthead seabream, 10–16 days for European sea bass and 10–14 days for red sea bream, depending on harvesting period.     

Climate–growth relationships for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) across three southeastern USA states

Abstract –  The role of climate variability in the ecology of freshwater fishes is of increasing interest. However, there are relatively few tools available for examining how freshwater fish populations respond to climate variations. Here, I apply tree-ring techniques to incremental growth patterns in largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides Lacepède) otoliths to explore relationships between annual bass growth and various climate metrics in the southeastern USA. Among six rivers and seven reservoirs in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, strong correlations between annual bass growth indices and climate were detected (73 of 96 possible correlations were significant at α < 0.05). All but two ecosystems exhibited the following pattern: annual bass growth was significantly negatively correlated with annual precipitation metrics, and significantly positively correlated with annual temperature metrics. Based on multiple regressions, climate, on average, accounted for ∼50% of variability ( R ²) in bass growth, although these values ranged from 28% to 65% depending on the ecosystem. Furthermore, every population showed significant correlations with at least one of the following global climate factors: El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and the Arctic Oscillation (AO). Largemouth bass growth in the southeast is apparently influenced by climate in major ways. Fish ecologists and managers in the region should be aware of the strong links between annual climate conditions and annual fish growth.     

Co‐infection of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) with infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus and Flavobacterium psychrophilum

Co‐infection of rainbow trout with infections haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) and Flavobacterium psychrophilum is known to occur, and it has been speculated that a combined infection can result in dramatic losses. Both pathogens can persist in fish in an asymptomatic carrier state, but the impact of co‐infection has not been well characterized or documented. In this study, it was hypothesized that fish co‐infected with F. psychrophilum and IHNV would exhibit greater mortality than fish infected with either pathogen alone. To test this, juvenile rainbow trout were co‐infected with low doses of either IHNV or F. psychrophilum, and at 2 days post‐initial challenge, they were given a low dose of the reciprocal pathogen. This combined infection caused high mortality (76.2%–100%), while mortality from a single pathogen infection with the same respective dose was low (5%–20%). The onset of mortality was earlier in the co‐infected group (3–4 days) when compared with fish infected with F. psychrophilum alone (6 days) or IHNV (5 days), confirming the synergistic interaction between both pathogens. Co‐infection led to a significant increase in the number of F. psychrophilum colony‐forming units and IHNV plaque‐forming units within tissues. This finding confirms that when present together in co‐infected fish, both pathogens are more efficiently recovered from tissues. Furthermore, pathogen genes were significantly increased in co‐infected groups, which parallel the findings of increased systemic pathogen load. Extensive tissue necrosis and abundant pathogen present intracellularly and extracellularly in haematopoietic tissue. This was pronounced in co‐infected fish and likely contributed to the exacerbated clinical signs and higher mortality. This study provides novel insight into host–pathogen interactions related to co‐infection by aquatic bacterial and viral pathogens and supports our hypothesis. Such findings confirm that mortality in fish exposed to both pathogens is greatly elevated compared to a single pathogen infection.     

Massive Hepatic Necrosis and Nodular Regeneration in Largemouth Bass Fed Diets High in Available Carbohydrate

Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides are piscivorous fish raised on farms then sold live in Asian fish markets on the east and west coasts of the United States. In the winter of 1998, a major producer of feed‐trained bass suffered a significant increase in fish mortality both during shipping and while the fish were still in ponds. No bacterial, viral, or significant parasitic pathogens were found at necropsy. Livers of affected fish were pale and translucent with 3–10 mm pink nodules on their surface and deeper in the parenchyma. Histological examination of these livers showed that the translucent regions of the liver contained few hepatocytes and were composed of tissue consistent with a chronic inflammatory response. Also present were eosinophils, islands of pancreatic and biliary cells, and granulomas that did not stain positively for mycobacteria. The pink nodules were areas of multifocal regeneration of normal hepatocytes. Sequential studies of bass in ponds revealed that the bass were progressively accumulating glycogen in their hepatocytes to an extent sufficient to explain the massive necrosis of that organ. In order to determine the effect of diets varying in available carbohydrate on fish growth, survival, and liver glycogen content, a 12‐wk feeding trial was conducted in aquaria with juvenile largemouth bass. Nitrogen‐free extract values indicated that an extruded trout diet, a steelhead trout diet, and a diet designed to contain 45% protein and 25% fat, contained 35, 27, and 21% carbohydrate, respectively. Weight gain was lowest in fish fed the extruded trout diet, while liver glycogen was significantly higher in fish fed diets with >27% carbohydrate than in fish fed the diet with 21% carbohydrate. The farmer switched to a diet similar to the 45–25 diet used in our trial. Subsequently, 16‐mo‐old fish examined in October 2000 had no hepatic nodules or necrosis, were significantly larger and less variable in size than previous crops, and the farmer experienced no significant losses in ponds or during shipping.