Comparison of Survival, Emigration, Habitat Use, Marking Mortality, and Growth between Two Strains of Brook Trout in Adirondack Ponds
January 1, 1988 - R. Scott Cone; Charles C. Krueger
Journal or Book Title: North America Journal of Fisheries Management
Volume/Issue: 8
Page Number(s): 497-504
Year Published: 1988
Performances of age-0 Assinica and Temiscamie strain brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis were compared in 1985 and 1986, 2-3 months after the fish had been stocked into two drainable ponds located in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. Overall recovery did not differ significantly between strains in three trials when both pond and inlet habitats were considered. Assinica fish emigrated at higher rates in all three trials than Temiscamie fish. In both 1986 trials, approximately 50% of the recovered Assinica brook trout were in the inlet stream, but less than 25% of the recovered Temiscamie brook trout had emigrated upstream. These differences in emigration may indicate habitat preferences of these strains or density-dependent displacement. The Temiscamie strain had higher marking mortality than the Assinica strain; thus, the Assinica strain appeared to be more resistant to the stress of handling. Temiscamie brook trout had significantly higher instantaneous growth rates after stocking than the Assinica strain. The Temiscamie strain, with faster growth and less emigration, may be best suited for population restoration, or"put-grow-and-take" fisheries. In contrast, the Assinica strain, being resistant to handling stress, may be better suited for catch-and-release fisheries, aquaculture, or put-and-take fisheries.
Type of Publication: Journal Article