When Eradication is not an Option: Modeling Strategies for Electrofishing Suppression of Nonnative Brook Trout to Foster Persistence of Sympatric Native Cutthroat Trout in Small Streams

2008 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 1847-1867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas P. Peterson ◽  
Kurt D. Fausch ◽  
James Watmough ◽  
Richard A. Cunjak
Keyword(s):  
Brook Trout ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Small Streams

Comparative Behavior and Habitat Utilization of Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and Cutthroat Trout (Salmo clarki) in Small Streams in Northern Idaho

1972 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Griffith Jr.
Keyword(s):  
Brook Trout ◽  
Salvelinus Fontinalis ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Stream Channels ◽  
Sympatric Populations ◽  
Small Streams ◽  
Northern Idaho ◽  
Salmo Clarki

Individual brook (Salvelinus fontinalis) and cutthroat (Salmo clarki) trout communicated with similar behavioral signals, both in laboratory stream-channels and in northern Idaho streams. Underyearling brook trout were less active socially than equal-sized cutthroat trout in laboratory observations. In study streams, brook trout maintained a 20-mm size advantage over cutthroat of the same age-groups throughout their lives, as they emerged from the gravel before cutthroat. Because of this size advantage, underyearling brook trout of sizes found in study streams in September consistently dominated in experiments the underyearling cutthroat with which they normally lived. But in study streams underyearlings of the two species utilized different microhabitats, particularly with respect to water depth, and so minimized chances for interaction.Yearling and older brook trout initiated 40% fewer aggressive encounters under laboratory conditions than did equal-sized cutthroat trout, and did not displace the cutthroat. In study streams with sympatric populations, cutthroat trout of these age-groups occupied territories with focal points of higher water velocities (averaging 10.2–10.3 cm/sec) than those occupied by brook trout (averaging 7.6–9.6 cm/sec). Considerable interspecific overlap in other habitat characteristics occurred for trout of age-groups I and II. The oldest members of the two species segregated more distinctly, as the brook trout lived closer to overhead cover.

scholarly journals Evaluating Coexistence of Fish Species with Coastal Cutthroat Trout in Low Order Streams of Western Oregon and Washington, USA

Fishes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Kyle D. Martens ◽  
Jason Dunham
Keyword(s):  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Coho Salmon ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Single Species ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Small Streams ◽  
Coastal Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Multiple Species ◽  
Low Order

When multiple species of fish coexist there are a host of potential ways through which they may interact, yet there is often a strong focus on studies of single species without considering these interactions. For example, many studies of forestry–stream interactions in the Pacific Northwest have focused solely on the most prevalent species: Coastal cutthroat trout. To examine the potential for interactions of other fishes with coastal cutthroat trout, we conducted an analysis of 281 sites in low order streams located on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula and along the central Oregon coast. Coastal cutthroat trout and juvenile coho salmon were the most commonly found salmonid species within these streams and exhibited positive associations with each other for both presence and density. Steelhead were negatively associated with the presence of coastal cutthroat trout as well as with coho salmon and sculpins (Cottidae). Coastal cutthroat trout most frequently shared streams with juvenile coho salmon. For densities of these co-occurring species, associations between these two species were relatively weak compared to the strong influences of physical stream conditions (size and gradient), suggesting that physical conditions may have more of an influence on density than species interactions. Collectively, our analysis, along with a review of findings from prior field and laboratory studies, suggests that the net effect of interactions between coastal cutthroat trout and coho salmon do not appear to inhibit their presence or densities in small streams along the Pacific Northwest.

Food Specialization By Individual Trout

1972 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 1615-1624 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Bryan ◽  
P. A. Larkin
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Brook Trout ◽  
Salvelinus Fontinalis ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Salmo Gairdneri ◽  
Potential Prey ◽  
Repeated Observation ◽  
Size Growth ◽  
Salmo Clarki

Analyses of stomach contents showed that the kinds of prey eaten by brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki), and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were seldom distributed at random among the individuals. Repeated observation of food eaten by individuals in a stream and ponds showed that prey types were eaten in proportions which were characteristic for an individual.Specialization occurred on several different kinds of prey. Although the degree of specialization was higher during shorter intervals, the data suggested that some specialization persisted for half a year. There were no striking correlations between degree of specialization and other individual properties such as size, growth rate, weight of food, number of food items, previous specialization, or area of recapture.In addition to the observations on trout in relatively undisturbed habitats, a field experiment was conducted using laboratory-reared rainbow trout held in small ponds. The food of each trout in the experiment was sampled repeatedly. In analysis of variance, interaction among the individuals and kinds of prey eaten showed that food specialization occurred. Both the absolute and relative abundance of potential prey were constant during the experiment.

Metabolic performance and thermal preference of Westslope Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi and non-native trout across an ecologically relevant range of temperatures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille J. Macnaughton ◽  
Travis C. Durhack ◽  
Neil J. Mochnacz ◽  
Eva C. Enders
Keyword(s):  
Brook Trout ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Intermittent Flow ◽  
Performance Curve ◽  
Westslope Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Thermal Niche ◽  
Preferred Temperatures ◽  
Metabolic Performance

The physiology and behaviour of fish are strongly affected by ambient water temperature. Physiological traits related to metabolism, such as aerobic scope (AS), can be measured across temperature gradients and the resulting performance curve reflects the thermal niche that fish can occupy. We measured AS of Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 22°C and compared temperature preference (Tpref) of the species to non-native Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout. Intermittent-flow respirometry experiments demonstrated that metabolic performance of Westslope Cutthroat Trout was optimal at ~15 °C and decreased substantially beyond this temperature, until lethal temperatures at ~25 °C. Adjusted preferred temperatures across species (Tpref) were comparatively high, ranging from 17.8-19.9 °C, with the highest Tpref observed for Westslope Cutthroat Trout. Results suggest that although Westslope Cutthroat Trout is considered a cold-water species, they do not prefer or perform as well in cold water (≤ 10°C), thus, can occupy a warmer thermal niche than previously thought. The metabolic performance curve (AS) can be used to develop species‐specific thermal criteria to delineate important thermal habitats and guide conservation and recovery actions for Westslope Cutthroat Trout.

scholarly journals Effects of Climate and Biotic Factors on Life History Characteristics and Vital Rates of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in Spread Creek, Wyoming

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 160-174
Author(s):  
Patrick Uthe ◽  
Robert Al-Chokhachy
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Brook Trout ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Vital Rates ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Life History Patterns ◽  
Diversity Of Life

The Upper Snake River represents one of the largest remaining strongholds of Yellowstone cutthroat across its native range. Understanding the effects of restoration activities and the diversity of life-history patterns and factors influencing such patterns remains paramount for long-term conservation strategies. In 2011, we initiated a project to quantify the success of the removal of a historic barrier on Spread Creek and to evaluate the relative influence of different climate attributes on native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and non-native brook trout behavior and fitness. Our results to date have demonstrated the partial success of the dam removal with large, fluvial Yellowstone cutthroat trout migrating up Spread Creek to spawn, thus reconnecting this population to the greater Snake River metapopulation. Early indications from mark-recapture data demonstrate considerable differences in life-history and demographic patterns across tributaries within the Spread Creek drainage. Our results highlight the diversity of life-history patterns of resident and fluvial Yellowstone cutthroat trout with considerable differences in seasonal and annual growth rates and behavior across populations. Continuing to understand the factors influencing such patterns will provide a template for prioritizing restoration activities in the context of future challenges to conservation (e.g., climate change).

scholarly journals Two Ocean Pass: An Alternative Hypothesis for the Invasion of Yellowstone Lake by Lake Trout, and Implications for Future Invasions

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd M. Koel ◽  
Colleen R. Detjens ◽  
Alexander V. Zale
Keyword(s):  
Brook Trout ◽  
National Park ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Yellowstone Lake ◽  
Yellowstone River ◽  
Continental Divide ◽  
Nonnative Fish ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

Preventing the interbasin transfer of aquatic invasive species is a high priority for natural resource managers. Such transfers can be made by humans or can occur by dispersal through connected waterways. A natural surface water connection between the Atlantic and Pacific drainages in North America exists at Two Ocean Pass south of Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri used this route to cross the Continental Divide and colonize the Yellowstone River from ancestral sources in the Snake River following glacial recession 14,000 bp. Nonnative lake trout Salvelinus namaycush were stocked into lakes in the Snake River headwaters in 1890 and quickly dispersed downstream. Lake trout were discovered in Yellowstone Lake in 1994 and were assumed to have been illegally introduced. Recently, lake trout have demonstrated their ability to move widely through river systems and invade headwater lakes in Glacier National Park. Our objective was to determine if lake trout and other nonnative fish were present in the connected waters near Two Ocean Pass and could thereby colonize the Yellowstone River basin in the past or future. We used environmental DNA (eDNA), electrofishing, and angling to survey for lake trout and other fishes. Yellowstone cutthroat trout were detected at nearly all sites on both sides of the Continental Divide. Lake trout and invasive brook trout S. fontinalis were detected in Pacific Creek near its confluence with the Snake River. We conclude that invasive movements by lake trout from the Snake River over Two Ocean Pass may have resulted in their colonization of Yellowstone Lake. Moreover, Yellowstone Lake may be vulnerable to additional invasions because several other nonnative fish inhabit the upper Snake River. In the future, eDNA collected across smaller spatial intervals in Pacific Creek during flow conditions more conducive to lake trout movement may provide further insight into the extent of non-native fish invasions in this stream.

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