Variation in angler distribution and catch rates of stocked rainbow trout in a small reservoir

Authors

Brian S. Harmon, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Dustin R. Martin, Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitFollow
Christopher J . Chizinski, Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitFollow
K. L. Pope, U.S. Geological Survey – Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitFollow

Date of this Version

2018

Citation

Harmon BS, Martin DR, Chizinski CJ, Pope KL (2018) Variation in angler distribution and catch rates of stocked rainbow trout in a small reservoir. PLoS ONE 13(1): e0190745. https://doi. org/10.1371/journal.pone.0190745

Comments

This is an open access article, free of all copyright, and may be freely reproduced.

Abstract

We investigated the spatial and temporal relationship of catch rates and angler party location for two days following a publicly announced put-and-take stocking of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Catch rates declined with time since stocking and distance from stocking. We hypothesized that opportunity for high catch rates would cause anglers to fish near the stocking location and disperse with time, however distance between angler parties and stocking was highly variable at any given time. Spatially explicit differences in catch rates can affect fishing quality. Further research could investigate the variation between angler distribution and fish distribution within a waterbody.