Comparative Survival of Wild and Domestic Strains of Brook Trout in Streams

Abstract

Abstract Survival and growth of progeny of domestic, domestic X wild, and wild strains of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were compared after these trout were released during the fall as fingerlings 9 to 10 months old in selected sections of streams. One group of the wild strain was hatched and reared in the wild. Other groups were hatched and reared in the hatchery. The domestic strain had the highest over-winter survival in three of five streams. In only one stream did the wild strain have the highest over-winter survival. In the four streams investigated during the fall, the wild strain had the highest summer-survival. Survival of the domestic and domestic X wild strains through the summer fishing season was generally too low to evaluate survival of these strains through the second winter. The domestic strain grew most rapidly in the hatchery followed by the domestic X wild strain. This growth advantage was not maintained after release into streams. Brook trout of the domestic strain were harvested...