Prediction of Wild Brown Trout Catch Rates from Estimated Yearling Population Density and Fishing Intensity

Abstract

Abstract Catch rates for wild brown trout (Salmo trutta) in New York streams were predicted successfully by equations of the form C/f= N1/bf+ a where C/f is catch per hour of fishing, N1 is late summer or early fall population density of yearling wild brown trout, f is fishing intensity in hours of fishing per unit of stream area, and a and b are constants. Correlations between observed and predicted catch rates were higher for total catch than for creeled catch, and for mean values of N1 than for single-year values. The equations can be used in setting stocking rates aimed at target catch rates, determining need for protective regulations, and estimating the potential value of wild trout fisheries.