Spawning characteristics of brown trout and sea trout Salmo trutta L. in Kirk Burn, River Tweed, Scotland

Abstract

The upstream spawning migrations of brown trout and sea trout were studied using stationary traps placed in Kirk Burn, a tributary of the upper Tweed. The sea trout spawning period extended from early November to the first week of December, while that of brown trout occurred from the middle of October to the third week of December. Sea trout were predominantly maiden spawners of ages 2.1+ and 3.1+ while brown trout were mostly age 2+ and 3+. Male‐female sex ratios approximated 1:1.4 in sea trout but 6 : 1 in brown trout. Brown trout males participated in the spawning activities of sea trout. Low water conditions in Kirk Burn hindered the upstream movement of spawning sea trout, while sudden increases in water level appeared to stimulate the upstream migration of both brown trout and sea trout. The suggestion is advanced that the freshwater resident brown trout of the Tweed which migrate upstream into the smaller tributaries to spawn is wholly, or at least partially, the progeny of anadromous parents.