The Population and Movement of Fish in Prickley Pear Creek, Montana

Abstract

Abstract A 2-year study was made on the populations and movements of fish in Prickley Pear Creek, Montana. The most numerous species present were freshwater sculpins, brown trout, rainbow trout, and longnose suckers. The number of brown trout was higher in 1949 than in 1950. Their number in relation to all trout was approximately 60 percent in 1949 and 54 percent in 1950. However, their weight in relation to that of all trout was approximately 74 percent in 1949 and 73 percent in 1950. Rainbow trout made up most of the remainder of the salmonid population. The number of trout in relation to all fish was approximately 79 percent in both years and their weight approximately 58 percent in 1949 and 47 percent in 1950. Weights of the trout remained relatively constant for the sampling periods each year but showed a significant difference between years. Suckers were numerous in the first sampling periods of each year but decreased sharply in the late summer months. The total weights of all fish varied from 58.8...