Angler Trips Research Articles

Rapid Exploitation of Hatchery-Reared Brook Trout by Ice Fishermen in a Maine Lake

Abstract An intensive ice-fishing creel census was operated at Eagle Lake, Bar Harbor, Maine, during February and March 1977 to evaluate angler catch from 5,400 age-I+ brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) stocked on 1 November 1976. A Leslie population estimate indicated 1,556 brook trout survived from stocking to the start of the season on 1 February. Between 1 and 6 February, an estimated 1,587 stocked fish were taken during 742 angler trips (4.2 trips per hectare). Only 121 brook trout were caught from 7 February to 31 March in 706 angler trips. Estimated total catch for the season was 1,708 trout, of which 92% were taken in 6 days during the first week of the season. Only 22 of these fish were caught in the open-water season of 1977. Near total exploitation early in the ice-fishing season is indicated. Stocking of hatchery-reared brook trout to provide winter recreation in special situations is feasible.