Large Trout Research Articles

Flow Matters: Unravelling the Interactive Influences of Flow Variation and Non‐Native Trout on Vulnerable Galaxiids

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the interactive effects of non‐native species and alterations to flow regimes is important to combat threats to freshwater communities. Low‐flow conditions may either exacerbate or offset influences of non‐natives but the mechanisms determining the direction are poorly understood. We evaluated how stream drying affected interactions between vulnerable native stream‐resident galaxiids and non‐native trout in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We electrofished (December–March) paired perennial and drying reaches containing galaxiids (Galaxias vulgaris and G. paucispondylus) to compare abundance and growth rates in streams with high abundance (n = 2), low abundance (n = 2) or no brown trout (n = 3; Salmo trutta). Low flows greatly reduced trout abundance and size, likely reducing predatory threats to galaxiids since risk is size‐related. Galaxiid densities were consistently lower in drying compared to perennial reaches of troutless streams. However, galaxiids were less affected by low flows than trout, setting the scene for an interaction between trout and low flow. In streams with high numbers of trout, galaxiid numbers were very low in perennial reaches, whereas they were moderate in drying reaches. That meant galaxiid numbers increased with a decreasing flow in streams with many trout, an indirect positive effect, although their abundance never reached the high levels of trout‐free perennial reaches. In low‐density trout streams, there were no clear differences in galaxiid abundance between reaches of different flow types. Thus, the effects of trout on galaxiids depended on the flow regime, likely driven by harsh low‐flow conditions suppressing large trout, which were more sensitive to low flow than galaxiids. Galaxiid growth rates actually increased with conspecific densities in trout streams, whereas growth rates decreased with increasing galaxiid densities in troutless streams. Thus, growth advantages for galaxiids in the presence of trout possibly helped drive these low‐flow effects on their populations in trout streams, potentially via an attractive sink‐type mechanism. Overall, although low‐flow conditions likely reduced predatory effects of non‐natives and may have indirectly bolstered growth rates of natives, populations of natives were also suppressed by low flow. Such interactive effects of flow reduction are likely common and appear controlled by relative vulnerability and size‐structured interactions and will be key to balancing the maintenance of natural flows with minimising effects of non‐native sports fish. Flow depletion might create some refuge for native fishes in the presence of a non‐native, but net effects could still be worse than no flow depletion as we observed. Thus, it will be important to ascertain how flow‐depleted reaches affect the long‐term persistence of native fish populations before relaying on flow reduction to suppress non‐natives.

Функционирование фитопланктона в Кондопожской губе Онежского озера в условиях садкового выращивания форели

The Kondopogskaya Bay of Lake Onego is under the influence of anthropogenic pressure due to the inflow of wastewater from a pulp and paper mill (the upper part) and trout farms (the central part). The primary production characteristics (photosynthesis, chlorophyll a, specific rate of photosynthesis, assimilation numbers) of the bay ecosystem during the “outbreak” of phytoplankton number and biomass in August 2021 are assessed. It is proved that the photosynthesis rate in the bay was determined by small diatoms during the research period. Diatom plankton cells with a volume of less than 600 µm accounted for 80-90% of the number of Bacillariophyta, the dominant group of the community. The photosynthesis values (150-330 µg/l•day) did not exceed the limits of oligo-mesotrophic ecosystems. The specific rate of photosynthesis (0.4-1.2 day–1) and daily assimilation numbers (22-40 µg C/µg Chl) were also temperate and did not indicate strong biogenic water pollution. It was revealed that the low content of chlorophyll a in phytoplankton biomass (0.13-0.39%) was mainly determined by a small number of productive green algae. The share of this phytoplankton group in the community biomass did not exceed 26%, in the number – 11%. At the same time, phytoplankton biomass (2.1-5.7 mg/l) and chlorophyll a concentrations (5.1-9.8 µg/l) reached values typical of meso-eutrophic ecosystems. Comparing the results of the study with long-term photosynthesis data showed that the trophic state of the central part of the bay, where large trout farms are located, has not changed. Long-term data on phytoplankton biomass indicate an increase in the trophic status of the central part of the bay at the present time. The inconsistency of the trophy level in terms of quantitative and functional indicators of phytoplankton may indicate the initial stage of eutrophication of the central part of the Kondopogskaya Bay as a result of the activities of trout farms.

Comparative safety and efficacy of autogenous vaccine administrated by different routes against furunculosis caused by Aeromonas salmonicida sub. salmonicida in large Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The development and growth of fish farming are hindered by viral and bacterial infectious diseases, which necessitate effective disease control measures. Furunculosis, primarily caused by Aeromonas salmonicida, stands out as a significant bacterial disease affecting salmonid fish farms, particularly rainbow trout. Vaccination has emerged as a crucial tool in combating this disease. The objective of this experiment was to assess and compare the efficacy and duration of different vaccine protocols against furunculosis in large trout under controlled rearing conditions, utilizing single and booster administrations via intraperitoneal, oral, and immersion routes. Among the various vaccination protocols tested, only those involving intraperitoneal injection, administered at least once, proved truly effective in preventing the expression of clinical signs of furunculosis and reducing mortality rates. A single intraperitoneal administration provided protection for up to 2352°-days, equivalent to approximately 5 months in water at 16 °C. However, intraperitoneal vaccination may lead to reduced growth in the fish due to resultant intraperitoneal adhesions. Additionally, protocols incorporating booster doses via intraperitoneal injection demonstrated efficacy regardless of the administration route of the primary vaccination. Nevertheless, the use of booster vaccinations via the intraperitoneal route did not confer any significant advantage over a single intraperitoneal injection in terms of efficacy.

Volunteer Angling and Technology‐Based Solutions Provide the First Estimate of Sea Lice Infections for Wild Coastal Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii

Anadromous Coastal Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii are one of the least studied salmonids but are a highly prized target in sport fisheries in coastal waters of the Pacific Northwest. Despite an observed high prevalence of ectoparasite infections, described by sport anglers as “sea lice,” there is a paucity of data available on the spatial and temporal occurrence of infections on Coastal Cutthroat Trout. We collaborated with the angling community through social media engagement and an online application to report ectoparasites observed on sport catch. In 2018, we received voluntary reports for 1,493 Cutthroat Trout and 416 salmon catch events in marine waters from the province of British Columbia and the states of Washington, Oregon, and California. These data demonstrated that the number of argulids and copepods per trout varied according to body size, capture month, and area. To evaluate accuracy of voluntary parasite counts, we compared results to parasite counts on cutthroat from sampling events conducted by trained biologists. For both voluntary angler reports and those of biologists, spring months had a lower prevalence of argulids and copepods, argulids were common on trout, but absent on salmon, and larger trout were associated with an increased number of argulid and copepod infections.

Rearing of rainbow trout in cages on warm waters with using the feed additive Sangrovit Extra

Increasing the efficiency of feed with the use of different feed additives is becoming a particularly common method in aquaculture. Sangrovit Extra is a plant feed additive for increasing the productivity of farm animals due to the anti-infl ammatory and immunomodulatory properties of its components. The purpose of the research was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of the Sangrovit Extra additive as part of trout compound feed in feeding rainbow trout when rearing in cages on the warm waters of the regional hydroelectric power plant. The object of research was individuals of rainbow trout. The introduction of the Sangrovit Extra feed additive in the amount of 400 mg/kg into the main diet of fish best contributed to the increase in the average daily gain of trout in cages by 0,48 g compared to the control group. The use of the studied additive contributed to the increase in the assimilation of feed, which was manifested in the indicator of its consumtion. When trout weighing 200–300 g were grown on the main diet (without additives), feed consumption per 1 kg of fish growth amounted to 1,26 kg, whereas when introduced into the feed in the amount of 100 mg/kg, 400 and 700 mg/kg, the efficiency of feed use increased by 9 %, 11 and 5 %, respectively. When rearing larger trout (1,2–1,5 kg), feed consumptions when using the additive in the amount of 400 mg/kg decreased from 1,47 to 1,36 kg, i.e. by 10,8 %. The use of the Sangrovit Extra additive when rearing commercial rainbow trout in cages on warm waters has shown the economic feasibility of its use, especially at the dosage of 400 mg/kg of feed. The level of profitability for rearing trout weighing 0,3 kg was 18,6 % higher, and for fish weighing 0,5 kg by 12,7 % compared to the control group.

Relative Cost and Post‐Release Performance of Hatchery Catchable Rainbow Trout Grown to Two Target Sizes

Catchable‐sized hatchery trout (hereafter, catchables) have become a staple component of many fisheries management programs throughout North America. Due to their size, catchables create immediate fisheries once they are stocked, and fisheries managers have gradually shifted towards stocking fewer, larger trout. However, the cost of growing larger fish may reduce the efficiencies of catchable stocking programs overall. We grew catchable‐sized Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss to two target average sizes (254 and 305 mm total length) at a production scale, while tracking feed expenditures to examine the costs and benefits associated with increased size‐at‐stocking. Although larger catchables cost 31% more in feed expenditures than those reared to a smaller average size, catch (by anglers) of larger fish increased by 100% relative to smaller fish. Consequently, if target stocking size was changed from 254 to 305 mm and feed costs were held constant by reducing the total number of fish stocked, anglers would benefit by catching larger and more fish, despite the reduction in number of fish stocked. In lentic systems, larger catchables were reported by anglers more quickly than smaller fish, so managers must consider interactions between stocking size and residence time for lentic systems supported by catchables. In lotic systems, overall catch by anglers was much lower than catch at lentic waterbodies, and all catchables were either reported by anglers quickly or failed to be reported at all regardless of size‐at‐stocking. Producing larger catchables for hatchery‐supported fisheries serves to benefit angling and would likely increase angler satisfaction while improving efficiencies associated with hatchery catchable stocking programs.

Optimization of vacuum coating conditions to improve oil retention in Trout feed

This work describes a process approach to study the oil leakage phenomenon in feeds for large Trout. Using a pilot vacuum coater, four experimental coating parameters were studied (stirring speed, pressure, filling rate, and time needed to restore atmospheric pressure) through an experimental design. The properties measured on the coated pellets were the oil leakage rate and three other important usage properties, i.e. durability, hardness, and floatability. The coating conditions had a significant influence on oil leakage rate, varying at 40 °C from 2.7 % to 1.2 % depending on the coating conditions used. Finally, the vacuum level was the most effective factor in reducing leakage. Indeed, a progressive reduction in oil leakage rate was observed as the pressure inside the coater was reduced during coating.

Characterizing physical habitat preferences and thermal refuge occupancy of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at high river temperatures

AbstractAnthropogenic influences, including climate change, are increasing river temperatures in northern and temperate regions and threatening the thermal habitats of native salmonids. When river temperatures exceed the tolerance levels of brook trout and Atlantic salmon, individuals exhibit behavioural thermoregulation by seeking out cold‐water refugia – often created by tributaries and groundwater discharge. Thermal infrared (TIR) imagery was used to map cold‐water anomalies along a 53 km reach of the Cains River, New Brunswick. Trout and salmon parr did not use all identified thermal anomalies as refugia during higher river temperature periods (>21°C). Most small‐bodied trout (8–30 cm) were observed in 80% of the thermal anomalies sampled. Large‐bodied trout (>35 cm) required a more specific set of physical habitat conditions for suitable refugia, that is, 100% of observed large trout used 30% of the anomalies sampled and required water depths >65 cm within or adjacent to the anomaly. Densities of trout were significantly higher within anomalies compared with areas of ambient river temperature. Salmon parr were less aligned with thermal anomalies at the observed temperatures, that is, 59% were found in 65% of the sampled anomalies; and densities were not significantly different within/ outside anomalies. Salmon parr appeared to aggregate at 27°C, and after several events over 27°C variability in aggregation behaviour was observed – some fish aggregated at 25°C, others did not. We stipulate this is due to variances of thermal fatigue. Habitat suitability curves were developed for velocity, temperature, depth, substrate, and deep water availability to characterize conditions preferred by fish during high‐temperature events. These findings are useful for managers as our climate warms, and can potentially be used as a tool to help conserve and enhance thermal refugia for brook trout and Atlantic salmon in similar systems.

Population Assessment and Habitat Use of Brown Trout Following Severe Overwinter Predation from Common Mergansers in a Western New York Stream

Heavy predation by Mergus merganser (Common Merganser) during severe winters of 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 resulted in substantial reductions of wild Salmo trutta (Brown Trout) in open-water, groundwater-fed reaches of Oatka Creek in western New York State. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation considered the need for habitat manipulation to reduce the severity of future overwinter-predation by mergansers in Oatka Creek Park (OCP) but lacked data to make an informed decision. Thus, this study sought to estimate population abundance, density, and year-class distribution of Brown Trout; quantify the availability of cover and habitat; and identify habitat features used by Brown Trout in OCP. We recorded data for 100 Brown Trout (101–512 mm TL) during spring 2016, autumn 2016, winter 2017, and spring 2017. Despite the absence of mergansers in ensuing warmer winters, trout population indices decreased as the study continued, likely affected by high streamflow during sampling events. Year-class distributions typical of a small stream, however, suggest that the population is recovering. Velocity refuges and structural cover were the primary factors determining habitat selection. Large woody debris was the most favored cover type by all Brown Trout; however, boulders were also important, especially during low streamflow. Large trout (>300 mm) showed a strong preference for deepwater habitats with slow currents and high densities of woody debris and boulders, while small trout (<200 mm) preferred shallower complex habitats with slow currents, course substrates, and high cover densities. Quality trout habitat and instream cover is abundant throughout OCP, but the abundance of highly complex overwinter habitats capable of providing protection from mergansers may be limited. Adding complex structural cover to areas favored by smaller trout (<300 mm) could increase habitat complexity and likely reduce the severity of future overwinter predation.

Trophic interactions among algal blooms, macroinvertebrates, and brown trout: Implications for trout recovery in a restored river

AbstractPositive correlation between trout abundance and dissolved metal concentrations along the Upper Clark Fork River (UCFR; Montana, USA) have forced restoration practitioners to seek underlying causes of reduced fish density beyond heavy metal contamination. Throughout the river, nutrient enrichment and summer algal blooms may be hindering full recovery of trout populations. In this study, we evaluated the community structure and metal body burdens of benthic invertebrates and characterized existing trophic linkages between brown trout and dominant invertebrate taxa before and during summer algal blooms in a downstream reach of the UCFR where fish densities are low (20–30 trout/km), and where metal contamination is relevant but minimal compared with upstream. In spring, estimated invertebrate abundance was 1,727 ± 217 individuals/m2 and dominated by Ephemerellidae and Baetidae families. During summer algal bloom, invertebrate abundance increased 15‐fold (20,580 ± 3,510 individuals/m2) mostly due to greater abundance of Chironomidae, Hydropsychidae, and Simulidae. Copper body burdens (130 ± 42 ppm) were higher than any other heavy metal regardless of season, but detectable concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, and lead were also found. A Bayesian mixing model combining metal burdens and stable isotopes showed that in the spring, trout of average size (355 ± 65 g) relied mostly on epibenthic taxa (Ephemerellidae and Hydropsychidae), contrasting with small (&lt;100 g) and large (&gt;400 g) trout relying heavily on Baetidae, a major component of invertebrate drift. Foraging segregation related to trout size did not occur during summer algal blooms, which may reflect increasing influence of benthic algal proliferation or indicate the indiscriminate use of pool habitats as thermal refugia over summer conditions by trout of different ages.

Food Web Structure Informs Potential Causes of Bimodal Size Structure in a Top Predator

Background: Assemblages of fishes in lakes and reservoirs in the western USA are dominated by non-native, large-bodied, piscivorous fishes that lack a shared evolutionary history. Top predators in these crowded systems are often characterized by unstable population dynamics and poor somatic growth rates. One such assemblage is in Fish Lake, located in southern Utah, USA, in which introduced lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush, Walbaum) exhibit a bimodal growth pattern. A few lake trout in Fish Lake grow rapidly to large size typical of the species; whereas, most never grow beyond 600 mm total length. Objective: To inform competitive interactions in this evolutionarily novel fish assemblage that might cause the low recruitment to large body size in lake trout, we characterized trophic niche (from stable isotope analysis of C and N) of all fishes in the lake. Methods: We used a Bayesian mixing model to describe the trophic niche and infer diet of lake trout and their potential prey, and we used Bayesian ellipse analysis to identify potential areas of high competition within the food web. Large lake trout feed mostly on small lake trout and splake (Salvelinus namaycush, Walbaum x Salvelinus fontinalis, Mitchill) despite availability of abundant yellow perch. (Perca flavescens, Mitchill). Small lake trout and splake feed mostly on zooplankton and exhibit substantial overlap of their trophic niche implying competition for food. Yellow perch and Utah chub (Gila atraria, Girard; formerly an important food item for lake trout in Fish Lake) exhibit extreme overlap of their trophic niche implying strong competitive interactions. Results: Our data suggest that lack of recruitment to large body size in lake trout may result from a reduction in availability of Utah chub resulting from competitive interactions with yellow perch, and increased competition from introduced splake for available prey. Conclusion: Management actions that may help ameliorate the poor somatic growth rates of most lake trout include efforts to reduce perch populations or increase vulnerability of perch to predation by lake trout, and removal of splake as a competitor of small lake trout.

Life histories and ecotype conservation in an adaptive vertebrate: Genetic constitution of piscivorous brown trout covaries with habitat stability.

Ecotype variation in species exhibiting different life history strategies may reflect heritable adaptations to optimize reproductive success, and potential for speciation. Traditionally, ecotypes have, however, been defined by morphometrics and life history characteristics, which may be confounded with individual plasticity. Here, we use the widely distributed and polytypic freshwater fish species brown trout (Salmo trutta) as a model to study piscivorous life history and its genetic characteristics in environmentally contrasting habitats; a large lake ecosystem with one major large and stable tributary, and several small tributaries. Data from 550 fish and 13 polymorphic microsatellites (H e = 0.67) indicated ecotype‐specific genetic differentiation (θ = 0.0170, p < .0001) among Bayesian assigned small riverine resident and large, lake migrating brown trout (>35 cm), but only in the large tributary. In contrast, large trout did not constitute a distinct genetic group in small tributaries, or across riverine sites. Whereas life history data suggest a small, river resident and a large migratory piscivorous ecotype in all studied tributaries, genetic data indicated that a genetically distinct piscivorous ecotype is more likely to evolve in the large and relatively more stable river habitat. In the smaller tributaries, ecotypes apparently resulted from individual plasticity. Whether different life histories and ecotypes result from individual plasticity or define different genetic types, have important consequence for conservation strategies.

The fishing and natural mortality of large, piscivorous Bull Trout and Rainbow Trout in Kootenay Lake, British Columbia (2008-2013).

BackgroundEstimates of fishing and natural mortality are important for understanding, and ultimately managing, commercial and recreational fisheries. High reward tags with fixed station acoustic telemetry provides a promising approach to monitoring mortality rates in large lake recreational fisheries. Kootenay Lake is a large lake which supports an important recreational fishery for large Bull Trout and Rainbow Trout.MethodsBetween 2008 and 2013, 88 large (≥500 mm) Bull Trout and 149 large (≥500 mm) Rainbow Trout were marked with an acoustic transmitter and/or high reward ($100) anchor tags in Kootenay Lake. The subsequent detections and angler recaptures were analysed using a Bayesian individual state-space Cormack–Jolly–Seber (CJS) survival model with indicator variable selection.ResultsThe final CJS survival model estimated that the annual interval probability of being recaptured by an angler was 0.17 (95% CRI [0.11–0.23]) for Bull Trout and 0.14 (95% CRI [0.09–0.19]) for Rainbow Trout. The annual interval survival probability for Bull Trout was estimated to have declined from 0.91 (95% CRI [0.76–0.97]) in 2009 to just 0.46 (95% CRI [0.24–0.76]) in 2013. Rainbow Trout survival was most strongly affected by spawning. The annual interval survival probability was 0.77 (95% CRI [0.68–0.85]) for a non-spawning Rainbow Trout compared to 0.41 (95% CRI [0.30–0.53]) for a spawner. The probability of spawning increased with the fork length for both species and decreased over the course of the study for Rainbow Trout.DiscussionFishing mortality was relatively low and constant while natural mortality was relatively high and variable. The results indicate that angler effort is not the primary driver of short-term population fluctations in the Rainbow Trout abundance. Variation in the probability of Rainbow Trout spawning suggests that the spring escapement at the outflow of Trout Lake may be a less reliable index of abundance than previously assumed. Multi-species stock assessment models need to account for the fact that large Bull Trout are more abundant than large Rainbow Trout in Kootenay Lake.

Air Exposure Time of Trout Released by Anglers during Catch and Release

AbstractResearch of catch‐and‐release fishing has included air exposure time as a contributing factor in the lethal and sublethal impacts to fish. However, to our knowledge, no studies have observed the amount of time anglers actually expose fish to air when recreationally fishing. We observed 280 anglers on several waters where catch and release was commonly practiced for trout and timed how long they exposed trout to air before releasing them back to the water. We also noted several angling characteristics to evaluate whether they influenced air exposure times, including the type of gear (fly, lure, bait), fishing on foot or from a boat, handling method (hand, net), and a subjective measure of trout size (small, medium, large). The longest continuous interval that anglers exposed trout to air averaged 26.1 s (range, 0–160 s), and only 4% of the anglers held fish out of the water continuously for &gt;60 s. Total air exposure averaged 29.4 s, ranged from 0 to 165 s, and differed from the longest air exposure by only 3.3 s because most of the released trout (78%) were held out of the water only one time. Anglers who handled trout by hand (rather than using a landing net) and used flies (rather than bait or lures) held fish out of water for less time. Larger trout were exposed to air longer ( = 36.0 s) than small ( = 22.5 s) or medium‐sized ( = 27.1 s) trout. However, no angling characteristic increased air exposure by more than 14 s. Fight time averaged 53.0 s and ranged from 7 to 128 s. We conclude that from an air exposure perspective, most of the trout released by anglers in our study were not exposed to air for times that would cause mortality or substantively increase sublethal effects from catch and release.Received October 9, 2015; accepted April 18, 2016 Published online August 25, 2016

Concentrations of heavy metals in fish species targeted by anglers in central New Jersey: A pilot study

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to investigate the concentrations of toxic metals in the edible portion of fish tissue obtained from the Raritan River in New Brunswick, New Jersey (NJ) between April and May of 2014. Species collected for this study included commonly caught fish such as bluegill, small and large mouth bass, brown and rainbow trout, bullhead catfish, and white perch. Samples were filleted and the muscle tissue subsequently dehydrated and then chemically digested. Samples were analyzed using Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Levels of 28 different metals were quantified for each specimen. In general, metal contamination in fish tissues was below the recommended limits. However, lead was found in one sample at a tissue concentration of 88 µg per 225 g fillet, which is above the recommended daily consumption limit as set by the Food and Safety Authority of Ireland. The maximum level found for arsenic was 23 µg per 225 g fillet. The fish samples taken from the Raritan River in New Brunswick, NJ for this study did not contain dangerous levels of most of the metals tested.

Speckled trout population parameters, habitat conditions and management strategies in lakes in Nova Scotia, Canada

A principal components analysis was conducted on the results of published reports and data sets from technical papers that include speckled trout Salvelinus fontinalis population estimates from 14 Nova Scotia lakes. The purpose of this paper was to identify the factors that influenced trout density and biomass. Population parameters, including mean fork length (cm), population density (n/ha), and population biomass (kg/ha), relative to variation in lake size, acidity, and competitor species were assessed and compared among lakes. Populations with small mean length and slow growth displayed larger fish density and biomass suggesting density-dependence. Acidic conditions potentially impact spawning potential and reduced recruitment that resulted in small population density and larger trout. The number of other fish species present in the lakes was used as an index of competition and had the greatest impact on trout density and biomass in Nova Scotia lakes. Yellow perch seemed to have the most impact of all the competitor species. In five lakes that contained yellow perch the mean trout population biomass was 0.19 kg-ha-1 (0.2,SD) compared to 4.5 kg-ha-1 (0.26, SD) in eight lakes that did not contain perch species. Lentic habitat conditions can greatly influence the potential success of different fisheries management strategies.

Brown trout growth in Minnesota streams as related to landscape and local factors

ABSTRACTBrown trout (Salmo trutta) are ecologically and socioeconomically important throughout the world. As such, understanding population dynamics is critical for brown trout management. Brown trout support a valuable recreational fishery in the Driftless Ecoregion of southeast Minnesota, where growth (i.e. mean back-calculated length-at-age) varies among streams but the relative effects of landscape (i.e. watershed level) and local (i.e. reach-level) factors on growth are unclear. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate effects of drainage area on individual brown trout growth relative to the effects of local factors (i.e. thermal regime, riparian land cover, relative abundance) to provide managers with strategies for increasing growth and the abundance of large individuals in southeast Minnesota streams. Linear mixed-effects models with combinations of these factors were compared using information-theoretic model selection and multimodel inference. Age, which explained 63% of variation in growth, differed among streams for age-1 and age-2, but not age-3 brown trout. Model averaging indicated growth of age-1 and age-2 individuals increased primarily with drainage area and secondarily with forested riparian area. Brown trout relative abundance did not affect growth, so it is realistic for managers to sustain high-quality, high-quantity brown trout populations. Overall, this synthetic landscape and local study advances brown trout management by illustrating that systems with large watersheds and forested riparian zones are suitable for management strategies (e.g. harvest regulations, habitat restoration) to increase growth and the abundance of large brown trout in socioeconomically valuable southeast Minnesota streams.

Generalized additive and fuzzy models in environmental flow assessment: A comparison employing the West Balkan trout (Salmo farioides; Karaman, 1938)

Human activities have altered flow regimes resulting in increased pressures and threats on river biota. Physical habitat simulation has been established as a standard approach among the methods for Environmental Flow Assessment (EFA). Traditionally, in EFA, univariate habitat suitability curves have been used to evaluate the habitat suitability at the microhabitat scale whereas Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) and fuzzy logic are considered the most common multivariate approaches to do so. The assessment of the habitat suitability for three size classes of the West Balkan trout (Salmo farioides; Karaman, 1938) inferred with these multivariate approaches was compared at three different levels. First the modelled patterns of habitat selection were compared by developing partial dependence plots. Then, the habitat assessment was spatially explicitly compared by calculating the fuzzy kappa statistic and finally, the habitat quantity and quality was compared broadly and at relevant flows under a hypothetical flow regulation, based on the Weighted Usable Area (WUA) vs. flow curves. The GAMs were slightly more accurate and the WUA-flow curves demonstrated that they were more optimistic in the habitat assessment with larger areas assessed with low to intermediate suitability (0.2–0.6). Nevertheless, both approaches coincided in the habitat assessment (the optimal areas were spatially coincident) and in the modelled patterns of habitat selection; large trout selected microhabitats with low flow velocity, large depth, coarse substrate and abundant cover. Medium sized trout selected microhabitats with low flow velocity, middle-to-large depth, any kind of substrate but bedrock and some elements of cover. Finally small trout selected microhabitats with low flow velocity, small depth, and light cover only avoiding bedrock substrate. Furthermore, both approaches also rendered similar WUA-flow curves and coincided in the predicted increases and decreases of the WUA under the hypothetical flow regulation. Although on an equal footing, GAMs performed slightly better, they do not automatically account for variables interactions. Conversely, fuzzy models do so and can be easily modified by experts to include new insights or to cover a wider range of environmental conditions. Therefore, as a consequence of the agreement between both approaches, we would advocate for combinations of GAMs and fuzzy models in fish-based EFA.

Prey size and availability limits maximum size of rainbow trout in a large tailwater: insights from a drift-foraging bioenergetics model

The cold and clear water conditions present below many large dams create ideal conditions for the development of economically important salmonid fisheries. Many of these tailwater fisheries have experienced declines in the abundance and condition of large trout species, yet the causes of these declines remain uncertain. Here, we develop, assess, and apply a drift-foraging bioenergetics model to identify the factors limiting rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) growth in a large tailwater. We explored the relative importance of temperature, prey quantity, and prey size by constructing scenarios where these variables, both singly and in combination, were altered. Predicted growth matched empirical mass-at-age estimates, particularly for younger ages, demonstrating that the model accurately describes how current temperature and prey conditions interact to determine rainbow trout growth. Modeling scenarios that artificially inflated prey size and abundance demonstrate that rainbow trout growth is limited by the scarcity of large prey items and overall prey availability. For example, shifting 10% of the prey biomass to the 13 mm (large) length class, without increasing overall prey biomass, increased lifetime maximum mass of rainbow trout by 88%. Additionally, warmer temperatures resulted in lower predicted growth at current and lower levels of prey availability; however, growth was similar across all temperatures at higher levels of prey availability. Climate change will likely alter flow and temperature regimes in large rivers with corresponding changes to invertebrate prey resources used by fish. Broader application of drift-foraging bioenergetics models to build a mechanistic understanding of how changes to habitat conditions and prey resources affect growth of salmonids will benefit management of tailwater fisheries.

Co-localization of growth QTL with differentially expressed candidate genes in rainbow trout.

We tested whether genes differentially expressed between large and small rainbow trout co-localized with familial QTL regions for body size. Eleven chromosomes, known from previous work to house QTL for weight and length in rainbow trout, were examined for QTL in half-sibling families produced in September (1 XY male and 1 XX neomale) and December (1 XY male). In previous studies, we identified 108 candidate genes for growth expressed in the liver and white muscle in a subset of the fish used in this study. These gene sequences were BLASTN aligned against the rainbow trout and stickleback genomes to determine their location (rainbow trout) and inferred location based on synteny with the stickleback genome. Across the progeny of all three males used in the study, 63.9% of the genes with differential expression appear to co-localize with the QTL regions on 6 of the 11 chromosomes tested in these males. Genes that co-localized with QTL in the mixed-sex offspring of the two XY males primarily showed up-regulation in the muscle of large fish and were related to muscle growth, metabolism, and the stress response.