Effects of Rearing Density on Return to Creel of Hatchery Catchable Rainbow Trout Stocked in Idaho Lentic Waters

AbstractEvaluating rearing techniques that maximize angler returns to creel of hatchery trout is an essential tool in shaping hatchery management practices and maximizing the public use of hatchery products. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of raceway rearing density on return to creel of catchable-sized (mean TL ≈ 252 mm) hatchery Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. In 2011 and 2012, Idaho Department of Fish and Game reared catchable-sized trout targeting three maximum density indices (0.15, 0.25, and 0.30 lb·ft−3·in−1) at three different state fish hatcheries. Each hatchery stocked fish into the same 11 lakes and reservoirs to evaluate return-to-creel rates by rearing density. Although there was a trend of lower angler catch for fish reared at a higher raceway density, the relationship was not statistically significant. Instead, angler catch was significantly influenced by fish size at stocking and the surface area of the water being stocked, whereby larger fish and smaller waters had ...