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Wild Trout Resources and Management in the Southern Appalachian Mountains
Author(s) -
Habera James W.,
Strange Richard J.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
fisheries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1548-8446
pISSN - 0363-2415
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8446(1993)018<0006:wtrami>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - trout , fishing , fishery , brown trout , geography , resource (disambiguation) , fish <actinopterygii> , ecology , biology , computer network , computer science
Information acquired through surveys of six state and federal natural resource management agencies was used to obtain current estimates of the wild trout resources of the southern Appalachian Mountains and to review associated management programs. Overall, the southern Appalachians contain some 18,000 km of coldwater streams with the potential for supporting salmonid populations. Wild trout inhabit about 9,660 km of these streams and native brook trout are found in approximately 2,580 km. These substantial and comparatively unique resources are becoming increasingly important from many perspectives as potential threats to their continued existence increase. Current management programs and strategies employed by the agencies surveyed reflect the basic similarity of wild trout resources and management needs throughout the region. A notable amount of variability remains regarding angling regulations and, to a lesser degree, native brook trout management. Such variability is not biologically‐based, but rather reflects public influences in wild trout management schemes. Generally, the efficacy of wild trout management has improved as greater knowledge and understanding of the region's wild trout resources is obtained and management programs and strategies are further refined. The southern Appalachians provide an example of a collective transition toward more progressive management of a valuable fishery resource.