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Montana Anglers' Inability to Identify Bull Trout and other Salmonids
Author(s) -
Schmetterling David A.,
Long Mack H.
Publication year - 1999
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(1999)024<0024:maitib>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - trout , fishery , biology , fish <actinopterygii>
The efficacy of fishing regulations relies on anglers knowing and understanding regulations as well as their ability to identify fish correctly. While the legal harvest of both bull trout ( Salvelinus confluentus ) and westslope cutthroat trout ( Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi ) has been restricted or eliminated in west central Montana to restore these native populations, anglers unintentionally may be harvesting these trout because of an inability to identify them. We studied the ability of 681 anglers to identify 6 salmonid species commonly found in west central Montana and found that 44% correctly identified bull trout, and 76% correctly identified westslope cutthroat trout. Overall, anglers correctly identified salmonid species 63% of the time but frequently confused related species. Resident and more‐experienced anglers identified salmonid species better than nonresident and less‐experienced anglers, respectively. Managers must develop educational measures to give anglers identification skills and help them abide by regulations in order to accomplish management and restoration goals.