The Effects of Angling and Hatchery Trout on the Abundance of Juvenile Steelhead Trout

Abstract We assessed the effects of angling and planted trout on the abundance of wild juvenile steelhead trout in a rearing stream with underwater censusing of abundance and angling for steelhead in sections with and without planted trout. A large proportion of the juvenile steelhead were removed by angling. The presence of hatchery reared, catchable‐size rainbow trout did not affect the angling harvest of juvenile steelhead trout. Angling reduced the abundance of juvenile steelhead in the catch‐remove study sections but did not alter the numbers of juvenile steelhead in catch‐release study sections. Partial recolonization of fished‐out areas occurred. Angling was selective for larger juvenile steelhead in the test sections, but had no detectable effect on the average size of fish in subsequent samples because fished‐out areas were recolonized by fish of the same size as those originally removed. Differences in fish size and habitat preferences reduced interactions between hatchery rainbow trout and juvenile steelhead trout. Hatchery trout released into study sections slightly altered the distribution of juvenile steelhead trout.