Premium
The Two‐Story Rainbow Trout Fishery at Laurel River Lake, Kentucky
Author(s) -
Jones Albert R.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8659(1982)2<132:ttrtfa>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - rainbow trout , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , environmental science , biology
Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were introduced into Laurel River Lake as 4‐in fish in 1974 and as 8‐10 in fish each year thereafter. Studies were initiated in 1975 to evaluate the success of these stockings. Trout preferred 54‐61 F water temperatures during the summer months and this preference influenced their depth distribution in June‐October. The mean monthly growth rate of trout was 0.56 in and 0.10 lb in 1977; 0.78 in and 0.20 lb in 1978. The trout fishery steadily improved during 1977‐1979. Trout harvest in 1979 was 2.5 lb per acre, a 73% addition to the fish yield. The recovery rate, by weight of trout stocked, was 63%. The night fishery during the summer months contributed to most of the trout harvest. The mean size of trout creeled at night in 1978 was 14.0 in and 0.93 lb, compared to a size of 9.9 in and 0.33 lb when stocked. Recommendations were to (1) stock rainbow trout annually in February at a mean length of at least 9 in; (2) include Craigs Creek boat ramp as a stocking site; (3) evaluate the success of stocking larger numbers of trout, if available; (4) inform anglers of the preference for 54‐61 F water temperatures by trout in order to improve success at locating and catching trout in late summer.