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Simulated Changes in Lake Trout Yield, Trophies, and Forage Consumption under Various Slot Limits
Author(s) -
Luecke Chris,
Edwards Thomas C.,
Wengert Marvin W.,
Brayton Steve,
Schneidervin Roger
Publication year - 1994
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 - 10.1577/1548-8675(1994)014<0014:scilty>2.3.co;2
Subject(s) - trout , trophy , salvelinus , fishery , overexploitation , forage fish , population , forage , environmental science , biomass (ecology) , fish <actinopterygii> , biology , ecology , geography , demography , archaeology , sociology
In Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Utah–Wyoming, mean size of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush harvested by anglers has decreased. We hypothesized that this decline resulted from either overexploitation of lake trout by anglers or from a decline in lake trout growth owing to decreases in forage fish availability. While investigations to examine these hypotheses were being developed, we wanted to examine the potential for increasing the size of lake trout harvested without dramatically increasing the consumption demand of the lake trout population on forage fishes. To accomplish this goal we used population models to examine survival patterns of lake trout under different slot limits. Results of the population model were used in bioenergetics simulations to examine the consumption demand of the lake trout population. Total yield, the number of trophy fish harvested, and the biomass of prey fish consumed by lake trout were examined for each of seven harvest scenarios. Simulations indicated that the more restrictive slot length limits resulted in higher trophy catches, lower yields, and increased consumption of forage fish populations. Results suggested that the 28–36‐in slot limit provided a moderate increase in trophy catch while minimizing reductions in yield and increases in consumption demand. Examination of tradeoffs among these fishery and community responses can guide management decisions and help identify factors that should be monitored during a management program.