Abundance and Harvest of Trout in Sagehen Creek, California

Abstract
Between 1952 and 1961 standing crops of brook (Salvelinus fontinalis), rainbow (Salmo gairdneri), and brown (Salmo trutta) trout were determined in August for a 5.7 mile section of Sagehen Creek in east‐central California. In 1953 a creel census was initiated which continued through 1961. The purpose of the study was to determine if a moderately productive wild trout stream could support a substantial angler harvest over an extended period without augmentation with hatchery‐reared trout. The 10‐year average standing crop of all trout was 1,578 (37 pounds) per acre. Standing crops declined somewhat during the study period, largely due to habitat deterioration rather than to fishing. Floods and abandonment of beaver impoundments were the primary adverse influences on trout habitat. Catch did not decline significantly over the period. Fishermen annually removed 23–47% (average, 33%) of all trout over 99 mm in length, but recruitment replaced the loss. Although the natural fishery has proven to be viable, the trout population is not characterized by many large fish. We recommend an experimental management program aimed at (1) restoring some of the brown trout habitat by construction of low dams similar to the beaver dams that formerly were so productive, and (2) increasing the number of larger trout in the stream by regulation of the take. If each large trout is subject to multiple capture and release, additional high‐quality sport would be provided. Future studies could evaluate the effect on the fishery of these changes in management.

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