The Open Fish Science Journal

2016, 9 : 45-50
Published online 2016 August 31. DOI: 10.2174/1874401X01609010045
Publisher ID: TOFISHSJ-9-45

RESEARCH ARTICLE
 Summer-Autumn Habitat Use of Yearling Rainbow Trout in Two Streams in the Lake Ontario Watershed

James H. Johnson, * , James E. McKenna and Marc A. Chalupnicki

* Address correspondence to this author at the Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science, USGS - Great Lakes Science Center, 3075 Gracie Road, Cortland, NY 13045, USA; Tel: (607) 753-9391 x7530; Fax: (607)753-0258; E-mail: jhjohnson@usgs.gov

ABSTRACT

Understanding the habitat requirements of salmonids in streams is an important component of fisheries management. We examined the summer and autumn habitat use of yearling Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss in relation to available habitat in two streams in the Lake Ontario watershed. Little interstream variation in trout habitat use was observed; the variation that did occur was largely due to differences between streams in available habitat in the autumn. In both streams, yearling Rainbow Trout utilized pool habitat and during periods of high stream discharge were associated with larger substrate that may provide a velocity barrier. These findings may assist resource managers in their efforts to protect and restore habitat for migratory Rainbow Trout in the Lake Ontario watershed.

Keywords:

Autumn, Habitat, Rainbow trout, Streams, Summer.