Use of first‐order tributaries by brown trout (Salmo trutta) as nursery habitat in a cold water stream network

Michael J. Louison; Robert S. Stelzer

doi:10.1111/eff.12197

journal article Oct 27, 2014

Use of first‐order tributaries by brown trout (Salmo trutta) as nursery habitat in a cold water stream network

Michael J. Louison Robert S. Stelzer

Ecology of Freshwater Fish Vol. 25 No. 1 pp. 133-140 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1111/eff.12197

Abstract

AbstractMany investigators have examined the importance of suitable in‐stream habitat and flow regime to salmonid fishes. However, there is much less known about the use of small (<5 l·s−1 discharge) first‐order streams within a larger stream network by salmonids. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of small headwater streams by juvenile brown trout Salmo trutta in the Emmons Creek stream network in Wisconsin, USA, and to determine whether abundance was related to habitat variables in these streams. Fishes in eight spring‐fed first‐order streams were sampled during a 7‐month period using a backpack electroshocker and measured for total length. Habitat variables assessed included stream discharge, water velocity, sediment composition and the abundance of cover items (woody debris and macrophytes). Densities of YOY trout ranged from 0 to 1 per m2 over the course of the study and differed among first‐order streams. Stepwise multiple regression revealed discharge to be negatively associated with trout density in spring but not in summer. All other habitat variables were not significantly related to trout density. Our results demonstrate the viability of small first‐order streams as nursery habitat for brown trout and support the inclusion of headwater streams in conservation and stream restoration efforts.

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Metrics

8

Citations

35

References

Details

Published: Oct 27, 2014
Vol/Issue: 25(1)
Pages: 133-140
License: View

Authors

M

Michael J. Louison

Department of Biology and Microbiology University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Oshkosh WI USA

R

Robert S. Stelzer

Department of Biology and Microbiology University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Oshkosh WI USA

Funding

Central Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Student-Faculty Collaborative Research

STEP

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Cite This Article

Michael J. Louison, Robert S. Stelzer (2014). Use of first‐order tributaries by brown trout (Salmo trutta) as nursery habitat in a cold water stream network. Ecology of Freshwater Fish, 25(1), 133-140. https://doi.org/10.1111/eff.12197

Use of first‐order tributaries by brown trout (Salmo trutta) as nursery habitat in a cold water stream network

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