Fish stocking is among the most widely used tools in fisheries management, supporting recreational and commercial opportunities while also contributing to conservation goals for rare and threatened species. Despite widespread stocking, few studies move beyond inter-species comparisons to evaluate how strain-specific variability influences recruitment to anglers and fishery-independent surveys. Even less well-understood is the role of strain-specific behavior in shaping differences in catchability by anglers. Studying these factors is critical for optimizing stocking programs and balancing ecological impacts.
In the present study, we explore both field and laboratory data to investigate how behavioral differences among six brook trout strains (Temiscamie, Horn Lake, Little Tupper, Assinica, Windfall, and a Temiscamie x Domestic hybrid) drive variation in Catchability. We hypothesized that surface feeding motivation within a hatchery would correlate with angler catchability. Strong strain-specific differences in the number of times fish fed at the surface were observed. Additionally, surface feeding in the hatchery was strongly correlated with order of capture by angling from a small pond with an even distribution of fish by strain. Preliminary results from a set of larger lakes and ponds highlight similar trends in strain catchability.
Based on these differences in feeding, we hypothesize that different brook trout strains may have different diets, providing managers the opportunity to stock multiple strains in a lake or to stock based on the community of the receiving ecosystem. These findings underscore the importance of understanding strain-specific traits for greater success in both fisheries and conservation management.