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DEPARTMENT INFORMATION |
Fishery Region ATo view PDF documents, you will need the free Adobe Reader. If you need assistance, view our PDF Help page, email us or call us at (207) 287-8000. Rainbow Trout ProjectIn the fall of 1997, the Fishery Division established a committee comprised of biologists and hatchery staff to revisit the prospect of a rainbow trout stocking program. After deliberation of the pros and cons, the committee concluded to move forward with a limited, experimental program to evaluate the relative performance of rainbow trout against that of brown trout and brook trout. Our intentions were to determine if rainbows could provide fishery managers with an additional tool to improve fishing opportunities for Maine anglers. The study was conducted over a 5-6 year period in a variety of Maine waters and included three parts: (1) hatchery performance comparisons among all three species, (2) field performance comparisons of browns and rainbows, and (3) field performance comparisons of brookies and rainbows. A federal hatchery in Tennessee provided Eagle Lake Strain rainbow eggs used during the study. Following is a partial summary of our findings and conclusions; complete technical reports are available from the Department. Hatchery ComparisonsAll three trout species exhibited similar performance in the hatchery system for most parameters including mortality, food conversion, disease resistance, and tolerance to various stressors. Hatchery growth was excellent for browns and brookies, but phenomenal for Eagle Lake strain rainbows. For example, spring yearling rainbows averaged 11.3 inches, over an inch longer than browns (10.2 in) and brookies (9.8 in) of the same age. Remarkable rainbow growth may help satisfy the public’s desire for larger trout. In addition, this project demonstrated that our facilities and staff could successfully raise rainbows, and meet the potential challenges of a new stocking program. Field Performance Comparisons – Brown and Rainbow TroutBeginning in 2001, five lakes and two rivers were stocked annually with equal numbers of rainbow trout and brown trout. Our objectives were: (1) to examine and compare catch rates, returns, growth, and carry-over potential of rainbow and brown trout; and (2) to evaluate whether rainbows may be more catchable than browns during mid-day hours, and thus more available to the majority of anglers. A few highlights from the study include:
Table 1.
Field Performance Comparisons – Brook and Rainbow TroutThis portion of the study evaluated the relative field performance of Eagle Lake strain rainbow trout and Maine Hatchery strain brook trout in four small, trout ponds including: Jaybird P (Hiram), Lily P (New Gloucester), Long P (Denmark) and Overset P (Greenwood). Study objectives were: (1) to compare angler catch/harvest rates and examine whether the two trout species differ in their seasonal availability to the angler; (2) to evaluate relative size quality and growth, (3) to assess survival and carry-over potential; (4) to compare their utilization of the food chain, and (5) to examine trout performance in waters with marginal summer water quality under different levels of competition/predation. A few highlights from the study include:
ConclusionsStudy results are encouraging and support the potential continuation of rainbow trout stocking in select Maine waters, particularly in marginal waters where native salmonid species are unable to provide satisfactory angling, and where nonnative salmonids (i.e. brown trout) provide low returns. About 10,000 rainbows are stocked annually in support of this study. Current plans are to continue stocking rainbows in most of these waters. Furthermore, an initial modest stocking increase is planned for southern and central Maine, including some waters that were historically stocked with rainbows, as well as some new proposed stockings. All “new” stocking proposals will undergo an internal and public review process before any management and stocking changes are authorized. This review process ensures adherence to established Department policies and ensures proposals are biologically sound. Scott and Crossman (Fishes of Canada) state, “The rainbow has been one of the more successful, more appreciated, and less potentially dangerous of the many attempts to introduce a fish to areas beyond its natural range.” Despite the proven benefits of rainbows, the Department needs to consider the risks and implications involved with introducing a non-native trout species into Maine waters. Particularly, when evidence suggests rainbow trout likely have negative interactions with native salmonids like brook trout and Atlantic salmon. Rainbow trout will presumably only create significant, long-term impacts to native species if they establish self-sustaining populations, or if they are continually stocked on top of existing wild salmonid populations. Although historical stockings in Maine suggest establishment is unlikely on most waters, it has occurred on a few of our larger river systems. The Department will take precautions to minimize risks of rainbow interactions with wild salmonids and to reduce potential for the establishment of self-sustaining populations. Sebago Lake Fishing update
Age 2 and 3 male salmon collected at the Jordan River Fish trap are monitored annually to assess trends in mean growth and size. As for the Age 2 salmon, this past fall and the prior 2 years have produced salmon that exceeded size “standards” observed in 1988, with a slight reduction in mean size in 2007 from that observed in ’06 and ’05 (see table). The age 3 salmon have exceeded 1988 size quality standards for the past 4 years, although this age group is slightly smaller on average than the previous 2 years. A mechanical problem with the hydroaccoustic boat prevented the completion of a smelt survey in 2007 to quantify smelt abundance. However, a robust spring spawning run in the Songo and Crooked rivers, and anecdotal reports from lake anglers suggest good numbers of smelt are now present in the lake. Prior to 2007, the smelt population has been steadily and rapidly increasing since 2001. In response to the designation of Sebago Lake as Classic Salmon water, we have developed a written fisheries management plan for Sebago. And without question, salmon are the focus under the draft plan being developed with input from the angling community. In fact, other fisheries are not addressed in the plan, with the exception of those species (i.e., togue, smelt, invasive species) that strongly influence salmon management. Since the initial draft plan was developed we have invited and received input from various area fishing groups, including Sebago Lake Anglers Association, Windham/Gorham Rod & Gun Club, Sebago Chapter of Trout Unlimited, as well as the Sportsmen’s Alliance of Maine. At the time of this writing we are also anticipating comments from Pine Tree Fish & Game Club. Once formal comments have been submitted from the organized area-fishing clubs, comments will be discussed (at a public meeting) and where appropriate incorporated in the plan. Comments have been largely positive to date. Once this task is complete a copy of the plan will be added to the Department’s website for public review and comment. Based on the draft plan several regulation proposals have already been proposed by Sebago Lake Anglers Association, and in concept embraced by us. The final language is still being developed, but in essence the proposals would:
The proposed fall fishing initiative would increase togue harvest opportunity, which is a stated objective in the fisheries plan. Restricting the harvest of larger, older togue is an effort to establish a “biological control” in the population that is believed to be important in limiting togue abundance. Removal of larger individuals from long standing Lake trout populations in Idaho is believed to have caused togue population explosions and associated management problems for other coexisting sportfish. The harvest of younger individuals in Sebago, while enhancing the older age structure in the population should negatively influence total reproduction, fecundity, and overall population size, which will reduce total predation pressures on the smelt population, so critically important to salmon. If successful, togue anglers will have fewer lake trout to catch, but they will be of much larger size quality. In addition, the salmon fishery will be enhanced by a greater abundance of smelt and associated improvements in salmon abundance and size quality. At this time it is unlikely either proposed regulations could be promulgated to appear in the 2008 open water fishing law book, however, we plan to advance the fall fishing provision for the 2008 open water fishing season, but it will not appear in the open water fishing law book. We will conduct public outreach to get the word out if the new regulation is adopted. The regulation dealing with togue lengths and bag limits will not be advanced for the 2008 open water fishing season and still needs more public discussion. If approved, new size and bag regulations for togue regulation could become established in the 2009 open water fishing law book. By Francis Brautigam |
| Copyright © 2007 All rights reserved. |
According to Carroll Cutting, proprietor of Jordan’s Store in Sebago, ex-MDIFW advisory council member, long time angler, and a most genuine person, the salmon fishing in 2007 on Sebago was some of the best he has ever seen on the lake - that’s over 3 to 4 decades. Certainly a testament to the improving fishery. Salmon in the 3 to 7 pound size range were the norm, particularly during the annual spring flurry that coincides with the smelt spawning run. Catches of 6 to 12 salmon per trip were reported from experienced anglers through the month of July. For management purposes we refer to the 1988 fishery as a historical “bench mark” of what anglers would like to see reestablished in the lake. The salmon fishing this past season appears to have exceeded the 1988 level, at least in terms of size quality. An active creel survey was not conducted in 2007 so no assessment of angler catch rate was undertaken in ‘07. These overall positive changes in the salmon fishery, as well as reported improvements in lake trout size quality have been well received by lake fishermen.
The Jordan River fish trap captured 161 adult stocked salmon, which is up considerably from recent previous years. Three age classes (2, 3, 4) were well represented, as well as a small number of 5 year olds. This relatively broad age class distribution indicates good lake survival and has allowed salmon to grow as large as 8 pounds. Age 3 stocked salmon were as large as 6 to 7 pounds, although some that didn’t grow and/or were injured were as small as 2 pounds.