Life-History Studies to Inform Brook Trout Management in the Savage River Watershed, MD

Throughout their native range, marked declines have been observed in the abundance and distribution of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). In western Maryland, brook trout populations are the focus of management activities, yet we lack basic life history information for a species known to exhibit considerable plasticity. We are using passive integrated transponder (PIT) technology to monitor over 2,500 individuals at two streams. Stationary antenna arrays have been installed at several locations to log a continuous record of fish movement, yielding over 15,000 tag detections at antennas.  Biannual electrofishing and tagging efforts yielded 1,000 physical recapture events in 2011. We found very slow growth (5-10mm annually) of large individuals (>250mm), suggesting greater longevity and potential vulnerability to exploitation than previously thought. We also documented large seasonal movement patterns within streams and between harvest management areas. Ultimately, the data will parameterize population models to help predict the impacts of alternative fishing regulations or environmental change.