CO analysis of trout feeding

[nymphingmaniac]

came across my facebook feed. Says private feeding of fish hurts the population. Might be relevant to PA. If not, move it to the appropriate forum

Survey of Colorado Gold Medal fishing location on Blue River cites fish feeding as possible reason for river health decline

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to reflect that Colorado Parks and Wildlife designates Gold Medal fishing waters in the state. A Colorado Parks and Wildlife fish survey along the Lower Blue River cites...

www.skyhinews.com

 

[Dave_W]

Very interesting article. Thanks for the link.

This is the first time I have seen a suggestion that artificial feeding may be a contributor when fish populations decline, although the evidence from this study only suggests a possible correlation, rather than causation. The gill lice issue in rainbows and not browns is also interesting. The ranch owners, not surprisingly, didn't agree with the feeding conclusion.

Would be interesting if they could be persuaded to cease feeding for awhile and then do another population survey, although I doubt the ranch would be amenable considering the draw that huge pellet fish can have for some anglers and paying clients.

(Moved from Conservation forum)

 

[troutbert]

The issue isn't just feeding, they are also stocking hatchery trout.

Then feeding those stocked hatchery trout. Resulting in a bunch of big bloater hatchery trout.

When they are surveying the population of trout that typically refers to wild trout. Stocked trout wouldn't typically be counted as part of the population (or at least shouldn't be).

So, it's not surprising at all that if a stream has much of its prime habitat occupied by big bloater stockies that that would limit the wild trout population.