09-11-2017, 06:11 PM
[left]Great topic! IDFG has been adjusting stocking rates over the past decade, trying to find the best balance between fish size and angler catch rates. As has been pointed out previously, kokanee size can be heavily dependent on the number of fish in the reservoir, with high densities (higher stocking rates) producing smaller fish but higher catch rates for anglers. Fewer stocked fish generally results in faster growth and larger size, but fewer fish caught by anglers. Other factors play a role in kokanee growth as well, so it's not solely the number stocked that influence catch rates and growth, but stocking/fish density does play a large role. [/left]
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[left]Prior to the mid-2000's we only stocked 70k kokanee, which wasn't enough fish to get anglers excited and produce high catch rates. Around 2007, we increased our stocking to 210k, which improved angler catch in subsequent years. We increased that number again in 2013, looking for the sweet spot between catch rates and fish size. Our goal as written in our [url "https://collaboration.idfg.idaho.gov/FisheriesTechnicalReports/Fisheries%20Management%20Plan%202013-2018.pdf"]Fisheries Management Plan[/url] is to provide at least 1 kokanee per hour of fishing, and to evaluate catch rates and fish size to optimize the fishery. Our most recent creel survey shows we are at 1.01 kokanee caught per hour, so we're doing OK there with regards to catch rates. Prior to the increase in the stocking rates, we were not meeting the objective of 1 kokanee per hour. [/left]
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[left]We will be working on updating our Fisheries Management Plan over the coming winter, and welcome any input you guys have on the Ririe fishery, particularly the topic of size and catch rates for kokanee. Please send comments to the Ririe Fisheries Biologist, Jon Flinders at [url "mailto:jon.flinders@idfg.Idaho.gov"]jon.flinders@idfg.Idaho.gov[/url] [/left]
Dan Garren
Regional Fisheries Manager
[url "mailto:dan.garren@idfg.Idaho.gov"]dan.garren@idfg.Idaho.gov[/url]
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[left]Prior to the mid-2000's we only stocked 70k kokanee, which wasn't enough fish to get anglers excited and produce high catch rates. Around 2007, we increased our stocking to 210k, which improved angler catch in subsequent years. We increased that number again in 2013, looking for the sweet spot between catch rates and fish size. Our goal as written in our [url "https://collaboration.idfg.idaho.gov/FisheriesTechnicalReports/Fisheries%20Management%20Plan%202013-2018.pdf"]Fisheries Management Plan[/url] is to provide at least 1 kokanee per hour of fishing, and to evaluate catch rates and fish size to optimize the fishery. Our most recent creel survey shows we are at 1.01 kokanee caught per hour, so we're doing OK there with regards to catch rates. Prior to the increase in the stocking rates, we were not meeting the objective of 1 kokanee per hour. [/left]
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[left]We will be working on updating our Fisheries Management Plan over the coming winter, and welcome any input you guys have on the Ririe fishery, particularly the topic of size and catch rates for kokanee. Please send comments to the Ririe Fisheries Biologist, Jon Flinders at [url "mailto:jon.flinders@idfg.Idaho.gov"]jon.flinders@idfg.Idaho.gov[/url] [/left]
Dan Garren
Regional Fisheries Manager
[url "mailto:dan.garren@idfg.Idaho.gov"]dan.garren@idfg.Idaho.gov[/url]
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