WWRC 92-08
Habitat Use of Young-Of-Year Brown Trout
and Effects on Weighted Usable Area
Abstract
Water depth, water velocity, and substrate were measured at the
observed locations of young-of-year brown trout (Salmo trutta) in Douglas Creek,
Wyoming, in 1989 and 1990. Sampling was conducted in June and July during
both the day and night. Fish used deeper water with higher velocities during
day compared to night in both June and July, and used higher velocities and
larger substrates in July than in June. These variations in habitat use resulted
in different habitat suitability curves for day and night in both June and July.
When the various curves were applied with the Physical Habitat Simulation
system, differences in computations of weighted usable area of young-of-year
brown trout were obtained. The analysis indicated that habitat may be more
limiting during June than July, and habitat suitability curves computed from
measurements made in June may provide the better assessment of instream flow
needs for young-of-year fish.
KEY WORDS: Brown trout, habitat, instream flow, Salmo trutta, suitability
curves, young-of-year fish.
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