Assessing the effects of Stocked Rainbow Trout on Native Fishes

Rainbow trout are native only to the western United States but are stocked widely throughout the country to increase fishing opportunities for anglers. Competitive interactions have been shown to be condition specific (for example, water temperature) and, thus, may only occur seasonally or under certain environmental conditions. Understanding these differences is beneficial if there is interest in identifying conditions where stocking may be problematic for native fishes. The goal of this research is to determine how native fishes respond to the presence of trout via resource use and growth in field and controlled laboratory settings. These data could provide information useful to agencies making future decisions about trout stocking in riverine systems. This project is a collaborative effort involving the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.