Survival, growth, and catchability of rainbow trout of four strains

Fingerling rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) of genetically different strains survived, grew, and were caught at different rates by anglers and in gill nets after release from a hatchery into a 1‐hectare pond. When two domestic strains were compared, more fish of the strain genetically selected for fast growth were caught per unit of angling effort than were fish of a strain not selected for this characteristic. When fish of a natural and domestic strain were released together, survival was higher in the natural strain, but growth was slower. Strain population estimates reflected differences in catchability and were erroneous for the strain selected for growth. These observations imply that rainbow trout of different strains vary in their suitability for different fishery management practices.