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Title: Assessment and Analysis of Smolt Condition in the Columbia River Basin, 1999 Technical Report.

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/760871· OSTI ID:760871

The primary objective of the study was to increase the number of summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from Dworshak National Fish Hatchery that outmigrate by promoting smoltification in a larger proportion of the production release. To achieve this goal, growth was reduced during the winter to produce a smaller size range of fish to eliminate the production of large fish that residualize. A period of accelerated growth prior to release was designed to promote smoltification in all fish, regardless of size. Decreased winter growth was achieved with a combination of reduced ration and short, intermittent feeding periods. Growth rates were not reduced to the expected level in the modified feeding schedule treatment group, control group, or general production fish reared in the same system. Although significant differences in length, weight and condition factor developed between treatment and control groups during December and January, compensatory growth of the treatment fish after return to full rations resulted in fish of the same size from both groups for release. Migration rates of the treatment group were higher than that of the control group, although the difference was not significant. Growth and survival during extended seawater rearing did not differ between the two groups. Smoltification, as measured by gill Na{sup +}, K{sup +}-ATPase and seawater survival, were unaffected by a reduction in feed during winter months.

Research Organization:
US Geological Survey (USGS)
Sponsoring Organization:
United States. Bonneville Power Administration.
DOE Contract Number:
1987BP35245
OSTI ID:
760871
Report Number(s):
DOE/BP-35245-9; Contract 8740100; TRN: US0004652
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 1 Dec 1999; Related Information: Vol. 1: Evaluation of the effect of a modified feeding strategy on growth and smoltification of summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at Dworshak National Fish Hatchery : a technical report of the monitoring and evaluation of smolt condition of Columbia River Basin Juvenile Salmonids Project 1999.
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English