Survival and Growth of Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar ) Fry Stocked at Varying Densities in the White River, Vermont

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• Main Authors: Whalen, K. G., LaBar, G. W.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1994
• Subjects: Aquatic Science; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f94-217; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f94-217

Survival and growth of unfed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fry stocked at varying densities (12, 25, 50, and 75 fry∙100 m −2 ) was evaluated in the White River, a tributary of the Connecticut River in Vermont, using a randomized complete block design. Fry to age-0 parr survival was inversely related to fry stocking density and, in most sampling sections, no significant increases in age-0 parr density were attained by stocking at rates ≥50 fry∙100 m −2 . Most age-0 parr ranged in length between 65 and 80 mm; no significant differences in mean age-0 parr length were detected among stocking densities. Greatest age-0 parr production efficiency may be attained by stocking at densities <50 fry∙100 m −2 . However, the density of age-0 parr produced from stocking at 12 fry∙100 m −2 may be insufficient to achieve carrying capacity of age-1 parr.