Abundance and structure of burbot Lota lota populations in lakes and reservoirs of the Wind River drainage, Wyoming.

摘要

Burbot Lota lota were sampled in eight lakes and reservoirs of the Wind River that support sport fisheries. Standardized sampling methods with trammel nets enabled indices of fish density, length structure, and body condition to be used to assess burbot populations. Catch per unit effort (C/f) varied among waters indicating differences in population densities, but variation in water temperature and clarity at the time of sampling may have also contributed to variation in C/f. Length structures of samples were described using proportional size distribution (PSD) and differences were observed among populations. Variation in length structure was attributed to differences in recruitment and harvest among populations. Body condition was described using relative weight (Wr). Variation in Wr among length classes of burbot from differing waters was attributed to availability and size of prey. Analysis of environmental and human factors indicated no substantial influences on burbot populations.