A Trough Trap for Catching Coho Salmon Smolts Emigrating from Beaver Ponds

Abstract

Smolts of wild coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch were captured at Yehring Creek, southeastern Alaska, with trough traps as they emigrated from beaver pond rearing areas. Each trap consisted of a fence along the rim of the beaver dam, a trough, an A-frame to support the trough, and a floating live box connected to the trough by rigid pipe, The traps caused little mortality, cost about US$ 240 each to build, and were easy to install and maintain.