Angler Exploitation of Redband Trout in Eight Idaho Desert Streams

Abstract

We estimated angler exploitation rate for redband trout Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri in reaches of eight desert streams in southern Idaho using angler-reported catches of 716 jaw-tagged fish. Only two tagged redband trout were reported as harvested by anglers during the angling season. Estimates of annual angler exploitation for seven of the eight study reaches in question equate to 0.0% and from 3.4% to 5.7% on the Sinker Creek reach, depending on the assumed rate of angler tag reporting. Exploitation for the eight study reaches combined was 0.6–0.9%. Our results indicate that jaw tagging did not markedly reduce survival or catchability of redband trout. We conclude that redband trout residing in streams within southern Idaho are virtually unexploited and that angler harvest is well below levels observed on other Idaho redband trout fisheries in more accessible montane environments.