Comparative First Year Survival and Production in Wild and Domestic Strains of Brook Trout, Salvelinus fontinalis

Abstract

Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from three wild populations were compared with domesticated hatchery strains with respect to growth, survival, and production in semi-natural environments (drainable ponds). Eggs from all strains were hatched and reared in the hatchery and planted as spring or fall fingerlings. Over-summer survival consistently favored wild strains (65 to 76 percent compared with 43 to 53 percent survival for domestic strains). Over-winter survivals were not different, although the effect may have been masked by other overriding factors in the test waters. Domestic strains maintained the initial size advantages held at planting. Larger size at planting was due to faster growth rate during hatchery existence. Net production, based on recovery weight less stocking weight, was similar for wild and domestic groups during the over-summer period (higher survivals in wild strains balanced by size advantage of domestic), but domestic groups generally showed lower production or net losses in the over-winter period.