Diet Overlap among Zooplanktophagous Fishes in Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Wyoming-Utah

Abstract

The use of zooplankton by rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri, kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka, Utah chub Gila atraria, and white sucker Catostomus commersoni was assessed in 17,000-hectare Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Diet overlap among the four fish species was indicated by the selection of zooplankton species and size by the fishes. Competition for food between rainbow trout and the other species is probably a factor that limits rainbow trout stocking success.