Linking Fish and Angler Dynamics to Assess Stocking Strategies for Hatchery-Dependent, Open-Access Recreational Fisheries

Abstract

Abstract Optimization of stocking practices regarding release size and density requires an understanding of how dynamic ecological and angler effort processes interact. We used experimental data on size and density-dependent fish recruitment processes and combined these with empirical fishery data to model the outcome of different stocking strategies. The model is based on the British Columbia Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss fishery, which is an open-access recreational fishery where fish recruitment is entirely derived from hatchery production. Under this scenario, changes to stocking practices primarily influence angler effort densities, whereas angling quality, defined as a function of catch rate and fish size, remain relatively constant. In light of this, we suggest that the primary performance measure for open-access recreational fisheries management be sustainable angler effort. We modeled the effort response to stocking changes under contrasting biological (lake productivity) and fishery (remoteness, harvest regulations) characteristics. Lake-specific effort is maximized by stocking larger fish into productive lakes that are harvested. However, the strategy to maximize regional effort across multiple lakes was dependent on the ratio of hatchery production to total lake area and the mix of individual lake productivities within the total lake area. Received July 10, 2012; accepted March 10, 2013