THE TROUT FISHERY IN 

 SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK 



By 



Robert E. Lennon 

 Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife 

 Fish Control Laboratory 

 La Crosse, Wisconsin 



ABSTRACT 



Populations of brook trout in streams of Shenandoah National 

 Park were reduced drastically early in the past decade by a succession 

 of unusually severe droughts and floods. The drying of stream beds, 

 predation, and scouring were principal factors in the loss of fish. The 

 park was closed to fishing in 1954 and 1955 to protect survivors. 



The small numbers of survivors quickly repopulated the streams 

 after drought conditions abated. The stocking of hatchery -reared 

 fingerling trout in selected waters failed to augment the recovery of 

 populations. Survival and growth of young, wild trout were especially 

 good. Their redistribution through miles of previously dry streams 

 was rapid. The park was opened again to fishing in 1956 under regula- 

 tions which restrict the take but afford an increase in sporting opportunity. 

 Two streams were placed under fishing-for -fun -only regulations in 1961. 



The welfare of the trout populations is dependent mostly on the 

 weather cycle. Fish may be abundant in wet years but very scarce in 

 dry ones. Thus, the stream must be managed as marginal for trout. 



The brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis , Wildlife Service to conduct a long-term study 



Mitchill) is the principal sport fish in Shenandoah which began in 1952 and continued through 1959. 



National Park. Its numbers may fluctuate dras- It was opportune in that it included one of the 



tically, however, due to factors other than more critical periods with respect to the fishery 



fishing regulations and fishing pressures. With- since the establishment of the park in 1930. 

 in the past decade the fish has ranged from 



abundant to very scarce and back to abundant THE STREAMS 



again. 



The park is located within the State of 



The National Park Service has endeavored Virginia and lies along the crest and slopes of 

 on several occasions to evaluate the trout popula- the Blue Ridge Mountains between Front Royal 

 tions and to define the factors which so strongly on the north and Rockfish Gap on the south. It is 

 affect them. Brief studies were made on the fish approximately 80 miles long and 1 to 13 miles 

 and the streams by King (1936), Taylor (1941), wide. The steep ridges and peaks rise 1,000 to 

 Chamberlain (1951), and Henderson (1950)*. The 3,000 feet above the Piedmont Plateau to the east 

 results were conflicting, due to reasons which and the Shenandoah Valley to the west. The high- 

 are explained later in this report. Continuing est peak in the park is 4,049 feet above sea level, 

 problems in the sport fishery indicated the need 



for a comprehensive investigation. Accordingly, The 46 trout streams are short, steep, 



the National Park Service requested the Fish and and small to medium in size. Their fishable 



* 



Typewritten reports to the National Park 

 Service. 



