4.0 Results 



4.1 Creel Results for 1995 



4.1.1 Catch Rates 



Catch rates on the upper river sections averaged 0.20 fish per hour for rainbow trout (Figure 2). 



To put this in perspective, catch rates of 0.33 would be considered "good quality" for most trout 

 fisheries (P. Byorth, pers. comm. 2001). Brown trout were caught more fi-equently than rainbows 

 in all sections except for Quake Lake on the upper river (Figure 2). A total of 1,460 anglers were 

 interviewed on the upper river during the 1995 creel. 



0.90 



0.80 



^0.70 



I 0.60 



i2 0.50 



□ Rainbow 

 ■ Brown 



□ Mountain whitefish 



Quake lake Lyons Bridge Ruby Creek Vamey Bridge TotaJ (average) 



Section Name 



Figure 2. Catch rates in fish per hour for the four sections surveyed on the upper Madison River during 

 the 1995 creel survey. 



In contrast, catch rates on the lower river sections were higher in some sections for rainbow 

 trout, and were much higher for brown trout in all four sections surveyed. Catch rates averaged 

 0.58 fish per hour for brown trout, and 0.24 fish per hour for rainbow trout in the lower river 

 (Figure 3). However, catch rates also varied more from section to section than in the upper river. 

 A total of 970 anglers were interviewed on the lower river during the 1995 creel. 



Evaluation of 1995 and 1996 Creel Data and its Implications related to Whirling Disease 

 In the Madison River, Montana 



Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks 

 March 12.2002 



13 



