The number of trout caught per hour averaged 0.7 3 during the 

 entire sampled period (Figure 16). Of the total catch per hour, 

 0.46 trout were caught and released and 0.27 trout were kept. 

 This catch rate was somewhat lower than catch rates in Rock Creek 

 where 1.55 trout were caught per hour in 1986 during the regular 

 fishing season; 1.46 caught and released and 0.09 kept. 



The number of fish caught per angler per trip declined 

 during each successive month of our survey (Figure 17). The 

 number of caught and released fish within the total fish caught 

 accounted for the decline as the number of kept fish per angler 

 remained nearly constant at about 0.75 fish per angler per trip. 

 Anglers released fewer fish as the season progressed. 



Fisherman sampled were more likely to release a 6 to 8 inch 

 trout than one 9 to 12 inches (Figure 18) . All fish larger than 

 12 inches were kept. Of the total fish caught, 78% were less 

 than 11.0 inches, 21% between 11.0 and 13.9 inches, and only 

 1% larger than 14.0 inches. 



BULL TROUT REDD COUNTS 



Bull trout redd counts were conducted in Monture Creek and 

 the North Fork of the Blackfoot River. These two streams have 

 previously been identified as important spawning tributaries of 

 the Blackfoot River. 



During October 1988, eleven bull trout redds were counted in 

 Monture Creek in a 3-mile reach where redd counts were 

 previously made. In 1985, 27 redds were observed in this reach. 

 Decreased spawning activity in this area may be related to low 

 streamflows observed during 1988. Most redds were located below 

 beaver dams which appeared to reduce spawner access to areas used 

 for spawning in previous years. 



A redd count was also conducted in the North Fork of the 

 Blackfoot River during 1988. This effort was facilitated by an 

 angler familiar with important bull trout spawning areas in this 

 river. Although previous observations of bull trout spawning 

 were not quantified, the eleven redds counted during 1988 

 appeared to be significantly lower than normal. Preferred 

 spawning areas during typical flow conditions were vacant in 

 1988, apparently due to low streamflows which reduced water 

 depths by as much as two to three feet below normal. In 

 addition, the Canyon Creek fire burned through this area during 

 the period spawning normally occurs. 



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