the mouth and the Clearwater River (RM 34.7). Assuming similar 

 catch rates to those observed during 1988, this fishing pressure 

 would result in the harvest of 18,234 rainbow trout. Based on an 

 expansion of population estimate data in this reach, there were 

 roughly 28,556 rainbow trout available to the fishermen. 

 Comparisons of these numbers indicate that harvest is a 

 significant source of rainbow trout mortality. 



This source of mortality is size selective, and may largely 

 explain the low numbers of larger trout. During 1988, anglers 

 tended to release rainbow trout smaller than 8.0 inches, but kept 

 most fish larger than 9.0 inches in length. Angler preference 

 for harvesting relatively large trout, and the tendency to use 

 bait (over 60%) while fishing the Blackfoot River are two factors 

 not generally compatible with the concept of restricting harvest 

 via regulation changes. Public education concerning the current 

 limitations and the future potential of this fishery will be 

 necessary to use restrictive harvest regulations as a management 

 tool to enhance this fishery. As discussed for reach 4, an 

 evaluation of the restrictive regulation related to the drought 

 will help determine whether numbers of fish, particularly in 

 larger size classes, can be enhanced by reducing angler harvest. 



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