NIP TROUT STREAM MANAGEMENT INVESTIGATIONS IN SWIFT RIVER, ALBANY, NEW HAMPSHIRE A PROGRESS REPORT by Arthur E. Newell A Contribution Of Dingell-Johnson Project F-5-R NEW HAMPSHIRE FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT Ralph G. Carpenter, 2nd, Director MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH DIVISION Hilbert R. Siegler, Chief 1956 JOB COMPLE! ,ON REPORT INVESTIGATIONS PROJECTS State of New Hampshire Project No. F-5-R-4 Job No. II Title of Job: Fishing Statistics (Creel Census). Objectives: The compilation of the following fishery statistics: 1. Fishing Pressure 2. Angler Success 3. Total Yield of Brook and Rainbow Trout 4. Percentage of Stocked Trout in Catch 5. Percentage of Wild Trout in Catch 6. Average Length and Weight of Wild Trout Taken 7. Age Composition of the Wild Fish in Catch 8. Length - Weight Changes of Wild Fish 9. Movements of Hatchery Fish 10. Lures Used and Their Relative Effectiveness 11. Evaluation of Changes in Stocking Policy Techniques Used: It is the opinion of the project leader that whenever possible a study of this type should be conducted through the use of a mandatory and complete creel census. In this case, however, this technique was not used for a number of reasons; but the following sampling method was used. In 1953 under the F-5-R-2 segment of this project as near complete a census as is possible on a voluntary basis, was conducted for the months of June, July and August. The percentage of pressure, catch, etc., that occurred on weekends and holidays was calculated from this census. Under the F-5-R-3 segment of the project a creel census similar to and analyzed in the manner described above was conducted for the month of May. A previous recommen- dation to extend the angling season, in the stocked portion of Swift River was carried out in an effort to obtain maximum utilization of the fish stocked. It was therefore necessary to conduct a complete census during that month. Since only one man was available for creel census work during the months of May and part of September only the main checking station was operated. It will be shown later in this report, however, that the number of anglers entering and leaving the area via the Bartlett Road was probably insignificant. Creel census data was therefore collected only on weekends and holidays this year and the data described above (in more detail in F-5-R-2 report) was used for evansion. During June, July and August a roving creel census was conducted below the study area on weekday evenings and all day on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. This census was conducted in an attempt to get some idea of the number of marked fish moving out of the study area. 1 In order to enable the census taker to positively differentiate between stocked and native fish and to individualize the stocked fish, they were marked with a numbered jaw tag. Fifty percent of the fish stocked in May were adipose fin-clipped in an attempt to obtain data relative to the effect of the jaw tag on hatchery fish in the wild. Length and weight measurements were taken on approximately 25 percent of all fish before stocking and records were kept as to exact stocking locations of all tagged fish. Whenever possible the census taker recorded exact catch locations of all fish in the creel, but the inability of many anglers to state exactly where each fish was caught made this a difficult task. Each fish brought into the checking station that had not been dressed was measured and weighed in order to determine length-weight changes that occurred. During the hot months of July and August most fish were dressed as soon as they were caught as anglers were afraid they might spoil. Findings: Fishery Statistics: The primary objective of the F-5-R project this year was not creel census. Never- theless this phase of the project was important in not only enabling us to enlarge upon our knowledge of fishing statistics but also in allowing us to evaluate the management recommendations made thus far. Due to the fact that this census was operated on a voluntary basis not all fishermen would stop. It is estimated, however, that at least 90 percent of the anglers cooperated. The Bartlett Road station was not operated after the 11th of September. Only 58 fishermen were checked at this station during the period May 21 through September 11, so the closing of the station probably had only a slight effect on the reliability of this census. During the month of September the main checking station was not operated on the 13th and 14th, and it was not open until noon on the 15th and 20th because of other commitments. It is believed that the increase in fishing pressure in 1955 over 1953 is due partially to a fire ban in 1953 during the period June 27 through July 60 A complete creel census was operated during the period in 1955. The opening of Swift River to fly fishing in September also had some effect on total pressure. Fishing Pressure: The entire length of the Swift River proper within the study area is approximately 18 miles consisting of approximately 88 surface acres. These figures do not include the tributary streams. Sections II and III (see Report F-5-R-2) are roadside and although only three miles long and containing approximately only 22 surface acres, they receive the bulk of.the fishing pressure. During the 1955 angling season 73.66 percent of the anglers fished only in these two sections, and a large percen- tage of the remaining anglers fished here, but also in some other section. All pressure figures shown in Table 1, however, are based on the 88 acres of Swift River proper. Table I is a summary of the unexpanded creel census for 1955. Data on lengths and weights could not always be collected, particularly during the hot months of - 2 - July and August, since anglers would frequently dress their fish stream side. Therefore, the size of the sample is shown for these figures. One should be cautioned against placing too much faith in the accuracy of any figures derived from a small sample. Data shown on total weights was calculated by multiplying the average weight by the total number of fish taken in that category. In 1953 under the F-5-R-2 segment of this project a complete creel census was con- ducted. From these data the percentage of pressure and catch that occurred on week- ends and holidays were calculated and are shown in Table II. These figures were used in expanding the creel census for those months. The September census has not been expanded, since it was originally made as complete as possible. The May census data was expanded using notes from the 1954 census. In that year 75 percent of the anglers in May fished on the weekends, Success for that year was badly distorted by a stocking, therefore, the pressure figure of 75 percent was also used for expanding returns of stocked fish. Although this procedure may not be entirely accurate, field observations indicate that it is reasonably close. This census also showed that 93.44 percent of the native brook trout catch and 89.70 percent of the total time fished occurred on weekends, 3 TABLE 1 - Unexpanded Creel Ce s Data - 1955 SEASON TOTAL MAY JUNE JULY AUG. SEPT. OR AVERAGE Anglers 275 215 70 - 121 120 801 Angler/Acre 3.1-3 2.44 D.80 1.38 1.1; 7.10 Stock-Q-B.K.T. Tal en 58 +1 - - - Hold over 208 45 178 107 597 StocFed-R.T. Taen 12 +4 - -- Hold over 111 34 74 90 355 Native B.K.T. TcFen 77 95 29 -58 3 - 262 Tot. Time Fi-sile3(Hrs.) 692.25 694:25 224:00 401.72 29-0-.-8-6 2,3-03.02 Man-Hrs. <if Angling/Acre 7.87 7.89 2.55 4.56 3.30 26.17 - - - '.TO - - - - - Av. Time fisRed Frs.) 2.52 -3.23 - Flig/- Man- Hour -1.26 0.60 D. I:. Z.77 - - - - - - - -- No. Trout Token/Acre 2.07 1.70 1.0 3.52 2.27- 15.73D % SuccesserAng-Ters 20,73 53T-02 5U.-00 72.7 7;41.16 /6.32 No. Limit Catces / 7 - - - 2 $ 2 IT Av, Catc is erman Day 0.66 1.93 1.54 2.56 1.67 1.52 Co1cur6te-21-Tot. Wt. Stocked B.K.T.Taken 15.12 lb. 55.51 lb. 10066 lb. 57,961b, 32,,641b, 171.89 lb. CaEcurate-a-Tot. Wt, Native B.K.T. Taken 9.53 lb. 12.17 lb. -3.48 lb. 6.89 lb. - 32.07 lb. Av. Wt. 3tocFe-a- '4.10 oz. -7:-Troz, S,79 oz. 5.21 oz. 178 oz. 1.61 oz. B.K.T. Taken Sample 57 Sample 176 Sample- 19 Sample 85 Sample 63 Sample- 400 Av. Wt. Native 1718 oz. 2.0-5 oz. 1012 oz. 1.90 oz. - 1.96 oz. B.K.T. Taken Sample 54 Sample 48 Sample 9 Sample 20 - Sample 131 Cal-curata-Tot, Wt, Stocked R.T. Taken- 12.91 lb. 36.14 lb. 9.31 lb. 14.38 lb. 15.13 lb. 87.87 lb. Av. Wt. Sto ed 1.49 oz. 5.21 oz. 4.38 oz. 3.11 oz. 2.69 oz. 3.96 oz. R.T. Taken -Sample40 Sample 72 - Sample 8 Sample 30 Sample40 -Sample- 190 L6-s.