James C. Borawa

Stream-dwelling salmonid populations may be affected by both density-dependent and density-independent processes, but the relative im- portance of each may vary both spatially and temporally. We quantified population fluctuations of two unexploited rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus my- kiss) populations in western North Carolina over a 10-year period and examined the effects of spring discharge and adult abundance on recruitment. Both rainbow trout populations exhibited high degrees of temporal variability in density during the study. High spring flows that occurred during the incubation and...

Roving creel surveys were conducted on nine hatchery-supported trout streams in western North Carolina during 1998 and 1999. The objective of this study was to describe angler use patterns and trip characteristics for selected waters in the hatchery-supported trout program. A total of 5,452 angler interviews were conducted during the two-year survey. Overall, anglers caught trout >203 mm (considered stocked) at an average rate of 1.38 trout/h. This catch rate exceeded the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) programmatic goal of 1.00 trout/h. Hatchery-supported trout...

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the biological impacts and cost effectiveness of a low intensity supplemental feeding program on a wild rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) population. Using volunteers to distribute feed at predetermined amounts and frequencies, wild trout population densities, standing crops, and length-frequencies were monitored for 18 months on Looking Glass Creek near Brevard, North Carolina. A priori success criteria included an increase of 60 fish/km >254 mm and a cost to produce each trout >254 mm <$5.00. Both densities and standing crops of...

Poor water quality upstream of the Carolina Power and Light Company (CP&L) Walters Hydroelectric Project (WHP) resulted in establishment of a mitigation fund in lieu of immediate water releases as a condition of a new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license. The negotiated agreement between state management agencies and CP&L includes provisions for future instream flow releases, but until that time, CP&L will make annual payments to the Pigeon River Fund (PRF). The PRF will grant money to nonprofit groups and government agencies for projects related to water quality...

North Carolina implemented delayed harvest regulations in 1992 to diversify trout angling opportunities. Delayed harvest regulations allowed only catch-and-release fishing of stocked catchable-sized trout from 1 March-5 June 1992. Creel surveys were conducted on 2 streams to assess differences in angler trip characteristics, particularly catch rates, between delayed harvest and regular put-and-take (hatchery supported) trout streams. Catch rates of 3.16 and 6.54 trout per hour in delayed harvest areas were significantly higher than those of hatchery supported areas (1.87-2.52 trout per...

Island Creek, a tributary of the Northeast Cape Fear River in Duplin County, North Carolina, was modified through excavation and snagging during 1977 and 1978. To evaluate the effects on resident fish populations, rotenone samples were taken before alteration in 1977 and after the project in 1981 and 1982. Mean standing crop of fish increased from 27.5 to 38.3 kg/ha after the project and total number of fish captured increased from 424 to 1,058. Significantly greater (P < 0.05) centrarchid and total game fish biomass were found after the project. No statistically significant differences...

Data collected from rotenone samples of 3 coves before (1959-65) and after (1977) infestation by Eurasian water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) were compared to document changes in the fish populations. Using the mean of the 3 areas for comparison, both weight and number per hectare increased after water-milfoil infestation. The average weight per individual decreased from 0.02 kg (1959-65) to 0.008 kg (1977). The species were separated into 7 groups. Six of the groups had higher mean numbers per hectare and all groups had higher mean weights per hectare. Multivariate analyses of variance...