Author(s): Darryl J. Calkins
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Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: A review of winter habitat studies conducted in ice-covered streams for two species of salmonids (Atlantic salmon and brook trout) provided some general information on substrate conditions, flow velocities and depths. Brook trout fry are usually found at depths of less than 40 cm and at focal velocities of 5 cm/s or less; juveniles of the same species are found at velocities of less than 17 cm/s but at slightly greater depths. Atlantic salmon young-of-the-year and parr (age 1) were found in the one study to be in the substrate and the velocities at the 0.6 depth in 40-45 cm of water were 40-45 cm/s. The size of substrate used by all salmonids is a function of fish size, with both species preferring a combination of sand, gravel and rubble. Silt in high concentrations is detrimental to sustaining a natural fish population. A lack of continuous physical, chemical and biological measurements throughout the ice-covered season was a common deficiency of the studies reviewed, indicating a need for more interdisciplinary work.
Year: 1990