Spatial, seasonal and diel distribution of fishes in a California reservoir dominated by native fishes
During 21 months of sampling with various techniques, we captured 24 species of fish in Britton Reservoir. Nine species comprised over 96% of the number of fish captured and approximately 88% of the biomass. Five native non-game species accounted for over 77% of the catches.
The native non-game fishes have maintained large populations in the reservoir despite continued introductions of non-native species. Two sources of non-native species exist. The first is the introduction of exotic species directly into the reservoir during fish-stocking programs. The second is the continuous movement of non-native fishes into the reservoir from large populations which reside in a major tributary of the reservoir. Factors responsible for the large number of native fishes are: management of the reservoir for hydroelectric generation; temperature regime; reservoir morphology.
The fish community structure is stratified along two axes: upper basin/lower basin and inshore/offshore. Most of the 24 species were found inshore: 14 species were found offshore. Four of the native non-game fishes were most abundant in the upper basin: three introduced non-native fishes were most abundant in the lower basin of the reservoir. The offshore community was dynamic on a daily and seasonal basis.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 1989 |
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Title | Spatial, seasonal and diel distribution of fishes in a California reservoir dominated by native fishes |
DOI | 10.1016/0165-7836(89)90005-2 |
Authors | Bruce C. Vondracek, Donald M. Baltz, Larry R. Brown, Peter B. Moyle |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Fisheries Research |
Index ID | 70199783 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | California Water Science Center |