7037

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7037
• Author: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Title: Fishery Research Report
• USFW Year: 1978.
• USFW - Doc Type: Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
• Copyright Material: NO

and trout growth and that competition for food was not significant.
A significant departure in food habits was noted for brown and
rainbow trout: brown trout ranging in length from 126 to 455 mm,
included significantly greater amounts of fish in their diet than did
rainbow. Fish over 457mm (18.0 inches) of both species took com-
parable quantities of fish.
Some differences were noted in the foods utilized by fish captured
in pelagic and littoral habitat. Trout collected used food items common
to both habitats suggesting movement between pelagic and littoral
areas.
INTRODUCTION
Little specific information relative to the diets of trout in large
western impoundments is available. During a comprehensive fishery
study of Flaming Gorge Reservoir, data regarding the diet of rainbow,
brown, and cutthroat trout were collected over the first six years of
impoundment.
The specific objectives of the investigation were;
1. Describe the food of rainbow trout and to describe possible dif-
ferences with respect to time and reservoir area.
2. Correlate differences in food utilization with the size of the fish.
3. Document the use of forage species in the diet.
4. Establish the degree of competition for food between species of
trout.
5. Document variation in the foods of fish captured in littoral and
pelagic water.
DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA
Flaming Gorge Reservoir, at maximum storage, will cover 14,000
hectares (42,000 surface acres) and will be 146.9 kilometers (91 miles)
long. Based on topographical, limnological, and biological information
the reservoir was divided into three major areas: the canyon area, the
open area and the inflow area (Figure 1). The canyon area is 38.7
2