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pounds/acre were harvested during the study period. Increasing harvest and <br />angling pressure directed toward lake trout presents the potential for over- <br />exploitation of lake trout. In 1982, an exploitation study was designed and <br />implemented. Results gave no indication that lake trout were being over- <br />harvested. The exploitation rate calculated for fish tagged in 1982 and caught <br />by June 30, 1983, was 14.02 percent. <br />Age, growth, and condition were determined for rainbow and brown trout. <br />Rainbow trout grew well in their first year of life in the reservoir. However, <br />growth slowed substantially after that because of the rainbow's inability to <br />switch from a plankton diet to a forage fish diet. Brown trout first year <br />reservoir growth rates have slowed considerably since 1973. This is mainly <br />attributed to the switch from spring to fall planting which occurred in 1973. <br />Growth after age IV is quite rapid after brown trout switch to a fish diet. <br />Lake trout growth, based upon known-aged fish added to the population in 1979, <br />is superior to growth rates reported in the literature for other North American <br />lakes. The average length of lake trout in Flaming Gorge at annulus IV was <br />16.57 inches. Age and growth data were also determined for smallmouth bass, <br />kokanee salmon and cutthroat trout. <br />Results of the trend gill netting further support the decline of the rainbow <br />trout fishery in all areas of the reservoir, and indicate population trends for <br />other species. Also described is the success of a new gill netting program <br />which avoids the loading factor of rough fish which confused the trend gill <br />netting data during the project period. <br />Purse seining data were also collected during the study period. The data <br />further illustrate the decline of the rainbow fishery and dramatic increase in <br />kokanee salmon from 1978 to 1983. In 1978, only 0.12 kokanee/haul were captured <br />in the purse seine. By-1983, an average of 53.8 kokanee/haul was captured. <br />Data concerning catches of Utah chubs are also presented. <br />Life history data concerning food habits, spawning requirements, distribu- <br />tion and temperature preference of game fish are presented. Redd counts of <br />kokanee salmon and brown trout spawning in the Green River are reviewed. <br />Oxygen and temperature measurements taken during the project period indicate <br />a summer loss of trout habitat in parts of the Inflow Area due to lack of oxygen <br />in preferred temperature zones. <br />Comments were provided on two environmental impact statements during the <br />project period. <br />I -ii-