Date of Award
Summer 7-31-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Melissa Wuellner
Second Advisor
Keith Koupal
Committee Members
Jacob C Cooper
Chris Chizinski
Keywords
Tailwater fishery, movement, stocked trout, creel survey, acoustic telemetry
Abstract
Stocking catchable-sized trout is a widely used management strategy to create and maintain recreational fisheries. However, the success of these programs relies on if the fish is caught and how long the fish remain available to anglers. Lake Ogallala is a dynamic tailwater cool-water reservoir that has been managed as a salmonid fishery since 1941 where Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC) has stocked 8 different salmonids to maintain a recreational fishery. Currently, NGPC is stocking Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and Cutbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss x clarkii.
In order to understand the angler dynamics of this fishery, creel surveys collected data on monthly angler effort, catch rates, and harvest rates of stocked trout in Lake Ogallala, the Sutherland Canal, and the North Platte River. Angler effort was highest in Lake Ogallala, particularly during the summer months. Catch rates varied seasonally and spatially, but peak catch rates occurred during the first fall and winter at select locations. Harvest rates varied seasonally, with peak harvest rates occurring during the spring season.
Additionally, an acoustic array was deployed to gather data on persistence within Lake Ogallala and dispersal from the stocking location between stocking season and Rainbow and Cutbow trout. Estimated median persistence was around 23 days for both stocking seasons and both taxa. Cutbow Trout dispersed further following a stocking event than Rainbow Trout. Fall stocked fish dispersed further following stocking than spring stocked fish.
Recommended Citation
Allex, Lauren R., "BETWIXT TWO DAMS: PERSISTENCE AND ANGLER USE OF TWO TROUT TAXA IN A WESTERN NEBRASKA TAILWATER FISHERY" (2026). Biology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity. 21.
https://openspaces.unk.edu/bio-etd/21