Brook trout

[s2ary]

The key to breeding locations is the upwelling (springs) in the open stone. That is not just from this sorce but many others as well. That's not hard to create.

Reproduction
Breeding interval
Brook trout breed once per year


Breeding/spawning season
Spawning occurs in late summer or autumn


Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
2 years (average)


Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
2 years (average)

Usually only a single male is able to fertilize the eggs that a female lays in a redd, but occasionally more than one male is able to do so. Usually the largest males are the most successful breeders. (Blanchfield, Ridgway, and Wilson, 2003)

Mating systems:
monogamous ; polyandrous .

Brook trout spawn in late summer or autumn depending on the latitude and temperature (Scott and Crossman, 1985). The type of area required for brook trout spawning is one that offers loose, clean gravel in shallow riffles or shoreline area with an excellent supply of upwelling, oxygen-rich water (LaConte, 1997). Mature fish have been known to travel many miles upstream to reach adequate spawning grounds (Scott and Crossman, 1985). Females are able to detect upwelling springs or other areas of ground-water flow, which make for excellent spawning grounds. Brook trout reach maturity on an average at the age of two and spawn every year, although their size at first maturity depends on growth rate and the productivity of thier habitat (Everhart, 1961). Males often outnumber females at the spawning site, but only rarely is more than one male able to fertilize the eggs in a particular redd (Scott and Crossman, 1985; Blanchfield et al., 2003). The females clear away debris and silt with rapid fanning of her caudal fin while on her side, creating a redd (Scott and Crossman, 1985). The redd is where the eggs will be deposited and fertilized after the males compete for spawning right to the female (Scott and Crossman, 1985). The redd actually resembles a pit that is 4-12 inches in depth (Everhart, 1961). To gain the spawning right of the female the males compete for position by nipping and displaying themselves to the competitor males (Mills, 1971). When spawning is actually taking place the male takes a position to hold the female against the bottom of the redd and both of the fish vibrate intensely while eggs and milt are simultaneously discharged (Scott and Crossman, 1985). Very shortly after this exchange takes place the female works to cover the fertilized eggs with gravel by digging slightly upstream and letting the current carry the gravel down to fill the redd (Everhart, 1961). The eggs are initially adhesive to prevent them from washing away so they are able to incubate within the gravel (Scott and Crossman, 1985). The total time of incubation depends on factors such as temperature and oxygen (Scott and Crossman, 1985). After hatch the fry remain in the gravel until the yolk sac is absorbed then the fry swim up out of the gravel to begin the next stage of their life (Scott and Crossman, 1985). (Blanchfield, Ridgway, and Wilson, 2003; Everhart, 1961; LaConte, 1997; Mills, 1971; Scott and Crossman, 1985)

[BugChucka]

Good info s2ary. Brookies are definitely an indicator specie. I'm far from a biologist but it is pretty obvious that human development and encroachment is detrimental to their health. The only areas I know where reproduction occurs naturally are relatively off the beaten path and away from heavily traveled roads. I've said it in the past, but I think our wintertime snow removal practices play some sort of factor. The silt and salt residues must have some sort of effect. Picture how much asphault and concrete is treated each winter with sand and salt throughout the state. Every time a condo goes up you can add x amount of tons of sand/silt. Keep in mind that this stuff is considered hazordous material and there are regulations to ensure it is removed in the spring. But take it from someone who has seen what is put down and what is taken out, massive amounts perculate into the soil and wind up in our watersheds. And even still, the lucritive aspects of development blind the small town city planners and pretty soon all the trout in that brook you fish dissapear. And in the end, just about nobody cares. All we can hope for is a better generation of environmentaly concerned people. And we can be hopeful because they are more educated and aware of the issues. At what point will NH towns decide to slow development and cap growth? As far as I see it, you can operate efficiently while staying small. You focus on improvements and efficiency rather than total gross revenue. The problem is that most people truly are selfish idiots. I'm starting to realize this as I get older.

[StrBender]

BugChucka

I think your becoming an adult 8) My house is give or take 75 years old. I live right on Rt 62. Some of you may even drive by my house in your quest for stripers. When we have a lot of rain I can have up to 2' of water in my basement. My neighbors on either side have pumps going all the time :roll: A few years ago a neighbor accross the street from me was telling me that when they were building my house the foundation would fill up with water BECAUSE THEY FILLED IN THE STREAM RUNNING THROUGH MY BACK YARD :evil: They said there was a small stream about 2' wide running through the neighborhood thats no longer there. :evil: I can't begin to say how mad I get at all the houses going up around here. We have NO WATER, but hey whats another 1200 units :twisted: I'm even a carpenter that screams enough is enough. I get in arguments with my dad all the time about land owners rights to develope their land as they see fit ($$$) When I was a kid we use to go down the street to were the Poter River becomes brackish and catch crawfish etc. I bet if you were to look for them now you wouldn't find any. Hey maybe I can get MA to put in some salters :lol:

Development is :twisted: Development is :twisted:

[BugChucka]

I here you man... on so many levels lol :)

[s2ary]

Awwwwwe…Epiphany, as the clouds part and beams of sunlight shine down on a white dove ascending from aloft.

Development per se is essential in every region in America. Towns need to demonstrate growth and an increasing tax base in order to leverage for fair bond ratings. Maintaining infrastructure is costly for a town and believe it or not good for us as well. When population densities increase environmental resources decrease. A well balanced town should in theory be able to balance this.

Bug is right, it is the unforeseen impacts that slowly degrade the remaining resources. That is why I feel strongly that our biggest campaign is to improve watershed management. Conservation Commissions are the structured established vehicle for FFNH to work through. In most cases these people are well informed and genuine, but the modern engineering models have failed to adequately preserve the resources. What we need to do is develop a catchy flyer and mail it around with a follow up presentation that demonstrates the flaws in TR-55 and how to prevent the slow degredation of NH's resources.

Believe it or not by default Mass has a few of the best examples. There are at least 2 heritage brookie poulations within the 128 belt.