Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Research Report No.1831,1975

Food Habits of Coexisting Juvenile Coho Salmon, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout in Pipette River, 1967 and 1972


Wilbert C. Wagner


      Abstract.-Stomachs of age-0 and age-I coho salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout from a 3-mile section of Platte River were examined to determine if coho salmon were competing for food with resident trout. Collections were made in June and September, 1967, and in April, June, July and September, 1972. Ephemeroptera and Tendipedidae were the items most frequently eaten. Correlation analysis of the overall food habits of the various groups of salmonids demonstrated a similarity of food habits. I judge, though, that a significant degree of competition for food between trout and salmon did not occur because growth of trout was not affected and because of evidence that coho salmon and rainbow trout are spatially segregated in streams .