Natural recruitment, density-dependent juvenile survival, and the potential for additive effects of stock enhancement: an experimental evaluation of stocking northern pike (Esox lucius) fry

摘要: Density-dependent mortality in young life stages should strongly limit the potential for additive effects caused by stocking of fish sizes that are smaller than size at recruitment into fishery. Indeed, models have suggested fry not elevate year class strength self-sustaining stocks. However, limited data based on replicated and controlled experiments available to support this prediction. We performed a pond experiment (N = 4 per treatment) compare stock enhancing outcome hatchery-reared northern pike (Esox lucius) natural production self-recruiting populations. also added treatment where were stocked ponds otherwise did mimic absence recruitment. Fry self-reproducing stocks over unstocked controls. competition, juveniles late summer emerging from stockin...