Real Trout Density Comparison

True Comparison of Four Missouri Trout Streams

with Flow Rate Compared to Trout per Mile

We endeavored to find a way to compare trout densities in a manner other than trout per mile, the most common figure used for comparative purposes. We felt it was inaccurate to compare a small stream with a flow rate of 150 cubic feet per second (cfs) to a larger one with a flow rate of 700+ (cfs). Statistically, the comparisons we have endeavored to make are rough. Some streams have more or less variability in flow rate and/or trout per mile numbers. Some places have flow rates reported in locales pretty far from where the fish surveys were done.

Nevertheless, we feel this at least provides a starting point for analysis, and we plan to work on honing the details of these comparisons. It is our hope that these numbers will yield useful information to anglers. It is critical that anglers thoroughly familiarize themselves with area regulations. Finally, our thanks to the Missouri Department of Conservation for the fish survey data they provided us.

Mean Flow Rates of Four Missouri Streams 2001-2007

(Cubic Feet per Second-CFS)
Current River above Akers, MO

Meramec River near Steelville, MO

Eleven Point River near Bardley, MO

Little Piney Creek at Newburg, MO

Notes:

1. The trout per mile and tpm/cfs ratios for the Eleven Point River reflect survey data with and without, respectively, the number of trout stocked prior to the Conservation Dept survey. It is our belief that the higher second number is the more accurate as the data for the other bodies of water include all trout, stocked and wild.
2. TPM/CFS is a ratio of the trout per mile in a stream to the flow rate in cubic feet per second. It really is a fairly meaningless number except that it yields a fair, we believe, comparison of the number of fish in a certain volume of water