Are Wild Populations of Rainbow Trout in Mill Creek, Little Piney, Crane Creek, & Spring River Self-Sustaining and Genetically Healthy McCloud Redband Trout?
For years anglers in Missouri have talked about wild reproducing rainbows procured and stocked in the 1880's from the McCloud River Station in California. We know around seven years after initial stockings that naturally reproducing rainbow trout populations in Missouri were self-sustaining in some of those streams.
How close (genetically) are these populations? How do they compare to those populations in California? Do certain populations do better than others? If so, why?
These are questions that multiple states with McClouds have wondered and there are ongoing genetic studies to better understand these resources. The more data these studies have the better we all can understand, protect and conserve these populations for future generations.
GTU and MOKAN TU are making the commitment to provide genetic samples from our populations to compare to those samples from California. We are fortunate to have wild reproducing trout and we will do what it takes for it to stay that way.
We are excited to team up with Dr. Ed Heist of Southern Illinois University Carbondale Aquatic Sciences and Genome Laboratory (SIUC), University of California Davis and Missouri Department of Conversation to perform sampling and genetic analysis of these populations in Missouri.
Testing & Sampling Methods:
Fin clips will be collected via participant fishing in coordination with a GTU or MOKAN TU Wildlife Collector Permit holder(s) at the following rivers:
MDC employees will perform electrofishing surveys at the following rivers:
We will also collect fin clips from one or more Missouri rainbow trout hatchery strains.
UC Davis will perform the EZ-Rad protocol for generating genomic sequence data from thousands of genes in each specimen. This data will be used to produce a data matrix and a “tree” showing relationships of each Missouri population to other Missouri populations (including hatchery stocks) and to the native populations on the west coast that have already been analyzed using identical methodology.
Combined, the analyses will indicate which self-sustaining Missouri populations are most similar to native west-coast populations and which have the largest populations of successfully reproducing adults.
A report containing analyses and conclusions will be submitted to GTU & MOKAN TU members, and MDC.
The results of the study will be presented at TU meetings, scientific gatherings, published in peer-reviewed scientific journals (e.g. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society), Trout Unlimited publications, articles for popular press, and will submit press releases to major regional newspapers and other outlets detailing the results of the study.
How close (genetically) are these populations? How do they compare to those populations in California? Do certain populations do better than others? If so, why?
These are questions that multiple states with McClouds have wondered and there are ongoing genetic studies to better understand these resources. The more data these studies have the better we all can understand, protect and conserve these populations for future generations.
GTU and MOKAN TU are making the commitment to provide genetic samples from our populations to compare to those samples from California. We are fortunate to have wild reproducing trout and we will do what it takes for it to stay that way.
We are excited to team up with Dr. Ed Heist of Southern Illinois University Carbondale Aquatic Sciences and Genome Laboratory (SIUC), University of California Davis and Missouri Department of Conversation to perform sampling and genetic analysis of these populations in Missouri.
Testing & Sampling Methods:
Fin clips will be collected via participant fishing in coordination with a GTU or MOKAN TU Wildlife Collector Permit holder(s) at the following rivers:
- Barren Fork Creek
- Mill Creek
- Crane Creek
- Little Piney Creek
- Blue Springs Creek
- Eleven Point River
MDC employees will perform electrofishing surveys at the following rivers:
- Current River
- North Fork of the White River
- Spring River
We will also collect fin clips from one or more Missouri rainbow trout hatchery strains.
UC Davis will perform the EZ-Rad protocol for generating genomic sequence data from thousands of genes in each specimen. This data will be used to produce a data matrix and a “tree” showing relationships of each Missouri population to other Missouri populations (including hatchery stocks) and to the native populations on the west coast that have already been analyzed using identical methodology.
Combined, the analyses will indicate which self-sustaining Missouri populations are most similar to native west-coast populations and which have the largest populations of successfully reproducing adults.
A report containing analyses and conclusions will be submitted to GTU & MOKAN TU members, and MDC.
The results of the study will be presented at TU meetings, scientific gatherings, published in peer-reviewed scientific journals (e.g. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society), Trout Unlimited publications, articles for popular press, and will submit press releases to major regional newspapers and other outlets detailing the results of the study.
Conclusion:
The data from this project will be used by GTU and MOKAN TU to aid MDC and private landowners in the continued preservation of this valuable resource for future generations.
In partnership with both MDC and private landowners, it is our long-term goal to assist in habitat restoration, continued population monitoring and public education to encourage that Missouri’s self-sustaining populations are protected and thrive well into the future.
We feel that the information gained from this study may ultimately be used to aid MDC in creating additional self-sustaining populations in the state.
Project Redband Study FAQ's
Q: Who paid for this project and how were the funds raised:
A: GTU and MOKAN TU funded 100% of the Redband Rainbow project with donations from members, foundations, and individual donors. No public tax dollars will be used for sampling and analysis, except for the rivers designated by MDC for their yearly electro fishing.
Q: Did Trout Unlimited (national) or my annual TU dues fund any part of this project?
A: No. TU National is not participating in this project and dues paid to TU national were not used to fund any part of this project.
Q: How Much did Phase 1 of this study cost?
A: The total cost of phase one is approximately $14,500 dollars. The majority of the costs, $11,550, is the genetic analysis from UC Davis. The rest will go toward sampling materials and tools needed to take and preserve all cuttings.
Q: How long will this study last?
A: This is a one-time genetic study but may lead to additional sampling or environmental studies of the rivers. This would potentially include water quality studies, water flow, invertebrate studies, habitat analysis, etc.
Q: What is the long-term goal of the project?
A: The long-term goal is to identify baseline data that will help make decisions on habitat improvement/restoration so these populations can continue for future generations as well as aid MDC in overall their overall trout plan going forward.
Q: Is it legal to collect tissue samples from these streams?
A: Yes. GTU/MOKAN TU applied and obtained (6) Wildlife Collectors Permits from the Missouri Department of Conservation allowing us to collect and possess tissue samples for this study (https://mdc.mo.gov/permits/wildlife-collector-permits)
The data from this project will be used by GTU and MOKAN TU to aid MDC and private landowners in the continued preservation of this valuable resource for future generations.
In partnership with both MDC and private landowners, it is our long-term goal to assist in habitat restoration, continued population monitoring and public education to encourage that Missouri’s self-sustaining populations are protected and thrive well into the future.
We feel that the information gained from this study may ultimately be used to aid MDC in creating additional self-sustaining populations in the state.
Project Redband Study FAQ's
Q: Who paid for this project and how were the funds raised:
A: GTU and MOKAN TU funded 100% of the Redband Rainbow project with donations from members, foundations, and individual donors. No public tax dollars will be used for sampling and analysis, except for the rivers designated by MDC for their yearly electro fishing.
Q: Did Trout Unlimited (national) or my annual TU dues fund any part of this project?
A: No. TU National is not participating in this project and dues paid to TU national were not used to fund any part of this project.
Q: How Much did Phase 1 of this study cost?
A: The total cost of phase one is approximately $14,500 dollars. The majority of the costs, $11,550, is the genetic analysis from UC Davis. The rest will go toward sampling materials and tools needed to take and preserve all cuttings.
Q: How long will this study last?
A: This is a one-time genetic study but may lead to additional sampling or environmental studies of the rivers. This would potentially include water quality studies, water flow, invertebrate studies, habitat analysis, etc.
Q: What is the long-term goal of the project?
A: The long-term goal is to identify baseline data that will help make decisions on habitat improvement/restoration so these populations can continue for future generations as well as aid MDC in overall their overall trout plan going forward.
Q: Is it legal to collect tissue samples from these streams?
A: Yes. GTU/MOKAN TU applied and obtained (6) Wildlife Collectors Permits from the Missouri Department of Conservation allowing us to collect and possess tissue samples for this study (https://mdc.mo.gov/permits/wildlife-collector-permits)
How to help:
We are looking for anglers who are experienced in fishing the following streams to team up with one of our Wildlife Collector Permit holders to perform sampling:
NOTE: ALL collection efforts will require a Wildlife Collector Permit holder to be present.
- Barren Fork Creek
- Mill Creek
- Crane Creek
- Blue Springs Creek
- Eleven Point River
NOTE: ALL collection efforts will require a Wildlife Collector Permit holder to be present.