Evaluating Effects of Fish Stocking on Amphibian Populations in Wilderness Lakes

USDA Forest Service Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-5. 2000 In: Cole, David N.; McCool, Stephen F.; Borrie, William T.; O’Loughlin, Jennifer, comps. 2000. Wilderness science in a time of change conference— Volume 5: Wilderness ecosystems, threats, and management; 1999 May 23– 27; Missoula, MT. Proceedings RMRS-P-15-VOL-5. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. David S. Pilliod is a doctoral student and Charles R. Peterson is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID 83209-8007 U.S.A., e-mail: [email protected] and [email protected] Abstract—To balance wilderness lake use between recreational fisheries and protected habitat for native species, managers need to understand how stocking non-native predaceous fish affects amphibian populations within a landscape. The goal of this paper is to help managers design and conduct studies that will provide such information. Desirable study characteristics include multiple-visit surveys of all wetlands within a watershed to provide information on amphibian distribution, abundance, breeding, recruitment and seasonal variation in habitat use. By identifying the distribution of critical amphibian habitat and source populations, this approach should enable managers to target specific lakes for protection or restoration as fishless amphibian habitat without overly compromising wilderness fishing opportunities.