Fred J. Foster

Experimental Study of the Effect of Various Water Temperatures on the Growth, Food Utilization, and Mortality Rates of Fingerling Sockeye Salmon

Abstract Experiments were conducted with sockeye salmon fingerlings to determine the effect of various water temperatures on the growth, mortality, and food conversion of the fish. Maximum tolerance temperatures were determined, as were the optimum growth zones, as found in Skaha Lake, British Columbia, during the summer and fall months. The experimental data tend to confirm the field observations that young sockeye salmon have a preference for water temperatures similar to those found near the thermocline during the summer and fall months. The temperature of the surface layer of water in the lake was too high for optimum growth, survival, and efficient utilization of food.