We quantified movements of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis and brown trout Salmo trutta in a complex riverscape characterized by a large, open‐canopy main stem and a small, closed‐canopy tributary in eastern West Virginia, USA. Our objectives were to quantify the overall rate of trout movement and relate movement behaviors to variation in streamflow, water temperature, and access to coldwater refugia. The study area experienced extremely high seasonal, yearly, and among‐stream variability in water temperature and flow. The relative mobility of brook trout within the upper Shavers Fork watershed varied significantly depending on whether individuals resided within the larger main stem or the smaller tributary. The movement rate of trout inhabiting the main stem during summer months (50 m/d) was an order of magnitude higher than that of tributary fish (2 m/d). Movement rates of main‐stem‐resident brook trout during summer were correlated with the maximum water temperature experienced by the fish and with the fish's initial distance from a known coldwater source. For main‐stem trout, use of microhabitats closer to cover was higher during extremely warm periods than during cooler periods; use of microhabitats closer to cover during warm periods was also greater for main‐stem trout than for tributary inhabitants. Main‐stem‐resident trout were never observed in water exceeding 19.5°C. Our study provides some of the first data on brook trout movements in a large Appalachian river system and underscores the importance of managing trout fisheries in a riverscape context. Brook trout conservation in this region will depend on restoration and protection of coldwater refugia in larger river main stems as well as removal of barriers to trout movement near tributary and main‐stem confluences.

Accurate age estimates are critical for understanding life histories of fishes and developing management strategies for fish populations. However, validation of age estimates requires known-age fish, which are often lacking. We used known-age (ages 1–25) muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) to determine the precision and accuracy of age estimates from fin rays. We also determined whether fin location (anal or pelvic), fin ray number, and preparation methods affected accuracy and precision. Lastly, we determined whether von Bertalanffy growth parameters estimated from fin ray ages were similar to parameters estimated from known ages. Precision and accuracy of age estimates from anal and pelvic rays were similar and estimates were relatively precise (coefficient of variation = 8.5%) and accurate (mean absolute difference from known age = 0.85 years) for ages 4–15, but ages were overestimated for younger fish and underestimated for older fish. Growth models based on estimated age were similar to models based on known age. Anal and pelvic rays offer a nonlethal alternative for age estimation of muskellunge ages 4–15 and for producing reliable estimates of growth.

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Trout Movement and Habitat Use in the Upper Shavers Fork of the Cheat River, I quantified brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) movement and habitat use in a central Appalachian watershed, the upper Shavers Fork of the Cheat River over three seasons (spring/summer 2000-01, fall 2000) with telemetry. The objectives of my study were to: 1) quantify trout habitat use among seasons, and between the mainstem and Rocky Run (a major tributary), 2) quantify the effect of temperature extremes on habitat use by brook trout, 3) quantify trout movement among seasons and between the mainstem and Rocky Run, and 4) relate movement to variations in stream flow, water temperature, and access to cold water sources (CWSs). Habitat use analysis indicated that trout use a subset of available habitats in both the mainstem and Rocky Run. Specifically trout tended to occupy deeper and higher velocity habitats than expected by chance alone. Trout also tended to remain close to cover and in close proximity to extremely high velocity microhabitats. Finally, I consistently recorded colder trout focal point temperatures in the mainstem than near-by instream temperature loggers especially when instream levels were above 20º C indicating the use of mainstem CWSs (visible surface and lateral subsurface inputs through the valley alluvium, and hyporheic upwelling). Analysis of movement data indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) in movement rates between mainstem and Rocky Run trout with mainstem movement rates among some of the highest documented for native brook trout in an Appalachian watershed (ranging up to 6.5 kms and up to 62 m/day during the spring/summer study period). Movement was strongly related to temperature and somewhat to distance to CWSs. However, mainstem trout exhibited high movement rates even when instream temperature levels were optimal suggesting other reason(s) for increased ranging. Future restoration efforts in the upper watershed should first address the overriding thermal and acid precipitation problems. The modification and/or complete replacement of all compromised culverts would be an important first step in improving water quality and habitat suitability for the highly mobile trout population in the watershed. This is a vital first step along with the continuation and possible expansion of the current WVDNR headwater liming program.