Silver Creek Evaluation Study by Robert J. Bell, Fisheries Biologist 1966

The data collected during this time (until 1977) is different in that they were still stocking the creek at this time.  In this study, they noted an abundance of vegetation up stream (above the HWY) and sparse vegetation downstream.   They also noted an increase in temperatures downstream, and an absence of streamside vegetation downstream.  This was a tagging study, temperature study, scuba study, and creel study.  They found over 96 % of the fish they tagged did not move farther than 2 miles form where it was tagged (1000 catchable rainbows were tagged).  The scuba study augmented the tagging study—they did 2 500’ sections (one on lower stalker and one just below mouth of Loving creek).  They also found trout and whitefish populations to be stronger upstream- they saw large fish farther upstream.  They noted that years of low catch were associated with: low flows, low planted fish, low reproduction rates.  They noted that fly fishermen caught more fish and the number of fly fishermen increased late in the season.  Fishermen success (from 1952-1966) ranged from .87 hour to 1.65 hour (in 1965).  They surveyed four temperature transects (start of S turns, by Bud Purdys house, Point of Rocks, and the Suzie Q).  They found temperatures warmed downstream as much as 5 C.   

        Healthy populations of trout and whitefish in upper three miles of Silver Creek.

Aquatic vegetation in the upper portion if profuse, therefore supporting larger fish.

Very little migration was noted of catchable rainbows in Silver Creek.