Food Habits of Rainbow Trout in a Tennessee Tailwater

Food habits of rainbow trout were studied at 3 locations for 1 year on the Center Hill Dam tailwater in central Tennessee. Staple food items consisted of isopods (Lirceus sp.) and chironomids. Seasonal food items from Center Hill Reservoir (threadfin shad and Daphnia sp.) were highly utilized and contributed nearly 60% to the total volume of food items taken. Occurrence of algae in rainbow trout stomachs was common and appeared to be related to seasonal forage base. Condition of rainbow trout did not significantly change with season, but was usually significantly higher closer to the dam.