Effect of mink, Mustela vison Schreber, predation on cohorts of juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., and brown trout, S. trutta L., in three small streams

Two cohorts of Atlantic salmon parr and one of brown trout were studied in periods with and without the presence of mink, Mustela vison . In all localities a marked increase in mortality rate was observed during periods when mink were present. Mink were observed catching salmon parr, and approximately 10% of the parr had bite marks, especially on the tail fins. In the smallest stream with brown trout, the mortality rate was 0.80 during a few days with mink present; remnants of trout were found along the stream. The present study suggests that mink predation may be a major cause of mortality of salmonids in small streams. The results indicate that predation efficiency may vary with characteristics of the habitat, especially stream width and discharge, and fish density.