Species composition along the vertical gradietn in canyon-shaped reservoirs

During years 2004 and 2005, vertical gradients of fish distribution within two canyon-shaped Czech water supply reservoirs (Římov, Švihov) were examined by Nordic multimesh gillnets in both pelagic and benthic habitats. In the open water, most fish were found in the upper 5 m of depth. Below this depth nearly no fish occurred. The community was represented mainly by bleak. Towards deeper parts the portion of perch increased. In benthic areas, most fish were in the upper 3 m of depth. Abundance declined to 10 m and below this depth nearly no fish were present. Perch and roach dominated the littoral community. Ruffe preferred the deeper habitats. With respect to biomanipulative removal catches, it is sufficient to fish in the upper 5 m of the open water and in the upper 3 m in the littoral of the reservoir. For getting a rough but adequate assessment of fish community, it is satisfactory to sample the upper 5 m of the open water and the upper 10 m in the benthic part of the reservoir