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Black bass Micropterus spp. support popular freshwater sport fisheries in North America. Bass anglers commonly adopt catch and release as a conservation practice, and frequently over 75% of angled black bass are released back into the water. If fish survive the angling event, the practice of catch and release as an alternative to harvest reduces direct mortality, but it has the potential to affect the postrelease feeding behavior and survival of the fish. The act of lifting black bass for handling, hook removal, and photograph opportunities may cause stress and injury, and the degree of injury sustained could be influenced by fish size. Holding fish in a tilted grip by the jaw has raised concern among anglers about potential damage to jaw musculature and tendons, as they may not support the fish’s body weight out of water, particularly for trophy bass. We conducted an experiment with Florida Largemouth Bass M. salmoides floridanus to evaluate the relative differences in survival, jaw mechanics, an...

The Red River of the North (Red River) is managed with a unique set of regulations aimed at conserving the age structure and size structure of a trophy Channel Catfish population. Although these regulations have been in place for >20 years, current population dynamics have not been evaluated postregulation. Our objectives were to (1) document dynamic rate functions (i.e., growth and mortality), age structure, and size structure of Channel Catfish in the lower Red River, and (2) compare current population dynamics with historical conditions in the lower Red River and other populations. We documented a maximum age of 27, and ages greater than 20 were common (7%). We estimated an annual mortality rate of 0.19, which was similar to mortality estimates for Channel Catfish in the Red River from the USA. Growth rates for individuals ages 3–10 were similar among our study, historical growth estimates, and upstream estimates. Conservative harvest regulations appear to be preserving the desired age structur...

To determine whether a consumption-oriented fishery was compatible with a trophy-oriented fishery for Muskellunge Esox masquinongy, we modeled effects of a spearing fishery and recreational angling fishery on population size structure (i.e., numbers of fish ≥ 102, 114, and 127 cm) in northern Wisconsin. An individual-based simulation model was used to quantify the effect of harvest mortality at currently observed levels of recreational angling and tribal spearing fishery exploitation, along with simulated increases in exploitation, for three typical growth potentials (i.e., low, moderate, and high) of Muskellunge in northern Wisconsin across a variety of minimum length limits (i.e., 71, 102, 114, and 127 cm). Populations with moderate to high growth potential and minimum length limits ≥ 114 cm were predicted to have lower declines in numbers of trophy Muskellunge when subjected to angling-only and mixed fisheries at observed and increased levels of exploitation, which suggested that fisheries with...

Management of Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus and Channel Catfish I. punctatus for trophy production has recently become more common. Typically, trophy management is attempted with length-based regulations that allow for the moderate harvest of small fish but restrict the harvest of larger fish. However, the specific regulations used vary considerably across populations, and no modeling efforts have evaluated their effectiveness. We used simulation modeling to compare total yield, trophy biomass (Btrophy), and sustainability (spawning potential ratio [SPR] > 0.30) of Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish populations under three scenarios: (1) current regulation (typically a length-based trophy regulation), (2) the best-performing minimum length regulation (MLRbest), and (3) the best-performing length-based trophy catfish regulation (LTRbest; “best performing” was defined as the regulation that maximized yield, Btrophy, and sustainability). The Btrophy produced did not differ among the three scenarios. ...

Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush have been introduced widely throughout the western USA to enhance recreational fisheries, but high predatory demand can create challenges for management of yield and trophy fisheries alike. Lake Trout were introduced to Priest Lake, Idaho, during the 1920s, but few fishery-independent data are available to guide current or future management actions. We collected fishery-independent data to describe population dynamics and evaluate potential management scenarios using an age-structured population model. Lake Trout in Priest Lake were characterized by fast growth at young ages, which resulted in young age at maturity. However, adult growth rates and body condition were lower than for other Lake Trout populations. High rates of skipped spawning (>50%) were also observed. Model projections indicated that the population was growing (λ = 1.03). Eradication could be achieved by increasing annual mortality to 0.32, approximately twice the current rate. A protected slot leng...

The growth potential of Muskellunge Esox masquinongy was evaluated by back-calculating growth histories from cleithra removed from 305 fish collected during 1995–2011 to determine whether it was consistent with trophy management goals in northern Wisconsin. Female Muskellunge had a larger mean asymptotic length (49.8 in) than did males (43.4 in). Minimum ultimate size of female Muskellunge (45.0 in) equaled the 45.0-in minimum length limit, but was less than the 50.0-in minimum length limit used on Wisconsin's trophy waters, while the minimum ultimate size of male Muskellunge (34.0 in) was less than the statewide minimum length limit. Minimum reproductive sizes for both sexes were less than Wisconsin's trophy minimum length limits. Mean growth potential of female Muskellunge in northern Wisconsin appears to be sufficient for meeting trophy management objectives and angler expectations. Muskellunge in northern Wisconsin had similar growth potential to those in Ontario populations, but lower growth ...

Lake of the Ozarks, Harry S. Truman Reservoir, and Table Rock Lake in Missouri contain important recreational trophy Paddlefish fisheries. These three reservoirs have been created by damming major rivers. Because of river modifications, Paddlefish natural reproduction is thought to be limited, and subsequently, populations have been maintained through supplementation and harvest regulations. However, these fisheries have not been thoroughly assessed and the applicability of management actions (e.g., supplementation and minimum length limits) has not been fully evaluated. Population simulations indicated changes in the amount of trophy sized fish and broodstock remaining of each population were similar, with larger minimum length limits resulting in a greater proportion of mature and trophy sized individuals. However, the number of Paddlefish that could be harvested at Harry S. Truman Reservoir and Lake of the Ozarks was much greater than at Table Rock Lake. These disparities are likely attributed ...

Kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka and Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush are stocked for sportfishing in lakes and reservoirs throughout the western United States and Canada. However, where the two species co-occur, unsustainable levels of predation by Lake Trout can lead to declines in kokanee abundance and declines in Lake Trout growth and body condition. Such declines occurred in Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado. In 2009, managers began removing Lake Trout (

Trophy-size fish are a critical component of recreational Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides floridanus fisheries; therefore, many agencies have prioritized management actions to improve catches of large fish. Length-based harvest regulations are commonly used to increase the abundance of trophy-size fish, but the rarity of large fish in sampling programs makes it difficult to use field data to evaluate the effectiveness of those regulations. We used an age-structured simulation model parameterized for a trophy Largemouth Bass fishery to evaluate the potential for a range of size limits to increase abundance and angler catches of trophy Largemouth Bass (>610 mm TL). We compiled creel information from four Florida lakes with varying harvest regulations that were known to have high-quality trophy fisheries in order to assess the performance of the model. Model results were scaled to represent trips per trophy catch for a range of size limits. The model predicted that the average number of angler...

Asian carp (Cyprinidae) are among the most invasive fishes in North America, but assessment tools for evaluating stock structure have not been established. Thus, we used data from national and international published reports or manuscripts to develop standard length categories for four species of Asian carp. Due to the similarities in maximum reported size for Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella, we propose the following standardized length categories for those two species: stock = 30 cm, quality = 54 cm, preferred = 68 cm, memorable = 89 cm, and trophy = 111 cm. Proposed Black Carp Mylopharyngodon piceus length categories are stock = 40 cm, quality = 72 cm, preferred = 90 cm, memorable = 118 cm, and trophy = 148 cm. Finally, we propose the following length categories for Silver Carp H. molitrix: stock = 25 cm, quality = 45 cm, preferred = 56 cm, memorable = 74 cm, and trophy = 93 cm. We then used existing data collected in the Illinois River and Mississ...

This study estimated the economic benefit of recreational fisheries on two trophy crappie Pomoxis spp. fisheries in Mississippi. We accomplished this by estimating economic impacts of angler expenditures and angler willingness-to-pay for fishing trips above current expenditures. Anglers spent 91,811 activity days on Sardis Reservoir in 2006 and 46,036 on Grenada Reservoir in 2007. The total economic impacts to the state were estimated at US$5.83 million on Sardis Reservoir and $2.15 million on Grenada Reservoir, supporting 75 and 51 full- and part-time jobs, respectively. Total consumer surplus was $5.57 million and $4.46 million on Sardis and Grenada reservoirs, respectively. Last, we used a model that predicted the effect of average spring water levels on total angling effort to estimate resulting changes in economic benefits. Spring angling effort and associated economic benefits peaked at intermediate water levels and declined at both low and high water levels. Future changes in precipitation...

Most conclusions from general assessments of angler motivations indicate that noncatch motives are more important to anglers than catch motives. Such research usually assesses the general motivation structure by anglers. To assess both general and more context-specific angler motivations, we surveyed the same anglers from northeastern Germany using two phases of a complementary survey design. First, a 1-year diary was used to collect trip-specific information; second, a personalized mail survey was used to elicit context-specific motivation information. Anglers selected their most important motives for their most frequent trip–target species combination (i.e., context) from a list of 10 salient fishing motives. Anglers frequently cited catch motives as the most important across a range of target species, large-bodied species such as northern pike Esox lucius being primarily associated with trophy fishing. Some species (such as small-bodied cyprinids) were targeted for noncatch reasons, while othe...

A volunteer angler survey was conducted from October 2004 to May 2006 at Fayette County Reservoir, Texas, to help determine the seasonal catch trends and length distribution of trophy (≥21 in long) largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. Although previous Texas Parks and Wildlife creel and electrofishing surveys had collected data on the reservoir's largemouth bass fishery, little information was obtained on trophy bass. Quarterly catch and length distribution data from a volunteer angler survey were compared with data collected concurrently during an agency-staffed creel survey as a means to validate the volunteered data. The costs associated with each survey method were also compared. Anglers voluntarily reported catches of 177 trophy largemouth bass during the 20-month survey period. The length distributions by inch-group 21 in or longer were not significantly different between survey methods, validating the fish lengths reported by volunteers. The quarterly catch trends over a 1-year period we...

Population metrics and the fishery for flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris were examined in Lake Wilson, an impoundment of the Tennessee River in Alabama. We described the recreational and commercial exploitation, angler size selectivity, and population demographics and used modeling to assess the impact of exploitation and minimum length limits on the abundance of memorable (860-mm) and trophy (1,020-mm) fish. A total of 1,113 flathead catfish were collected, and 646 of these fish (≥300 mm) were tagged and released to estimate exploitation. The length distribution indicated that there was a high proportion of larger fish in the population, the relative stock densities of preferred-, memorable-, and trophy-length fish being 21, 8, and 2%, respectively. Ages were estimated from otoliths (N = 198), and it was found that fish were slow growing (von Bertalanffy growth coefficient, 0.066) and long-lived (maximum age, 34 years) and expressed a high annual survival rate (83%) and low instantaneous natu...

Analysis of the growth characteristics of 215 populations of walleye Sander vitreus across Ontario revealed that female walleyes reached larger asymptotic lengths in lakes in which ciscoes Coregonus artedi provided a relatively large prey species for them. The stomach contents of walleyes from a set of intensively studied lakes revealed that walleyes of all sizes depended on ciscoes but that ciscoes were most important to larger walleyes. In lakes without ciscoes, the walleye diet closely tracked the availability of young-of-year yellow perch Perca flavescens; when such prey were in short supply, walleyes consumed invertebrates. The prey size in walleye stomachs was significantly larger in lakes with ciscoes, but the probability of finding empty stomachs was also greater. This suggests that although walleyes in lakes with ciscoes foraged less often, more energy was available for growth. Exceptions to this general pattern occurred when ciscoes were too large to be consumed by walleyes or ciscoes w...

A northern population of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus was assessed to ascertain the abundance and demographics of the population. Standardized trap-netting was conducted from 1997 to 2002 in six reaches of the Ottawa River. A total of 13,197 channel catfish were sampled. The relative stock density was 18.5% stock, 47.7% quality, 27.2% preferred, 4.4% memorable, and 0.5% trophy. Mean relative weight was 71 for all channel catfish combined and for the different size-classes it was 37 for stock, 61 for quality, 88 for preferred, 133 for memorable, and 120 for trophy. Growth was slow compared with that of more southerly populations but longevity was greater (ages of up to 26 years). Annual mortality was 15.7%. Population estimates ranged from 38,445 to 220,924 in the various reaches, and density ranged from 3.5 to 31.7/ha. Channel catfish are an abundant and underutilized species in the Ottawa River; however, given their life history traits, this fishery is susceptible to overexploitation.

Public opinion plays an important part in the successful development of a fisheries management plan. We used a mail questionnaire to survey 1,400 anglers who fish for muskellunge Esox masquinongy in Wisconsin. The survey included defined groups of muskellunge anglers separated by muskellunge club affiliation and geographic location and general anglers selected from a random sample of angler license sales. The survey questions were designed to obtain opinions regarding muskellunge fishery and trophy management in Wisconsin in terms of angling behaviors, regulation options, and perceived problems. All anglers generally preferred fishing with artificial lures and practiced the voluntary live release of legal-length muskellunge. Muskellunge anglers considered a trophy muskellunge to be at least 40 in long, with a preferred length of 50 in or longer. Muskellunge anglers also supported regulations for muskellunge that were based on a water's biological potential, along with increased restrictions on re...

We sought to apply economic impact assessment methodology to better understand the local and state-level economic impacts associated with a trophy largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides fishery at Lake Fork, Texas. A sample of 848 anglers encountered during creel surveys were sent follow-up mail surveys and asked about their trip expenditures. Creel surveys indicated 74% of anglers were nonlocal state residents, 11% were residents of the three adjacent counties, 10% were from adjacent states, and 5% were other out-of-state anglers. An estimated 204,739 one-person, multiple-day fishing trips were made to Lake Fork between June 1, 1994, and May 31, 1995. We estimate that US$27,487,000 was spent on fishing trips during the study period: $15,783,000 in the local area, $10,637,000 elsewhere in Texas, and $1,067,000 out-of-state. Local residents spent the least per angler/trip ($44) and out-of-state anglers from nonbordering states spent the most per angler/trip ($474). Anglers residing outside of the l...

Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus populations in 18 Nebraska Sandhill lakes were evaluated to determine if a 200-mm minimum length limit would increase population size structure. Bluegills were trap-netted in May and June 1998 and 1999, and a creel survey was conducted during winter 1998–2001 on one or two lakes where bluegills had been tagged to determine angler exploitation. Thirty-three percent of anglers on one creeled lake were trophy anglers (i.e., fishing for large (≥250 mm) bluegills), whereas 67% were there to harvest fish to eat. Exploitation was always less than 10% and the total annual mortality averaged 40% across all 18 lakes. The time to reach 200 mm ranged from 4.3 to 8.3 years. The relative stock density of preferred-length fish increased an average of 2.2 units in all 18 lakes with a 10% exploitation rate. However, yield declined 39% and the number harvested declined 62%. Bluegills would need to reach 200 mm in 4.2 years to ensure no reduction in yield at 10% exploitation. Both yield...

Outlet barriers in stocked lakes of the Adirondack Mountains were used to test the hypothesis that preventing fall emigration by adult brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis would increase trap-net and angling catch rates as well as the number of large trophy fish. Outlet barriers were maintained during the fall spawning season for 6 years on one lake and 10 years on another lake. We compared prebarrier and postbarrier trap-net and angler catches (1978–1998) in two blocked and two unblocked lakes. Postbarrier availability of brook trout to anglers and trap nets increased significantly in Rock Lake (blocked) but not in Lower Sylvan Pond (blocked) or the two unblocked lakes. However, highly significant increases in angler catches of trophy fish occurred from both blocked lakes. Variables other than emigration, such as number of fish stocked and angling mortality, influenced our ability to detect significant increases in the availability of age-2 and older brook trout in Lower Sylvan Pond. The outlet bar...

Wisconsin's populations of muskellunge Esox masquinongy provide an important recreational fishery. Our objectives were to (1) evaluate progress of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources muskellunge management plan, (2) examine subsequent changes in the fishery, and (3) evaluate Wisconsin's muskellunge waters classification system. With the goal of maintaining viable populations and a trophy fishery, the 1979 plan endorsed more restrictive harvest regulations, an increased supply of muskellunge fishing opportunities, and increased data collection. Since the 1980s, muskellunge fishing opportunities have increased 75% in terms of lake acres and 51% in terms of stream miles. Hatchery production and stocking efficacy have improved to the point where the department needs to reevaluate current stocking practices. With the establishment of a shorter season, a higher statewide minimum length limit, and an increased use of special regulations, harvest regulations have become progressively more restr...

Stunting in populations of bluegill Lepomis macrochirus is a major management problem in the upper midwestern United States, Traditionally, stunting has been attributed to a lack of food resources. An alternative theory suggests that stunting may result from harvest of the large parental males that inhibit spawning by smaller males, allowing small males to direct energy to reproduction instead of to growth. We used a population model to simulate restrictions on harvest of large males under various conditions of vulnerability to angling, growth rate, and angler effort. Regulations tested were a daily bag of 5 fish and seasonal bags of 50 fish or 50 fish but only 1 trophy specimen (>180 mm total length); a limit of only 1 trophy fish during the spawning season; and a spawning season closure. Growth and angler effort had the greatest effects on size structure in simulated bluegill populations; high growth and low effort led to notable increases in mean fish length. Tested regulations and male vulner...

A utility-per-recruit model was developed to compare trophy versus food (consumptive) values of a fishery for walleyes Stizostedion vitreum in Big Sand Lake, Minnesota. Trophy value was quantified by a mail survey that asked anglers to equate a large walleye in terms of the numbers of small (2-Ib) walleyes they would have to catch to give them the same level of satisfaction. A 2-Ib walleye was assumed to have only consumptive value. Trophy values (measured in 2-Ib walleye units) of surveyed anglers increased exponentially as a function of walleye size (weight). Consumptive value was assumed to be simply the weight of the fish (divided by two to form 2-lb walleye units). Big Sand Lake anglers were classified as consumptive oriented (53.1%) or trophy oriented (46.9%). Utility- (value-) per-recruit modeling predicted that trophy value of the fishery would be maximized at lengths of entry greater than 22 in, whereas consumptive value of the fishery would be maximized at a length of entry of about 18 ...

Prerelease mortality of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides was recorded at major fishing tournaments on Sardis Reservoir, Mississippi, during 1989–1991. Mortality of large fish (total length > 18 in) averaged 29% and was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than the 9% average mortality suffered by small (12–14-in) fish. Mortality increased with water temperature and mean number of fish per boat. The significantly higher mortality of large fish should be considered in efforts to enhance the survival of fish released after tournaments. In waters where tournament fishing effort and catch are high, size-related mortality could alter the population's size structure, reduce the potential for trophy fish, or create public relations problems for tournaments because of their perceived effect on fishery resources.

The average hooking mortality per capture event for 630 trophy-sized wild brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis (mean total length, 33.9 cm) caught on five hardware lures was 4.3% during the first 48 h after capture, Mortality was 8.3% for brook trout caught on Mepps spinners and Cleo spoons equipped with a treble-pointed hook, whereas mortality was significantly lower (2.4% per hooking event; P < 0.05) for fish caught on the same lures with a single-pointed hook. The 10.9% mortality caused by treble-hook Mepps spinners was significantly higher than mortality caused by single-hook Cleo spoons (1.6%). Mortality for brook trout caught on single-hook Cleo spoons and single-hook Mepps spinners combined (2.4%) was also significantly lower (P < 0.05) than mortality offish caught on Mepps spinners with treble hooks. There was no mortality among 126 brook trout caught with Rapala lures rigged with two treble hooks. We believe that the differences in mortality of brook trout caught with different lures are pr...

We used creel and draining censuses to measure angling catch, harvest, and hooking mortality of tiger muskellunge (female muskellunge Esox masquinongy × male northern pike E. lucius) in a 6. l -hectare Illinois impoundment dominated by largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and bluegill Lepomis macrochirus. The vulnerability of tiger muskellunge to angling produced a substantial catch-and-release fishery: 226 hybrids stocked in 1981 and 1982 were caught 388 times (1.7 times per fish) during four fishing seasons, and 27 others were recovered in the draining census in 1985. Only four legal fish (≥762 mm in total length) were harvested, but this number might have increased to 29 (13% of the number stocked) if the minimum-length limit had been reduced to 710 mm. Strict enforcement of a 762-mm minimum-length limit failed to generate a productive and cost-effective trophy fishery, because growth was slow and many hybrids died from natural or hooking mortality before they reached legal size, The cost of ...

A simple decision-making method, based on multiattribute utility analysis, is presented for integrating multiple factors into fishery management plans. The method is described with a procedural outline and demonstrated for management of the brown trout Salmo trutta fishery on the Au Sable River, Michigan. Fishery research results and other information were used to evaluate 13 forms of fishery regulation on the basis of four attributes: trophy harvest, trout harvest, sublegal catch, and regulatory complexity. Three management objectives were used to illustrate how different forms of fishery regulation could be selected, depending on the relative importance associated with each attribute. Results indicate how this decision-making method, and decision analysis in general, can be used to assist managers in developing fishery management plans.

Since 1915, Fuller's Tackle Shop at Park Rapids in Minnesota's northwestern lake region has sponsored an annual fishing contest. Contest records were available for 113,845 entries of 10 fish species from 1930 to 1987. Under increased exploitation, declining trends in number of large-size entries and mean weight of total entries indicated the development of less desirable size structure for most sport-fish species. The number of entries of muskellunge Esox masquinongy abruptly declined after the 1930s. Stocking and size restrictions have not restored a trophy muskellunge fishery. Under increased exploitation, entries of large northern pike Esox lucius have declined gradually since 1948. Numbers of large walleyes Stizostedion vitreum and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides peaked in 1972 and 1977, respectively, and have since declined. Mean weights of bluegills Lepomis macrochirus and black crappies Pomoxis nigromaculatus have declined since the early 1950s. Large black crappies (≥ 1.75 lb) and b...

A length-categorization system was developed to assess structure of fish stocks with greater precision than is possible using Proportional Stock Density (PSD). Three new size categories - preferred, memorable, and trophy - were developed to accompany previously established stock and quality lengths. Like minimum stock and quality lengths, minimum lengths for the new categories are defined as percentage lengths of the all-tackle, world-record fish. Length ranges from or near which minimum stock, quality, preferred, memorable, and trophy lengths should be selected were computed for all freshwater fish species having a world-record length listed by the International Game Fish Association in 1982. Minimum lengths corresponding to each of the five size categories are proposed for several species. By arraying samples of fish population data or angler catch data according to the five size-group categories, a length-frequency distribution can be easily assessed and verbalized. Relative Stock Density (RSD...

On-site interviews and a mail questionnaire survey of 377 anglers on two Virginia rivers were used to evaluate the concept of recreational specialization for differentiating angler subgroups. Specialization was defined for four dimensions of angler behavior: (1) fishery resource use, (2) experience, (3) investment, and (4) centrality of angling to lifestyle. Six types of anglers, representing low to high levels of specialization, were identified by cluster analysis. The experience dimension was the most important contributor to the framework, accounting for 24% of the variance in the data. A combination of the resource, investment, and centrality dimensions explained 48% of the variance. Highly specialized anglers were likely to cite resource-related motives (e.g., trophy fish), to rely on skill to catch fish, to prefer to catch and release larger fish, and to favor restrictive harvest regulations. Less specialized anglers cited escape and family-oriented recreation as motivations for fishing, pl...