The De1ury Method was used to estimate the number of channel catfish in three ponds of different years from the catch records of 20,790 anglers at the Farm Pond Project, Auburn, Alabama. The ponds were drained, and the accuracy of the estimates was determined. Estimates for each pond were made using the average number of channel catfish caught per angler per hour at intervals of: 1 day, 500 angling hours, 800 angling hours, 1,000 angling hours, and one week. The error of these estimates varied between 0.0 and 10.3 percent from the theoretical true number (the total cumulative catch plus the number recovered upon draining). Estimates obtained using the average catch per unit of effort for the different intervals of effort were not significantly different. The assumptions of the Delury Method were investigated. The assumptions of non-recruitment, the taking of a significant proportion of the population, and constant catchability had to be satisfied to achieve estimates of the above accuracy. The assumption of non-competing units of fishing gear and constant fishing pressure apparently did not have to be fully satisfied to achieve estimates of the above accuracy.
