The results from gill nest samples, a series of cove rotenone samples, and a creel census were compared to the total fish population obtained through the drainage of Lake Russell, a 90-acre reservior in Northeast Georgia. An extended period of gill netting yielded the best representation of the various fish species present in the reservoir, but gave a poor estimate of the relative abundance of the fish species. Cove rotenone samples of known acreage gave a good representation of the total weight per acre of the reservoir. The three coves sampled yielded 45.3 pounds per acre, 48.5 pounds per acre, and 73.0 pounds per acre. The three cove samples combined yielded a value of 54.1 pounds per acre. Upon drainage of the reservoir the total weight per acre of all fish was 48.4 pounds per acre. The deepest of the three coves, lacking an abundance of aquatic vegetation, was overestimated in terms of the actual weight per acre. The creel census gave a fair representation of the fish species present in the reservior but poorly represented their relative abundance. In general, none of the sampling methods gave satisfactory estimates of the relative abundance of fish species. The cove rotenone samples were more reliable in representing bass and bluegill than any of the other sampling methods.
