A Mark-Recapture Study on Largemouth Bass Used in Conjunction with a Creel Survey

A mark-recapture study used in conjunction with a roving creel survey utilizing non-uniform probability sampling was conducted in two 1,000 acre study areas on Lake Okeechobee. In one study area, 472 largemouth bass 216mm and greater total length were tagged and released prior to the creel survey. In the other study area, 201 largemouth bass 241mm and greater total length were tagged and released prior to the creel survey. Of 48 total recaptures from both years, only two fish had moved outside the creel survey area. Both surveys indicated under-utilization of bass less than 356mm total length, and over-exploitation of bass 356mm and greater.