Lesser Scaup Mortality from Commercial Trotlines on Lake Okeechobee, Florida

Mortality of lesser scaup (Aythya affinis) from commercial trotlines was studied on Lake Okeechobee, Florida, from November 1985 to March 1986. Of 27 scaup removed from 118 trotlines, 81% were hooked in body parts other than the mouth. An estimated 7,458 scaup, or 8% of the estimated average winter population of 97,071, were killed during 5,675 man-days of fishing. Potential impacts on scaup populations are discussed.