We investigated the relation among estimates of abundance and size structure of white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) determined with electrofishing, trapnetting, and rotenone sampling in 4 Mississippi lakes in 1987-1989. We also examined the relations between angler harvest and estimates provided by each gear to determine whether estimates made by sampling could be used to index angling success. Electrofishing yielded 4 fish/man-hour in fall and 6 in spring, and trapnetting yielded 24 fish/manhour in fall and 9 in spring; rotenone sampling during summer yielded 8 fish/man-hour. Estimates of abundance of fish ≥20 cm long were usually correlated among gears and between seasons, but those of fish <20 cm long were not. These correlations suggest that any of these gears could be used to monitor trends in abundance of white crappie ≥20 cm long, but each would give different trends in abundance of fish <20 cm long. Indices of size structure provided by the gears generally differed significantly within seasons, and between seasons for the same gear. Estimates of relative abundance of fish ≥20 cm long based on spring electrofishing and trapnetting were correlated with angling success.
