The establishment of black bass (Micropterus sp.) size restrictions on some Louisiana lakes prompted a study to determine the catch and mortality rates of unattended yo-yos and triggers. From 15 November 1991 to 11 March 1992 gears were fished in close proximity in 5 impoundments a total of 825 nights per gear. The catch rate for all species was 0.168 fish/yo-yo night and 0.080 fish/trigger night. Largemouth bass (M. salmoides) catch rates were 0.005 fish/yo-yo night and 0.002 fish/trigger night. Mortality of all fish caught on unattended yo-yos and unattended triggers was 61% and 7%, respectively. Four largemouth bass were caught on unattended yo-yos; all died. Two were caught on unattended triggers; both survived. The results of this study indicate that there is no biological reason to place restrictions on unattended yo-yos or unattended triggers.
