Christopher J. O'Bara

Muskellunge Esox masquinongy ohioensis were examined to determine biological characteristics, movement patterns, and habitat preferences, and to evaluate these characteristics between a catch-and-release reach and standard regulation reaches on Middle Island Creek, a stream in west central West Virginia. Between 2002 and 2007, 245 muskellunge were collected 371 times with pDC-boatmounted electrofishing equipment. Individual fish were measured, and muskellunge great than 450 mm were inserted with two different tags prior to release. Release locations were noted with global positioning...

Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) (TL>381 mm) were collected from February through April 1994 from 4 distinct regions and in March 1997 from 2 distinct regions of Norris Reservoir, Tennessee, and inserted with Hallprint T-bar anchor tags to determine angler exploitation, location of re-capture, and the effectiveness of a reduction in the daily creel limit. Fish were collected with both horizontal gill nets and electrofishing techniques, but only walleye captured by electrofishing gear were used in angler exploitation analysis. A $5 reward was offered to promote tag return. Annual angler...

Angler exploitation, sex and size selection, temporal and spatial capture patterns, and angling mortality were determined in 1996 and 1997 for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), spotted bass (M. punctulatus) in Norris Reservoir, Tennessee. Adjusted annual angler exploitation was 20% (± 4) for 1996-tagged largemouth bass and 14% (±4) for 1997-tagged largemouth bass. Adjusted annual angler catch was 47% (±8) for 1996-tagged fish and 34% (±7) for 1997-tagged fish. No significant differences (P>0.05) were detected between years for either exploitation or catch. No significant...

Percent return, survival, and harvest rates of stocked rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were evaluated in 3 Tennessee streams from 1991 through 1994. Harvestable-size trout were stocked 2-4 times during spring at densities of 29-188/km. Subharvestable (fingerling) trout were stocked only during fall at densities of 69-286/km. Mean annual returns ranged from 13% to 29% over the 4 years of the study and averaged 23% for all 3 streams. Returns for fall-stocked trout were negligible. Survival of spring-stocked (March-May) trout was low, ranging from 2% to 7% by July of each year. Similarly...