Analysis of catch records at state- owned and managed public fishing lakes indicated that significant increases in permit sales and harvest of fish occurred the year after treatment with rotenone to thin or eliminate threadfin shad and/ or gizzard shad. No significant change in the harvest of trophy largemouth bass was observed following treatment.
Fish associated with midwater fish attractors, bottom fish attractors, and open water devoid of cover were sampled by electrofishing at Madison County Public Fishing Lake. Both types of attractors concentrated harvestable-size largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides better than open-water areas devoid of cover. Midwater attractors concentrated harvestable-size largemouth bass as well as bottom attractors.
Supplemental stocking of fingerling and intermediate size largemouth bass (Mieropterus salmoides) did not provide substantial control of forage fish populations; however, stocking fingerling bass may have improved year class strength in those years they were stocked. Although loss of stocked intermediate-size bass over the spillway was negligible, those fish were vulnerable to angling. A measured rate of fishing (F = 0.08) was exerted on a population of bass estimated at 22.3 harvestable bass/ha weighing 34 kg/ha.
The Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies presents papers that cover all aspects of the management and conservation of inland, estuarine, and marine fisheries and wildlife. It aims to provide a forum where fisheries and wildlife managers can find innovative solutions to the problems facing our natural resources in the 21st century.