Douglas L. Zentner

Abstract: Commonly, fisheries management decisions are based on one-time samples, which are generally adequate for assessing key rate functions, such as age and growth, but are of limited value for assessing recruitment. Recruitment variability has not been indexed for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Further evaluation of practical recruitment indexing methods from single sampling events and identification of potential drivers in recruitment variability could provide biologists with additional information needed for improved management of channel catfish ...

The white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) is an important U.S. game fish but is prone to stunting. In Oklahoma, stocking saugeye (Sander vitreus × S. canadensis) is a common management strategy for improving white crappie growth. However, recent work has suggested that saugeye stocking may not be a broadly effective management tool for improving crappie growth rates, especially when controlling for among­-reservoir variation.  Therefore, our objectives were to: (1) determine if stocking of Sander spp. (walleye [S. vitreus], saugeye, or both) improved...

Despite the broad geographical range of bullhead catfishes (Ameiurus spp.), their population vital rates have rarely been studied. Estimation of vital rates requires accurate age estimates and otoliths generally are considered to be the most accurate and precise aging structure for most fish species. However, pectoral spines of some ictalurid species have been used to generate precise age estimates of younger fish. Although previous studies have compared age estimates between otoliths and spines for large-bodied, longer-lived catfishes, there have been few comparable studies...