Edgar P. Seidensticker

Following 6 years under a 356-mm minimum length limit regulation, poorly-structured largemouth bass populations at 5 Texas reservoirs were placed under an experimental 356- to 457-mm slot length limit in September 1993. The limit was designed to target angler harvest at the relatively abundant sub-slot fish and to increase angler catch rates within the protected length range. Largemouth bass populations were monitored at each reservoir by electrofishing at 4—8 shoreline stations in 1989-1992 (pre-change) and in 1995-1996 (post-change). A general linear model statistical procedure was used...

Lake Nacogdoches was opened to fishing in 1978 with 254-mm minimum size and 10-fish daily bag limits for black basses (Micropterus spp.). Heavy fishing pressure likely resulted in initial overharvest of largemouth bass during the first 3 weeks after opening. To restore the population, 406-mm minimum length and 3-fish daily bag limits were imposed in 1979. Under these regulations, the bass densities increased, but stockpiling just below the minimum length occurred within 5 years. An experimental 381-533 mm slot length limit was implemented in 1985 and then adjusted in 1988 to the statewide...

Success and cost effectiveness of stocking larval vs. fingerling hybrid striped bass (o Marone chrysops X o M. saxatilis) were evaluated at Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas. Stocking success was evaluated using gill net catch rates of age-2 hybrids, mean length of hybrids at age 2, and relative annual mortality of stocked individuals. Hatchery production and stocking cost of larvae and fingerlings were compared. There was no significant difference between gill net catch rates of age-2 hybrids stocked as larvae vs. fingerlings. However, age-2 hybrids from larval stockings were significantly larger...

The effectiveness of gill nets and jug lines were evaluated for selectively harvesting large alligator gar (Lepisosteus spatula) and longnose gar (L. osseus) in Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas. Gill nets with bar-mesh sizes ranging from 5.08 to 15.24 cm and jug lines were fished during September and October 1986. Catch per unit of effort (CPUE) in number of fish per man-hour, lengths of gar captured, and relative selectivity by gear were compared. Average effort required to fish I gill net or 10 jug lines overnight was 1 man-hour. CPUE of both gar species was significantly greater by jug...

Food selection of 209 alligator gar (Lepisosteus spatula) and 165 longnose gar (L. osseus) in Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas, was examined. Gar were collected with gill nets and jug lines during September and October 1986. Alligator gar were selective, primarily for bottom dwelling fishes, but not to as great an extent as longnose gar. Longnose gar selected small prey, primarily threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense). Both species will apparently shift to different prey depending on the species available.

This study was designed to compare the catch of sport and rough fishes and to determine the survival ofsport fishes captured by commercial gill nets in Texas reservoirs. Commercial fishermen were required to submit monthly reports for 1 yr (April, 1973 through March, 1974) on their rough fish harvest and on the number and species of sport fishes caught and released. The catch was recorded from monthly samples of commercial harvest on Lakes Sam Rayburn, Whitney, Somerville and B. A. Steinhagen and from quarterly samples on Lakes Livingston and Cedar Creek. Netting mortality of sport fishes...

A 1972 survey was taken of Texas bass clubs todetennine the number and location of organizations. their membership, club objectives, tournament regulations, fishing success and estimated harvest of bass from Texas reservoirs. Questionnaires were sent to 206 clubs, and reports were received from 170 of the groups during this study. The 170 reporting organizations collectively held 1,755 tournaments in 1972. Harvest records revealed an average catch per unit effort of 0.17 bass and/ OT O.28tb. per man-hour. Harvest from tournament lakes was, in most cases, less than 0.50 lb. per acre and was...

A study of two bass tournaments was undertaken on Lakes Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend in March, 1974 to evaluate a "Don't Kill Your Catch" program initiated by the Bass Anglers Sportsmen's Society, Mortality offish held in live-wells or water tanks up to the point and just after "weigh-in" was determined. Delayed mortality was measured by taking a sample from the tournamentcaught bass and stocking them in hatchery ponds for 28 days. A treatment of Terramycin was given loa portion of these hatcheryheld fish to evaluate its use for improving survival of the fish. Tolal mortality of fish taken...