Edward A. Bettross

Release of Largemouth Bass Under Differential Size Limits

Release of largemouth bass {Micropterus salmoides) by anglers licensed under 2 size limits were evaluated based on tag returns. Clarks Hill, Richard B. Russell, and Hartwell reservoirs, forming the boundary between Georgia and South Carolina, have different largemouth bass size restrictions on each side of the lake. Georgia imposes a 305-mm minimum length limit, whereas South Carolina imposes no size limit. Georgia anglers released a significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) proportion of stock size (200-299 mm) bass than did South Carolina anglers. Georgia anglers also appeared to release a...