James T. Davis

The fluctuation of water level as a lake management practice in Louisiana is explained using three lakes as examples. These lakes vary from 1,000 to 2,600 acres and are scattered over the state. Anacoco Lake, a 2,600 acre impoundment in central Louisiana, was fluctuated primarily for aquatic vegetation control. The vegetation was reduced 90% over a period of three years. The effects on the fish population as shown in annual rotenone samples were an increase in the game fish of available size and a decrease in the intermediate size sunfish. Fishing success improved markedly. Bussey...

Four lakes representing widely different types but of generally comparable size are compared from the standpoint of sustained angler harvest. The range in size is from 1000 acres to 2200 acres, in age from 5 years to 30 years, and from an artificial impoundment to a cut off stream channel. All four lakes are dependent to a large extent on the metropolitan area of Monroe, Louisiana for their fishing public. The catch rate varied from 0.4 pounds per hour on Bayou DeBiard to 1.2 pounds per hour on Bussey Lake. The yield varied from a high of 215 pounds per acre on Bussey Lake to a low of 14...

The toxicity to bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque) of 15 new or reformulated herbicides is presented. Six phenoxy compounds assayed were within toxicity limits previously reported. The endothal derivatives tested were also within previous limits but did show promise as an aquatic herbicide. Substituted urea compounds checked did not demonstrate any differences from those previously reported. A pelletized formulation of sodium arsenite was very toxic but should be more convenient to apply.

Bussey Brake Reservoir is a 2,200-acre impoundment located in northeast Louisiana near Bastrop, Louisiana. This lake was stocked by the Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commission in 1959. It was opened to public fishing on April 30, 1960. Creel data collected through April, 1963, are reported. Fishing pressure varied from 46,000 to 59,000 fisherman trips per year during this period. From 91 to 109 man-hours were spent per acre to catch 76 to 102 pounds of fish per acre. The success ratio varied from 1.74 to 2.29 fish per hour. The fish averaged 0.37 to 0.53 pounds. The average...