John H. Moczygemba

Previous studies of tournament-related impacts on black bass (Micropterus spp.) have concluded that live-release tournaments have minor effects on fisheries. Prompted by a decline in numbers of largemouth bass (M. salmoides) ≥ 458 mm total length (TL) and a high ratio of tournament weighed-in fish to harvested fish by non-tournament anglers, we assessed the impacts of tournament angling at Amon G. Carter Reservoir, Texas (623 ha). In 2007, we tagged 786 largemouth bass and estimated fishing mortality separately for tournament and non-tournament anglers. Instantaneous total fishing...

To determine if inbreeding was a cause of an apparent decline of large striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in Lake Texoma, striped bass sampled from four sites on the reservoir (n = 206), in the Red River below Denison Dam in 2001 (n = 58), and archived scale samples from Lake Texoma collections in 1978 (n = 44) were genotyped and evaluated at six microsatellite loci. There was evidence of weak population genetic structure among the collection sites. However, analyses of Hardy-Weinberg and linkage equilibrium within sites did not provide evidence of recent inbreeding within Lake Texoma....

Contest angler exploitation rates for crappie (Pomoxis spp.) ≥254 mm total length (TL) were estimated for Lake Texoma, Texas-Oklahoma, from tags returned by anglers fishing in Crappiethon USA contests in 1994 and 1995. Unadjusted contest angler exploitation was 27% in 1994 and 23% in 1995. Exploitation rates were adjusted for handling and tagging mortality and tag retention. Non-reporting was assumed to be 0%. Handling and tagging mortality rate estimates were 22% in 1994 and 10% in 1995. Tag loss for both years was calculated at 14%. Adjusted contest angler exploitation rate of crappie ≥...

We evaluated the effects of changing harvest regulations from 15 fish/ day (no more than 5 fish ≥508 mm) to 15 fish/day (no more than 1 fish ≥508 mm) for striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in Lake Texoma, Texas and Oklahoma. A stratified random creel survey was conducted for 2 years before and 4 years after the regulation change to determine striped bass harvest and directed angling pressure. Experimental gill nets were set at 15 stations each February for 3 years before and 4 years after the regulation change to estimate changes in the striped bass abundance and size structure. Overall...

The impact of changing the hybrid striped bass (white bass Morone chrysops o x striped bass M. saxatilis o; WBxSB) stocking strategy on 2 Texas reservoirs was evaluated. Stocking of WBxSB in lakes Arlington and Graham was increased from 20 fingerlings (25-76 mm TL)/ha and 112 fry (6 mm TL)/ha biennially, respectively, to approximately 50 fingerlings/ha annually. Annual fall or winter gill net surveys were conducted to monitor densities of WBxSB and gizzard (Dorosoma cepedianum) and threadfin (D. petenense) shad. Spring creel surveys were conducted to evaluate angler utilization of WBxSB....