John S. Odenkirk

Evaluation of Largemouth Bass Supplemental Stocking on a Virginia Coastal River

SEAFWA Journal Volume 4, March 2017

Coastal rivers can support quality largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fishing, but recruitment failure and habitat availability can influence population size and structure because of the dynamic nature of these systems. Stocking success in coastal river systems has been rarely evaluated. is study examined stocking success of oxytetracycline (OTC) marked F1 intergrade Florida (M.s. oridanus) and northern (M.s. salmoides) fingerling largemouth bass in the tidal Chickahominy River, Virginia. Fish were stocked at a density of 62 fish ha-1 in spring 2006 (mean TL = 54 mm) and 2007 (mean TL...

Northern Snakehead Movement and Distribution in the Tidal Potomac River System

Radio transmitters were implanted in 20 northern snakeheads (Channa argus) in April 2006 to evaluate movement and habitat use of this newly established population. Eight fish were monitored through 15 September 2006, and five transmitters remained active until the conclusion of the study in January 2007. Linear movement was summarized for nine fish frequently found (7-28 contacts; mean 20, SD = 8). Mean movement was 541 m (SD = 356) and the mean “maximum recorded distance” was 2901 m (SD = 2050). Linear movement for fish tracked during the spawning period was significantly different...

Stocking Size and Population Dynamics of Channel Catfish in Virginia Impoundments

Fisheries Outstanding Technical Paper

Sub-adult channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were marked with fin clips and stocked into 5 Virginia small (13- to 65-ha) impoundments from 1993-1996 to determine optimum stocking size and population dynamics. Four years of treatment stockings were compared to 4 years of standard (fingerling) stockings using gill net and creel surveys. Gill net catch per unit effort (CPUE) was higher (P = 0.04) during the treatment phase, and percentage of marked fish within populations steadily increased and reached a high of 91% in 1997. No evidence of natural reproduction was observed. Overall,...

Movements of Gulf of Mexico Sturgeon in the Apalachicola River, Florida

A telemetry study was conducted in the Apalachicola River/estuary, Florida, to determine migratory behavior of anadromous Gulf of Mexico sturgeon. Ultrasonic (remote and mobile units) and radio telemetry gears were used to assess movements of sturgeon in both fresh and saltwater. Transmitter-equipped fish (N = 10) began fall migration between 22 September and 19 October 1987, and averaged 4.6 days to descend 152 Ian to the lower Apalachicola River where freshwater "staging areas" were utilized for periods of 0-20 days prior to moving into brackish river water. Three sturgeon continuously...