Larry M. Cofer

Current standardized sampling procedures in Oklahoma call for the use of gill nets to collect relative abundance and size structure data on channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). While gill nets are effective at catching channel catfish, their usefulness as a sampling tool is limited because of the variability of the resulting data. Furthermore, gill nets represent a lethal means of sampling channel catfish which can adversely affect channel catfish populations. Hoop nets have been found to be an effective alternative method for catching channel catfish, but little is known concerning...

Changes in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and forage populations were analyzed in Lake Fuqua, Oklahoma, following its designation as a Trophy Bass Lake. A 356-558 mm slot limit for bass was established in 1990 after anglers reported catching many large bass, including a state record. The electrofishing catch-per-hour (C/f) of bass >355 mm in 1993 (C/f = 24) was significantly higher than in 1989 (C/f = 7). The abundance of bass >508 mm also increased significantly from 1989 (C/f = 1.4) to 1993 (C/f = 5.0). The electrofishing C/f of trophy bass (>558 mm) did not change....