William L. Fisher

We evaluated recreational fishing for black bass (Micropterus) species in two eastern Oklahoma streams. We conducted creel and tagging exploitation studies on the Baron Fork of the Illinois River in northeastern Oklahoma and Glover River of the Little River in southeastern Oklahoma. We used a roving creel survey on Baron Fork and the bus-route creel survey on Glover River. Over three years, exploitation rates of smallmouth bass in Baron Fork exceeded those in Glover River by about 30% and for all black bass by about 7%. Catch and harvest per unit effort, fishing pressure, and yield on...

We analyzed relationships between largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) recruitment and environmental characteristics in Skiatook Lake, Oklahoma, from 1997 through 1999. Catch rates of young-of-year (YOY) were positively associated with inflows into the reservoir during the spawning season (April-May), whereas juvenile catch rates were positively related to reservoir releases during the post-spawning period (Jun-Nov). Abundance of juvenile fish in fall electrofishing samples increased from 1997 through 1999. No evidence of over-winter mortality was detected. Estimated swim-up dates for...

We surveyed black bass (Micropterus spp.) populations in Baron Fork in northeastern Oklahoma and Glover River in southeastern Oklahoma during 1994 and 1995 to assess population characteristics and management options particularly for smallmouth bass (M. dolomieu) in eastern Oklahoma streams. Smallmouth bass dominated the catch of black bass species in both streams during both years. The fishery potential for smallmouth bass in Glover River was limited in part by low abundance, poor year-class success, and high annual mortality resulting in low recruitment to older ages. In contrast,...

We field-tested the Reproductive Index (RI) of the great blue heron (Ardea herodias) Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model in the southcentral Great Plains with the aid of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. From January 1993 through May 1994, populations of great blue herons in 18 rookeries located throughout Oklahoma were monitored, and GIS was used to evaluate data on rookery habitat structure and surrounding landscape features. Eighteen rookeries were classified as potential nest sites and RI ratings were determined for each rookery according to model criteria. The RI...

We investigated the effect of sampling site access on estimates of fish abundance in 2 eastern Oklahoma streams. Centrarchid species were sampled by electrofishing at public and remote access sites on Baron Fork Creek in northeastern Oklahoma and Glover River in southeastern Oklahoma. We verified differences in recreational use and habitat between access types in both streams. Recreational use was generally higher at public than remote access areas in each stream. Public areas in Glover River had higher fish densities, were deeper, and had more instream cover than remote areas. However,...

We tested the performance of low- (40 MHz) and high-frequency (150 MHz) radio and ultrasonic (75 kHz) telemetry transmitters in Robert S. Kerr Reservoir, Oklahoma, a polyhaline body of water. We measured the maximum detection distance of all 3 transmitters at various depths and conductivity levels in lacustrine habitats and the ultrasonic transmitter in riverine habitats. The ultrasonic transmitter had the greatest detection distance (600-1,200 m) in all lacustrine habitats and in clear, deep riverine habitats. Ultrasonic transmitter detection distance decreased by 94% at a shallow...

Trends in the abundance of young-of-year largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and water level fluctuations from 1976 to 1988 in Grand Lake were evaluated to assess recruitment strength before (1976-1981) and after (1982-1988) a change in reservoir operations. Significantly positive relationships between abundance of young-of- year largemouth bass and days of littoral flooding during spawning and nursery seasons, drawdown during revegetation season in the previous calendar year, combinations thereof, and water levels during these seasons indicated recruitment of largemouth bass was...