Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

A life history study of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) was conducted in Calcasieu Lake, Louisiana, from January 1976 through December 1983. This species was found to be essentially non-migratory, as it appears to spend most of the year within Calcasieu Lake. Most spawning takes place during July and August. Fecundity values for various length classes captured in 4.1-, 4.4-, and 5.1-cm bar mesh monofilament gill nets demonstrated that spotted seatrout taken with the 4.1-cm bar mesh contributed greater spawning power than fish caught in both the 4.4-cm and 5.1-cm combined. Spotted seatrout captured in the 3 mesh sizes approximately corresponded with age classes III, IV, and V respectively. The minimum bar mesh of 4.4 cm is recommended to allow age class III to spawn with little risk of net capture. A portion of Calcasieu Lake (West Cove) should be designated as a sportfishing area only.

Food habits of 591 sand seatrout (Cynoscion arenarius) (Ginsburg) from Barataria Bay, Louisiana, were characterized. Overall, fishes and crustaceans were the most important food organisms. Mysid shrimp were dominant food items in sand seatrout <100 mm whereas bay anchovy and brown shrimp were predominate in the larger fish. Sand seatrout generally preyed upon a relatively small number of species or taxonomic groups.

Spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) (242-585 mm total length) were captured by hook and line in 7 Texas bay systems and placed in wire cages during June to September 1981 and December 1982 to April 1983 to estimate survival of hook-caught handled fish. No significant difference (P> 0.05) in survival was found between fish which received a wide range of handling stress such as sport fisherman might handle them and fish handled carefully as controls. No significant difference (P> 0.05) was found among summer and winter survival of hook and line caught spotted seatrout. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in survival of spotted seatrout among bay systems may be attributed to differing handling techniques by area biologists, transport distance, or differing environmental conditions. Mean survival of fish, adjusted for controls, ranged from 50% to 100% in summer and 67% to 100% in winter.

Gonadal condition of hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) planted at 2 tidal locations and at 3 population densities were evaluated in relation to age, size, sex, season, and culture condition. Changes in gonadal-somatic indices (GSI) reflected seasonal differences in gonadal development. Similar decreases in GSI were observed during the spring (May-Jun) and fall (Sep-Oct) spawning peaks. GSI varied significantly (P < 0.0001) with clam size and age. Larger clams had proportionally more gonadal tissue than smaller clams of the same age. Similarly, older clams had larger GSI than younger clams of the same size. No statistical difference (P> 0.05) was detected between the GSI of female and male clams of the same age and size. Clams grown at the lowest density level or at the subtidal location were larger and had proportionally more gonadal tissue than clams from higher densities or the intertidal location.

Standardized fishery independent gill net and bag seine monitoring programs in 8 Texas bays from 1976 to 1982 demonstrated significant differences among annual indices of relative abundances of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), black drum (Pogonias cromis), sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus), southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma), and Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) populations. These programs provide a more complete assessment of the fish populations than do commercial landings data because of the selective fishing inherent in commercial fisheries. The impacts of management decisions based on optimum sustained yield concepts, effects of catastrophic events, and stock-recruitment relationships can be enhanced by using measures of relative abundance based on fishery independent monitoring programs.

A 1-year creel survey of New River, Virginia and West Virginia, was conducted to assess the effects of a 305-mm minimum length limit on the angler harvest of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) and associated fishes from the Virginia portion of the New River. Anglers in Virginia harvested 0.06 smallmouth bass per hour averaging 322 mm total length (TL) and released 1.27 smallmouth bass per hour. West Virginia anglers harvested 0.40 smallmouth bass per hour averaging 242 mm TL and released 0.65 smallmouth bass per hour. Total catches per hour (1.33 in Virginia and 1.05 in West Virginia) were not significantly different. Anglers in Virginia fished significantly longer and released significantly more fish other than smallmouth bass than did anglers in West Virginia. The minimum length limit regulation has shifted size at harvest and the rates of harvest and release of smallmouth bass.

From 1977 to 1983, non-uniform probability creel surveys were conducted on Lake Norman, North Carolina, and Lake Wylie, North Carolina and South Carolina, to estimate seasonal and annual creel parameters of pressure, success, harvest, and angler preference. Despite their geographical proximity on the Catawba River, mean annual pressure and harvest estimates on Lake Wylie were >3 times higher than respective estimates on Lake Norman. Catch rates for the 2 reservoirs were similar. Based on harvest, the Lake Norman sport fishery was a crappie and largemouth bass fishery, while the Lake Wylie fishery was a catfish, largemouth bass, and crappie fishery. The substantial productivity difference for these 2 edaphically similar reservoirs was attributed to certain physical/chemical characteristics of the reservoirs.

The catchable rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) fishery in the tailwaters of Bull Shoals and Norfork Dams, begun in 1948, has apparently reached equilibrium with respect to angler use and harvest. Angler days during 2 creel studies (1971-1973 and 1980-81) ranged from 139,000 (1973) to 272,000 (1981). Anglers harvested 46.1 % to 98.4% of the 800,000 to 880,000 rainbow trout stocked annually. Stocking schedules were tailored to well-established patterns of spatial and seasonal angler use. The number of fish caught per hour decreased from 1971-73 to 1980-81, but the weight of fish caught per hour remained unchanged. The use of guides increased substantially from 1971-73 to 1980-81. The effects on fisherman harvest were substantially different during years of very high and very low water in the tailwaters. A discrete creel census of the Norfork tailwater was conducted during 1980-81 and results were compared to the fishery during that period in the Bull Shoals tailwater.

Creel census data for a 14-year period (1970-1983) from Lake Powell show a high quality fishery for this 25.1-ha lake. Fishing pressure averaged 203.8 hours/ha/year, and the total fish harvest averaged 191.8 kg/ha/year. Average annual harvests of the major game species were: 62.4 kg/ha, bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus); 11.6 kg/ha, redear sunfish, (L. microlophus); 11.9 kg/ha, black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus); 10.5 kg/ha, largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides); and 4.8 kg/ha, chain pickerel (Esox niger). Average weights of the creeled pan fishes were well above normal. Catch rates were exceptionally high and averaged 2.1 fish/ hour and 0.56 kg/hour. Catch rates were directly correlated with relative abundance of pan fishes in the total creel. Individual species harvest and total fish harvest were not strongly correlated with fishing pressure. It is speculated that high turbidity during some years adversely affected fishing pressure, catch rates, and harvest.

A post card survey questionnaire was used to obtain information about the catch and release practices of anglers participating in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) tag reward exploitation studies at 2 North Carolina reservoirs. The surveys demonstrated that at least 60% of all tagged bass captured were released. The post card survey resulted in substantial reductions in the estimated exploitation rates at both reservoirs.

Estimates were made of the percent of sport-boat interviews and retained fish that would be missed by terminating weekend surveys early when no anglers have been seen prior to specified times. Surveys could be terminated at 1200 hours during the summer and not miss more than 2% of the total interviews within any 1 bay system. Fall, winter, and spring surveys could be terminated at 1400 hours and no more than 4% of the total interviews would be missed. The percent of surveys that could be terminated early is highest in winter (37%-67%) and lowest in summer and fall (2%-10%). The percent of fish retained by anglers that would not be seen in interviews due to early termination was never more than 4% within any bay system and season.

Suitability of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) as a biological agent in controlling phytoplankton was studied in situ in 3 sequential dairy farm ponds in Anderson County, South Carolina. Concentrations of chlorophyll a, soluble orthophosphate and associated water quality parameters were measured biweekly from May 1979 through May 1980 prior to introduction of silver carp (100-150 mm total length; 23.1 g average weight) to 1 pond on 12 June 1980. Water chemistry measurements continued through October 1980. Increases of chlorophyll a concentrations in 1980 over 1979 values were 5 times to 7 times in ponds without silver carp and only 2 times in the pond with silver carp. In addition, the pond with silver carp showed significantly lower total hardness and calcium concentrations during 1980. These data suggest that silver carp can effectively lower phytoplankton biomass. Silver carp were harvested during December of 1980.

Riparian vegetation has numerous, well recognized values to the stream ecosystem. In small watershed projects in North Carolina, the problem of maintaining and managing this riparian vegetation both during and after channel improvement is an important planning consideration. To date, efforts have largely concentrated on leaving existing trees along the channel bank during construction. Several problems have been encountered with this practice and alternative methods of managing riparian vegetation are being evaluated. This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of planting trees along constructed stream channels. Four shrub and 6 tree species were evaluated for the following parameters: establishment methods, plant survival, and species performance. Three replicate plantings were made. Observations on the effects of mulching and competition from native vegetation were also recorded.

Island Creek, a tributary of the Northeast Cape Fear River in Duplin County, North Carolina, was modified through excavation and snagging during 1977 and 1978. To evaluate the effects on resident fish populations, rotenone samples were taken before alteration in 1977 and after the project in 1981 and 1982. Mean standing crop of fish increased from 27.5 to 38.3 kg/ha after the project and total number of fish captured increased from 424 to 1,058. Significantly greater (P < 0.05) centrarchid and total game fish biomass were found after the project. No statistically significant differences could be detected between biomass and numbers of nongame fish or numbers of game fish before and after the project.

A study was conducted from April through October 1980 to characterize seasonal changes in distribution, diversity, and abundance of ichthyoplankton within the Cracraft dike field in the lower Mississippi River. During high river stages (April through June), diversity and abundance of larval fishes were greater at open-water than nearshore stations. Under moderate to low river stages (July through October), diversity was low and greatest densities of larval fishes were observed along the shoreline inside the middle bar rather than in the open-water.

The Field Training Officer Program is 1 part of the total wildlife officer selection process. This is accomplished by selecting experienced senior officers and placing them in specialized seminars where they are taught how to assist, direct, and evaluate probationary officers in the field. The primary objective of the Field Training Officer Program is to introduce the recruit to actual work-related experiences and to bring the officer to a level that allows him to work alone in a safe, skillful and professional manner. Secondary results are increased efficiency and supervisory experience for the field training officer, and data feedback that helps update academy entry-level criteria and standards.

The cooperation of the uniformed conservation officer as a valuable source of information and the involvement of other state and federal agencies is vital to the success of any covert operation.

Because of the nature of our work, fish and wildlife departments have traditionally been involved in boating safety. Even though many of the states have separate water patrol departments whose primary duties are policing the waterways, game agents find that a substantial amount of their time is spent providing public services on the water. This reality has forced many of our states to begin boating safety programs within their enforcement ranks and to accept these tasks as routine duties.

The use of aircraft to hunt wild animals has been a problem in recent years. With the number of helicopters increasing every day, wildlife is threatened with potential disaster. Those few poachers that would take immoral, as well as illegal advantage of wild animals by hunting them from an aircraft, have the potential of destroying years of careful wildlife management. We in the wildlife law enforcement field must concentrate our efforts on stopping this type of illegal hunting.

The public generally has inadequate knowledge about 1) good places to observe quality wildlife populations and 2) habitat requirements for such populations. Wildlife observation areas are designed to help resolve both problems. Of 28 sites designated between 1981 and 1983, 75% are in cooperation with other agencies. Cooperative plans for each area are site-specific, but the owner-cooperator is normally the lead agency for enhancing wildlife observation opportunities and interpretative programs. By blending programs of similar interests, good opportunities are provided for improving enjoyment and public support of all wildlife resources at a minimal cost. A major goal of Tennessee's Nongame Wildlife Program is to provide the public with maximum opportunities for enjoyment of wildlife. Another goal is to better educate the public about habitat requirements of wildlife. Wildlife observation areas (WOA's) are designed to accomplish both these objectives.

A content analysis of annual reports for 15 southeastern state fisheries and wildlife agencies revealed that resource information (e.g., habitat, populations, and use) appears much less frequently than administrative information (e.g., revenues, personnel, permit review). The “typical report” consists of 35% administrative, 28% fisheries, 16% facilities, 11% wildlife, and 11% public involvement information. States cluster into 4 groups based on relative emphasis of freshwater fisheries, freshwater and marine fisheries, wildlife, or facilities and administrative information. Reports consist primarily of quantitative data in a textual or tabular format, with little comparison to previous years. Content analysis of these reports is useful to illustrate objectively how state agencies present themselves and to provide a baseline for monitoring changes in the character of agency programs.