Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Intense interest in commercial fish farming in Arkansas, due to crop acreage controls and other factors, stimulated experiments in buffalo fish propagation at the Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery, Lonoke, Arkansas. A pond method of propagation was developed necessitating the use of overwintering or brood ponds, spawning ponds, nursery ponds and growing ponds. The culture procedures are set forth in a step by step “cook book” fashion.

A modified gill net known as a hobbled gill net was utilized in a commercial fishery in 3,300-acre Lake Carl Blackwell in Central Oklahoma from September, 1957 through December, 1958. A total of 3,200 fish weighing 20,252 pounds was taken in 1,085 net days, a net day being 300 feet of net fished 24 hours. Non-game fishes represented 97 percent by weight of the total catch. Hobbled gill nets proved particularly effective in taking flathead catfish, which comprised 63.4 percent by weight of the total catch. The average catch of flathead catfish increased from 4.9 to 13.0 and 14.6 pounds per net day for 3.0-, 3.5- and 4.0-inch bar mesh nets respectively. In general, the catch of all other species decreased as the mesh size increased from 3 to 4 inches. Hobbled gill nets may be an efficient modification over standard commercial gill nets and a more selective gear for large flathead catfish than other entanglement gears.

The results of applying ground limestone (CaCO2) and quicklime (CaO) to hatchery ponds used for the culture of bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus, Raf.) are described. Effects appeared to be beneficial in the sample of ponds treated. Quicklime was difficult to apply because of caustic effects to skin of personnel handling it. Laboratory experiments indicated that hydrated lime (Ca[OH].) could be used to produce a pH as alkaline as that obtained from quicklime provided that an equivalent amount of calcium was used in the hydrated form.

The results of two years experimental weed control in Georgia Farm Ponds using silvex,2 propylene glycol butyl ether ester, dalapon, sodium salt of 2,2dichloropropionic acid; 2, 4-D granules of iso-octyl ester of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid. Residual control and overall effectiveness is evaluated over a twoyear period on acquatic weeds in approximately 100 ponds. Preliminary screening of Inverton, an invert emulsion of 2, 4, 5-trichlorophenoxy acetic acid; Carlon, a solution of dalapon and silvex; and simazine, 2-chloro-4, 6 bis( ethylamino) -S-trizaine are presented. Different concentrations were used and observations made during 1958 and 1959. Results are presented for different herbicides and evaluation made for their effectiveness on specific aquatic weeds. Silvex appears to have the widest range of control for underwater and emergent aquatic weeds. Preliminary results indicate this chemical is as effective as sodium arsenite in many situations.