Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Unionid mussels were sampled in the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, Tennessee and Kentucky, from July to October 1988 with a chain grid of 10 1-m2 quadrats. The chain grid was used to define 100-m2 areas along the stream bed by repeatedly moving the 10-m2 rectangle upstream. Within each 100-m2 area, 30 systematically selected quadrats were sampled to estimate density and size class distribution of mussel populations. Sampling variance within grids reflected the patchiness of mussel distribution and increased with substratum heterogeneity; number of mussels encountered per quadrat ranged from 0 to 29. Among sites, densities ranged from 1 to 8 mussels/m2. Across all sites, precision and estimates of species richness and density did not improve appreciably with sampling effort beyond 15 quadrats. Concurrent density estimates from quadrat and depletion sampling varied significantly among sites.

Streamside blacklight traps, aerial netting, and beating sheet samples of adult stoneflies were taken from streams of the Amite, Bayou Pierre, Buffalo and Homochitto River systems in the Homochitto National Forest of southwest Mississippi. Natchez (Alloperla natchez) and/or Chukcho (Haploperla chukcho) stoneflies, federal candidates for listing as threatened or endangered species, were found in 19 streams of the Homochitto River system, 3 streams of the Bayou Pierre system, and 1 stream of the Amite River system. Neither species was collected from tributaries of the Buffalo River. Occurrence of both species appears to be associated with stream order and canopy cover.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) recovery strategy is based on conservation biology principles. It implements landscape-scale management by identifying 26 habitat management areas (HMAs) totaling nearly 810,000 hectares. Within these designated HMAs, longer timber harvesting rotations will be established. Management intensity levels (MILs) will be established based on red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) population size. The smallest populations will receive the most intensive direct RCW management while being most restrictive regarding forest management. The combination of identifying HMAs and implementing longer timber harvesting rotations and appropriate MILs should overcome the effects of past fragmentation and demographic isolation. Prescribed burning regimes will mimic historical fire regimes of southern pine ecosystems.

Because managing pine habitats for red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) may result in reductions in habitat for certain neotropical migrant species, an apparent conflict exists between these species when managing stands of pine. However, other high priority species are likely to increase in areas managed for red-cockaded woodpeckers. The Partners in Flight prioritization scheme and research on bird-habitat relationships indicate that most high priority neotropical migrants in the East Gulf Coastal Plain are managed for best in bottomland hardwoods. In contrast, most high priority temperate migrant and resident bird species prosper in mature open pine habitat. Management conflict disappears when managing for red-cockaded woodpeckers and other pine associated species on a landscape scale. This process has ramifications for developing strategies to effectively conserve biodiversity in managed areas.

Hurricane Andrew, a Class 3 storm, entered St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, on 26 August 1992. Sixty-one (59%) of the state's bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nest territories were within the storm path, and, following the hurricane, 18 of these were classified as destroyed. Aerial nest survey data for 4 nesting seasons (1990-1994) were used to evaluate the effect of Hurricane Andrew on bald eagle reproductive success in Louisiana. Mean annual production per active territory was 1.40 (range 1.20-1.66) and per successful nest was 1.66 (range 1.45-1.85). Productivity (young/active territory) for hurricane affected nests (HAN) did not differ from non-affected nests (NAN) for any year except 1993-94, when production was higher in the HAN. Production declined for all nests between 1991-92 and 1992-93, possibly as a result of severe winter weather. Hurricane Andrew probably had no short term effect on Louisiana's bald eagle population.

Puerto Rican parrot (Amazona vittata) numbers declined precipitously and the species was on the verge of extinction by 1971 when the population fell to 19 birds, leaving only 16 remaining in the wild. An extensive study of the species was undertaken in 1968 and intensive wild and captive management was initiated. Both wild and captive populations have fluctuated but have demonstrated a trend toward moderately increasing numbers over the ensuing 25 years. This recovery and the role and potential of the captive breeding strategy for enhancing the recovery of this species is addressed. The Rio Abajo Aviary, established in 1990 as a second captive breeding site, is examined with a look toward the future of the captive program and the Puerto Rican parrot.

Species composition and relative abundance of amphibians and reptiles were examined in 5 pitcher plant bogs and adjacent forests in eastern Texas. The herpetofaunal communities of the bogs and forests were compared and changes throughout a year were traced. Amphibians and reptiles were censused using drift fence arrays with funnel traps and 15-minute time-area searches. In the bogs, 407 individuals of 28 species were recorded; 468 individuals of 28 species were counted in the forests. More amphibian species and individuals were found in bogs (P < 0.050), and more reptile individuals (P < 0.050) were recorded in forests. Two amphibian and 5 reptile species comprised 87.1% of all individuals. The ground skink (Scincella lateralis) was the dominant species, representing 46.3% of all individuals.

The largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fishery and population structure at Victor Braunig Reservoir, Texas, were monitored from 1985 through 1992 following changes in harvest restrictions from 254-mm minimum length and 10 fish daily bag limits to 533-minimum length and 2 fish daily bag limits. Harvest rates were significantly reduced under the more restrictive limits and averaged 0.002 fish/angler-hour. Mean weight of harvested fish increased from 0.85 kg to 3.22 kg. Total catch rates ranged from 0.145 to 0.650 fish/angler-hour; the weighted mean annual catch rate during the study was 0.337 fish/angler-hour. Catch rates of fish ≥533 mm averaged 0.004 fish/angler-hour. Proportions of larger fish in the creel increased throughout the study. Electrofishing surveys showed increases in relative proportions of fish ≥381 mm, and relative abundance of fish ≥203 mm increased after 1989.

We evaluated the effects of changing harvest regulations from 15 fish/ day (no more than 5 fish ≥508 mm) to 15 fish/day (no more than 1 fish ≥508 mm) for striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in Lake Texoma, Texas and Oklahoma. A stratified random creel survey was conducted for 2 years before and 4 years after the regulation change to determine striped bass harvest and directed angling pressure. Experimental gill nets were set at 15 stations each February for 3 years before and 4 years after the regulation change to estimate changes in the striped bass abundance and size structure. Overall striped bass harvest did not change (P > 0.05) after the regulation change, but, as expected, the harvest of striped bass ≥508 mm did decrease (P < 0.05), while directed angling pressure did not change (P > 0.05). There were no significant changes (P > 0.05) in the striped bass abundance and numbers ≥508 mm after the regulation was implemented.

Release of largemouth bass {Micropterus salmoides) by anglers licensed under 2 size limits were evaluated based on tag returns. Clarks Hill, Richard B. Russell, and Hartwell reservoirs, forming the boundary between Georgia and South Carolina, have different largemouth bass size restrictions on each side of the lake. Georgia imposes a 305-mm minimum length limit, whereas South Carolina imposes no size limit. Georgia anglers released a significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) proportion of stock size (200-299 mm) bass than did South Carolina anglers. Georgia anglers also appeared to release a greater percentage of quality (300-379 mm) and preferred and larger (≥380 mm) size bass; however, no significanct differences (P ≤ 0.05) were detected. These results suggest that even a relatively small minimum length limit (305 mm) has a positive effect on angler release rates despite the popularity of voluntary catch and release.

To reduce mortality of crappie Pomoxis spp. caught from deep water in winter, beginning in 1991 the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) replaced the statewide 254-mm minimum length limit for crappie with a mandatory harvest regulation during December through February on Lake Fork Reservoir. The special regulation required anglers to harvest the first 25 crappie, regardless of size, with no catch-and-release or culling. Anglers (364 parties, 750 anglers) seeking crappie were asked questions regarding their awareness, their acceptance and how they learned of the regulation during access point creel surveys, December through February, 1991-92 and 1992-93. A majority of the parties were aware (98.6%) and in favor (94.5%) of the regulation. The TPWD Texas Fishing Guide, local newspaper articles, and word-of-mouth were most often cited as the source of information. This study justifies efforts to educate the public regarding fishery management practices.

Lake Nacogdoches was opened to fishing in 1978 with 254-mm minimum size and 10-fish daily bag limits for black basses (Micropterus spp.). Heavy fishing pressure likely resulted in initial overharvest of largemouth bass during the first 3 weeks after opening. To restore the population, 406-mm minimum length and 3-fish daily bag limits were imposed in 1979. Under these regulations, the bass densities increased, but stockpiling just below the minimum length occurred within 5 years. An experimental 381-533 mm slot length limit was implemented in 1985 and then adjusted in 1988 to the statewide, 356-533 mm slot length limit to allow harvest of the stockpiled bass and increase the number of quality-sized bass in the population. The population structure exhibited a decrease in the number of bass below the slot limit and an increase in the number of bass in the protected slot within 2 years and has remained stable since that time.

We performed a hydroacoustic survey of fishes in Lake Moultrie, South Carolina, in May 1993. Pelagic fish densities were less than 70/ha with an average size of approximately 13 cm; densities of benthic fishes, most likely catfishes (Ictalurus spp.), were much higher, approximately 600/ha. Fish densities encountered in May were nearly 2 orders of magnitude less than either those reported in 32 years of fall rotenone surveys or in fall hydroacoustic surveys in upstream reservoirs. Confirmation of these low fish densities will require expanding sampling efforts. If validated, our findings may suggest a seasonal pelagic prey shortage, indicating a need for maximizing anadromous fish passage and close scrutiny of management activities including aquatic vegetation control, harvest restrictions, and stocking.

An illegally introduced exotic fish species has now become a significant and extremely popular fishery in the Everglades Water Conservation Areas (WCA's). The oscar (Astronotus ocellatus) was accidentally introduced in the 1950s and became established in south Florida waterways. A gradual range expansion occurred; however, oscar populations remained low until the mid-1980s. For approximately 25 years, catches were infrequent and singular. Following an unexplained and accelerated population expansion, angler catches became more frequent and multiple. Recent peak season angler surveys in the Everglades have documented a substantial oscar fishery in terms of harvest and effort. The total number of oscar harvested in WCA-2A peaked at 11,583 in 1986-87, but dropped to 0 by the last year of the survey in that area (1989-90) for reasons which are unclear. During 3 consecutive surveys (1990-93) in WCA-3A, oscar was the number one species harvested.

Sportfishing in the turbulent waters downstream of Wilson and Wheeler dams on the Tennessee River is widely regarded as superior quality by anglers, sports writers, and fishery scientists. Access point creel surveys were conducted from February 1988 through January 1989 and January through December 1990 in the Wilson Dam and Wheeler Dam tailraces, respectively. The objectives of the surveys were to document fishing effort, catch, harvest, and other fishery characteristics, particularly for smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), in popular tailrace areas in the Alabama portion of the Tennessee River. During the 1988 Wilson Dam tailrace survey, 280,948 angler-hours of effort were expended, of which 117,207 hours (42%) were directed at smallmouth bass. Catfish {Ictalurus spp.) were the most exploited group, representing 29% of the harvest by weight, and temperate basses (Morone spp.) and smallmouth bass combined for almost 50% of the harvest.

Equal numbers of tagged sunshine bass (Morone chrysops female X M. saxatilis male) and palmetto bass {Morone saxatilis female x M. chrysops male) were stocked in the Escambia River for 4 years to determine which striped bass hybrid was better suited for stocking based on tag returns. Total tag return rates after 4 years was 11.2% for sunshine bass and 10.1% for palmetto bass. Over 90% of all tag returns occurred during the first 9 months after stocking. There was no consistent difference found in return rates between palmetto and sunshine bass. Although not statistically significant for all year classes, return rates seemed to be related more to the size of fish at stocking rather than the types of striped bass hybrid stocked.

A roving creel survey was conducted on the Greers Ferry tailwater, Arkansas, from 1988 through 1992. Estimated angler use was high, averaging 295,319 angler hours and 1,006.5 angler hours per hectare annually. Estimated harvest of rainbow trout was high and consisted of mostly catchable size, stocked fish. Only 25% of rainbow trout caught were released. Catch of trophy size brown trout declined after the implementation of a 406-mm (16-inch) minimum length 2 fish per day creel limit in January 1990.

Removal of Dead Lake Dam in December 1987 reduced low pool elevation an additional 1.3 m, resulting in approximately 85 percent bottom exposure. Increased fluctuation provided short-term benefits to the sport fish community in the form of strong largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) year classes and improved water quality. Percent composition of dominant sport fish changed little after dam removal, but total fish species observed increased from 34 to 61 after dam removal. Increased elevation in the Apalachicola River resulted in reduced flow and depressed dissolved oxygen levels in Dead Lake. Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) have been observed in limited numbers above Dead Lake since removal of the dam.

Mississippi Office of Pollution Control staff collected catfish from 69 sites from 1991-1994 for contaminant monitoring. Of these, 12 sites were sampled 5 or more times per year. Environmental conditions varied dramatically between site and season facilitating observations for effects of both intersite variability (e.g., water conductivity and manipulation of pulsator settings) and intrasite seasonal variability (e.g., water temperature and river stage). Flathead catfish {Pylodictis olivaris) and blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) were most susceptible to the gear in water temperatures >22 C, while channel catfish (/. punctatus) were efficiently collected from cooler waters. Flathead catfish were susceptible to low pulse frequencies and these frequencies were necessary to collect this species from preferred deep water habitats. Channel and blue catfish were collected over a wide range of pulse frequencies.

Gill netting (mesh sizes from 13 to 64 mm) and electrofishing were conducted in April and October 1987-1989, to compare their utility for providing precise estimates of relative abundance and size structure of gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) populations in 2 Ozark impoundments. Catches of gizzard shad <120 mm were extremely variable for electrofishing and very low for gill netting and were excluded from further analysis. Electrofishing captured more gizzard shad ≥120 mm with less effort (68-339 fish/hour) than gill netting (2-48 fish/net day). However, neither method provided precise estimates of catch per unit effort (CPUE) for gizzard shad >120 mm; coefficients of variation ranged from 44% to 144% for electrofishing and 39% to 131% for gill netting. Sample sizes required for a CV8 (SE/mean) of 20% ranged from 5 to 52 for electrofishing runs and 5 to 43 sets for gill netting. There was no significant difference in CPUE between April and October for either gear.

A 2-phase study of 6 variations of hoop nets was conducted in 3 Louisiana lakes to determine if mesh size or the addition of escape rings could be used to regulate the catch of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in hoop nets. Commercial and recreational fishermen in Louisiana must abide by a 279.4-mm minimum total length restriction during a year long season. A total of 10,226 channel catfish were caught in 1,033 net days during both phases of the study. In Phase 1, 25.4-, 28.6-, and 31.8-mm (bar) mesh hoop nets were fished. For all channel catfish total lengths, the catch per unit effort (CPUE) of the hoop nets in Phase 1 increased with the decrease in mesh size of the hoop nets. There was no significant difference in the CPUE of lengths >279.4 mm among all 3 mesh sizes. CPUE of lengths <279.4 mm for the 25.4-mm mesh net (6.6) was significantly greater than the 31.8-mm mesh net (0.2).

We evaluated microtag retention in fingerling striped bass (mean total length: 58.5 mm) that were tagged during routine hatchery operations. Striped bass were tagged vertically in the cheek muscle using a Northwest Marine Technology Mark IV tagging machine. Tags were implanted dorsal to ventral, approximately 2 mm deep. During each of 10 days of tagging, 24 tagged fish were randomly selected and placed into each of 4 865-liter circular tanks. At 11-13 weeks after tagging, retention averaged 92.4%. Most tag loss occurred in the first 2 weeks after tagging, and all occurred within 34 days.

The Trophic State Index (TSI) has been widely used to rank and classify lakes and has proven useful in limnological investigations, but it has not been widely used in fisheries investigations. Trophic State Index was developed from chlorophyll a (Chi a), total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and Secchi disk (SD) transparency measurements for 69 Florida lakes. A combination of TSI parameters was used to develop multiple regression models to predict lake capacity for supporting sportfish biomass (kg/ha). The developed, predictive model could be used by other states with modifications to investigate fish biomass from trophic state information. Also, fish estimates predicted from the model would provide fishery managers feedback for future resource planning.

Small bluegills {Lepomis macrochirus) were collected weekly with unbaited minnow traps from stands of water lily (Nymphaea odorata), water shield (Brasenia schreberi), and pondweed {Potamogeton nodosus) located in Bluff Lake, Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, during July-October 1990 (JV = 1 5 sample dates). Average stem density within macrophyte stands was 19.25 (SD = 2.31), 208.81 (SD = 12.92), and 866.50 (SD = 75.11) stems/m2 for water lily, water shield, and pondweed, respectively. Pondweed exhibited significantly higher surface coverage (proportion of sample plot covered on surface, mean = 0.93, SD = 0.03) than water lily (mean = 0.72, SD = 0.06) or water shield (mean = 0.76, SD = 0.06). Catch per unit of effort (CPUE) for number of bluegill (fish/trap-night) and CPUE for weight of bluegill (g/trap-night) were significantly greater for samples from pondweed than for those from water lily or water shield.

Vegetated areas of the littoral zone of Lake Okeechobee were sampled with 0.8-ha block nets during fall 1989, 1990, and 1991 to estimate fish assemblages and standing crops in 5 vegetation communities common in Florida. Data were used in conjunction with economic impact data of known-cause fish kill events, Rule 17-11.01 (animal damage valuation), Chapter 403, Florida Statutes, to estimate monetary values of the fisheries of important Lake Okeechobee vegetation communities. Mean total impact values per hectare of vegetated area ranged from $44,626 for Illinois pondweed (Potamogeton illinoensis) to $59,738 for hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata). Replacement economic values made up at least 88.9% of the total impact value in the valuation of all vegetation types. Recreational values per hectare of vegetated area ranged from $447 for eel-grass (Vallisneria americana) to $5,378 for bulrush (Scirpus californicus and S. validus).