Influence of electrofishing boat operation and driving techniques on reservoir fish catches
We compared three methods of boat driving and pedal operation using 600-s transects: these were the parallel continuous (PC), parallel intermittent (PI), and arc-intermittent (AI) methods for surveying warmwater fishes in reservoirs. We tested differences in total time and distance per transect, CPUE (fish/h, fish/m), and length frequencies of captured fish among methods. The PC method took the least amount of time, while the AI method took the least amount of distance to complete a transect. The AI method provided slightly higher CPUE (fish/h, fish/m) for Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and Yellow Bass Morone mississippiensis and higher CPUE (fish/m) for Common Carp Cyprinus carpio, Green Sunfish L. cyanellus, and Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides. Each method caught similar size ranges of fish; however, there were slight differences in proportions of sizes for Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill. Overall, the AI method performed slightly better for a few species; however, difference in the methods were minor. Any technique should work well for monitoring reservoir fish populations when fish/h is the effort metric.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2023 |
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Title | Influence of electrofishing boat operation and driving techniques on reservoir fish catches |
DOI | 10.1002/fsh.10964 |
Authors | Joshua D. Grant, Steven J. Ingram, Scott A. Bonar |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Fisheries Magazine |
Index ID | 70255046 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Coop Res Unit Seattle |