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Effects of a Sanctuary on the Smallmouth Bass Fishery of Long Point Bay, Lake Erie
Author(s) -
Sztramko L. Kazimierz
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8659(1985)5<233:eoasot>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - fishery , bass (fish) , micropterus , bay , fishing , catch per unit effort , geography , environmental science , biology , archaeology
Sport fishery data were reviewed to measure the effects of a sanctuary on a smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) sport fishery. Angler success, as measured by catch per unit of effort, was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in years during which the sanctuary was in effect (1956‐1967) than in post‐sanctuary years (1968‐1981). This difference may have resulted either from a pre‐season harvest of smallmouth bass which reduced availability during the legal season, a reduction in recruitment, or both. There was no indication of exploitation stress or of reduced recruitment as gauged by the mean age of harvest, but there were increased growth rates for captured 3‐, 4‐, and 5‐year‐old smallmouth bass during the post‐sanctuary period. Although causal relationships for angler success rates were not conclusively established, the catch data suggested that re‐establishment of the sanctuary would improve angler success rates for smallmouth bass during the legal fishing season. In addition, it would minimize the possibility of reduced recruitment arising from anglers interfering with nesting males.