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Comparisons of the Effects of 10‐Inch, 8‐Inch, and No Minimum Length Limits on the Smallmouth Bass Population and Fishery in Nebish Lake, Wisconsin
Author(s) -
Hoff Michael H.
Publication year - 1995
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 - 10.1577/1548-8675(1995)015<0095:coteoi>2.3.co;2
Subject(s) - limit (mathematics) , bass (fish) , population , fishery , statistics , mathematics , environmental science , zoology , biology , demography , mathematical analysis , sociology
Small mouth bass Microplerus dolomieui in Nehish Lake were studied during 19721988 to compare the mean population statistics and fishery parameters under three minimum‐length‐limit regulations. No length limit was in effect during 1972–1976, whereas an 8‐in minimum limit and a 10‐in minimum limit were in effect during 1977–1981 and 1982–1988, respectively. Mean total length of harvested smallmouth bass was larger under the 8‐in limit than during the period without a limit, and mean length was larger under the 10‐in limit than under the 8‐in limit. Mean annual exploitation rate for age‐3 fish decreased from the no‐limit and 8‐in‐limit periods to the 10‐in‐limit period. The reduced exploitation rate resulted in a higher survival rate for age‐3 fish during the 10‐in‐limit period than during the no‐limit and 8‐in‐limit periods. The increased age‐3 survival rate during the 10‐in limit resulted in higher age‐4 population and biomass sizes than during the periods with the less restrictive regulations. Fishery managers can use the results of this study to select the appropriate length limit for their waters based upon the trade‐offs of the length limits in relation to desired population and fishery characteristics.