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Implementation and Evaluation of a Catch‐and‐Release Fishery for Paddlefish
Author(s) -
Scarnecchia Dennis L.,
Stewart Phillip A.
Publication year - 1997
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(1997)017<0795:iaeoac>2.3.co;2
Subject(s) - fishery , catch and release , fishing , fish <actinopterygii> , hook , toxicology , biology , recreational fishing , medicine , dentistry
In 1995 and 1996, a mandatory catch‐and‐release fishery for paddlefish was conducted 2d/week during the 6‐week paddlefish snagging season at the Intake fishing site on the lower Yellowstone River, Montana. The fishery was monitored by trained fisheries personnel to ensure compliance and to obtain information on hooking mortality and angler attitudes. In 1995, snaggers expended 838 angler‐hours and caught and released 420 fish, or 0.5 fish/h. In all, 96 fish snagged, tagged, and released in 1995 were recaptured and either creeled or re‐released in 1995 or 1996. Sixty‐four (15.6%) of the fish inspected had one or more bleeding wounds beyond the hook puncture resulting from the snagging event. Some fish also had old wounds (4.7%) and arcshaped scars, the latter probably caused by boat propellers. In 1996, snaggers expended 589 angler‐hours and caught and released 127 fish, or 0.2 fish/h. Twenty‐one fish tagged during catch and release in 1996 were recaptured at Intake in 1996; 19 were creeled and 2 were re‐released. A total of 159 snaggers completed the brief written questionnaire on the catch‐and‐release snag fishery. The most common suggestions for improvement were the optional retention of fish and more days and hours for catch‐and‐release. Because of evidence of low hooking mortality and high snagger interest, continuation of catch‐and‐release is planned for future years.