Hoop nets with initial openings of 0.6 m and 0.8 m were set in a Missouri River tributary stream to determine if catch per unit effort (CPUE) and size structure [length (mm)] of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and flathead catfish Pylodictus olivaris differed between the two sizes of nets, set baited or unbaited. Catch per unit effort for channel catfish varied from 0 to 12 and was higher in 0.6-m hoop nets independent of bait; however, CPUE was only significantly higher in unbaited 0.6-m hoop nets @ = 0.03). Length of channel catfish captured in unbaited 0.6-m hoop nets was significantly @ = 0.03) lower than in unbaited 0.8-m hoop nets. Similar trends were observed for flathead catfish; however, sample sizes were low and subsequently statistical power (1-P) was r 0.13. Nevertheless, these data indicate that standardizing initial hoop size is important, especially if comparative information is sought.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.