Decreasing bag limits is a management mechanism for enhancing size structure of Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus. However, restrictive bag limits can promote culling, where an angler returns a live fish to the water in exchange for another. Little is known about the effect of culling on ice-angled fishes.Our objective was to compare the effects of Bluegill confinement methods (reference, ice well, and bucket) and holding durations (0, 1, 2, or 5 hours) on changes in water quality parameters (dissolved oxygen, pH, carbon dioxide, and water temperature) and Bluegill stress physiology (blood glucose and plasma cortisol), reflex responses (RAMP scores), and mortality while ice-angling. In February 2018, 182 Bluegill were angled through the ice and randomly assigned a confinement method and holding duration. Bluegill blood glucose levels were higher in both confinement methods than reference fish at 2 and 5-hour holding durations. Bluegill had higher blood glucose levels in buckets than ice wells at 1 and 2 hours, but had higher blood glucose levels in ice wells at 5 hours. Water temperature was warmer in buckets than ice wells at all holding durations, while ice wells were cooler than ambient lake temperature. Bucket pH was higher than the lake at 2 hours and ice well pH was higher than the lake at 1 and 2 hours. Bluegill RAMP scores were similar across all holding durations and confinement methods, but were elevated in individuals held for the 24-hour mortality assessment.Two Bluegill mortalities occurred for fish held in ice wells. Our results suggest confinement method and holding duration while ice-angling can result in altered Bluegill blood glucose concentrations, water temperatures, and pH concentrations but that culling while ice-angling might not result in mortality. Consequently, culling practices may be compatible with and not negate the intended benefits of reduced Bluegill bag limits.Catch-and-release angling is a popular recreational activity driven by changes in angler conservation ethics and more restrictive harvest regulations (Cowx 2002;Cooke and Cowx 2004; Bartholmuw and Bohnsack 2005). Benefits of catch-and-release angling include enhanced recreational quality, increased catch rates, and improved size structure (Hubert and Quist 2010). However, success of catch-and-release practices relies on the assumption that released fish will survive after experiencing stressors associated with capture, handing, and confinement (Arlinghaus et al. 2007). The catch-and- Accepted ArticleThis article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved release process can directly influence changes in fish stress physiology (e.g., changes in blood glucose and plasma cortisol concentrations) via handling practices (e.g., Pottinger 1998;Meka and McCormick 2005) and indirectly via changes associated with confinement water quality (e.g., water temperature, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and dissolved oxygen; Caldwell and Hinshaw 1994;Meka and McCormick 2005). Prolonged exposure to stressors associated with catch-and-release anglin...

Habitat introductions are often implemented in aquatic systems to meet fishery management goals. Conifer trees have been used to augment spawning habitat for Yellow Perch Perca flavescens to support and suspend their unique egg skeins above the lake bottom in hopes of increasing reproduction and recruitment; however, little is known about the influence of tree characteristics on the reproductive success of Yellow Perch. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of tree complexity on the skein deposition and survival rates of Yellow Perch. In February 2020, 30 eastern red cedar Juniperus virginiana trees were manipulated to one of five complexities (from 1 = least complex [all branches removed] to 5 = most complex [all branches retained]; n = 6 per complexity) and placed on the ice. After ice-off and tree submersion, we conducted snorkeling surveys every 2 d from March 31 to May 5, 2020, and recorded the number and viability of the skeins. We observed 35 Yellow Perch egg skeins. Yellow Perch preferred to deposit their egg skeins on tree complexities 4 and 5, whereas deposition on tree complexities 1, 2, and 3 was random. The nest survival models estimated that skeins that were deposited on tree complexities 1, 2, and 5 had a 27-d survival estimate of 0.07 (95% CI = 0.06 to 0.08) that was lower (β = −1.29; 95% CI = −2.32 to −0.27) than that for skeins that were deposited on complexities 3 and 4, with a survival estimate of 0.48 (95% CI = 0.43 to 0.52). Our results indicate that Yellow Perch prefer to deposit their egg skeins on intermediate cedar tree complexities that resulted in increased skein deposition and survival. Given our results, once introduced trees have deteriorated below an intermediate complexity, managers should consider supplemental introductions of more complex trees that benefit the reproduction of Yellow Perch.

Over the last century, there has been a shift in the United States population towards a more urbanized environment, with the vast majority of Americans (~80%) now living in urban areas. This has caused an alteration in recreational interests, as participation rates associated with traditionally rural activities (i.e., recreational angling), have steadily declined. Increased urban development and decreased angler participation have persuaded fishery managers that efforts to recruit and retain community (i.e., urban) anglers was necessary in contemporary fisheries management. However, distinct biotic and abiotic characteristics and diverse angler preferences and motivations in community fisheries make traditional fisheries management approaches frequently inadequate to meet management goals. Although introductions of novel species in community fisheries are often encouraged to meet diverse angler desires, investigations of their populations to assess viability in this environment are limited. For instance, Yellow Perch Perca flavescens is a popular sport and food fish across its range and investigations into its survival and reproduction are extensive. However, this research has been predominately conducted on natural lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, and little is known about populations in community fisheries, although this information is essential for effective management. Therefore, the overarching goal of the research was to assess whether Yellow Perch is a viable stocking option in central Iowa's community ponds. The specific objectives of this research project included: (1) evaluate factors that influence Yellow Perch exploitation and survival in central Iowa's community ponds, (2) evaluate factors that influence Yellow Perch reproduction and recruitment in central Iowa's community ponds, and (3) to investigate the importance of coarse woody habitat complexity on Yellow Perch skein deposition and survival. CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION Carlander, K. D. 1997. Handbook of freshwater fishery biology: volume three.