Big, hungry fish get the lure: Size and food availability determine capture over boldness and exploratory behaviors

Keiling, Toniann D.; Louison, Michael J.; Suski, Cory D.

doi:10.1016/j.fishres.2020.105554

Cited by 8 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 91 publications

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“…2007; Keiling et al. 2020). In addition, the time spent near a mirror (i.e., within one body length) has been used to define aggression‐related behaviors (Gonçalves‐de‐Freitas and Mariguela 2006; Réale et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the lure phase, all of the same aforementioned behaviors were quantified, with the addition of freeze time (total time spent motionless after introduction of the lure) and a count of the number of lure inspections (Keiling and Suski 2019; Keiling et al. 2020). Ten minutes after the presentation of the lure (20 min after the start of the behavioral trial), the mirror phase of the behavioral assay began.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Capture Is Predicted by Behavior and Size, Not Metabolism, in Muskellunge

Bieber

Louison

Suski

2023

N American J Fish Manag

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Fish that strike angling lures often have a set of characteristics that predispose them to capture. Vulnerable fish may then be removed from a population, either through harvest or incidental mortality, and in turn leave individuals in a population that are less vulnerable to angling. Over time, the removal of vulnerable individuals can erode capture rates, possibly resulting in evolutionary changes if traits that result in capture correlate with characteristics such as fecundity or growth. We sought to define the mechanisms driving individual angling vulnerability in Muskellunge Esox masquinongy, with the intent of informing management activities to conserve populations. The behavior of individually identified Muskellunge (n = 68; mean TL = 310.2 mm; range = 229–350 mm) was assessed using standard open‐field tests; the fish were then stocked into earthen‐bottom ponds to assess angling vulnerability. After angling, all captured fish and a subset of uncaptured fish were assessed for metabolic parameters. Results indicated that larger Muskellunge displaying low levels of exploration and aggression were preferentially captured. Behaviors such as boldness and activity did not influence capture, and metabolic parameters did not differ between captured and uncaptured fish.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Capture Is Predicted by Behavior and Size, Not Metabolism, in Muskellunge

Bieber

Louison

Suski

2023

N American J Fish Manag

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“…The fishing community has often attributed catch rate variations to changes in environmental conditions [ 26 ], which are also likely correlated with underlying mechanisms that function in a fishes’ angling vulnerability [ 26 , 27 , 68 ]. Quantifying fish vulnerability to angling requires identifying environmental variation in catch rates, which has rarely been researched in freshwater recreational angling events [ 27 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Angler and environmental influences on walleye Sander vitreus and muskellunge Esox masquinongy angler catch in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin 2003–2015

2021

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Angler trip success and catch rates are dependent upon a fishes’ vulnerability to angling. Angling vulnerability can be influenced by angler-specific attributes (i.e., bait choice, lure size, use of a guide), and individual fish traits (i.e., boldness, aggression, stress responsiveness, and memory retention). The mechanisms that function in a fishes’ angling vulnerability, and contribute to catch rate, are likely correlated with environmental factors however, the influence of environmental factors on angling vulnerability are not well understood. We used the long-term (1946 –present) compulsory creel dataset from Escanaba Lake, WI, USA to test for interactions between angling vulnerability (i.e., angler trip success and catch rates) and environmental factors to better understand these dynamics in recreational fisheries. Our objective was to test for the influence of angler associated variables and environmental factors on open water angler trip success (i.e., catch ≥ one fish) and catch rate of walleye Sander vitreus and muskellunge Esox masquinongy during 2003–2015 using a hurdle model approach. Fishing trip success and catch rates for both species were most strongly influenced by angler-related variables (i.e., guide status, bait type, the proportion of the fish population previously caught). Environmental factors associated with lower light intensity (i.e., diel period, mean daily solar radiation, solar-Julian day interaction) had a positive influence on walleye vulnerability. Lower air temperatures and lunar position (moon overhead or underfoot) and phase (gibbous’ and full moon) also had a positive effect on walleye angling. Muskellunge trip success and catch rate were positively influenced by light metrics (i.e., diel period and mean daily solar radiation) and increased with air temperature. Lunar variables (position and phase), as well as wind speed and direction also influenced muskellunge angling vulnerability. A better understanding of the influence of environmental factors on angling vulnerability is an important component of fisheries management as management goals focus on balancing fish populations and creating satisfactory catch rates to enhance the angling experience. Our results suggest that angler-specific variables, light, temperature, lunar, and weather conditions influenced species-specific angling vulnerability for walleye and muskellunge.

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“…R. Soc. B 289: 20221718 There are only a few studies, on captive populations, that have tested (and confirmed) that passive gears induce sizeindependent selection for slow growth [5,6,53]. However, there are good reasons for assuming this to be a common phenomenon in many fisheries [6] and also applies to trapping of clawed lobsters.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Protection from fishing improves body growth of an exploited species

2022

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Hunting and fishing are often size-selective, which favours slow body growth. In addition, fast growth rate has been shown to be positively correlated with behavioural traits that increase encounter rates and catchability in passive fishing gears such as baited traps. This harvest-induced selection should be effectively eliminated in no-take marine-protected areas (MPAs) unless strong density dependence results in reduced growth rates. We compared body growth of European lobster ( Homarus gammarus ) between three MPAs and three fished areas. After 14 years of protection from intensive, size-selective lobster fisheries, the densities in MPAs have increased considerably, and we demonstrate that females moult more frequently and grow more during each moult in the MPAs. A similar, but weaker pattern was evident for males. This study suggests that MPAs can shield a wild population from slow-growth selection, which can explain the rapid recovery of size structure following implementation. If slow-growth selection is a widespread phenomenon in fisheries, the effectiveness of MPAs as a management tool can be higher than currently anticipated.

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Big, hungry fish get the lure: Size and food availability determine capture over boldness and exploratory behaviors

Cited by 8 publications

References 91 publications

Capture Is Predicted by Behavior and Size, Not Metabolism, in Muskellunge

Capture Is Predicted by Behavior and Size, Not Metabolism, in Muskellunge

Angler and environmental influences on walleye Sander vitreus and muskellunge Esox masquinongy angler catch in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin 2003–2015

Protection from fishing improves body growth of an exploited species

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