Effects of Consumption‐Oriented versus Trophy‐Oriented Fisheries on Muskellunge Population Size Structure in Northern Wisconsin

Faust, Matthew D.; Hansen, Michael J.

doi:10.1080/02755947.2016.1214646

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 33 publications

(40 reference statements)

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“…() predicted that trophy opportunities would increase under more conservative regulations. Furthermore, Faust and Hansen () indicated that management for trophy potential may not be possible in fisheries exhibiting high exploitation rates.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recapture Rates and Size Selectivity of Muskellunge by Anglers Within Two Minnesota Fisheries

Bahr

Carlson

Baird

et al. 2018

N American J Fish Manag

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Increases in catch-and-release practices in addition to angler engagement in management activities to evaluate and improve the trophy potential of Muskellunge Esox masquinongy fisheries have become prevalent in recent decades. An expectation of conservative angling practices and regulations is that released fish can be recaptured by anglers at a later time and potentially at a larger size.Although several studies have evaluated Muskellunge recapture rates, no studies have estimated the number of recaptured Muskellunge relative to the number present in the population. Additionally, few studies have evaluated angling size selectivity and the potential benefits or biases of incorporating those data into traditional Muskellunge assessments. This study evaluated the proportion of Muskellunge that were caught and recaptured relative to the population estimates in two Minnesota water bodies and the potential length-related bias from angler-caught fish. Data were obtained from traditional sampling gears (i.e., trap netting, boat electrofishing) and angling by volunteer anglers in the Mississippi and Crow Wing rivers and Baby and Man lakes. Participating anglers captured 11-22% of the population, of which 1-3% were subsequently recaptured at both sites annually. Recaptured fish accounted for 5-16% of the annual catch. At the Mississippi River site, proportionally larger fish were angled compared with the modeled population size structure, whereas angler catch from Baby and Man lakes was similar to the modeled size structure, likely due to the differing techniques used by anglers in the two water bodies. A more thorough understanding of recapture rates and size selectivity may be particularly important when managing a lowdensity species as angling pressure and angler involvement in management activities increase.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recapture Rates and Size Selectivity of Muskellunge by Anglers Within Two Minnesota Fisheries

Bahr

Carlson

Baird

et al. 2018

N American J Fish Manag

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“…Estimating individual fish age is an important component of fisheries science and fish ecology because age data are used to understand growth, mortality, recruitment, and life history (Paloheimo 1980;Catalano and Allen 2010;Vitale et al 2019). Subsequently, age data are used to monitor fish populations (Pine et al 2001;Switzer et al 2015) and to evaluate implemented (Maceina et al 1998;Oliver et al 2021) or simulated (Faust and Hansen 2016;Bauerlien et al 2022) management actions. To estimate age, daily or annual increments (i.e., annuli) in the calcified structures of fish are counted.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Age estimation and validation in otoliths, spines, and fin rays from four central Texas fishes

Pfennig,

Crane,

Smith

et al. 2024

N American J Fish Manag

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ObjectiveAge estimation methods have not been validated for many species. Thus, we focused this age estimation study on four species from central Texas: the Guadalupe Bass Micropterus treculii, Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus, Gray Redhorse Moxostoma congestum, and Redbreast Sunfish Lepomis auritus. Our objectives for each species were to (1) investigate whether increments form annually in otoliths, fin rays, or spines; (2) determine the seasonal timing of zone deposition in each calcified structure; and (3) compare age estimates between otoliths and fin rays or spines.MethodsFish were sampled from central Texas waters and injected with oxytetracycline (OTC) quarterly in 2021. In July 2022, otoliths and fin rays or spines were collected to determine whether the increments formed annually and to estimate age.ResultOn average, two readers identified the correct number of annuli after the OTC mark in at least 95% of Gray Redhorse, Guadalupe Bass, and Redbreast Sunfish otoliths but in only 69% of Channel Catfish otoliths. However, the more experienced reader identified the correct number of annuli in at least 95% of otoliths from age‐2–4 Channel Catfish. Compared to otoliths, the correct number of annuli after the OTC mark was identified in a smaller percentage of fin rays or spines (47–62%). The probability of identifying the correct number of annuli after the OTC mark differed between the two readers for all spines and fin rays. Age difference plots revealed that age estimates based on fin rays or spines were either overestimated or underestimated compared to otolith‐based ages for all species.ConclusionWe consider annual increment formation in otoliths to be validated for all age‐classes of Gray Redhorse, Guadalupe Bass, and Redbreast Sunfish examined and for ages 2–4 of Channel Catfish. Differences in correctness between readers were most likely due to differences in age estimation experience. Given the level of error observed in our study, caution is advised if using age estimates from unvalidated structures and species.

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“…Even with increased angler participation, Muskellunge harvest rates are low and release rates are estimated to be greater than 97% (Fayram 2003; Margenau and Petchenik 2004; Kerr 2007; Landsman et al 2011; Simonson 2012; Richards 2017). Because of the Muskellunge's life history characteristics (low population density and long life span) and historical exploitation, small increases in mortality rates can affect abundance and size structure (Faust and Hansen 2016). Therefore, research identifying the factors that influence mortality and resultant population‐level effects is important to management agencies and angling groups (Arlinghaus et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating Muskellunge catch‐and‐release mortality at elevated summer water temperature

et al. 2023

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Angling for Muskellunge Esox masquinongy has become widespread and increasingly popular. Management strategies for Muskellunge include high minimum harvest lengths (>1016mm), closed seasons, and catch‐and‐release regulations. Due to these strategies and angler behaviors, up to 97% of Muskellunge caught are released, and anglers assume these fish survive to be caught again in the future. Previous research on catch‐and‐release mortality for Muskellunge has suggested relatively low mortality rates (0%‐5%). However, these studies were all conducted within the range of water temperatures that are thermally optimal for Muskellunge and generally at water temperatures <25°C. Muskellunge populations in some latitudes routinely experience temperatures >25°C during the summer months. Fisheries managers and anglers have expressed concerns regarding warm water angling mortality, representing a need to evaluate mortality rates at various water temperatures and multiple latitudes. Our objective was to quantify warm‐water (>25°C) catch‐and‐release mortality rates in Muskellunge (>760mm) and identify factors influencing mortality using experimental ponds. Adult Muskellunge (n=102) were stocked into eight earthen or plastic lined flow‐through ponds (0.06‐0.71 ha) at densities of <16 fish/ha. Muskellunge (n=50) were angled utilizing specialized Muskellunge fishing gear at water temperatures of 19.6–32.6°C, with 32 fish being caught at temperatures >25°C. Fish were closely monitored for 2 weeks after being angled to assess mortality, and fish that remained uncaught during the experiment were used as controls (n=53). Mortality was greater for angled (30.0%) compared to control fish (11.3%). Differences in catch‐and‐release mortality were compared across a range of temperature regimes using firth's logistic regression. Five‐day cumulative temperature and net time were positively related to the probability of mortality, but size and sex were unrelated to mortality. Elevated catch‐and‐release mortality rates at warm water temperatures warrant investigations into the population level effects at varying levels of exploitation.

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Effects of Consumption‐Oriented versus Trophy‐Oriented Fisheries on Muskellunge Population Size Structure in Northern Wisconsin

Cited by 6 publications

References 33 publications

Recapture Rates and Size Selectivity of Muskellunge by Anglers Within Two Minnesota Fisheries

Recapture Rates and Size Selectivity of Muskellunge by Anglers Within Two Minnesota Fisheries

Age estimation and validation in otoliths, spines, and fin rays from four central Texas fishes

Evaluating Muskellunge catch‐and‐release mortality at elevated summer water temperature

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