Angler Exploitation of Paddlefish in the Neosho River, Oklahoma

Abstract

Abstract The paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) fishery in the Neosho River was investigated during 1979 and 1980 to determine angling pressure, harvest, and rates of exploitation of the sport fishery at Miami, Oklahoma. In 1979 and 1980, 362 and 208 paddlefish were tagged and released into the Neosho River prior to harvest in those respective years. Angling pressure was computed to be 34,675 hours in 1979 and 21,167 hours in 1980, with respective harvests of 3,874 and 2,141 paddlefish averaging 19 kg. Rates of angler exploitation determined from tag returns were 15.2% in 1979 and 18.8% in 1980. The population parameters of size and structure were computed from harvest data. The number of paddlefish in the Neosho River in 1979 was estimated to be 25,118 (19,375-32,485) and they ranged from 721-1,560 mm in length and 6-13 years in age. Although pressure and exploitation were at levels of concern, the fishery was a viable one important to the overall sport fishery in the State of Oklahoma.