Angler Noncompliance with Slot Length Limits for Northern Pike in Five Small Minnesota Lakes

Abstract

Abstract Successful application of special regulations, such as slot length limits for northern pike Esox lucius, hinges upon angler compliance with the regulations. Yet, noncompliance was greater than expected under 508–762-mm (two lakes) or 559–762-mm (three lakes) protected slot length ranges in five north-central Minnesota lakes. Illegal fish averaged 13% of the harvested northern pike measured by creel clerks and 19% of the tag returns. Exploitation of similar-sized northern pike was greater in two reference lakes that had no size limits. In reference lakes, an average of 57% of creeled fish and 70% of tag returns were fish of sizes that would have been protected by slot length limits. In spite of extensive promotional efforts, the high (up to 29% on one lake) voluntary tag returns from illegal-size fish implies a simple lack of awareness of special regulations among anglers. Levels of noncompliance reported here show that individual lake management will require a fishing public that is more aware of...