Comparative capture efficiencies of frame and hoop nets for white crappie ( Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque)

Abstract

We compared the capture efficiencies of frame nets and hoop nets for white crappie ( Pomoxis annularis Rafinesque) during a 16 month study in Lake Carl Blackwell, OK, USA. The nets were fished simultaneously and in the same habitats (within 15–20 m of each other). The mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) was significantly higher (36.7 vs. 19.1 fish net-night −1) for hoop nets than for frame nets ( P < 0.05). Hoop nets caught significantly more ( P < 0.05) fish than frame nets in summer (44.0 vs. 14.7 fish net-night −1), but both gear types were equally effective during autumn, winter, and spring. Fish caught by both gear types encompassed the same size ranges but frame nets caught significantly larger ( P < 0.05) fish (mean total length (TL), 154 mm; SD, 34 mm; N = 3321; range, 73–392 mm) than hoop nets (mean TL, 139 mm; SD, 20 mm; N = 4040; range, 76–386 mm). For each gear type, the mean CPUE was similar between seasons, except in summer when hoop nets caught more fish ( P < 0.05). We believe using frame nets as the sole gear for crappie stock assessment could result in an underestimate of the year-class strength of younger fishes.