Abstract
In Kansas, media attention to ice-fishing has generated a perception among nonice-fishing anglers of excessive harvests that might result in declines in population quality among white bass (Morone chrysops) populations in reservoirs. To address these concerns, creel surveys were conducted throughout ice cover at Cheney and Glen Elder reservoirs in 1985, and standard fall gill net samples collected before and after the ice-fishing season were used to measure the effect of ice-fishing on these white bass populations. The 1985 ice-fishing season was exceptional in terms of white bass catch rates and size structure. Ice anglers were selective, harvesting the largest individuals; 58% of creeled white bass were ?380 mm. White bass catchper-unit effort in standard fall gill net samples were significantly greater in 1985, but statistical power was too low to assess differences between many of the length categories. The standard sampling effort of nine net-complement-night sets for Kansas reservoirs larger than 9,000 surface acres is likely inadequate to determine population changes in highly mobile species such as white bass. Recommendations are included to better assess the effects of ice-fishing on white bass populations in Kansas reservoirs.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science (1903-)
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
