Influence of Angler Exploitation on Black Crappie Population Structure in a Rural South Dakota Impoundment

Abstract

ABSTRACT Anglers harvested approximately 122 black crappies (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)/ha at 18-ha Murdo Lake, South Dakota, in 1992. Based on a mean length of 26.2 cm for harvested black crappies, anglers likely harvested 36.1 kg/ha. The following spring (1993), proportional stock density (PSD) for black crappies collected with trap nets was 10—far lower than for any of the previous four years. Thus, we conclude that angling can have a substantial effect on the black crappie population in a small impoundment.