Angler Catch Research Articles

Recapture Rates and Size Selectivity of Muskellunge by Anglers Within Two Minnesota Fisheries

AbstractIncreases in catch‐and‐release practices in addition to angler engagement in management activities to evaluate and improve the trophy potential of Muskellunge Esox masquinongy fisheries have become prevalent in recent decades. An expectation of conservative angling practices and regulations is that released fish can be recaptured by anglers at a later time and potentially at a larger size. Although several studies have evaluated Muskellunge recapture rates, no studies have estimated the number of recaptured Muskellunge relative to the number present in the population. Additionally, few studies have evaluated angling size selectivity and the potential benefits or biases of incorporating those data into traditional Muskellunge assessments. This study evaluated the proportion of Muskellunge that were caught and recaptured relative to the population estimates in two Minnesota water bodies and the potential length‐related bias from angler‐caught fish. Data were obtained from traditional sampling gears (i.e., trap netting, boat electrofishing) and angling by volunteer anglers in the Mississippi and Crow Wing rivers and Baby and Man lakes. Participating anglers captured 11–22% of the population, of which 1–3% were subsequently recaptured at both sites annually. Recaptured fish accounted for 5–16% of the annual catch. At the Mississippi River site, proportionally larger fish were angled compared with the modeled population size structure, whereas angler catch from Baby and Man lakes was similar to the modeled size structure, likely due to the differing techniques used by anglers in the two water bodies. A more thorough understanding of recapture rates and size selectivity may be particularly important when managing a low‐density species as angling pressure and angler involvement in management activities increase.

Bipartite networks improve understanding of effects of waterbody size and angling method on angler–fish interactions

Networks used to study interactions could provide insights to fisheries. We compiled data from 27 297 interviews of anglers across waterbodies that ranged in size from 1 to 12 113 ha. Catch rates of fish species among anglers grouped by species targeted generally differed between angling methods (bank or boat). We constructed angler–catch bipartite networks (angling method specific) between anglers and fish and measured several network metrics. There was considerable variation in networks among waterbodies, with multiple metrics influenced by waterbody size. Number of species-targeting angler groups and number of fish species caught increased with increasing waterbody size. Mean number of links for species-targeting angler groups and fish species caught also increased with waterbody size. Connectance (realized proportion of possible links) of angler–catch interaction networks decreased slower for boat anglers than for bank anglers with increasing waterbody size. Network specialization (deviation of number of interactions from expected) was not significantly related to waterbody size or angling methods. Application of bipartite networks in fishery science requires careful interpretation of outputs, especially considering the numerous confounding factors prevalent in recreational fisheries.

Assessing the contribution of recreational sea angling to the English economy

Sea angling has been shown to be a high value activity with significant expenditure by individuals on their sport. Deriving estimates of the economic contribution of recreational sea angling is important in a number of related policy contexts, from tourism management and economic development policy, to the sustainable management of inshore fish stocks. This paper reveals some of the challenges in understanding the economic effects associated with recreational sea angling, and provides estimates of the economic value of recreational sea angling in England. The results were derived from research undertaken in England in 2011-13, which was conducted as part a wide ranging government-funded study, Sea Angling 2012, that estimated sea angler catches, spending and activity. Recreational sea angling made a significant contribution to the economy, supporting just over £2 billion of total spending, and 23,600 jobs in England in 2012-13. The implications of these results are discussed in the context of the management of recreational sea angling in England.

Concentration of Stocked Rainbow Trout Catch and Harvest by a Small Number of Recreational Anglers

While studies on recreational angler usage have provided valuable information to fisheries managers, questions still remain regarding the timing and partitioning of angler catch and harvest. This study used vehicle license plate data to define the patterns of post-stocking catch and harvest by unique angling parties on two small lakes managed by put-and-take rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss stockings during three summer months as part of a creel census when every angling party was interviewed and every fish harvested recorded. A total of 1,077 trout were harvested, with 2.4% of the angling parties (25 vehicles) accounting for over 45% of the total harvest. The same 25 vehicles accounted for 32.1% of the overall catch. Over 85% of harvest in both lakes occurred within the first three weeks following stocking, with appreciable drops in harvest by the fourth week. The potentially-high impact of relatively few anglers on overall harvest numbers and the relatively short timeframe in which harvest occurs following stockings have implications for fisheries managers attempting to maximize angler satisfaction in small put-and-take fisheries.

Dispelling Assumptions about Stocked‐Trout Fisheries and Angler Satisfaction

AbstractWe investigated three assumptions about stocked‐trout fisheries: (1) stocking densities (trout/km or trout/ha) correlate with angler catch rates, (2) catch rates decline with time after stocking, and (3) angler satisfaction correlates with catch rates. We interviewed 5,689 anglers on 14 put‐and‐take trout waters in Virginia from October 2013 to May 2014 and from October 2014 to May 2015 to assess their fishing effort for stocked trout, catch, and level of satisfaction with their fishing experience that day. Stocking density did not affect the stocked‐trout catch rate on streams or lakes, and catch rates remained relatively constant from the day after stocking up to 1 month after stocking. The type of water body affected both angler effort and catch rate. We found that catch rates above thresholds (0.46 trout/angler‐hour on lakes; 1.21 trout/angler‐hour on streams) had minor effects on angler satisfaction, but below those threshold values, satisfaction increased greatly with increasing catch rates on both lakes and streams. Given the concerns over increasing costs to maintain stocking programs, our results suggest that agencies could reduce their stocking densities and frequencies without appreciably reducing angler satisfaction.Received January 13, 2016; accepted July 17, 2016 Published online November 10, 2016

Walleye Population and Fishery Responses after Elimination of Legal Harvest on Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin

AbstractImplementing harvest regulations to eliminate or substantially reduce (≥90%) the exploitation of Walleyes Sander vitreus in recreational fisheries may increase population size structure, but these measures also could reduce angler effort because many Walleye anglers are harvest oriented. We analyzed data collected during 1995–2015 to determine whether Walleye population and fishery metrics in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin, changed after a minimum TL limit of 71 cm with a one‐fish daily bag limit was implemented in 2003. This change eliminated the legal harvest of Walleyes after several decades during which annual exploitation averaged 34%. We detected a significant increase in the loge density of adult females after the regulation change, but the loge density of all adults and adult males did not differ between periods. Mean TL of adult males was significantly greater after the regulation change, but the mean TL of females and the proportional size distribution of preferred‐length fish (≥51 cm TL) were similar between periods. Sex‐specific mean TLs at age 5 did not differ between periods. Loge density of age‐0 Walleyes did not change after 2003, but variation in age‐0 density was lower. Total angler effort and the effort for anglers targeting Walleyes were significantly lower (35% and 60% declines, respectively) after the regulation change, whereas catch rates for both angler categories did not differ between periods. Our results suggest that implementing highly restrictive regulations that greatly reduce or eliminate legal harvest will not always increase angler catch rates and population size structure. Highly restrictive regulations may also deter anglers from using a fishery when many other fisheries are available. Our findings are useful for fishery managers who may work with anglers holding the belief that lower exploitation is a potential remedy for low Walleye size structure, even when density and growth suggest that there is limited potential for improvement.Received December 11, 2015; accepted July 21, 2016 Published online October 20, 2016

Influence of Supplemental Feeding on the Channel Catfish Fishery in a Kansas Impoundment

Supplemental feeding has been used in attempts to improve sportfish populations; however, few studies have evaluated efficacy of this practice. I evaluated channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, growth, condition, size structure, and angler catch in McPherson State Fishing Lake during three multi-year periods of supplemental feeding rates (i.e., no feeding, 84 kg·ha·yr, and 336 kg·ha·yr). Growth of channel catfish was greater during years when supplemental feeding rate was low compared to years during high feeding rates. Condition of channel catfish was greater during years of high feeding rate, although contribution to the fishery that was attributed to increased condition was low. Inferences regarding size structure were unclear because of variable stocking rates and fishing regulations. Trends in angler harvest of channel catfish were variable; although, average size of harvested channel catfish was generally highest during years of supplemental feeding. These results indicate that overall effects of su...

Effects of Rearing Density on Return to Creel of Hatchery Catchable Rainbow Trout Stocked in Idaho Lentic Waters

AbstractEvaluating rearing techniques that maximize angler returns to creel of hatchery trout is an essential tool in shaping hatchery management practices and maximizing the public use of hatchery products. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of raceway rearing density on return to creel of catchable-sized (mean TL ≈ 252 mm) hatchery Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. In 2011 and 2012, Idaho Department of Fish and Game reared catchable-sized trout targeting three maximum density indices (0.15, 0.25, and 0.30 lb·ft−3·in−1) at three different state fish hatcheries. Each hatchery stocked fish into the same 11 lakes and reservoirs to evaluate return-to-creel rates by rearing density. Although there was a trend of lower angler catch for fish reared at a higher raceway density, the relationship was not statistically significant. Instead, angler catch was significantly influenced by fish size at stocking and the surface area of the water being stocked, whereby larger fish and smaller waters had ...

Using Tag‐Return Models to Estimate the Number of Times Fish Are Captured in Fisheries with High Catch‐and‐Release Rates

AbstractExploitation rates are often estimated using tag‐return studies. However, in fisheries with a catch‐and‐release component, exploitation rate or fishing mortality may not be the most important metric of interest. Instead, angler catch rates (e.g., fish caught per hour), total catch (including fish that are harvested or released), or the average number of times an individual fish is caught may be a better measure of fishery performance. However, if anglers remove tags from fish before release, then catch estimates will be negatively biased because tag removal will not be accounted for. In this study, maximum likelihood estimation methods were used to estimate catch in fisheries with high rates of catch and release. Right‐censored models were used to accommodate tags that may or may not be removed by anglers. Model‐derived maximum likelihood estimates of mean catch were relatively unbiased under two simulated fishery scenarios. There was a nonlinear, positive relationship between the percentage of tags that were removed from fish before release and the standard error of estimated mean catch. Although the models performed well at estimating catch in the simulations, more study is needed to evaluate how possible violation of model assumptions can affect catch estimates.Received October 19, 2015; accepted February 4, 2016 Published online May 26, 2016

Predation by American White Pelicans and Double‐Crested Cormorants on Catchable‐Sized Hatchery Rainbow Trout in Select Idaho Lentic Waters

AbstractIn southern Idaho, population growth of American white pelicans Pelecanus erythorhynchos at the Blackfoot Reservoir and Lake Walcott colonies since the early 1990s has generated concerns about whether pelican predation is impacting angler catch of hatchery trout stocked in Idaho waters. To evaluate this concern, we estimated rates of pelican predation (i.e., the proportion of fish consumed by pelicans) and angler catch (i.e., the proportion of fish caught by anglers) for 19 unique springtime fish stocking events over 3 years across 12 study waters; where feasible we also estimated double‐crested cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus predation. Stocked Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss averaged 247 mm in length and were internally PIT‐tagged (to monitor bird predation) and externally anchor‐tagged (to monitor angler catch) before stocking. Additional hatchery trout were PIT‐tagged, euthanized, and fed directly to pelicans to estimate PIT tag deposition rates at the colonies; feeding was unsuccessful for cormorants. After the juvenile pelicans and cormorants fledged in the fall, we recovered PIT tags from stocked and fed fish that were deposited at the two colonies. Deposition rates for pelican‐consumed tags averaged 21% and declined exponentially as distance increased from the colonies. Pelican predation on hatchery trout averaged 18% and ranged from 0 to 48%, whereas angler catch averaged 21% and ranged from 0 to 82%. Mean angler catch was nearly four times higher when pelican predation was low (i.e., <25%) than when pelican predation was high (≥25%). Cormorant predation estimates (available for seven stocking events) were minimum estimates only (i.e., they assumed 100% of tags consumed by cormorants were recovered) and averaged 14% (range, 2–38%). Our results suggest that predation by American white pelicans and double‐crested cormorants on catchable‐sized hatchery Rainbow Trout stocked in southern Idaho waters often exceeds the total catch of those fish by anglers who compete directly with avian predators for use of stocked trout.Received June 23, 2015; accepted November 8, 2015 Published online March 30, 2016

Effects of a protected slot limit on smallmouth bass size structure and angler harvest

In an effort to improve size structure of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in Lake Sharpe, a large Missouri River impoundment, the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks instituted 2 protected slot limits: restricted (305–457 mm) beginning in 2003 and relaxed (355–457 mm) beginning in 2008. We examined the effects of these regulations on smallmouth bass harvest and population characteristics and compared creel and population trends of Lake Sharpe smallmouth bass to adjacent reservoirs where smallmouth bass harvest was not regulated by length limits. Prior to the slot limit, the majority of the smallmouth bass harvest from Lake Sharpe was for individuals 250–400 mm in length (P < 0.001). Estimated harvest after regulation implementation was higher for smallmouth bass 250–350 mm (P < 0.001). Additionally, an increase in proportional stock density–preferred (PSD-P), number >355 mm, and angler catch of trophy smallmouth bass was observed, suggesting an effective regulation. However, a before-after-control-impact (BACI) study design and analysis indicated changes in size structure were observed in abutting Lakes Oahe and Francis Case, suggesting a Missouri River system-wide affect was likely responsible for observed population changes. Because of the lack of biological support and the negative feedback by anglers, the protective slot limit regulation was removed from Lake Sharpe in 2012. Further, when considering length limit regulations, we recommend gathering data on similar “control” systems in an effort to document changes resulting solely from the impacts of the regulation.

Using Tournament Angler Data to Rapidly Assess the Invasion Status of Alien Sport Fishes (Micropterus spp.) in Southern Africa.

Fishes are one of the most commonly introduced aquatic taxa worldwide, and invasive fish species pose threats to biodiversity and ecosystem function in recipient waters. Considerable research efforts have focused on predicting the invasibility of different fish taxa; however, accurate records detailing the establishment and spread of invasive fishes are lacking for large numbers of fish around the globe. In response to these data limitations, a low-cost method of cataloging and quantifying the temporal and spatial status of fish invasions was explored. Specifically, angler catch data derived from competitive bass angling tournaments was used to document the distribution of 66 non-native populations of black bass (Micropterus spp.) in southern Africa. Additionally, catch data from standardized tournament events were used to assess the abundance and growth of non-native bass populations in southern Africa relative to their native distribution (southern and eastern United States). Differences in metrics of catch per unit effort (average number of fish retained per angler per day), daily bag weights (the average weight of fish retained per angler), and average fish weight were assessed using catch data from 14,890 angler days of tournament fishing (11,045 days from South Africa and Zimbabwe; 3,845 days from the United States). No significant differences were found between catch rates, average daily bag weight, or the average fish weight between countries, suggesting that bass populations in southern Africa reach comparable sizes and numbers relative to waters in their native distribution. Given the minimal cost associated with data collection (i.e. records are collected by tournament organizers), the standardized nature of the events, and consistent bias (i.e. selection for the biggest fish in a population), the use of angler catch data represents a novel approach to infer the status and distribution of invasive sport fish.

Eff icacy of angler catch data as a population and conservation monitoring tool for the f lagship Mahseer f ishes (Tor spp.) of Southern India

Abstract Mahseer (Tor spp.) are flagship fishes in South Asian rivers. Their populations are threatened through poaching and habitat disturbance, yet they are highly prized game fishes due to their large size, appearance and sporting qualities. The international recreational angling community has frequently been cited as playing a vital role in conserving these fishes while also providing economic benefit to poor rural communities. Owing to a lack of scientific data and the considerable challenges associated with monitoring fish populations in large monsoonal rivers, efforts to determine the long‐term trends in their populations has focused on sport‐fishing catch records. Here, catch data collected between 1998 and 2012 from Galibore, a former fishing camp on the River Cauvery, Karnataka, India, were analysed to determine the catch per unit effort (CPUE – by number and weight) as an indicator of relative fish abundance, along with the size structure of catches. This fishery operated a mandatory catch‐and‐release (C&amp;R) policy, and provided the fish community with protection from illegal fishing. Between 1998 and 2012, 23 620 hours fishing effort were applied to catch and release 6161 mahseer, ranging in size from 1 to 104 lbs (0.45–46.8 kg) in weight. Across the period, CPUE in number increased significantly over time with a concomitant decrease in CPUE by weight, revealing strong recruitment in the population and a shift in population size structure. This suggests a strong response to the C&amp;R policy and the reduction in illegal fishing, indicating that conservation strategies focusing on the beneficial and negative aspects of exploitation can be successful in achieving positive outcomes. These outputs from angler catch data provide insights into the mahseer population that were impossible to collect by any alternative method. They provide the most comprehensive analysis of a long‐term dataset specific to any of the mahseer species across their entire geographical range and demonstrate the value of organised angling as a conservation monitoring tool to enhance biological data, and inform conservation and fishery management actions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

The Influence of a Rapid Drawdown and Prolonged Dewatering on Fishing Effort, Catch, and Harvest in a Nebraska Reservoir

Red Willow Reservoir, Nebraska, experienced a rapid reduction (drawdown) in surface area, from 580 to 240 ha (59%), and prolonged maintenance at a low-water level from November 2009 until June 2012 (although the reservoir did not begin to refill until 2013 due to drought conditions). We documented changes in fishing effort, catch, and harvest at Red Willow Reservoir from two years pre-drawdown to three years post-drawdown. Fishing effort shifted from a majority of boat anglers to roughly equal representation by boat and bank anglers because of the low-water level. Effort also shifted from anglers seeking specific species to anglers simultaneously seeking all species (anything) during first-year post-drawdown, and then reverted back to anglers seeking specific species during the second and third years post-drawdown. Angler catch of fishes declined substantially post-drawdown. This case study highlights the complicated dynamics that exist among angler participation, reservoir quality, and sport-fish community. Understanding these dynamics is important in the management of fisheries, particularly when fishery managers must manage a reservoir subjected to an extreme change.

Effects of hurricane-induced hydrilla reduction on the largemouth bass fishery at two central Florida lakes

Lakes Weohyakapka and St. Johns Water Management Area, Florida, experienced severe impacts from multiple hurricanes in August and September 2004, resulting in the loss of all submersed aquatic vegetation, primarily hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata). We assessed at both lakes changes in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) population size distribution, recreational fishing effort and success, angler expenditures, and catches of trophy fish in relation to disparate levels of hydrilla coverage for prehurricane (1999–2004) and posthurricane (2005–2009) periods. Tests revealed significant differences at both lakes in the population size distribution between prehurricane (high percentage coverage of hydrilla) and posthurricane (no hydrilla) periods. At both lakes, the population size distribution comprised more juvenile (age-1) largemouth bass before the hurricanes, indicating that a decline in recruitment strength coincided with the absence of hydrilla posthurricanes. Declines in directed fishing effort, angler expenditures, and angler catches of trophy-sized fish also occurred following the absence of hydrilla posthurricanes. These findings demonstrate an important link between radical changes in hydrilla coverage with recruitment of juvenile largemouth bass and the strength of the largemouth bass fishery. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently adopted a new agency position on hydrilla management that allows flexibility regarding waterbodies with limited or absent native submersed vegetation, recognizing that hydrilla at a low to moderate coverage can be beneficial to fish and wildlife.

Employing Internet GIS Surveys to Characterize Recreational Boating Travel Patterns

AbstractSpatial factors are fundamental features of the tourism and recreation phenomenon. In terms of recreational boating, scholars are interested both in boaters' spatial distribution and movement patterns and in the factors associated with their movements, e.g. travel costs, environmental impacts, and social impacts of the movements. Spatial factors are also key to policymakers' decisions about where to establish new boating facilities, how protected areas are used by boaters and in crafting policy that minimizes conflict between recreational boating and other waterway uses. However, systematic studies regarding the recreationist movement are scant, especially at the fine geographic level. One reason for the lack of research is that gathering spatial data presents significant practical problems. In the Florida Saltwater Fishing Study, we integrated Google Map APIs into the online survey instrument to collect spatially‐referenced data regarding boaters' movement on water. Results appear to be accurate, highly cost effective, and easily integrated with other survey information such as angler catch, effort, expenditures and attitudes.

Self‐Regulation of the Okanagan Lake Kokanee Recreational Fishery: Dynamic Angler Effort Response to Varying Fish Abundance and Productivity

AbstractThe fishery for kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka in Okanagan Lake, British Columbia, exemplifies three common issues in the management of recreational fisheries: time‐varying stock–recruit parameters, mixed stocks within a single fishing area, and open‐access fishing effort. The aggregate kokanee stock (consisting of stream‐spawning and shore‐spawning stocks) declined 50‐fold between 1971 and 1998 and then partially recovered in the most recent decade. This contrast in fish abundance provides an opportunity to gain insights into the predator–prey dynamics of anglers and fish in an open‐access sport fishery. Structural variations in the Ricker stock–recruit function were fitted to the time series of spawner escapements and fishery data to estimate the relative role of nonstationary stock–recruit parameters versus angler harvest in the observed time series. The optimal model structures selected by Akaike's information criterion suggested that kokanee dynamics were driven by external factors (e.g., lake nutrient concentration or opossum shrimp Mysis diluviana abundance) as opposed to fishery harvest. The functional response of angler catch rates to fish abundance was well predicted by a type I function (i.e., no density dependence in catchability). Conversely, the angler effort numerical response to variation in kokanee density was sigmoid, with a steep transition at an average catch rate between 1 and 2 fish/d. The interaction of angler response functions with fish recruitment dynamics led to an open‐access recreational fishery that never harvested the lower‐productivity (stream‐spawning) stock to a level below the optimal escapement abundance, despite dramatic declines in stock productivity (i.e., recruits per spawner at low abundance) over time. Standard management reactions to declining fish abundance (successive reductions in daily bag limits) were largely ineffective in altering harvest rate or effort dynamics. Our results show that the Okanagan Lake kokanee fishery was self‐regulating over a large range in fish densities and that the declines in kokanee abundance resulted from time‐varying stock productivity rather than from overharvest.Received January 15, 2013; accepted June 17, 2013

A Tale of Two Fishes: Using Recreational Angler Records to Examine the Link Between Fish Catches and Floodplain Connections in a Subtropical Coastal River

In the tropical and subtropical wet and dry regions, maintaining natural hydrologic connections between coastal rivers and adjacent ephemeral wetlands is critical to conserving and sustaining high levels of fisheries production within these systems. Though there is a consensus that there is a need to maintain these natural connections, little is known about what attributes of floodplain inundation regimes are most important in sustaining fisheries production. Two attributes of the flood season and thus floodplain inundation that may be particularly influential to fisheries are the amplitude of the flood season (floodplain water depth and spatial extent of inundation) and the duration of the flood season (i.e., time floodplains are inundated). In mangrove-dominated Everglades coastal rivers, seasonal inundation of upstream marsh floodplains may play an important role in provisioning recreational fisheries; however, this relationship remains unknown. Using two Everglades coastal river fisheries as a model, we tested whether the amplitude of the flood season or the duration of the flood season is more important in explaining variation in angler catch records of common snook and largemouth bass collected from 1992 to 2012. We validated angler catches with fisheries-independent electrofishing conducted in the same region from 2004 to 2012. Our results showed (1) that bass angler catches tracked electrofishing catches, while snook catches were completely mismatched. And (2) that previous year's marsh dynamics, particularly the duration of the flood season, was more influential than the flood season amplitude in explaining variation in bass catches, such that bass angler catches were negatively correlated to the period time that floodplains remained disconnected from coastal rivers in the previous year, while snook catches were not very well explained by floodplain inundation terms.

The balancing act of captive breeding programmes: salmon stocking and angler catch statistics

AbstractThe debate over Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., stocking in Britain centres on the trade‐off between enhancing rod fisheries and harming wild populations. This article informs the debate by quantifying the relationship between stocking and angler catch statistics for 62 rivers over 15 years. After controlling for environmental factors affecting adult abundance, the 42 rivers with stocking had non‐significantly lower mean catch statistics than the 20 rivers without stocking. This difference increased with the age of stocked fish. Among stocked rivers, weak relationships between mean stocking effort and catch statistics also became more negative with the age of stocked fish. For stocked rivers, there was no evidence for a generally positive relationship between annual stocking efforts and catch statistics. Those rivers for which stocking appeared to improve annual rod catches tended to have lower than expected mean rod catches. The results suggest the damage inflicted on wild salmon populations by stocking is not balanced by detectable benefits to rod fisheries.

Utility of Restrictive Harvest Regulations for Trophy Largemouth Bass Management

AbstractTrophy‐size fish are a critical component of recreational Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides floridanus fisheries; therefore, many agencies have prioritized management actions to improve catches of large fish. Length‐based harvest regulations are commonly used to increase the abundance of trophy‐size fish, but the rarity of large fish in sampling programs makes it difficult to use field data to evaluate the effectiveness of those regulations. We used an age‐structured simulation model parameterized for a trophy Largemouth Bass fishery to evaluate the potential for a range of size limits to increase abundance and angler catches of trophy Largemouth Bass (&gt;610 mm TL). We compiled creel information from four Florida lakes with varying harvest regulations that were known to have high‐quality trophy fisheries in order to assess the performance of the model. Model results were scaled to represent trips per trophy catch for a range of size limits. The model predicted that the average number of angler trips required to catch a trophy fish were expected to decline from 83 under a 350‐mm minimum length limit (e.g., baseline model that represents the standard length limit in the peninsula of Florida) to 47 for a 600‐mm minimum length limit if exploitation rates were 0.2. Maximum size limits and protective slot limits also showed potential to substantially improve trophy catches. The model results and creel estimates showed similar trends for the predicted number of angler trips required to catch a trophy fish on lakes managed for trophy Largemouth Bass in Florida. Our model could be combined with fish population data to forecast the effectiveness of regulation changes on trophy fish catches. This could provide insight into trophy fisheries, where field measurements of trophy abundance and angler catches are difficult to obtain with traditional sampling programs.Received August 31, 2012; accepted January 17, 2013