Assessing the potential to mitigate climate-related expansion of largemouth bass populations using angler harvest
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Abstract
Climate-related changes in fish communities can present new challenges for fishery managers who must address declines in cool- and cold-water sportfish while dealing with increased abundance of warm-water sportfish. We used largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Wisconsin lakes as model populations to determine whether angler harvest provides a realistic method for reducing abundance of a popular warm-water sportfish that has become more prevalent and has prompted management concerns around the globe. Model results indicate largemouth bass will be resilient to increased fishing mortality. Furthermore, high rates of voluntary catch-and-release occurring in most largemouth bass fisheries likely preclude fishing mortality rates required to reduce bass abundance at meaningful levels (≥25% reductions). Increasing fishing mortality in these scenarios may require more “stimulus” than merely providing anglers with greater harvest opportunities via less stringent harvest regulations. Angler harvest could result in populations dominated by small fish, a scenario that may be undesirable to anglers, but could provide ecological benefits in certain situations.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Assessing the potential to mitigate climate-related expansion of largemouth bass populations using angler harvest |
| Series title | Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences |
| DOI | 10.1139/cjfas-2019-0035 |
| Volume | 77 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 2020 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Canadian Science Publishing |
| Contributing office(s) | Coop Res Unit Leetown |
| Description | 14 p. |
| First page | 520 |
| Last page | 533 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconain |
| Other Geospatial | Big Arbor Vitae Lake, Big Sissabagama Lake, Jungle Lake, Kawaguesaga Lake, Teal Lake, Waupaca Chain Lakes |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |