JOHN R. JACKSON, JOSEPH
E. FLOTEMERSCH, AND DONALD JACKSON, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Box 9690,
Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762, USA
Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus
stock characteristics were compared from samples collected using three different hoopnet
configurations (large hoopnet LH(3.81): 4.3-m long; 7-hoops with 1.07-m diameters; 3.81-cm
bar mesh netting, small hoopnet SH(3.81): 1.3-m long; 4-hoops with 0.51-m diameters;
3.81-cm bar mesh netting, and small hoopnet SH(2.54): 1.3-m long; 4-hoops with 0.51-m
diameters; 2.54-cm bar mesh netting) in the Yockanookany River, a small floodplain river
in central Mississippi (1994-1995). Channel catfish were fully recruited at 35-cm total
length (TL) in LH(3.81) and SH(3.81) and at 30-cm TL in SH(2.54). Approximately three
times the number of channel catfish were collected with SH(2.54) than with LH(3.81) and
SH(3.81) combined. Due to differences in length at full recruitment relative to mesh size,
comparative analyses were conducted only on channel catfish ³35-cm TL. Mean lengths, mean
weights, length-frequency distributions, proportional stock densities, and mean daily
catch per unit effort values (CPUE: g/hoopnet night) were similar among hoopnet
configurations. Sample size was identified as an important consideration due to
variability in catch rates and poor CPUE correlation between large and small hoopnet
configurations. Use of small hoopnets would reduce logistical challenges associated with
sampling small rivers. Additionally, use of the smaller mesh size would allow inclusion of
smaller channel catfish in stock assessments. |
