Volume

36, 1998

Issue

2

Page

101

Title

Analysis of the recreational fishery and angler attitudes toward Hydrilla in Lake Seminole, a southeastern reservoir

Author(s)

Slipke, J. W., M. J. Maceina, and J. M. Grizzle

Abstract

 Lake Seminole has experienced a dramatic increase in the coverage of hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata Royle) during the past 20 years, peaking at about 65% surface area coverage in 1992. To determine the current status of the fishery, we conducted a roving creel survey during 1996 and compared our results to similar data collected in 1978-79 and 1985. Total angling effort and total catch decreased by over 36% between 1985 and 1996, and nearly all of this decline was attributable to fewer anglers seeking largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides Lacepede). In 1996, catch rates of largemouth bass > 305 mm total length was extremely low (0.16 fish/h) and likely contributed to the decline in angler effort for this species. For other species, catch rates were similar between 1985 and 1996, except catch rates for sunfish (Lepomis spp.) decreased from 3.93 to 2.10 fish/h. Largemouth bass anglers generally preferred the same amount of macrophyte coverage, while most anglers for other species preferred less coverage. Lake Seminole home-owners generally preferred fewer macrophytes, while non home-owners preferred less or the same amount.

Key words: angler effort, catch rates, creel survey, home-owners, submersed macrophytes