Date of Graduation
Fall 2022
Degree
Master of Science in Biology
Department
Biology
Committee Chair
Quinton Phelps
Abstract
Populations of white crappie Pomoxis annularis and black crappie P. nigromaculatus were studied in three southeast Kansas reservoirs to assess exploitation and determine if current regulations were conducive for sustainable populations. Trap nets were used to sample crappie in Elk City Reservoir, Big Hill Reservoir, and Parsons City Lake. Crappie with length 210 mm and greater were tagged with FloyFD-94 tags that served as entries into a drawing for a US$300-valued reward to encourage tag reporting. Harvest and angler demographic information were collected when tags were reported. Postcard surveys and motion-sensed cameras were used in conjunction to estimate angler effort and reporting rate on Parsons City Lake. Exploitation rates determined by tag returns, and corrected for non-reporting and tag loss, were 28.3%, 21.8%, and 3.9% on Elk City Reservoir, Big Hill Reservoir, and Parsons City Lake, respectively. Overfishing was not occurring, so current statewide regulations were likely appropriate, and no changes may be necessary.
Keywords
crappie, exploitation, harvest pressure, reward tag study, minimum length limit (MLL), yield per recruit
Subject Categories
Biology | Environmental Studies | Population Biology | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
Copyright
© Danci Lee Johnston
Recommended Citation
Johnston, Danci Lee, "Evaluating Exploitation of White Crappie and Black Crappie in Three Southeast Kansas Reservoirs" (2022). MSU Graduate Theses/Dissertations. 3801.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3801
Open Access
Included in
Biology Commons, Environmental Studies Commons, Population Biology Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
