Analysis of the Recreational Fishery and Angler Attitudes Toward Hydrilla in Lake...

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 con- ducted 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 sim- ilar between 1985 and 1996, except catch rates for sunfish ( Lepomis spp.) decreased from 3.93 to 2.10 fish/h. Large- mouth bass anglers generally preferred the same amount of macrophyte coverage, while most anglers for other species preferred less coverage. Lake Seminole home-owners gener- ally preferred fewer macrophytes, while non home-owners preferred less or the same amount.

Английский

Journal of Aquatic Plant Management. – 1998. – Vol. 36. – P. 101–107.