We correlated maximum lengths of freshwater fishes captured during 10 years with standard gears (i.e., gill nets, boat electrofishers and trap nets) and angling from Nebraska water bodies to determine which methodology provided better estimates of maximum size of fishes produced within a given water body. In general, maximum length of fishes captured with standard gears was smaller than maximum length of fishes captured with angling. Although significant (based on sequential Bonferroni adjustment) correlation was found in only one of nine sport fishes assessed, all correlations were positive indicating a general trend between maximum size of fishes captured with these two methodologies. At present, one cannot reliably predict the maximum size of fishes that is likely to be caught with angling given the maximum size of fishes captured with standard gears during routine monitoring of a fishes population.

No abstract

White bass Morone chrysops are an important sport fish for Nebraska anglers. In a statewide mail survey of licensed anglers during 1994-1995, 38% reported seeking white bass. White bass have been found in at least 20 flood control and irrigation reservoirs, ranging from less than 40.5 ha to 12,146 ha. The fish communities in these reservoirs comprised walleyes Stizostedion vitreum, channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, crappies Pomoxis spp., and hybrids of white bass and striped bass M. saxatilis in addition to white bass. In reservoirs where gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum were the most abundant prey fish, white bass populations were characterized by stable, high recruitment, with a majority of the white bass being less than 300 mm in total length. In contrast, reservoirs with alewives Alosa pseudoharengus produced white bass populations with lower, less stable recruitment and a larger proportion of fish greater than 300 mm. Management efforts directed toward enhancing white bass populations have been limited, with liberal bag limits and no length limit restrictions. White bass have been stocked in some waters, but the effectiveness of those stockings has been marginal. Management efforts directed at white bass on Nebraska reservoirs need to consider the prey base. Further evaluations of white bass regulations, angler desires, and stocking strategies are needed. *

No abstract

Muskellunge, Esox masquinongy, were first introduced to Nebraska waters in 1958. By 1967 anglers had caught the first muskellunge from Nebraska waters. Hybrid muskellunge, Esox masquinongy · E. lucius, culture and stocking started in 1976. Harvest regulations for muskellunge and hybrid muskellunge were first established in 1977 with a daily bag limit of one muskellunge or hybrid muskellunge of at least 762 mm (30 inches) in length. In 2000 the minimum length limit for muskellunge and hybrid muskellunge was increased to 1016 mm (40 inches). Hybrid muskellunge have been phased out, none have been stocked in Nebraska waters since 2003. Since 1998 muskellunge fingerlings have been held in Nebraska hatcheries until age-1 before stocking. Yearling muskellunge are raised on minnows and other small fish in Nebraska hatcheries and stocking success apparently is very good. Management and research of Nebraska's muskellunge and hybrid muskellunge fisheries has been limited to routine sampling that has documented the presence of those fish in waters where they were stocked. Fishable populations of muskellunge can now be found in nine Nebraska waters across the state, but most Nebraska anglers are relatively uneducated in fishing techniques for muskellunge, identification, and proper handling.