Hooking Mortality of Walleyes Caught on Live and Artificial Baits

Abstract

The potential benefits of catch and release or protective size limits in recreational fisheries for walleye Stizostedion vitreum can only be realized if released fish survive. In this study, hooking mortality rates were determined for adult walleyes caught on leeches and artificial lures in two Minnesota ponds. The mortality of walleyes caught and released by anglers in Klawitter's Pond was 5%, though confidence intervals indicated that hooking mortality could have been as high as 23%. Mortality of walleyes caught on leeches (10%) was higher than mortality for walleyes caught on artificial lures (0%). An estimate of hooking mortality in Clubhouse Pond, unadjusted for natural mortality, was 16%. Walleyes caught on artificial lures were hooked primarily in the lips, whereas fish caught with leeches tended to be hooked more deeply in the throat and gut. Walleyes caught on leeches were smaller than those caught with artificial lures and were more likely to be males. Catch rates were similar for live and artificial baits but varied between the two ponds and 2 years of study. Low hooking mortality suggests that release of angler-caught walleyes has the potential to expand recreational fishing opportunities.

Release method and anatomical hook location: effects on short-term mortality of angler-caught Acanthopagrus australis and Argyrosomus japonicus

“…Previous studies have shown that this issue can be simply addressed by modifying either (1) the fishing methods and gears in order to reduce the rates of hook ingestion (Cooke et al 2003, Jenkins 2003, Beckwith & Rand 2005, or (2) post-capture handling techniques, such as cutting the line and releasing fish with their hooks still ingested (Schill 1996, Schisler & Bergersen 1996, Taylor et al 2001, Aalbers et al 2004. For species where there is a clear predisposition to hook ingestion as a consequence of particular bait and/or hook types (Payer et al 1989, Cooke & Suski 2004, appropriate terminal gear modifications could reduce associated mortalities. However, because the above criterion is rarely satisfied for the majority of species, the second option is often a more practical starting point for anglers.…”

Relationships between bait collection, bait type and catch: A comparison of the NSW trailer-boat and gamefish-tournament fisheries

“…Bait type has been shown in numerous studies to have a significant negative effect on post release survival (Clapp and Clark, 1989;Nelson, 1998;Payer et al, 1989;Thomas and Robertson, 1991). Defining causal relationships between factors such as bait type, target species and post release survival is particularly important for fisheries that are primarily catch and release.…”

“…Tournament-based gamefishing in NSW is primarily a "tag and release" fishery with over 88% of all point-score fish, including 93% of all billfish released (Murphy et al, 2002). Certain bait types have been shown to have a significant negative effect on post release survival (Clapp and Clark, 1989;Nelson, 1998;Payer et al, 1989;Thomas and Robertson, 1991). This is particularly important for billfish taken with live bait due to the increased popularity in gamefishing of "live baiting" and "switch baiting" (another method that uses live bait) to target billfish species (Bromhead et al, 2004;Domeier et al, 2003).…”

Physiological Significance of the Weigh-In during Live-Release Angling Tournaments for Largemouth Bass

“…For example, angling normally involves burst (anaerobic) exercise, as well as air exposure during hook removal (Payer et al 1989;Gustaveson et al 1991;Ferguson and Tufts 1992;Kieffer et al 1995). To keep fish alive during the angling day, anglers typically retain fish in on-board live wells supplied with fresh lake water.…”