Hoop Traps as a Means to Capture Burbot

Abstract

From 1985 through 1987, the efficacy of baited, rigid hoop traps for catching burbot Lota lota was tested in several lakes and the Tanana River in central Alaska. Experiments were conducted on the diurnal catchability of burbot, optimal baiting strategies, retention of burbot, optimal duration of soak, condition of captured burbot, size of hoop traps, recruitment to the gear, and capture‐induced behavior of burbot. Baiting was needed to capture burbot. Once caught, burbot rarely escaped the gear. Burbot held in hoop traps set in lakes maintained their condition for days; condition of burbot held in rivers deteriorated after the first day of captivity. Rebaiting hoop traps daily improved catches in lakes, but not in the river. For once‐baited sets, optimal soaks were 2 d in lakes and 1 d in the river. Hoop traps of different sizes caught burbot of similar sizes in lakes, but large traps caught slightly larger fish in the river. Burbot were fully recruited to hoop traps usually at 450 mm total length or longer, although considerable numbers of smaller fish were captured in lakes and the river. Fully recruited burbot exhibited no temporary, trap‐induced behavior 2—3 weeks after capture.

Rehabilitation Needs for Burbot in the Kootenai River, Idaho, USA, and British Columbia, Canada

“…Hoop nets were designed to mimic those described by Bernard et al (1991) for monitoring burbot population status in Alaskan lakes (Bernard et al 1993) and rivers (Evenson 1993). Large and small hoop nets were used during 1993-1996, after 1996, small hoop nets were used exclusively because Bernard et al (1991) found no differences in size selectivity for burbot between the two net sizes.…”

Population Structure and Diet of Burbot (Lota Iota) in Small Streams Near the Southern Extent of the Species' Range

“…Unidentifiable fish remnants occurred in only 2.6% of stomachs containing food and came from only three individuals of the 120 lavaged. Age-0 cyprinid fishes such as blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus), common (Clemens 1951;Bernard et al 1991). We captured only two burbot within this size range, which suggested that this population completes the life-history without ontogenetically switching to a fish-centered diet.…”

“…Location of study sites in northwest Connecticut, USA. hoop nets baited with previously-frozen fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) placed in perforated plastic, screw-top containers (Bernard et al 1991).…”

Kootenai River Fisheries Investigation : Stock Status of Burbot : Project Progress Report 2008 Annual Report.

“…Although no burbot spawning has been documented in tributaries recently, anecdotal data indicates that Summit and Boundary creeks were historical burbot spawning areas. Bernard et al (1991) found that burbot can be caught in 0.6 m diameter hoop nets with 25.4 mm bar web at about 350 mm TL but are not fully recruited until 450 mm TL. In an effort to predict burbot year class strength sooner than fish of 450 mm TL and evaluate recovery measures earlier, we had three hoop nets of 19 mm bar web constructed to compare to the catch to the standard web of 25.4 mm.…”