Population Characteristics and Angler Harvest of White Crappies in Four Large Missouri Reservoirs

Abstract

Populations of white crappie Pomoxis annularis were studied at four Missouri reservoirs to determine population characteristics and develop techniques to improve the quality of fishing. Trap‐netting in October was used to sample white crappies in Stockton, Pomme de Terre, Lake of the Ozarks, and Wappapello reservoirs. At all four reservoirs, trap‐net capture rates for year‐classes that were age‐2 or older were significantly correlated with estimated harvests the following year. Growth rates were consistently rated satisfactory; age‐3 white crappies averaged 9 in or longer at all of the reservoirs except Wappapello, where they averaged 8.6 in. Trap‐netting and creel surveys both indicated that the populations consisted mainly of young white crappies; few age‐4 and older fish were captured in nets, and more than 90% of the harvest consisted of ages 1–3. Exploitation rates, determined from tag returns from white crappies tagged at Stockton and Pomme de Terre, were estimated to be about 60% for fish 9 in and longer (age 3 and older). Total annual mortality averaged about 50% for age‐2 white crappies and 80% for ages 3 and older. Annual harvests of white crappies were variable because of fluctuations in year‐class strength, but they averaged about 22 fish/acre at each reservoir. Mean lengths of harvested white crappies, which were frequently less than 9 in, also varied because of fluctuations in year‐class strength and were smaller when age‐2 fish dominated the harvest. Large‐reservoir white crappie populations with satisfactory growth and high angler exploitation have the potential to provide larger fish in the creel if restrictive regulations that reduce the harvest of age‐1 and age‐2 fish were imposed. Such regulations also should reduce the effect of fluctuations in year‐class strength, because the populations would contain a higher percentage of older fish.

Uncertainty of Exploitation Estimates Made from Tag Returns

“…However, estimates of compliance have typically been wide-ranging and untrustworthy. Compliance was 31-61% in a California reservoir (Rawstron 1971), 18-52% in an Oregon stream (Moring 1980), 15-36% in Texas bays (Green et al 1983), 67-92% in Missouri reservoirs (Colvin 1991), and 29-71% in Georgia reservoirs (Larson et al 1991). Tag reward schemes are typically used to encourage tag reporting.…”

Trends and Synchrony in Black Bass and Crappie Recruitment in Missouri Reservoirs

“…Synchrony of Largemouth Bass recruitment in four southeastern United States reservoirs was linked to reservoir discharge (Maceina and Bettoli 1998). Synchrony of crappie recruitment was reported for Tennessee reservoirs (Sammons et al 2002) but not for Missouri reservoirs (Colvin 1991). Across species, Ploskey et al (1996) observed synchronous increases of Largemouth Bass and Spotted Bass in Bull Shoals Lake during highwater periods.…”

“…Recruitment can be erratic in reservoir populations of black bass and crappie Miranda 1998, 2001;Parkos and Wahl 2010), and these fluctuations ultimately affect angler success (Colvin 1991;McDonough and Buchanan 1991;Wrenn et al 1996). Due to this high interannual variability, important temporal trends in sport fish recruitment may be difficult to detect when using data collected over a short time period.…”

Assessment of Larval Crappie (Pomoxisspp.) Abundance and Lengths in Day and Night Push Net Collections from Coves

“…Studies have documented various sampling methods to better understand and predict crappie year-class strength for management purposes (Tuberville 1979, Lewis and Siler 1980, Sammons and Bettoli 1998, St. John and Black 2004. Fall trap netting for age-1 and older crappie is a common sampling method used to determine year-class strength and predict harvest (Colvin 1991). However, initial assessment of a crappie year-class in their second year allows minimal time to analyze data, predict harvest, and prepare management plans for a water body.…”