Use of Mini‐Fyke Nets for Sampling Shallow‐Water Fish Communities in Florida Lakes

Abstract

We evaluated mini‐fyke nets for sampling shore‐based (SB; <1 m deep) fish communities in Florida lakes. Specifically, we wanted to determine the most effective deployment method and sample size required for adequately characterizing fish communities in these habitats. Shallow SB (0.15–0.6 m) net sets, in which nets were not completely submersed, collected significantly more individuals and a larger proportion of poeciliids. However, deep SB (0.6–1.0 m) net sets, in which nets were completely submersed, collected a larger proportion of centrarchids, cyprinids, and cyprinidontids. Net placement also significantly affected the overall catch and composition of samples. Nets placed in locations away from the lake boundary tended to collect actively schooling fishes such as Threadfin Shad Dorosoma petenense and cyprinids. Nets placed next to the lake boundary tended to collect species associated with shallow, vegetated habitats, particularly poeciliids, at greater frequencies. In some cases, the collection of these fishes was unique to a particular deployment method. Our results suggest that in long‐term monitoring of Florida's shore‐based lentic fish communities, nets should be placed in SB waters with the lead extending to the lake boundary. Although long‐term sampling objectives may vary, we determined that a sampling target of 30 net sets was sufficient for characterizing the fish community in terms of percentage composition, species richness, and species diversity. Furthermore, we recommend the continued use of additional gears to fully characterize littoral fish communities.Received December 19, 2013; accepted March 1, 2014

A Comparison of Three Paired Modified Fyke Nets for Characterizing Fish Assemblages in the Nearshore Zone of Lake Michigan

“…In most instances, littoral habitats in Lake Michigan are all deeper than 1.5 m and dominated by sandy or rocky substrate, and because nets are set in tandem most mini-fyke net sets are relatively deep for this gear. Bonvechio et al (2014a) found that even a subtle difference in set depth of 0.4 m could have appreciable differences in CPUE and diversity for this gear, and we suspect similar influences for our study areas.…”

“…Mini-fyke nets are most often used to sample lentic fish communities in shallow (<1-m) waters (Bonvechio et al 2014a). Smaller meshes and openings prohibit entry to most larger-bodied species while selecting for more active species or those associated with cover, including centrarchids and cyprinids (Fago 1998;Clark et al 2007).…”

“…However, our findings were similar to those of Fischer and Quist (2014) that found mini-fyke nets had the lowest rates of species accumulation. In predominantly shallow aquatic environments like floodplain lakes and wetlands, mini-fyke nets are efficient (Eggleton et al 2010;Bonvechio et al 2014a), whereas in deeper waters the larger-framed versions are preferred. Most areas sampled by the USFWS on Lake Michigan lack the extensive shallow-water vegetated habitats considered ideal for sampling with mini-fyke nets.…”

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Patch Size Affects Fish Communities in a Turbid-Algal Lake

“…We sampled fishes at each habitat on consecutive days using two techniques, fyke nets and trotlines. These methods were chosen because they are passive approaches minimally destructive to SAV; they were meant to target different fish sizes, species, and trophic levels; and they have been shown to be effective in freshwater fish sampling (Diana et al, 2006;Hubert et al, 2012;Bonvechio et al, 2014). Each fyke net was made up of two rectangular conduit 0.9 × 1.2 m frames, five 63.5 cm galvanized hoops, two throats, a 15.24 m long lead, and 0.6 cm mesh size with a black net coat treatment.…”

Habitat use of invasive monkey goby (Neogobius fluviatilis) and pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) in Lake Balaton (Hungary): a comparison of electrofishing and fyke netting

“…Although electrofishing is the most commonly used method in the routine monitoring of fish assemblages in the littoral zone of lakes (Minns et al, 1994;Pierce et al, 2001;CEN, 2003;Eggleton et al, 2010), several studies emphasise the use of complementary sampling methods for a more complete estimation of fish assemblage structure (e.g. Weaver & Magnuson, 1993;Clark et al, 2007;Bonvechio et al, 2014;Hinlo et al, 2017). Unlike other gears, fyke nets may be universally applicable for monitoring fish communities in a wide variety of littoral meso-habitats.…”