Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium

Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium ◽

10.47886/9781934874257.ch7 ◽

2011 ◽

Keyword(s):

Ictalurus Punctatus ◽

Channel Catfish ◽

Size Structure ◽

Prey Availability ◽

Relative Weight ◽

Negative Influence ◽

River Channel ◽

Population Characteristics ◽

Current Status ◽

Platte River

Abstract.—Catfish angling is popular throughout North America and catfish are the most sought after fish species in the Platte River, Nebraska. However, catfish management in the Platte River is minimal as little is known about current populations. Our objective was to determine the current status of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus populations in the central and lower Platte River. Specifically, we evaluated population characteristics including relative abundance, size structure and condition. The current Platte River channel catfish population appears to be comparable to many Midwestern rivers. Channel catfish populations in the central Platte River had lower relative abundances (CPUE [catch per unit effort] = 1.1 ± 0.2 versus 2.3 ± 0.2 fish/net-night using 25-mm hoop nets), higher condition (Wr [relative weight] = 92 ± 1.7 versus 83 ± 0.7 using all gears) and greater size structure (PSD [proportional size distribution] = 35 ± 7 versus 24 ± 3 using all gears) compared to lower Platte River channel catfish. Possible factors influencing differences in channel catfish population characteristics are prey availability, flow modifications, habitat characteristics, and angler exploitation. Water manipulation from the Loup River Power Canal was also identified as a possible negative influence on lower Platte River channel catfish populations because hydropeaking is likely creating a stressful environment. However, channel catfish in the central Platte River may have benefited from recent high flows that likely increased productivity and food availability in the central Platte River.

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Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium

Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium ◽

10.47886/9781934874257.ch45 ◽

2011 ◽

Keyword(s):

Size Distribution ◽

Ictalurus Punctatus ◽

Channel Catfish ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Supply And Demand ◽

Relative Weight ◽

Growth Index ◽

Multiple Regression Model ◽

Continuous Variables ◽

Stocking Rate

Abstract.—Most channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus management in Iowa has revolved around annual maintenance stockings. Issues with supply and demand of advanced fingerling channel catfish necessitate a more proactive approach to Iowa channel catfish management. We performed mark–recapture population estimates on 17 channel catfish populations during summer from 2004 to 2008 using tandem set hoop nets baited with soybean cake. We used Pearson correlation analysis to test potential relationships between lake population density and biomass and numerous continuous variables, including channel catfish size distribution indices (proportional size distribution and proportional size distribution-preferred), catch per unit effort (CPUE), relative weight (Wr), and stocking rate. Channel catfish CPUE was significantly correlated with density. Channel catfish size distribution was negatively correlated with density, and negative density-dependent effects on growth (as indexed by the relative growth index [RGI]) were observed. Both density and CPUE were negatively correlated with RGI. Relative weight throughout the length range of channel catfish populations was positively correlated with RGI. A multiple regression model significantly explained channel catfish density, whereby Wr of channel catfish less than 508 mm total length and channel catfish stocking rate explained 60% and 17% of the variability, respectively. The ability to anticipate channel catfish density and how it relates to population characteristics such as stocking rate will be a valuable asset to fishery managers.

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Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, 1818): current status and problematic situation in Mexico

Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research ◽

10.3856/vol43-issue3-fulltext-4 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 43 (3) ◽

pp. 424-434

Author(s):

Ana Laura Lara-Rivera ◽

Gaspar Manuel Parra-Bracamonte ◽

Ana María Sifuentes-Rincón ◽

Héctor Hugo Gojón-Báez ◽

Hervey Rodríguez-González ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ictalurus Punctatus ◽

Channel Catfish ◽

Production Systems ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Field Analysis ◽

Current Status ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Study Results ◽

Great Heterogeneity ◽

Productive Potential

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is one of the endemic fishes of North America with the greatest potential for aquaculture. Despite this, data of its current distribution is scare and many aspects of its dynamic and productive performance remain unknown. In the present study, results are reported from a literature search and field analysis for describing the current status of channel catfish in Mexico regarding its historical and current geographical distribution as well as the problems faced by fish farmers and production systems. We were able to identify a lack of information and indicators to properly assess the extent of the species natural habitat and its productive potential. The quality and availability of water are among the main problems of the industry. Food costs represent the larger cost-loss for producers and there is great heterogeneity on the management of both breeding and production farms. Much of the production dynamics follows a pattern of trial and error. It became clear the need to optimize and standardize the processes on the channel catfish production system and to properly characterize domestic and wild populations to maximize their potential.

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Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium

Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium ◽

10.47886/9781934874257.ch50 ◽

2011 ◽

Keyword(s):

Ictalurus Punctatus ◽

Channel Catfish ◽

Size Structure ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Growth Increment ◽

Stocking Rate ◽

Lake Productivity ◽

Growth Increments ◽

The Many ◽

Stocking Rates

Abstract.—Large fingerling (>175 mm total length) channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus are usually stocked to maintain put-grow-take channel catfish fisheries in small lakes and impoundments. Because these stockings are costly, stocking the appropriate number of fish is essential in minimizing costs and creating a desirable fishery. Appropriate stocking rates may vary among lakes due to differences in lake productivity, fishing and natural mortality of channel catfish, and other factors. Growth rate is responsive to the many processes that exist in lakes and is commonly density-dependent, making it a desirable parameter for assessing stocking rates. Two growth-increment indices were developed that compared size-specific growth increments within a population to statewide growth-increment percentiles for Missouri. These indices were used to determine responses in channel catfish growth rates in seven lakes where stocking rates had been either substantially reduced or increased. Sampling channel catfish populations after 3 years under the new stocking rate showed that growth increments and size structure did not substantially change. Both indices were correlated with growth increments and provided a way to assess growth relative to other populations. The lack of response of channel catfish populations to the new stocking rates suggests that these populations will not quickly respond to changes in stocking rate. The growth increment indices should assist managers in determining appropriate stocking rates and other management strategies.

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Population Characteristics of Yellow Perch in a Central Appalachia Hydropower Reservoir

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management ◽

10.3996/012018-jfwm-007 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 486-495

Author(s):

Corbin D. Hilling ◽

Nate D. Taylor ◽

Stuart A. Welsh ◽

Dustin M. Smith

Keyword(s):

West Virginia ◽

Yellow Perch ◽

Size Structure ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Relative Weight ◽

Population Characteristics ◽

Diet Shift ◽

Management Decisions ◽

Ontogenetic Diet Shift ◽

Hydropower Reservoir

Abstract Estimates of population characteristics of sport fishes inform fisheries management decisions and provide feedback on management strategies. Cheat Lake provides an unusual fishery in West Virginia because the hydropower reservoir supports a Yellow Perch Perca flavescens population. We estimated age structure, size structure, condition, total instantaneous mortality, growth, and summer diet for Cheat Lake Yellow Perch based on electrofishing collections in 2012. From 302 individuals, we observed a maximum age of 9 y. Maximum age, average size, and growth of females in the sample exceeded those of males. Cheat Lake Yellow Perch scored low on the relative weight index, but generally exhibited faster growth than other populations, even when compared by sex. Estimated annual survival was 0.63 (95% CI = 0.51–0.78), which is comparable to other exploited populations. These data support the presence of an ontogenetic diet shift from consumption of zooplankton to macroinvertebrates and fishes as Yellow Perch age. This study is the first evaluation we are aware of on Yellow Perch population characteristics in West Virginia, providing baseline data to enhance management decisions and direct future studies.

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Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium

Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium ◽

10.47886/9781934874257.ch35 ◽

2011 ◽

Keyword(s):

Ictalurus Punctatus ◽

Channel Catfish ◽

River Estuary ◽

Current Status ◽

Catch Per Unit Effort ◽

Delaware River ◽

Conservation Ecology ◽

Delaware River Estuary ◽

Variable Recruitment ◽

Native White

Abstract.—In the Delaware River estuary, native white catfish Ameiurus catus have appeared to decline as the introduced channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus has become more abundant. To determine the current status of these populations and the habitats they use, I surveyed four zones of the Delaware River estuary from April to November 2007. Hoop nets (N = 497) were set in main-stem river, lower tributary, and middle tributary habitats. Upper tributary habitats near the head of tide were angled. Our findings indicated that the ratio of channel catfish to white catfish was less than documented in the early 1990s. Channel catfish and white catfish were found throughout the study area, during all seasons. Channel catfish catch per unit effort was significantly greater in the river than in tributary habitats. Relative condition differed seasonally among zones and zone groups. Both species had unstable age structures, indicating variable recruitment. Variable recruitment may account for past differences in ratios of channel catfish to white catfish. Channel catfish in this study lived longer (22 years) when compared to channel catfish collected in other nearby river systems. Few brown bullhead A. nebulosus and no yellow bullhead A. natalis or ﬂathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris were collected.

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Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium

Conservation, Ecology, and Management of Catfish: The Second International Symposium ◽

10.47886/9781934874257.ch48 ◽

2011 ◽

Keyword(s):

Ictalurus Punctatus ◽

Channel Catfish ◽

Size Structure ◽

Water Bodies ◽

Frequency Distributions ◽

Gill Nets ◽

Large Water ◽

Catch Rates ◽

Small Sample Sizes ◽

Standing Waters

Abstract.—Twenty-six Nebraska water bodies representing two ecosystem types (small standing waters and large standing waters) were surveyed during 2008 and 2009 with tandem-set hoop nets and experimental gill nets to determine if similar trends existed in catch rates and size structures of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus captured with these gears. Gear efficiency was assessed as the number of sets (nets) that would be required to capture 100 channel catfish given observed catch per unit effort (CPUE). Efficiency of gill nets was not correlated with efficiency of hoop nets for capturing channel catfish. Small sample sizes prohibited estimation of proportional size distributions in most surveys; in the four surveys for which sample size was sufficient to quantify length-frequency distributions of captured channel catfish, distributions differed between gears. The CPUE of channel catfish did not differ between small and large water bodies for either gear. While catch rates of hoop nets were lower than rates recorded in previous studies, this gear was more efficient than gill nets at capturing channel catfish. However, comparisons of size structure between gears may be problematic.

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