Evaluation of the Effectiveness
of Hoop Nets for Sampling Channel Catfish
Kenneth K. Cunningham1 and Larry M. Cofer2
1Oklahoma Fishery Research Laboratory,
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, 500 East
Constellation, Norman, OK, USA 73072 (Voice 405-325-7288;
Fax 405-325-7631; kkcunningham@ou.edu)
2Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation, Southwest Regional Office, HC 32 Box 580,
Lawton, OK, USA 73501 (Voice 580-529-2795; Fax 580-529-2889;
lcofer@compuserv.com)
Current standardized sampling procedures in Oklahoma call
for the use of gill nets to collect relative abundance and
length frequency data on channel catfish Ictalurus
punctatus. While gill nets are fairly effective for
sampling channel catfish, the resulting data is highly
variable. Furthermore, gill nets represent a lethal means
for sampling channel catfish which can adversely effect
channel catfish abundances. Hoop nets have been found to be
an effective alternative method for sampling channel
catfish, but little is known concerning seasonal effects on
catch efficiency of hoop nets, especially in reservoirs. We
sampled two Oklahoma reservoirs monthly from March through
October 1999 using baited hoop nets. The resulting data were
analyzed for monthly differences in catch rates,
length-frequency distributions, and estimates of
variability. Length-frequency distributions were similar for
all months. During June, catch rates were highest for both
reservoirs while variability estimates were lowest. Based on
these results, June seems to be a favorable time for
sampling channel catfish with hoop nets. The results of this
study will be used to further evaluate the effectiveness of
hoop nets by comparing them with gill nets.
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