EFFECT OF INCREASED LENGTH AND REDUCED CREEL LIMITS ON AN OZARK STREAM SMALLMOUTH BASS POPULATION

Stephen P. Filipek, Mark L. Oliver, Brian K. Wagner, and Kenneth E. Shirley, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, #2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205

In response to angler concerns regarding a perceived decline in the quality of the smallmouth bass fishery in Crooked Creek, an Ozark highland stream located in North Central Arkansas, extensive fish population and physio-chemical sampling was conducted from 1986-1994, and a creel survey was conducted from 1989-1995. Data from this sampling led to the imposition of a 356-mm (14 inch) minimum length limit, 2 fish/day creel limit in January 1992. The regulation changes resulted in no significant change in smallmouth population density or growth rate but did result in a dramatically improved size structure. Biomass increased significantly. Populations above 250 mm, 300 mm and 350 mm more than doubled within 2 years. Angler use remained very high and anglers were satisfied with both their trips and the regulations. Angler catch rates increased but harvest and yield decreased. Physio-chemical analyses revealed a decline in water quality in Crooked Creek during the study period.