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

Crooked Creek is a small, Ozark stream located in north-central Arkansas, and nationally known as a smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) fishery. Concerns over the continued quality of this fishery have been expressed to biologists by anglers since the mid-1980's. In January 1992, the minimum length limit was increased from ten inches to 14 inches and the daily creel limit was reduced from six to two smallmouth bass per day. A creel survey was conducted June of 1989 through May of 1995, providing data spanning these regulation changes. Seven hundred eight-nine interviews involved anglers from 18 states and the District of Columbia. Over the period of the survey, there was no change in percent non-resident anglers, median travel distance, or use of guides. Interviewed anglers avidly sought smallmouth bass on streams (58% did so 10+ times per year), frequently on Crooked Creek (44% did so 10+ times per year). Anglers were very satisfied with their trips (88%) but less so with the number (56%) and size (42%) of fish caught. Most anglers said they harvested no fish on trips to the creek, and this was even more common after the regulation change (50% before versus 77% after). The majority of anglers were supportive of more restrictive regulations, particularly the increased minimum length limit that was imposed during the study (87% approval). Anglers were more supportive of regulations in general after the regulation change. The creek was fished an average of 372 hours per hectare, with a harvest of 25.1 smallmouth bass weighing 13.1 kg per hectare. Catch rates were very high, with a mean of 1.33 per hour. After the regulation change, pressure and catch rate remained high, but harvest and yield were severely reduced. The new regulations appear to have the support of anglers and should lead to improved fishery quality.