Effects of a Minimum Length Limit
and Daily Creel Reduction on the White Crappie Population Structure and Angler Creel on
Arbuckle Reservoir, Oklahoma
Jeff Boxrucker Oklahoma Fishery Research Laboratory
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation 500 E. Constellation Norman, Oklahoma 73069
Voice 405-325-7288 FAX 405-325-7631 E-Mail jboxrucker@odwc.state.ok.us
Keywords: crappie; length limit; creel survey;
trap net; angler-acceptance
Crappie Pomoxis spp. population structure on Arbuckle Reservoir
was monitored using fall trap-net samples from 1984-1997. A creel survey was conducted
from 1985-1995. A 254-mm length limit/15-fish daily creel regulation was placed on the
lake January 1, 1993. Prior to the length limit, the population was characterized as
fast-growing and short-lived. Angler harvest steadily improved after the length limit and
in the final year of the creel survey, harvest (kg/ha) was higher than in 5 of the 8 years
data were collected prior to the length limit. Angler acceptance of the length limit
regulation was high. Growth rates remained unchanged following implementation of the
length limit. Although no differences in mortality rates could be demonstrated using the
trap-net data, size and age structure of the crappie population improved. Based on the
data collected, the length limit regulation was deemed a success.
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