Largemouth Bass Annual Exploitation in Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas as Determined by a Tag-Reward Study

	Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society

From the 2000 Joint Meeting of the Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas Chapters of the American Fisheries Society held in Bossier City, Louisiana.

Largemouth Bass Annual Exploitation in Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, Arkansas as Determined by a Tag-Reward
Study

Dennis, D. C., Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, P.O. Box 110, Camden, AR 71711, (870) 836-4612 Ext.11; Fax (870) 836-6508; cdennis@agfc.state.ar.us

Lochmann, S., Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601, (870) 543-8165;
Fax (870) 543-8124

Currently, there is a concern with an apparent lack of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) exceeding 51 cm or 2.27 kg in Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge (FNWR) reservoir, a 15,000-acre impoundment in south central Arkansas. Refuge anglers have reported annual fish die-offs during the summer months. Analysis of electrofishing data revealed that RSD-P was at the low end of the acceptable range and tournament data indicated a recent decrease in the number of tournaments in which the largest bass was greater than 2.27 kg. During November 1997, a 1-year tag-reward study was initiated in FNWR reservoir to quantify exploitation. A total of 519 bass were captured, tagged with a small, PDB-type Hallprint dart tag, and released. The annual exploitation rate was adjusted for tagging mortality, tag loss, and non-reporting of tagged fish. Anglers
harvested a high percentage (76%) of tagged largemouth bass. This was reflected in an annual exploitation rate (u) of 46%. Total annual mortality (A) is being calculated based on cove rotenone and electrofishing data in FNWR. Using this data, we will compare the criteria for implementing a regulation change based on the Arkansas Largemouth Bass Management Plan and MOCPOP.

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