Urban and Community Fisheries Programs: Development, Management, and Evaluation

Stocking Harvestable Hybrid Striped Bass in an Urban Fishing Program: Angling Success, Angler Satisfaction, and Influence on Bluegill Size Structure

Clifford P. Hutt, J. Wesley Neal, and Thomas J. Lang

doi: https://doi.org/10.47886/9781934874042.ch36

Abstract.—The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recently expanded its statewide Family and Community Fishing Program (FCFP) to include seasonal put-take stockings of harvestable hybrid striped bass (HSB; Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis). The Commission’s objectives were to provide a unique fishing opportunity for urban anglers and potentially influence the size structure of stunted bluegill Lepomis macrochirus populations through predation. In October 2006, HSB ranging from 0.75 to 1.25 kg were stocked at two mean densities (252 and 524 HSB/ha) in three ponds each. Poststocking mortality was accounted for, and yielded actual mean densities of 213 and 426 HSB/ha. Three additional ponds did not receive HSB and served as reference ponds. Bus-route roving creel surveys were used to collect angler catch, effort, and satisfaction data. Electrofishing was conducted prior to stocking to assess bluegill size structure, and was repeated the following summer for comparison. Creel surveys showed highly variable effort, catch, and harvest of HSB. At least 51% of the HSB stocked were estimated to be caught within one month following stocking, with a harvest rate of 63%. Despite high initial removal of HSB, improvements in bluegill size structure (P ≤ 0.001) and condition (P = 0.002) were observed. Median length increased 21.9 mm and Fulton’s K increased 0.07 on average in all stocked ponds combined, suggesting HSB can be used to improve bluegill size distributions and condition while simultaneously diversifying urban fisheries.