Gill Net Selection, Migration, Size and Age Composition, Sex Ratio, Harvest Efficiency, and Management of Striped Bass in the Roanoke River, North Carolina

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Abstract
This study is based on about 5,000 striped bass collected from the Roanoke River in the springs of 1963, 1964, and 1965. The relation between gill net mesh size and the mean length of male striped bass caught is linear and is described by Y=3.41X+2.24 inches where Y=fork length in inches and X=stretched mesh size in inches. The girth-length relation for each sex is linear, and there is no significant difference between sexes. It is described by Y=0.67X−1.12 inches, where Y=gill girth in inches and X=fork length in inches. Most males migrated upstream through Williamston between 26 March and 20 April; most females migrated through between 16 April and 12 May. Dominant age groups were III and IV for the males and IV and V for the females. Estimates of the mean fork lengths are: Males; III-16.7 inches and IV-18.3 inches. Females; IV-20.2 inches and V-21.4 inches. Estimates of sex ratios from striped bass caught in gill nets in 1963–65 were 69.7%, 85.1%, and 76.9% males. The accuracy of these estimates is unknown. The large differences in the sex ratio estimates between years probably resulted from variation in recruitment into the Roanoke River population each year. The management techniques which are most feasible for increasing the value of the sport and commercial striped bass fisheries in North Carolina appear to be (1) increasing the minimum size limit from 12 inches total length to 16 inches fork length and (2) enforcing regulations which restrict the use of gill nets having mesh sizes under 4.75 inches stretched mesh.

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