Evaluation of a 305-mm Minimum-Length Limit for Smallmouth Bass in the New River, Virginia and West Virginia
- 1 May 1988
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in North American Journal of Fisheries Management
- Vol. 8 (2) , 231-239
- https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(1988)008<0231:eoamml>2.3.co;2
Abstract
A 305-mm minimum-length limit on angler catches of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieui was evaluated in 1982 and 1983 by comparing populations in a section of the New River in Virginia, where the limit was applied, and a section in West Virginia, where there was no length limit. Smallmouth bass at age 4 averaged 281 mm total length in the Virginia section and 331 mm in the West Virginia section. Condition of smallmouth bass, as measured by relative weight (Wr), was significantly greater for West Virginia fish for most size categories in both years. Survival estimates for both sections of the New River were low (less than 24%); survival was generally lower for the Virginia population. Proportional stock density values (1.8–5.1% for both sections) were not significantly different between sections. The minimum-length limit has not improved fishing, as measured by catch rates or population size structure, in the Virginia section of the New River. New regulations should be adopted in both sections to increase survival, thereby improving stock structure and increasing the quality of the fishing.This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: