Continued evaluation of the effects of bowfin, Amia calva, removal on the Suwannee River Fishery

Continued Evaluation of the Effects of Bowfin, Amia calva, Removal on the Suwannee River Fishery
by Daniel R. Holder
and Jerome Germann
Georgia Department of Natural Reso urces Game and Fish Division Atlanta, Georgia
December 1977
This study was funded through the Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act under Dingell-Johnson Project F-29, Georgia.

State: Georgia

FINAL REPORT Project Number: F-29-4

Project Type: Research or Survey

Study Title: Continued Evaluation of the Effects of Bowfin, Amia calva,

Removal on the Suwannee River Fishery

Study Objective: To monitor the fishery of the Suwannee River in

relation to changes in the bowfin population.

ABSTRACT

The fish population and fishery of the Suwannee River, including

a portion of the Okefenokee Swamp, were monitored from July 1973 to June

1976 to determine the effects of bowfin population levels on the sport

fishery quality. A rotenone sample on Red Bluff slough had a standing

crop estimate of 130.1 lb/acre. Game fish comprised 58.1% of the sample

weight. Bowfin made up 17.6% of the sample weight. Four rotenone samples

on Mud Lake slough had standing crop estimates ranging from 148.5 to 494.0

lb/acre. Game fish ranged from 8.0 to 41.9% of the estimates. Bowfin
ranged from 40.8 to 80.4%. F/C ratios, At values, and A~ values were

determined. Fall population estimates of bowfin ranged from 20,966 fish

to 17,832 fish. Estimated fishing pressure, catch, and catch rates in the Suwannee

River varied annually. Bullheads were the most abundant species caught

by number and weight, except 1974 in which bowfin was the dominant

species by weight. Changes in game fish dominance from warmouth to

spotted sunfish and channel catfish were indicated in the creel. Total

annual harvest per acre ranged from 124.3 fish weighing 103.3 lb in 1974

to 360.6 fish weighing 192.8 lb in 1973. A decline in pressure, catch,

and catch rate was indicated in the Okefenokee Swamp in 1975 from the

WAYCROSS@
N

U.S HWY 4 41

OKEFENOKEE
)DIKE SWAMP

--- -

. __G-E-O-R-G-lA----\ l \. \
I
~
l
\
1..

Figure l. Map of study area

4

previous two years. Bullheads and warmouth were the most abundant species in the creel by number and weight.
Confidence intervals and linear regressions were used in analyzing changes in the fish populations and the fishery since bowfin removal. F/C ratios and A~ values declined in the fish population in the Suwannee River from 1970 to 1975. Standing crop estimates, E values, population estimates, and CPUE values showed an increase in bowfin abundance from 1970 to 1975. A significant decline was indicated in standing crop and E values of largemouth bass and warmouth.
Analysis of the sport fishery in the Suwannee River from 1969 to 1975 showed yearly fluctuations that could not be related to bowfin abundance. The yearly fluctuations, however, were related to winter high water.
A decline in the catch and catch rate occurred in the Okefenokee Swamp from 1970 to 1975. Warmouth, flier, and largemouth bass were the main species to decline. Water level changes in the swamp were thought to contribute to these changes in the fishery. The Suwannee River fishery and the Okefenokee Swamp fishery both seemed to be influenced to a great degree by factors other than bowfin abundance .
BACKGROUND A bowfin removal program was initiated on the Suwannee River in Georgia during extre~e low water conditions in 1967 and 1968 after rotenone samples showed that bowfin, Amia calva, Linnaeus, comprised 80% by weight of the river fish population (Wyatt et al. 1968a). Over 14.0 tons of bowfin were removed in a one year Period. The program was initiated to reduce the bowfin population to a desirable level and to evaluate removal as a management technique for improving the
2

FINAL REPORT

State: Georgi a

Project Number: F-29-4

Project Type: Research or Survey

Study Title: Continued Evaluation of the Effects of Bowfin, Amia calva,

Removal on the Suwannee River Fishery

Study Objective: To monitor the fishery of the Suwannee River in

relation to changes in the bowfin population.

ABSTRACT

The fish population and fishery of the Suwannee River, including

a portion of the Okefenokee Swamp, were monitored from July 1973 to June

1976 to determine the effects of bowfin population levels on the sport

fishery quality. A rotenone sample on Red Bluff slough had a standing

crop estimate of 130.1 lb/acre. Game fish comprised 58.1% of the sample

weight. Bowfin made up 17.6% of the sample weight. Four rotenone samples

on Mud Lake slough had standing crop estimates ranging from 148.5 to 494.0

lb/acre. Game fish ranged from 8.0 to 41.9% of the estimates. Bowfin
ranged from 40.8 to 80.4%. F/C ratios, At values, and A~ values were

determined. Fall population estimates of bowfin ranged from 20,966 fish

to 17,832 fish. Estimated fishing pressure, catch, and catch rates~n the Suwannee

River varied annually. Bullheads were the most abundant species caught

by number and weight, except 1974 in which bowfin was the dominant

species by weight. Changes in game fish dominance from warmouth to

spotted sunfish and channel catfish were indicated in the creel. Total

annual harvest per acre ranged from 124.3 fish weighing 103.3 lb in 1974

to 360.6 fish weighing 192.8 lb in 1973. A decline in pressure, catch,

and catch rate was indicated in the Okefenokee Swamp in 1975 from the

1

sport fishery. Following removal, rotenone samples and bowfin popu-
. < . ..:
lation estimates indicated a decline in bowfin abundance (Holder l970a and l969a), and creel survey data showed an improvement in the sport fishery quality (Holder l970b).
After the decline in bowfin abundance in 1969, the bowfin population seemed to increase yearly (Holder l973a). The sport fishery quality, which had improved in 1970 after removal, declined in 1971 and 1972 (Holder 1973b and Swanson and Holder 1974a). It was uncertain that removal caused the improvements in sport fishery since other factors such as climatic conditions (Holder 1969a, 1970a, and l973b) and fish movements (Holder l970c) were also interacting. If high bowfin populations caused a lower quality sport fishery in the Suwannee River, bowfin removal would be an effective management tool for controlling their abundance. This study was implemented to monitor the Suwannee River fishery in relation to bowfin population levels with the ultimate objective of determining the effects of bowfin abundance on the sport fishery.
PROCEDURES Study Area
Fish population and sport fishery data were collected from the Suwannee River between the Okefenokee Swamp dike and the Georgia-Florida state line (Figure 1). Sport fishery data were also collected from the interior of the Okefenokee Swamp above the dike. The Suwannee River drains about 574 square miles of the Okefenokee Swamp. The water is tannin stained from the humus in the swamp. The pH is around 4.4, and the specific conductance is around 41 mhos (U.S. Geological Survey 1974). A 4.7 mile dike with two spillways was constructed in the swamp in 1960 to prevent further erosion of the Suwannee River channel and to prevent
3

Cooperative Game and Fish Statistics Project located at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina. The Suwannee River creel survey was a roving type design utilizing non-uniform probability sampling (Holder l973b). Approximately 33 miles of the Suwannee River from the Okefenokee Swamp dike to the Georgia-Florida state line were surveyed from 7 July to 21 December 1973, 2 March 1974 to 3 January 1975, and 15 r1arch 1975 to 2 January 1976, and 6 ~1arch to 9 July 1976. Sampling design involved stratification of weekend-weekdays, AM-PM time periods, river sections, and starting points. Probabilities were assigned for each strata combination by use of estimates from previous surveys.
The Okefenokee Swamp creel survey was a landing type design with non-uniform probability sampling (Holder l973b). Access landings only on the west side of the Okefenokee Swamp near Fargo, Georgia were surveyed from 14 July to 28 December 1973, 9 March to 27 December 1974, and 8 March to 26 December 1975. Probabilities were assigned for each strata in the same manner as the roving survey on the Suwannee River.
Data from both surveys were collected every other week and were used to estimate the sport fishery statistics for a two week period. The clerk recorded the number in party, time spent fis~ing, method of fishing, bait used, species fished-for, and number and weight of each species caught.
Raw data sheets were compiled and sent to the Department of Administrative Services, Atlanta, Georgia for transferal to IBM computer punch cards. The cards were then sent to North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina for computer processing. The expanded estimates of pressure and harvest were returned on a computer print-out for analysis.
6

WAYCROSS@ N

U.S H W Y 4 41

OKEFENOKEE )DIKE
SWAMP

--

------ __GEORG lA ----

l
\.
\
I
~
l
\
\..
Figure 1. Map of study area

4

sport fishery. Following removal, rotenone samples and bowfin population estimates indicated a decline in bowfin abundance (Holder l970a and l969a), and creel survey data showed an improvement in the sport fishery quality (Holder l970b).
After the decline in bowfin abundance in 1969, the bowfin population seemed to increase yearly (Holder l973a). The sport fishery quality, which had improved in 1970 after removal, declined in 1971 and 1972 (Holder l973b and Swanson and Holder l974a). It was uncertain that removal caused the improvements in sport fishery since other factors such as climatic conditions (Holder l969a, 1970a, and l973b) and fish movements (Holder l970c) were also interacting. If high bowfin populations caused a lower quality sport fishery in the Suwannee River, bowfin removal would be an effective management tool for controlling their abundance. This study was implemented to monitor the Suwannee River fishery in relation to bowfin population levels with the ultimate objective of determining the effects of bowfin abundance on the sport fishery.
PROCEDURES Study Area
Fish population and sport fishery data were collecttd from the Suwannee River between the Okefenokee Swamp dike and the Georgia-Florida state line (Figure 1). Sport fishery data were also collected from the interior of the Okefenokee Swamp above the dike. The Suwannee River drains about 574 square miles of the Okefenokee Swamp. The water is tannin stained from the humus in the swamp. The pH is around 4.4, and the specific conductance is around 41 mhos (U.S. Geological Survey 1974). A 4.7 mile dike with two spillways was constructed in the swamp in 1960 to prevent further erosion of the Suwannee River channel and to prevent
3

the swamp from drying during a severe drought (Holder l970c). The Suwannee River flows about 33 miles in Georgia before entering Florida. Flow is extremely variable being greatest in late winter and late summer and lowest in the spring and late fall. The average water discharge at Fargo, Georgia from 41 years of records was l ,116 cfs. (U. S. Geoloqical Survey 1974). f~i_2_h_ _P__cp~uj_a_t_i _o_Q_
Five rotenone population samples were taken on the Suwannee River. One sample was taken at Red Bluff slough (12.5 river miles above U.S. Hwy 441 bridge) 3~4 October 1973. Four samples were taken at Mud Lake slough (2.8 river miles above U.S. Hwy 441 bridge). The ~1ud Lake samples were collected 4~5 October 1973, 24~25 May 1974, 2-3 July 1975, and 21-22 April 1976.
Prior to sa111pling, the surface area and average depth vJere determined. A block-off net (l/2 inch bar mesh 10 feet deep) was set at the mouth of the slough and remained through the second day pick-up. Rotenone (2.5% synergistic liquid emulsifiable formulation) was applied at 1-2 ppm. Fish were collected as they surfaced. The fish were sorted by species, weighed and measured in inch groupings, compiled according to Surber (1959), and tabulated on a one surface acre basis.
On all samples, except the 21 April 1976 Mud Lake sample, an assortIIJent of fish were collected for mark and recovery estimates. The fish were collected by electrofishing the day before and held overnight in the river. Prior to the sample the fish were fin clipped (generally a onehalf caudal clip) and released into the sample area. Fish collected in the rotenone samples were examined for fin clips. Spolj_ Fish~
The creel designs for estimating the sport fishery statistics of the Suwannee River and Okefenokee Swamp were provided by the Southeastern
5

Table l. Checklist of fish species collected from the Suwannee River rotenone population samples, 1973 to 1976.

Taxa
Lepisosteus platyrhincus Amia calva Esox americanus Esox niger Erimyzon 2_ucetta Minytrema melanops Ictalurus natalis Ictalurus nebulosus Ictalurus punctatus Noturus gyrinus Noturus Jeptacanthus Aphredoderus sayanus Fundulus chrysotus Fundulus lineolatus Leptolucania ommata Gambusia affinis Labidesthes sicculus Acantharchus pomotis Centrarchus macropterus Elassoma spp.* Enneacanthus chaetodon Enneacanthus gloriosus Enneacanthus obesus Lepomis gulosus Lepomis macrochirus Lepomis marginatus Lepomis punctatus Micropterus salmoides Pomoxis nigromaculatus Etheostoma fusiforme Percina nigrafasciata

Red Bluff Slough t1ud Lake Slough

1973

1973 1974 1975 1976

X

X

X

X XXX

X

X XXX

X

X XXX

X

X XXX

X XXX

X

X XXX

X

X XX

X

X XXX

X

X

X

X

X X X X

X

X

X XXX

X

X

X XXX

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X XXX

X

X X

X

X

X X X

X

X

X

X XXX

X

X XXX

X

X XXX

X

X

X

X

X

X XX

X

X

X

X

X XXX

t

X

*Includes Elassoma evergladei and E. okefenokee

8

Cooperative Game and Fish Statistics Project located at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina. The Suwannee River creel survey was a roving type design utilizing non-uniform probability sampling (Holder 1973b). Approximately 33 miles of the Suwannee River from the Okefenokee Swamp dike to the Georgia-Florida state line were surveyed from 7 July to 21 December 1973, 2 March 1974 to 3 January 1975, and 15 r~arch 1975 to 2 January 1976, and 6 ~1arch to 9 July 1976. Sampling design involved stratification of weekend-weekdays, AM-PM time periods, river sections, and starting points. Probabilities were assigned for each strata combination by use of estimates from previous surveys.
The Okefenokee Swamp creel survey was a landing type design with non-uniform probability sampling (Holder 1973b). Access landings only on the west side of the Okefenokee Swamp near Fargo, Georgia were surveyed from 14 July to 28 December 1973, 9 March to 27 December 1974, and 8 March to 26 December 1975. Probabilities were assigned for each strata in the same manner as the roving survey on the Suwannee River.
Data from both surveys were collected every other week and were used to estimate the sport fishery statistics for a two week period. The clerk recorded the number in party, time spent fishing, method of fishing, bait used, species fished-for, and number and weight of each species caught.
Raw data sheets were compiled and sent to the Department of Administrative Services, Atlanta, Georgia for transferal to IBM computer punch cards. The cards were then sent to North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina for computer processing. The expanded estimates of pressure and harvest were returned on a computer print-out for analysis.
6

the swamp from drying during a severe drought (Holder 1970c). The Suwannee River flows about 33 miles in Georgia before entering Florida. Flow is extremely variable being greatest in late winter and late summer and lowest in the spring and late fall. The average water discharge at Fargo, Georgia from 41 years of records was 1,116 cfs. (U. S. Geoloqical Survey 1974). f_i2_h__P_qp_uj _a_t_i_on
Five rotenone population samples were taken on the Suwannee River. One sample was taken at Red Bluff slough (12.5 river miles above U.S. Hwy 441 bridge) 3-4 October 1973. Four samples were taken at Mud Lake slough (2.8 river miles above U.S. Hwy 441 bridge). The t1ud Lake samples were collected 4-5 October 1973, 24-25 May 1974, 2-3 July 1975, and 21-22 April 1976.
Prior to sar,lpl ing, the surface area and average depth vJere determined. A block-off net (l/2 inch bar mesh 10 feet deep) was set at the mouth of the slough and relllained through the second day pick-up. Rotenone (2.5% synergistic liquid emulsifiable formulation) was applied at 1-2 ppm. Fish were collected as they surfaced. The fish were sorted by species, weighed and measured in inch groupings, compiled according to Surber (1959), and tabulated on a one surface acre basis.
On all samples, except the 21 April 1976 r~ud Lake s~mple, an assortrrlent of fish were collected for mark and recovery estimates. The fish were collected by electrofishing the day before and held overnight in the r1ver. Prior to the sample the fish were fin clipped (generally a onehalf caudal clip) and released into the sample area. Fish collected in the rotenone samples were examined for fin clips. Spoct_ Fis~
The creel designs for estimating the sport fishery statistics of the Suwannee River and Okefenokee Swamp were provided by the Southeastern
5

Bowfin Population Estimates Population estimates of bowfin using the adjusted Petersen mark-
recapture method (Ricker 1975) were made on the Suwannee River from 29 October to 16 November 1973, 14 November to 11 December 1974, and 4 November to 5 December 1975, respectively. The sample area each year was from the Okefenokee Swamp dike to U.S. Hwy 441 bridge (18 river miles). The area was divided into sections to distribute sampling effort for capture and recapture attempts. Bowfin were collected with electrofishing equipment, marked by fin clips, and released in the vicinity of capture. A week usually separated the periods of capture and recapture to allow population mixing. Effort was made to obtain sample sizes that would provide estimates within 10% of the true population with 95% confidence (Robson and Regier 1964).
Data from previous studies on the Suwannee River are used in the findings and analyses.
FINDINGS Rotenone Samples
Red Bluff slough contained approximately 0.55 surface acres when the sample was taken in October 1973. The slough had a maximum depth of 6 ft with an average depth of 1.8 ft and was shaded by a cypress-tupelo gum overstory. Mud Lake slough ranged from 0.55 to 0.75 surface acres, varying according to river water level. Maximum depth was generally 8.0-8.5 ft. Average depth ranged from 3.0 to 4.4 ft. The slough was mostly open water but had a few scattered cypress trees.
Thirty-two fish species were identified from the five rotenone samples on the Suwannee River (Table 1). Species collected represented 11 freshwater families. Four species - spotted sucker, Minytrema melanops (Rafinesque), channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), black
7

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10

Table l. Checklist of fish species collected from the Suwannee River rotenone population samples, 1973 to 1976.

Red Bluff Slough t1ud Lake Slough

Taxa

1973

1973 1974 1975 1976

Le~isosteus ~lat_y:rhincus

X

X

Amia calva

X

X X X X

Esox americanus

X

X X X X

Esox niger

X

X X X X

Erim_y:zon ~ucetta

X

X X X X

Min_y:trema melano~s

X X X X

lctalurus natalis

X

X X X X

Ictalurus nebulosus

X

Ictalurus ~unctatus

X X X

Noturus gyrinus

X

X X X X

Noturus ~e~tacanthus

X

X

X

Aphredoderus sa_y:anus

X

X X X X

Fundulus chr_y:sotus

X

. < -~

Fundulus l i neola tus

X

X X X X

Le~tolucania ommata

X

Gambusia affinis

X

X X X X

Labidesthes sicculus

XXX X

Acantharchus pomotis

X

X

Centrarchus macro~terus

X

X X X X

Elassoma spp.*

X

X X

Enneacanthus chaetodon

X

Enneacanthus gloriosus

X

X X X

Enneacanthus obesus

X

X

Lepomis gulosus

X

X X X X

Le~omis macrochirus

X

X X X X

Le~omis marginatus

X

X X X X

Lepomis punctatus

X

X X X X

Micropterus salmoides

X X X

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

X X X

Etheostoma fusiforme

X

X X X X

Percina nigrafasciata

X

*Includes Elassoma evergladei and E. okefenokee

8

Bowfin Population Estimates Population estimates of bowfin using the adjusted Petersen mark-
recapture method (Ricker 1975) were made on the Suwannee River from 29 October to 16 November 1973, 14 November to ll December 1974, and 4 November to 5 December 1975, respectively. The sample area each year was from the Okefenokee Swamp dike to U.S. Hwy 441 bridge (18 river miles). The area was divided into sections to distribute sampling effort for capture and recapture attempts. Bowfin were collected with electrofishing equipment, marked by fin clips, and released in the vicinity of capture. A week usually separated the periods of capture and recapture to allow population mixing. Effort was made to obtain sample sizes that would provide estimates within 10% of the true population with 95% confidence (Robson and Regier 1964).
Data from previous studies on the Suwannee River are used in the findings and analyses.
FINDINGS Rotenone Samples
Red Bluff slough contained approximately 0.55 surface acres when the sample was taken in October 1973. The slough had a maximum depth of 6 ft with an average depth of 1.8 ft and was shaded by a cypr~s-tupelo gum overstory. Mud Lake slough ranged from 0.55 to 0.75 surface acres, varying according to river water level. Maximum depth was generally 8.0-8.5 ft. Average depth ranged from 3.0 to 4.4 ft. The slough was mostly open water but had a few scattered cypress trees.
Thirty-two fish species were identified from the five rotenone samples on the Suwannee River (Table 1). Species collected represented 11 freshwater families. Four species - spotted sucker, Minytrema melanops (Rafinesque), channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), black
7

crappie, Po!i!()_x_i_s_ n_i_g_r_o~n_i:l__c_u_l_?_!:-_~ (Leseur) and black banded darter, p_er_c_i_n_a_ ni~3_f~~~ata (Agassiz) - were not previously recorded from the Suwannee River by Dahlberg and Scott (1971).
Population data from the slough samples are presented according to Surber (1959) in the Appendix (Tables A-1 to A-6). Red Bluff slough had a standing crop estimate of 130.1 lb/acre (Table 2). Game fishes, primarily
chain pickerel, ~s9~ nj~~r Lesueur, flier C~~!!~~5~~~ ~~~cop_!:-~!~~ (Lacepede),
warmouth, L~omi_s_ _g_u_l_o_s_u~ (Cuvier), and redfin pickerel, tsox amer_icanus ~l!e~Jca_n_!J~ Lesueur, comprised 36.5% by number and 58.1% by weight of the sample (Tables 3 and 4). Largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lac'epe' de), were not present. Bowfin and yellow bullhead, Ictalurus natalis (Lesueur), were the predo11li nant non-game species present. Bowfin rna de up 17.6% of the
sample weight. Mud Lake slough had standing crop estimates ranging from 148.5 to 494.0
lb/acre (Table 2). The predominant game fishes by number and v1eight Here chain pickerel, warmouth, and flier (Tables 3 and 4). Game fish ranged from 20.9 to 38.1% by number and 8.0 to 41.9% by weight. Largemouth bass declined from 1.6% by weight in 1973 to 0 in 1976. Bowfin was the predominant nongame species by weight ranging from 40.8 to 80.4% with values around 80% occurring in 1974, 1975, and 1976 (Table 4).
F/C ratios, At values, and A~ values (Swingle 1950) were tabulated for each sample (Table 2). The F/C ratios of 0.1 to 1.0 were indicative of a population overcrowded with ca~nivorous species. Harvestable size fish(At) made up 77-99% by weight of the samples. The harvestable game fish (A~) was from 34% to 57.3% in the 1973 samples but dropped sharply in 1974 to around 8% and stabilized at that level. The similarity of the Mud Lake F/C ratios and At and A~ values for 1974-1976 suggest a stabilizing in the fish population. The three samples were taken at different times of the year and at different water levels.
9

Table 4. Percent composition by weight of key species in rotenone samples from the Suwannee River, 1973-1976.

Sj2ecies Spotted gar Bowfin Chain pickerel Redfin pickerel Lake chubsucker Spotted sucker Yellow bull head Channe1 catfish Black crappie Flier Largemouth bass Warmouth Spotted sunfish Bluegill Others

Red Bluff

Mud Lake

1973

1973 1974 1975 1976

0.0

0.4

0.0 1.2

0.0

17.6

40.8 79.6 80.1 80.4

27.2

16.8

3. 1 5.3

8.0

6.4

1.1

ra 0.7

0.7

5.8

5.9

9.4 2.0

1.8

0.0

4. 1

2.6 4.0

2.7

14.8

2.8

0. 1 0.6

0.3

0.0

2.4

0.3

T

0.0

0.0

1.0

0.2 0.3

0.0

10.0

15.6

0.7 1.6

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crappie, Po~i~o_x_i_s_ n_i_g_r_OJl~a_c_u_l_?_!:._u~ (Leseu r) and b1ackbanded darter, _P_e_r_c_i_n_~ nJ]I~_fa_~~ata (Agassiz) - were not previously recorded from the Suwannee

River by Dahlberg and Scott (1971). Population data from the slough samples are presented according to
Surber (1959) in the Appendix (Tables A-1 to A-6). Red Bluff slough had a standing crop estimate of 130.1 lb/acre (Table 2). Game fishes, primarily
chain pickerel, E_so_x_ n_i_g_er Lesueur, flier _C~_n_t__r~_r_c_h_u~ ~ac_Y'_op_t~!'~2- (Lacepede),
warmouth, L~mi_s_ g_u_l_o~_u2 (Cuvier), and redfin pickerel, _ssox amer_icanus _a_I_l~e__r:__ica_ll~~ Lesueur, comprised 36.5% by number and 58.1% by weight of the
sample (Tables 3 and 4). Largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lac~p~de),
were not present. Bowfin and yellow bullhead, Ictalurus natalis (Lesueur), were the predominant non-game species present. Bowfin made up 17.6% of the

samp 1e weight. Mud Lake slough had standing crop estimates ranging from 148.5 to 494.0

lb/acre (Table 2). The predominant game fishes by number and v1eight v~ere

chain pickerel, warmouth, and flier (Tables 3 and 4). Game fish ranged from

20.9 to 38.1% by number and 8.0 to 41.9% by weight. Largemouth bass declined

from 1.6% by weight in 1973 to 0 in 1976. Bowfin was the predominant non-

game species by weight ranging from 40.8 to 80.4% with values around 80%

occurring in 1974, 1975, and 1976 (Table 4).

t

F/C ratios, At values, and A~ values (Swingle 1950) were tabulated

for each sample (Table 2). The F/C ratios of 0.1 to 1.0 were indicative

of a population overcrowded with ca'rnivorous species. Harvestable size

fish(At) made up 77-99% by weight of the samples. The harvestable game fish (A~) was from 34% to 57.3% in the 1973 samples but dropped sharply

in 1974 to around 8% and stabilized at that level. The similarity of the Mud Lake F/C ratios and At and A~ values for 1974-1976 suggest a stabi-

lizing in the fish population. The three samples were taken at different

times of the year and at different water levels.
9

Table 3. Percent composition by nur11ber of key species in rotenone samples from the Suwannee River, 1973-1976.

seecies Spotted gar Bowfin Chain pickerel Redfin pickerel Lake chubsucker Spotted sucker Yellow bullhead Channel catfish Black crappie Flier Largemouth bass Warmouth Spotted sunfish Bluegill Others

Red Bluff 1973 0.0 0.8 10.0 6.7 4. l 0.0 5.8 0.0 0.0 l 0. 3 0.0 6.8 2.4 0.3 52.7

1973 Ta
1.2 3. l 1.5 0.4 0. l 0.6 0.2 0. l 31.6 0.1 0.5 0.2 0.8 59.7

Mud Lake 1974 1975

0.0 0.3

45.6 6. 1

2.6 3.8

0.2 5.8

15.4 0.5

1.5 0.3

0.2 0.4

0.2

T

0.2

T

6.3 14.3

0.4

T

5.4 3.2

0.4 3.9

5.2 1.8

16.1 59.5

1976 0.0 4.7 3.6 1.7 2.7 0.4 0. l 0.0 0.0 l.l 0.0 14.9 8.2 2.3 60.4

aT= less than 0.1

ll

Table 5. Estimates of fishing pressure, catch, and catch rates by period

on the Suwannee River from 17 March 1973 to 2 July 1976.

.~ ' .-

~. :

Period

Angler Total Catch Catch Rates Hours No. Wgt.(lb} No/Hr Lb/Hr

l 17 March 23 March

648 906 907 1.40 1.40

2 31 March - 5 April

824 1329 1348 1. 61 l. 64

3 14 April - 20 Apri 1

687 1058 597 l. 54 0.87

4 28 April - 4 May

3960 9539 5845 2.41 1 .48

5 12 May - 18 May

3886 7594 4869 1. 95 1. 25

6 26 May - 1 June

6065 8179 4206 1.35 0.69

7 9 June - 15 June

1806 3038 1451 1.68 0.80

8 23 June - 29 June

2480 4569 2933 1.84 1.18

9 7 July- ll July

3460 l 0638 5090 3.07 1.47

10 21 July - 27 July

4098 11444 5023 2.79 1. 23

ll

4 August - 9 August

4610 5947 3166 1.29 0.69

12 18 August - 22 August

3108 l 0058 4208 3.24 1.35

13 l September - 7 September 3420 9075 4095 2.65 1.20

14 15 September- 21 September 4617 14281 8627 3.09 1.87

15 29 September - 4 October

3960 7474 3997 1.89 1. 01

. ~ '. . ..>,

16 13 October - 18 October

3744 7767 3409 2.07 0. 91

17 27 October - 2 November

1379 3809 2210 2.76 1.60

18 10 November - 16 November

879 1424 874 1.62 0.99

19 24 November - 30 November 1047 3012 1944 2.88 1. 86

20 8 December - 13 December

274 319 192 l. 17 0. 70

Total 17 11a rch 1973 21 December 1973
sx

54952 121460 64991 4966 12471 7194

2.21 1.18

1 2 March - 8 March

2535 1988 1804 .78 0.71

2 16 March - 21 March

849 849 928 1.00 1.09

3 30 March - 4 April

881 1510 ll90 1. 71 1.35

4 13 April - 18 April

1903 3513 2437 1.85 1.28

5 27 April - 2 May

1295 2554 2192 1. 97 1.69

6 11 t1ay - 15 May

2317 2407 1915 1.04 0.83

7

25 May - 31 f~ay

2904 4469 ~872 l. 54 0.99

8 8 June - 14 June

2754 4688 3232 1. 70 1.17

9 22 June - 27 June

2432 2342 1611

.96 0.66

10 6 July - 12 July

910 832 1367 . 91 1.50

11

20 July - 24 July

1720 2248 2412 1. 3. 1. 40

12 3 August - 9 August

1741 1994 1369 1.15 0.79

13 17 August - 23 August

846 314 823 .37 0.97

14 31 August - 4 September

1206 1560 1686 1.29 1.40

15 14 September - 20 September 679 1030 1519 1.52 2.24

16 28 September - 3 October

2027 1971 1604 . 97 0. 79

17 12 October- 16 October

351 586 518 1.67 1.48

18 26 October - 1 November

924 1047 642 1.13 0.69

19 9 November - 15 November

1339 2397 1599 1. 79 1.19

20 23 November - 28 November 1022 1842 1612 1.80 l. 58

21

7 December - 13 December

295 352 422 1.19 1.43

22 21 December - 25 December

686 1410 1015 2.05 1.48

Total
sx

2 March 1974 3 January 1975
14

31616 41903 2883 4219

35769 2649

1.33 1.10

Table 4. Percent composition by weight of key species in rotenone samples from the Suwannee River, 1973-1976.

Species Spotted gar Bowfin Chain pickerel Redfin pickerel Lake chubsucker Spotted sucker Yellow bullhead Channel catfish Black crappie Flier Largemouth bass Warmouth Spotted sunfish Bluegill Others

Red Bluff

Mud Lake

1973

1973 1974 1975 1976

0.0

0.4

0.0 1.2

0.0

17.6

40.8 79.6 80.1 80.4

27.2

16.8

3. l 5.3

8.0

6.4

l.l

Ta 0.7

0.7

5.8

5.9

9.4 2.0

1.8

0.0

4. 1

2.6 4.0

2.7

14.8

2.8

0. 1 0.6

0.3

0.0

2.4

0.3

T

0.0

0.0

1.0

0.2 0.3

0.0

l 0. 0

15.6

0.7 1.6

0.2

0.0

1.6

0.9

T

0.0

9.0

1.4

l . 7 2.0

2.8

5.3

0.5

0. 1 0.5

0.3

0.2

1.6

0.4 0.4

1.7

3.8

4. l

1.0 1.4

1.2

aT= less than 0.1

12

Table 3. Percent composition by number of key species in rotenone samples from the Suwannee River, 1973-1976.

S~ecies
Spotted gar Bowfin Chain pickerel Redfin pickerel Lake chubsucker Spotted sucker Yellow bullhead Channel catfish Black crappie Flier Largemouth bass Wa rmouth Spotted sunfish Bluegill Others

Red Bluff 1973 0.0 0.8 l 0. 0 6.7 4. 1 0.0 5.8 0.0 0.0 10.3 0.0 6.8 2.4 0.3 52.7

1973 Ta
1.2 3.1 1.5 0.4 0.1 0.6 0.2 0. 1 31.6 0. 1 0.5 0.2 0.8 59.7

Mud Lake 1974 1975

0.0 0.3

45.6 6. 1

2.6 3.8

0.2 5.8

15.4 0.5

1.5 0.3

0.2 0.4

0.2

T

0.2

T

6.3 14.3

0.4

T

5.4 3.2

0.4

3. ~

5.2 1.8

16.1 59.5

1976 0.0 4.7 3.6 1.7 2.7 0.4 0. 1 0.0 0.0 l.l 0.0 14.9 8.2 2.3 60.4

aT= less than 0.1

11

Overall recovery of fish marked and released in four rotenone samples was 61.2% (Appendix, Table A-7). The percent recovery improved with each sample, 40.0% in 1973 to 82.1% in 1975. HovJever, due to the low number marked of most species represented, adjustments to the standing crop estimates were not made. Suwannee River Creel
Sport fishery estimates of pressure, catch, and catch rate are presented in Table 5. The period 17 ~1arch 1973 to 6 July 1973 from Swanson and Holder (l974a) are included for presentation of creel estimates by calendar year. The estimates in 1976 represented only four months of the
year. Fishing pressure was 54,952 man-hours ! 4,966 Sx in 1973, 31,616 man-hours ! 2,883 S~ in 1974, 49,105 man-hours 3,145 S~ in 1975, and
20,206 man-hours ~ 3,929 S~ in 1976. Catch ranged from 121,460 fish ! 12,471 Sx weighing 64,991 lb ~ 7,194 s~ in 1973 to 25,641 fish: 4,111
s~ weighing 16,664 lb! 3,056 s~ in 1976. Catch rates were highly variable for the respective years surveyed.
The numerical catch rate ranged from 2.21 fish per hour in 1973 to 1.27 fish per hour in 1976. The catch rate by weight varied from 1.27 lb/hr in 1975 to 0.82 lb/hr in 1976 (Table 5).
Total harvest, average weight, and catch rates for individual species are presented in Table 6. In all years, bullheads were the primary species caught by number. Bullheads and bowfin were the main species harvested by weight and generally made up 55% of the total catch. vlarmouth made up 24% of the total harvest by number and weight in 1973 but declined in the later years. Since 1973, spotted sunfish, Lepomis p_~~t~tu~ (Valenciennes), catches have exceeded those of warmouth. Channel catfish increased in the catch during the years surveyed. The catch of other species in the creel was low.
13

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16

Table 5. Estimates of fishing pressure, catch, and catch rates by period on the Suwannee River from 17 March 1973 to 2 July 1976.

Period

Angler Total Catch Catch Rates Hours No. Wgt.(lb) No/Hr Lb/Hr

1 17 March - 23 March

648 906 907 1.40 1.40

2 31 March - 5 April

824 1329 1348 l. 61 l. 64

3 14 April - 20 April

687 1058 597 l. 54 0.87

4 28 April - 4 May

3960 9539 5845 2.41 1.48

5 12 May - 18 May

3886 7594 4869 l. 95 l. 25

6 26 May - 1 June

6065 8179 4206 l. 35 0.69

7 9 June - 15 June

1806 3038 1451 l. 68 0.80

8 23 June - 29 June

2480 4569 2933 1.84 l. 18

9 7 July - 11 July

3460 10638 5090 3.07 1.47

10 21 July - 27 July

4098 11444 5023 2.79 1.23

11

4 August - 9 August

4610 5947 3166 l. 29 0.69

12 18 August - 22 August

3108 10058 4208 3.24 1.35

13 1 September - 7 September 3420 9075 4095 2.65 1.20

14 15 September- 21 September 4617 14281 8627 3.09 1.87

15 29 September - 4 October

3960 7474 3997 1.89 l. 01

16 13 October - 18 October

3744 7767 3409 2.07 0. 91

17 27 October - 2 November

1379 3809 2210 2.76 1.60

18 10 November - 16 November

879 1424 874 l. 62 0.99

19 24 November - 30 November 1047 3012 1944 2.88 1. 86

20 8 December - 13 December

274 319 192 l. 17 0.70

Total 17 f1arch 197321 December 1973
sx

54952 121460 64991 4966 12471 7194

2.21 1. 18

1 2 March - 8 March

2535 1988 1804 .78 0.71

2 16 March - 21 March

849 849 928 l. 00 1.09

3 30 March - 4 April

881 1510 1190 l. 71 1. 35

4 13 April - 18 April

1903 3513 2437 1.85 1.28

5 27 April - 2 May

1295 2554 2192 l. 97 1.69

6 11 t1ay - 15 May

2317 2407 1915 1.04 0.83

7

25 May - 31 t~ay

2904 4469 2872 l. 54 0.99

8 8 June - 14 June

2754 4688 3232 l. 70 l. 17

9 22 June - 27 June

2432 2342 1611

.96 0.66

10 6 July - 12 July

910 832 1367 . 91 1.50

11 20 July - 24 July

1720 2248 2412 l. 3. 1.40

12 3 August - 9 August

1741 1994 1369 l. 15 0.79

13 17 August - 23 August

846 314 823 .37 0.97

14 31 August - 4 September

1206 1560 1686 1.29 1.40

15 14 September - 20 September 679 1030 1519 l. 52 2.24

16 28 September - 3 October

2027 1971 1604 .97 0. 79

17 12 October- 16 October

351 586 518 1.67 1.48

18 26 October - 1 November

924 1047 642 1.13 0.69

19 9 November- 15 November

1339 2397 1599 l. 79 1.19

20 23 November - 28 November 1022 1842 1612 1.80 1.58

21 7 December - 13 December

295 352 422 l. 19 1.43

22 21 December - 25 December

686 1410 1015 2.05 1.48

Total
s:x

2 March 1974 3 January 1975
14

31616 41903 2883 4219

35769 2649

l. 33 1.10

Overall recovery of fish marked and released in four rotenone samples was 61.2% (Appendix, Table A-7). The percent recovery improved with each sample, 40.0% in 1973 to 82.1% in 1975. HovJever, due to the low number marked of most species represented, adjustments to the standing crop estimates were not made. Suwannee River Creel
Sport fishery estimates of pressure, catch, and catch rate are presented in Table 5. The period 17 t1arch 1973 to 6 July 1973 from Swanson and Holder (1974a) are included for presentation of creel estimates by calendar year. The estimates in 1976 represented only four months of the
year. Fishing pressure was 54,952 man-hours ! 4,966 Sx in 1973, 31,616
man-hours +- 2,883 Sx- in 1974, 49,105 man-hours +- 3,145 Si in 1975, and
20,206 man-hours ~ 3,929 Si in 1976. Catch ranged from 121,460 fish ! 12,471 Sx weighing 64,991 lb ~ 7,194 Sx in 1973 to 25,641 fish~ 4,111
Sx weighing 16,664 lb! 3,056 Sx in 1976. Catch rates were highly variable for the respective years surveyed.
The numerical catch rate ranged from 2.21 fish per hour in 1973 to 1.27 fish per hour in 1976. The catch rate by weight varied from 1.27 lb/hr in 1975 to 0.82 lb/hr in 1976 (Table 5).
Total harvest, average weight, and catch rates fol individual species are presented in Table 6. In all years, bullheads were the primary species caught by number. Bullheads and bowfin were the main species harvested by weight and generally made up 55% of.the total catch. Warmouth made up 24% of the total harvest by number and weight in 1973 but declined in the later years. Since 1973, spotted sunfish, ~om~ ~nctjtu~ (Valenciennes), catches have exceeded those of warmouth. Channel catfish increased in the catch during the years surveyed. The catch of other species in the creel was low.
l3

Table 5. Continued

Period

1

15 March - 21 March

1239 2059

2

29 March - 4 April

1349 2838

3

12 April - 18 April

2783 4091

4

26 April - 2 r~ay

2508 4095

5

l 0 May - 16 May

2486 5210

6

24 May - 29 May

2464 6325

7

7 June - 12 June

2990 6040

8

21 June - 27 June

5377 16378

9

5 July - ll July

4087 7744

10

19 July - 24 July

3249 6674

11

2 August - 8 August

1388 2086

12

16 August - 21 August

1971 3398

13

30 August - 5 September

2732 4644

14

13 September - 19 September 2278 7095

15

27 September - 2 October

2247 5481

16

ll October- 17 October

1535 2777

17

25 October - 30 October

2613 6950

18

8 November - 14 November

1652 3075

19

22 November - 28 November 2113 2995

20

6 December - 12 December

1279 1790

21

20 December - 26 December

765 1318

Total
sx
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

15 t1arch 1975 2 January 1976
6 March - 10 March 20 March - 25 March 3 April - 7 April 17 April - 23 April 1 May - 7 May 15 May - 19 May 29 May - 4 June 12 June - 18 June 26 June - 2 July

49105 103063
3145 11721
2319 2234 2021 2222 1723 2209 5554 5754 2637 1850 1073 1488 1618 2717 1112 3410 2149 3757

Total Sx

6 March 1976 9 July 1976

20206 25641 3929 4111

1174 3021 2581 3544 3487 3430 3427 6578 4954 4933 1576 2348 2828 3907 3018 1446 3676 2229 2226 1186
622
62191 4701
1408 1278 1148 4043 1366 1257 2233 2001 1930
16664 3056

1.66 2. l 0
1.47 1. 63 2.06 2. 57 2.02 3.05
1.89 2.05 1.50 1. 75 1. 70 3.12 2.44 1.81 2.66 1.86 1.42 1.40 1.72

0.95 2.24 0.93 1.41 1.40 1.39 1.15 1.22
l. 21 l. 52 1.14 1.19 l. 03 1.72 1.34 0.94 1.41 l. 35 l. 05 0.93 0.82

2. l 0 1.27

0.96 1.10 1.28
l. 04 0.70 1.39 1.68 3.07
l. 75

0. 61 0.63 0.67 0.73 0.52 1.17 1.38 1.80
0.90

1.27 0.82

15

During 1973-1976, the total effort applied specifically to a partic-

ular species decreased yearly (Table 7). In 1973, approximately 50% of

the total pressure was for a particular species. Only 9% of the total

pressure on the Suwannee River for the periods surveyed in 1976 was applied

to a particular species. Effort for bullheads and warmouth decreased each

year. Effort for channel catfish, however, increased each year except for

1976. Bullheads tended to have the highest fished-for catch rates.

Holder (l973b) reported the surface area of the Suwannee River from

the Okefenokee Swamp dike to the Georgia-Florida state line during within

bank flows to be 337 acres (measurements from aerial photographs). Using

his value, the total pressure in man-hours per acre ranged from 163.1 in

1973 to 93.8 in 1974 (Table 8). The 1976 values were not included because

the survey period consisted of only four months. The total harvest per

acre fluctuated from 360.6 fish weighing 192.8 lb in 1973 to 124.3 fish

weighing 103.3 lb in 1974. The highest game fish harvest per acre by

number was in 1973 (132.0). The highest game fish harvest per acre by

weight occurred in 1973 (84.8lb).

Tabulated data on weekend versus weekday pressure and catch and on

methods of fishing are included in the Appendix (Tables A-8 and A-9).

Okefenokee Swamp Creel

t

Estimates of fishing pressure, catch, catch rate, and trip length

are presented in Table 9. The period 10 March 1973 to 29 June 1973

from Swanson and Holder (l974b) was also included to treat the data by

calendar years. Fishing pressure ranged from a high of 79,186 man-hours ~ 7,097 Sx in 1974 to a low of 54,156 man-hours~ 5,096 Sx in 1975.

Estimated number of fishing trips for the corresponding years was 20,455 ~ 2,363 Sx and 16,263 ~ 1,520 Sx respectively. Average trip

length varied from 3.33 hr in 1975 to 3.87 hr in 1974. Most of the

18

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16

Table 5. Continued

Period

1

15 March - 21 March

1239 2059

2

29 March - 4 April

1349 2838

3

12 April - 18 April

2783 4091

4

26 April - 2 May

2508 4095

5

10 May - 16 May

2486 5210

6

24 May - 29 May

2464 6325

7

7 June - 12 June

2990 6040

8

21 June - 27 June

5377 16378

9

5 July - 11 July

4087 7744

10

19 July - 24 July

3249 6674

11

2 August - 8 August

1388 2086

12

16 August - 21 August

1971 3398

13

30 August - 5 September

2732 4644

14

13 September - 19 September 2278 7095

15

27 September - 2 October

2247 5481

16

11 October 17 October

1535 2777

17

25 October - 30 October

2613 6950

18

8 November - 14 November

1652 3075

19

22 November - 28 November 2113 2995

20

6 December - 12 December

1279 1790

21

20 December - 26 December

765 1318

Total
sx:
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9

15 f1a rc h 1975 2 January 1976
6 March - 10 March 20 March - 25 March 3 April - 7 April 17 April - 23 April 1 May - 7 May 15 May - 19 May 29 May - 4 June 12 June - 18 June 26 June - 2 July

49105 103063
3145 11721
2319 2234 2021 2222 1723 2209 5554 5754 2637 1850 1073 1488 1618 2717 1112 3410 2149 3757

Total Sx

6 March 1976 9 July 1976

20206 25641 3929 4111

1174 3021 2581 3544 3487 3430 3427 6578 4954 4933 1576 2348 2828 3907 3018 1446 3676 2229 2226 1186
622
62191 4701
1408 1278 1148 4043
1366
1257
~33
2001 1930
16664 3056

1.66 0.95 2.10 2.24 1.47 0.93 1. 63 1.41 2.06 1.40 2.57 1.39 2.02 1.15 3.05 1.22 1.89 1. 21 2.05 1. 52 1. 50 1.14 1. 75 1.19 1. 70 1. 03 3.12 1.72 2.44 1.34 1.81 0.94 2.66 1.41 1.86 1. 35 1.42 1. 05 1.40 0.93 1.72 0.82
2.10 1.27
0.96 0. 61 1.10 0.63 1.28 0.67 1. 04 0.73 0.70 0.52 1. 39 1.17 1.68 1. 38 3.07 1.80 1. 75 0.90
1.27 0.82

15

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17

Table 8. Annual harvest per acre on the Suwannee River fro~ the 19731975 creel survey estimates.

Species
Game Fish
Harmouth Spotted sunfish Largemouth bass Chain pickerel Redbreast Channel catfish Bluegill
Sub-total
Non-game fish
Bowfin Bullheads Other
Sub-total
Total
Angler hours

973 No. Wgt. ( l b)

85. l 47.3

22.6

8.7

4. l

8.9

6.0

7. l

2.3

1.8

6.5

8. l

5.4

2.9

132.0 84.8

9.8 216.8
2.0
228.6
360.6
163. 1

19.9 87.2
0.9
108.0
192.8

1974 No. ~Jgt. ( l b)

1975 No. Wgt.0b)

12.8

6.3

20.3

8.4

3.0

7.0

5.6

6.0

l.l

0.8

6.7 ll. 1

2.3

1.3

51.8 40.9

25.5 14.6

42.0 17.0

l .8

3.5

9.5 10.0

5.3

3.8

19.4 29.2

10.8

6.2

114.3 84.3

19.0 50.9 2.6
72.5
124.3
93.8

40.0 20.9 1.5 62.4 103.3
t

15.1 174.0
2.5
191.6
305.9

33.1 65.5 1.6
100.2
184.5
145.7

20

During 1973-1976, the total effort applied specifically to a particular species decreased yearly (Table 7). In 1973, approximately 50% of the total pressure was for a particular species. Only 9% of the total pressure on the Suwannee River for the periods surveyed in 1976 was applied to a particular species. Effort for bullheads and warmouth decreased each year. Effort for channel catfish, however, increased each year except for 1976. Bullheads tended to have the highest fished-for catch rates.
Holder (l973b) reported the surface area of the Suwannee River from the Okefenokee Swamp dike to the Georgia-Florida state line during within bank flows to be 337 acres (measurements from aerial photographs). Using his value, the total pressure in man-hours per acre ranged from 163.1 in 1973 to 93.8 in 1974 (Table 8). The 1976 values were not included because the survey period consisted of only four months. The total harvest per acre fluctuated from 360.6 fish weighing 192.8 lb in 1973 to 124.3 fish weighing 103.3 lb in 1974. The highest game fish harvest per acre by number was in 1973 (132.0). The highest game fish harvest per acre by weight occurred in 1973 (84.8lb).
Tabulated data on weekend versus weekday pressure and catch and on methods of fishing are included in the Appendix (Tables A-8 and A-9). Okefenokee Swamp Creel
Estimates of fishing pressure, catch, catch rate, and trip length are presented in Table 9. The period 10 March 1973 to 29 June 1973 from Swanson and Holder (l974b) was also included to treat the data by calendar years. Fishing pressure ranged from a high of 79,186 man-hours ~ 7,097 Sx in 1974 to a low of 54,156 man-hours~ 5,096 Sx in 1975. Estimated number of fishing trips for the corresponding years was 20,455: 2,363 Sx and 16,263 ~ 1,520 Sx respectively. Average trip length varied from 3.33 hr in 1975 to 3.87 hr in 1974. Most of the
18

Table 6. Continued

T o t a 1 Harvest

Average Catch Rate

Date

Species

No. Sx No. Percent Wgt.(lb) Sx Wgt. Percent \~gt.(lb) No./Hr Lb/Hr

March 1975- Jan.l976 Bowfin

5077 1597

4.9 11155 3658 17.9 2.20

(4910S angler hours) Bull heads

58636 l 0527 56.9 22078 3445 35.5 0.38

Warmouth

8600 2363

8.3

4917 1433

7.9 0.57

Spotted sunfish 14139 5290 13.7

5742 2148

9.2 0.41

Largemouth bass 601 167

0.6

1182 350

1.9 1. 97

Chain pickerel 3208 971

3.1

3379 999

5.4 1. 05

Redbreast

1774 590

1.7

1294 436

2. 1 0.73

Channel catfish 6540 1158

6.3

9833 1565 15.8 1.50

Bluegill

3650 1482

3.5

2082 866

3.3 0.57

Other

838 421

1. 0

528 334

1.0 0.63

Total

103063 11721 l 00.0 62191 4701 100.0 0. 70

March - July 1976 Bowfin
-...,J
(20206 angler hours) Bullheads

1996 359

7.8

10314 1273 40.2

4184

731

25. 1 2.10

3888 496 23.3 0.38

Warmouth

3816 1459 14.9

2148 889 12.9 0.56

Spotted sunfish 5683 1235 22.2

2442 546 14.7 0.43

Largemouth bass 566 308

2.2

915 457

5.5 1.62

Chain pickerel 1386 576

5.4

1294 572

7.8 0.93

Redbreast

79 42

0.3

24

12

0. 1 0. 30

Channel catfish l 070 223

4.2

1438 275

8.6 1.34

Bluegill

594 359

2.3

297

18

1.8 0.50

Other Total

137 78

0.5

34

19

0.2 0.25

- 25641 4111

100.0

16664 3056 100.0

0.65

bT=less than 0.01

0.10 0.23
l. 19 0.45 0. 18 0.10
0.29 0. 12 0. 01 0.02 0.07 0.07 0.04 0.03 0.13 0.20 0.07 0.04 0.02 0.01
2.10 l. 27

o. l 0 0.21 0.51 o. 19 o. 19 0.11 0.28 o. 12

0.03 0.05

0.07 0.06

Tb T

0.05 0.07

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Table 9. Continued

Period

Fishing Angler Total Tri(2S Hours No.

Catch

Catch Rates

Wgt{lb} NoLHr Lb/Hr No/Tri(2 LbLTri R

5

4 May - 9 May

2907 13494 27214 13748 2.02 1.02 9.36 4.73

6

18 May - 24 May

1582

8335 7534

4008 0.90 0.48 4.76 2.53

7

1 June - 6 June

1878

8132 16188

9412 l. 99 l. 16 8.62 5. 01

8

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796

2743 1950

1340 0.71 0.49 2.45 1.68

9

29 June - 4 July

750

2265 2695

1807 l. 19 0.80 3.59 2.41

10

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640

1814 605

718 0.33 0.40 0.94 l. 12

11

27 July - 1 August

527

2266 912

677 0.40 0.30 l. 73 l. 28

12

10 August - 16 August

486

1316 1117

1136 0.85 0.86 2.30 2.34

13

24 August - 29 August

265

1107 699

597 0.63 0.54 2.64 2.25

14

7 September - 11 September

440

1730 1385

1213 0.80 0.70 3.15 2.76

15

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430

902 207

168 0.23 0.19 0.48 0.39

N

16

5 October- 10 October

333

967 644

388 0.67 0.40 l. 93 1. 16

N

17

19 October - 24 October

478

1319 2439

1534 1.85 l. 16 5.10 3.21

18

2 November - 8 November

339

1167 1497

871 1. 28 0.75 4.42 2.57

19

16 November - 22 November

412

1166 1576

1319 1.35 l. 13 3.82 3.20

20

30 November - 6 December

527

1274 936

936 0.74 0.74 l. 78 l. 78

21

14 December - 20 December

294

788 1457

1007 1.85 1.28 4.95 3.44

Total
sx
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

9 March 1974 27 December 1974
,.
8 March - 14 March 22 March - 28 March 5 April - 11 April 19 April - 24 April 3 May - 9 May 17 May - 22 May 31 May - 6 June 14 June - 20 June 28 June - 4 July 12 July - 18 July

20445

79186 108572

63077 1.37 0.80 5.31

3.08

2363

7097 20967 11433

425

1107 519

391 0.47 0.35 1.22 0.92

1210

2964 849

587 0.29 0.20 0.70 0.48

1002

3383 1310

817 0.39 0.24 l. 31

0.82

1462

6034 4906

2903 0.81 0.48 3.36 1. 98

1922

8684 8502

4989 0.98 0.57 4.42 2.60

1184

3525 6096

2580 l. 73 0.73 5.15 2.18

1334

4543 6479

4286 1.43 0.94 4.86 3.21

1182

3736 2594

1283 0.69 0.34 2.19 1.08

978

3480 4710

2683 1.35 0.77 4.82 2.74

712

2247 2611

2034 1.16 Oo 91 3.67 2.86

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Table 9. Estimates of fishing pressure, catch, and catch rates by period on the Okefenokee Swamp from 10 March 1973 to 26 December 1975.

Period

Fishing Angler Total Catch

Catch Rates

Trips Hours

No Wgt(lb) No/Hr Lb/Hr No/Trip Lb/Tri p

N

l 2 3 4
5
6
7 8
9
10 11
12
13 14 15
16 17
18
19 20 21

10 March - 16 March 24 March - 29 March 7 April - 12 April
21 April - 27 April
5 May - 11 May l 9 May - 25 May
2 June - 6 June 16 June - 22 June 30 June - 6 July
14 July - 20 July 28 July - 3 August
ll August - 16 August 25 August - 29 August 8 September - 14 September 22 September - 27 September 6 October- 11 October 20 October - 26 October 3 November - 8 November 17 November - 23 November 1 December - 7 December 15 December- 21 December

527 1865 1497

1330 3230 805

938 2686 5348

1152 2937 2409

2530 12684 14485

1331

6309 16930

1975 7200 7782

927 2618 4776

515 1621 2084

993 3624 7844

914 3199 6162

786 2237 2475

406

ll 01

561

681

2164 1891

539 1742 4940

414 1798 3706

640 1780 2561

551

1734 4636

1388 4248 10068

448 1443 3180

66

255 617

1147 694 3080 1569
9435 9128
4140 2478
l 088
4280 2887 1278
463 1451
3014 2318 1692 2473 6682 2043
375

0.80 0. 61 2.84 0.25 0.21 0. 61 l. 99 l. 15 5.70 0.82 0.53 2.09 l. 14 0.74 5.73 2.68 l. 45 12.72 1.08 0.57 3.94 1.82 0.95 5.15 l. 29 0.67 4.05 2.16 l. 18 7.90 l. 93 0.90 6.74 1.11 0.57 3.15 0. 51 0.42 1.38 0.87 0.67 2.78 2.84 l. 73 9.16 2.06 1.29 8.95 1.44 0.95 4.00 2.67 1.43 8.41 2.37 l. 57 7.25 2.20 1. 42 7.1 0 2.4?. 1.46 9.35

2.18 0.52 3.28
l. 36 3.73
6.86 2. l 0 2.67
2.11 4.31 3.16 l. 63 l. 14
2.13 5.59 5.60 2.64 4.49 4.81 4o56 5.65

Total
sx
1 2 3 4

10 March 197328 December 1973
9 March - 14 March 23 March - 29 March 6 April - 12 April 20 April - 26 April

19051 66475 104751 61715

l. 58 0.93 5.50

3.24

2761

9828 15138

9232

1117 5317 10542 1639 4969 7748 1559 6177 7056 3046 11938 14171

5879 4914 3832 7573

l. 98 1.11 9.44 1.56 0.99 4.73 1.14 0.62 4.53 l. 19 0.63 4.65

5.26 3.00 2.46 2.49

fishing pressure occurred between March and late June. Year 1974 had the highest catch (108,572 fish weighing 63,077 lb), although the 1973 catch was comparable (Table 9). The 1975 harvest figures were roughly half of the previous year's total.
The yearly catch rates decreased over the three year period. The per hour catch rate in 1973 was 1.58 fish weighing 0.93 lb; in 1975 it was 0.96 fish weighing 0.60 lb. The catch rate per trip decreased from 5.5 fish weighing 3.24 lb in 1973 to 3.21 fish weighing 1.99 lb in 1975 (Table 9).
The harvest, average weight, and catch rates for individual fish species are presented in Table 10. Warmouth and bullheads were the primary species caught. They accounted for over 83% of the number and 65% of the weight harvested each year. Bowfin represented 4% by number and 14% by weight each year. The catch of other species was low and varied yearly.
The fishing effort applied specifically to a particular species was 64% of the estimated total fishing pressure on the Okefenokee Swamp in 1973 and 1974 (Table 11). Specific fishing pressure dropped to 44% of total effort in 1975. The fished-for catch rate in 1975 was about one-half the overall values recorded the two previous years. The ~ished-for catch rate of largemouth bass and warmouth decreased in 1975 while that of chain pickerel increased.
Pressure and catch data by methods of fishing are included in the Appendix (Tables A-10 and A-ll). Bowfin Populati_Q.!:l_Estimates
The estimated bowfin population decreased each year from 20,966 fish in 1973 to 17,832 in 1975 (Table 12). Proportional standard errors of the estimates were 8.5%, 6.4%, and 6.9% for 1973, 1974, and 1975, respectively.
24

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22

Table 9. Estimates of fishing pressure, catch, and catch rates by period on the Okefenokee Swamp from 10 March 1973 to 26 December 1975.

Period

Fishing Angler Total Catch

Catch Rates

Trips Hours

No Wgt(lb) No/Hr Lb/Hr No/Trip Lb/Tri p

N

1
2 3 4 5
6
7 8
9
10 11
12
13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21

10 March - 16 March 24 March - 29 March 7 April - 12 April
21 April - 27 April
5 May - 11 May
19 May - 25 May
2 June - 6 June 16 June - 22 June
30 June - 6 July 14 July - 20 July 28 July - 3 August
11 August - 16 August 25 August - 29 August 8 September - 14 September 22 September - 27 September
6 October - 11 October 20 October - 26 October 3 November - 8 November 17 November - 23 November
. 1 December - 7 December
15 December - 21 December

527 1865 1497

1330 3230 805

938 2686 5348

1152 2937 2409

2530 12684 14485

1331

6309 16930

1975 7200 7782

927 2618 4776

515 1621 2084

993 3624 7844

914 3199 6162

786 2237 2475

406

1101

561

681

2164 1891

539 1742 4940

414 1798 3706

640 1780 2561

551

1734 4636

1388 4248 10068

448 1443 3180

66

255 617

1147 694 3080 1569
9435
9128 4140 2478
1088
4280 2887 1278 463 1451
3014 2318 1692
2473 6682 2043 375

0.80 0. 61 0.25 0.21

2.84
o. 61

1. 99 1.15 5.70

0.82 0.53 2.09

1. 14 0.74 5.73

2.68 1. 45 12.72

1.08 0.57 3.94

1.82 0.95 5.15

1.29 0.67 4.05

2.16 1. 18 7.90

1. 93 0.90 6.74

1.11 0.57 3.15

0. 51 0.42 1. 38

0.87 0.67 2.78

2.84 1. 73 9.16

2.06 1.29 8.95

1.44 0.95 4.00

2.67 1.43 8.41

2.37 1. 57 7.25

2.20 1. 42 7.1 0

2.4?. 1.46 9.35

2.18 0.52 3.28
1.36 3.73 6.86
2.10 2.67
2.11 4.31 3.16 1. 63 1. 14 2.13 5.59 5.60 2.64 4.49 4.81 4o56 5.65

Total
sx
1 2 3 4

10 March 197328 December 1973
9 March - 14 March 23 March - 29 March 6 April - 12 April 20 April - 26 April

19051 66475 104751 61715

1. 58 0.93 5.50

3.24

2761

9828 15138

9232

1117

5317 10542

5879

1. 98 1.11 9.44

5.26

1639

4969 7748

4914

1. 56 0.99 4.73

3.00

1559

6177 7056

3832

1.14 0.62 4.53

2.46

3046 11938 14171

7573

1.19 0.63 4.65

2.49

.>

;

~ .

Table 9. Continued

Period

Fishing Angler Total Catch

CatcFi Rates

Tri~s Hours No. Wgt(lb) No/Hr Lb/Hr No/Trip Lb/Tri p

11

26 July - 31 July

623 1899 1318

685 0.69 0.36 2. 12 1.10

12

9 August - 13 August

660 1816 1281

906 0. 71 0.50 1. 94 1. 37

13

23 August - 28 August

512 1314 953

644 0.73 0.49 1.86 1. 26

14

6 September - 12 September

422 1472 1242

878 0.84 0.60 2.94 2.08

15

20 September - 26 September

469

1376 1525 1001

1.11 0.73 3.25

2. 13

16

4 October - 10 October

516 1280 1807 1126 1. 41 0.88 3.50 2.18

17

18 October - 23 October

433

1595 1822

1507

1.14 0.94 4.21

3.48

18

1 November - 5 November

601

1723 1601

920 0.93 0.53 2.66 1. 53

N
w

19

15 November - 21 November

20

29 November - 5 December

186

650 597

498

0.92 0. 77 3.21

2.68

243

686 669

578 0.97 0.84 2.75 2.38

21

13 December - 19 December

187

642 800 1024 1. 24 1. 59 4.28 5.46

Total 2 March 1975 26 December 1975
sx

16263

54156 52191 32320 0.96 0.60 3.21

1. 99

1520

5096 5575 4086

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26

fishing pressure occurred between March and late June. Year 1974 had the highest catch (108,572 fish weighing 63,077 lb), although the 1973 catch was comparable (Table 9). The 1975 harvest figures were roughly half of the previous year's total.
The yearly catch rates decreased over the three year period. The per hour catch rate in 1973 was 1.58 fish weighing 0.93 lb; in 1975 it was 0.96 fish weighing 0.60 lb. The catch rate per trip decreased from 5.5 fish weighing 3.24 lb in 1973 to 3.21 fish weighing 1.99 lb in 1975 (Table 9).
The harvest, average weight, and catch rates for individual fish species are presented in Table 10. Warmouth and bullheads were the primary species caught. They accounted for over 83% of the number and 65% of the weight harvested each year. Bowfin represented 4% by number and 14% by weight each year. The catch of other species was low and varied yearly.
The fishing effort applied specifically to a particular species was 64% of the estimated total fishing pressure on the Okefenokee Swamp in 1973 and 1974 (Table 11). Specific fishing pressure dropped to 44% of total effort in 1975. The fished-for catch rate in 1975 was about one-half the overall values recorded the two previous years. The fished-for catch rate of largemouth bass and warmouth decreased in 1975 while that of chain pickerel increased.
Pressure and catch data by methods of fishing are included in the Appendix (Tables A-10 and A-11). Bowfin Population Estimates
The estimated bowfin population decreased each year from 20,966 fish in 1973 to 17,832 in 1975 (Table 12). Proportional standard errors of the estimates were 8.5%, 6.4%, and 6.9% for 1973, 1974, and 1975, respectively.
24

Table 9. Continued

Period

Fishing Angler Total Catch

Catcn Rates

Tri~s Hours No. Wgt(lb) No/Hr Lb/Hr No/Trip Lb/Tri p

11

26 July - 31 July

623 1899 1318

685 0.69 0.36 2.12 1.10

12

9 August - 13 August

660 1816 1281

906 0.71 0.50 1. 94 1. 37

13

23 August - 28 August

512 1314 953

644 0.73 0.49 1.86 1. 26

14

6 September - 12 September

422 1472 1242

878 0.84 0.60 2.94 2.08

15

20 September - 26 September

469

1376 1525

1001

1.11 0.73 3.25

2.13

16

4 October- 10 October

516 1280 1807 1126 1. 41 0.88 3.50 2.18

17

18 October - 23 October

433

1595 1822

1507

1.14 0.94 4. 21

3.48

18

1 November - 5 November

601

1723 1601

920 0.93 0.53 2.66 1. 53

N
w

19

15 November - 21 November

20

29 November - 5 December

186

650 597

498 0.92 0. 77 3. 21

2.68

243

686 669

578 0.97 0.84 2.75 2.38

21

13 December - 19 December

187

642 800 1024 1. 24 1. 59 4.28 5.46

Total 2 March 1975 26 December 1975
sx

16263

54156 52191 32320 0.96 0.60 3.21

1. 99

1520

5096 5575 4086

-

Table 10. Estimates of total harvest, average weight and catch rates by species on the Okefenokee Swamp from March 1973 to December 1975.

T o t a 1 Ha r v e s t

Average Catch Rate

Date

Species

No. Sx t1o. Percent vJgt.(lb) Sx vJgt. Percent Wgt.(lb) No/Hr Lb/Hr

March - Dec. 1973 Bowfin

4393 1162

4.2

8746 2231

14.2

1. 99

0.07 0.13

(66475 angler hours) Bullheads

32898 8928 31.4 13279 4086 21.5 0.40 0.49 0.20

Harmouth

54403 11886 51.9 29442 6493 47.7 0.54 0.82 0.44

Flier

6097 2817

5.8

1982 926

3. 1 0.32 0.09 0.03

Largemouth bass 1470 492

1.4

2475 831

4.0 1.68 0.02 0.04

Chain pickerel 4784 1568

4.6

5321 1603

8.6

1.11

0.07 0.08

Spotted sunfish 226 138

0.2

58

33

0. 1 0.26 0.003 0. 001

Bluegill

346 214

0.3

231

128

0.4 0.67 0.005 0.004

Other

136 112

0.2

181

164

0.4 1.33 0.003 0.004

N

Total

104751 15138 100.0 61715 9232 100.0 0.59 l. 58 0.93

(J1

March- Dec. 1974 Bowfin (79186 angler hours) Bullheads

5150 861 26331 6892

4.7 24.2

9254 1691 10489 2864

14.7 16.7

1.80 0.40

0.06 0.12
0.33 o. 13

Wa rmouth

62409 14176 57.5 32264 6904 51.2 0.52 0.79 0.41

Flier

3809 950

3.5

1344 365

2. 1 0.35 0.05 0.02

Largemouth bass 1152 294

1.1

2442 615

3.9 2.12 o. 01 0.03

Chain pickerel 4978 1089

4.6

5207 1219

8.3 1. 05 0.06 0.06

Spotted sunfish 4173 1026

3.8

1428 368

2.3 0.34 0.05 o. 18

Bluegill

372 106

0.3

284

98

0.4 0.76 0.005 0.004

Other

198 109

0.3

365 187

0.4 1.83 0.005 0.004

Total

108572 20967 100.0 63077 11433 100.0 0.58 1. 37 0.80

Table 12. Summary of bowfin population estimates on the Suwannee River from 1973 to 1975 using the adjusted Petersen method.

Year

Dates

Number t~a rked

Number - - - - tfum-5er Sampled t1arked Fish
for t1arks Recaptured

Percent Recaptured

Bowfin Estimate

Standard Error

1973 29 Oct. - 16 Nov.

1942

1337

123

6.3

20966

1786

1974 14 Nov. - 11 Dec.

2202

1836

214

9.7

18823

1203

~

(X)

1975

4 Nov. - 5 Dec.

1702

1978

188

11.0

17832

1230



Table 10. Continued

To t a 1 Ha r v e s t

Average Catch Rate

Date

Species

No. sx tlo. Percent ~Jgt 0 ( 1b) Sx ~~gt. Percent ~Jgt. Ub) No/Hr Lb/Hr

March - Dec. 1975 (54156 angler hours)

Bowfin Bullheads
~Jarmouth
Flier

2259 494 22915 3545 20557 3939 1298 502

4.3 43.9 39.4
2.5

4577 1143 8255 1257 12847 2599
448 181

14 0 2 25.5
39.8
1.4

2.03 0.36 0.62 0.34

0.03 OJJ6
0.32 o. 11 0.28 o. 18 0.02 o. 01

Largemouth bass 821

207

1.6

1381 313

4.3 1.68 0.01 0.02

Chain pickerel 3874 662

7.4

4588

904

14 0 l

l. 18

0.05 0.06

Spotted sunfish 347 111

0.7

130

44

0.4

Bluegill Other Total

107 14 52191

46 14 5575

0.2 0.03 100.03

60 34 32320

16 36 4086

0.2
o. 1 1oo. r

0.38 0.56 2.43 0.62

0.005 0.002
0.002 o. 001
0.001 0.001 0.96 0.60

N 0"1

Table 10. Estimates of total harvest, average weight and catch rates by species on the Okefenokee Swamp from March 1973 to December 1975.

T o t a l Ha r v e s t

Average Catch Rate

Date

Species

No. sx No. Percent vJgt. (l b) Sx \Jgt. Percent Wgt.(lb) No/Hr Lb/Hr

March - Dec. 1973 Bowfin

4393 1162

4.2

8746 2231

14.2

l. 99

0.07 0.13

(66475 angler hours) Bull heads

32898 8928 31.4 13279 4086 21.5 0.40 0.49 0.20

\~armouth

54403 11886 51.9 29442 6493 47.7 0.54 0.82 0.44

Flier

6097 2817

5.8

1982 926

3. l 0.32 0.09 0.03

Largemouth bass 1470 492

1.4

2475 831

4.0 1.68 0.02 0.04

Chain pickerel 4784 1568

4.6

5321 1603

8.6

l.ll

0.07 0.08

Spotted sunfish 226 138

0.2

58

33

0. l 0.26 0.003 0.001

Bluegill

346 214

0.3

231 128

0.4 0.67 0.005 0.004

Other

136 112

0.2

181 164

0.4 1.33 0.003 0.004

N

Total

1047 51 15138 100.0 61715 9232 100.0 0.59 1. 58 0.93

(J1

March - Dec. 1974 Bowfin (79186 angler hours) Bullheads

5150 861 26331 6892

4.7 24.2

9254 1691 10489 2864

14.7 16.7

1.80 0.40

0.06 0.12
0.33 o. 13

Warmouth

62409 14176 57.5 32264 6904 51.2 0.52 0.79 0.41

Flier

3809 950

3.5

1344 365

2. l

0.35

0.05 0.02

Largemouth bass 1152 294

l.l

2442 615

3.9 2.12 0. 01 0.03

Chain pickerel 4978 l 089

4.6

5207 1219

8.3 l. 05 0.06 0.06

Spotted sunfish 4173 l 026

3.8

1428 368

2.3 0.34 0.05 o. 18

Bluegill

372 106

0.3

284

98

0.4 0.76 0.005 0.004

Other Total

. 198 l 09

0.3

108572 20967 100.0

365 187

0.4

63077 11433 l 00.0

l. 83 0.58

0.005 0.004 1.37 0.80

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Table 12. Summary of bowfin population estimates on the Suwannee River from 1973 to 1975 using the adjusted Petersen method.

Year

Dates

Number

Number

Number Sampled t1arked Fish Percent

t~a rked for t1arks Recaptured Recaptured

Bowfin Estimate

Standard Error

1973 29 Oct. - 16 Nov. 1942

1337

123

6.3

20966

1786

1974 14 Nov. - 11 Dec.

2202

1836

214

9.7

18823

1203

cN o

1975 4 Nov. - 5 Dec. 1702

1978

188

11.0

17832

1230

Table ll. Estimated effort and success by species fished-for on the Okefenokee Swamp from 10 March 1973 to 26 December 1975.

Species

Number of

Effort

Periods with Effort ~~an-hours %

Catch Rates No/Hr Lbs/Hr

March - Dec. 1973 Largemouth bass Chain pickerel
Bluegill
Warmouth Flier Bullheads
Bowfin Total

18

4309 l 0. l

0.15 0.28

10

958 2.2

0.60 0. 77

l

40 0. l

0

0

21

33429 78.0

l. 22 0.67

5

493 1.2

4. 31 1.42

9

3568 8.3

2.23 l.Ol

l

46 0. l

1.07 3.17

42843 l 00.0

1.22 0.67

March - Dec. 1974 Largemouth bass Chain pickerel
Bluegill Warmouth
Flier Bullheads Total

21

6512 12.9

0.14 0. 31

8

1530 3.0

0.81 0.82

l

43 0. l

0

0

21

40646 80.7

1.24 0.65

5

381 0.8

2.68 1.07

6

1282 2.5

3.08 1.24

50394 l 00.0

l . 14 0.63

~~arch - Dec. 1975 Largemouth bass
Chain pickerel
Warmouth Spotted sunfish
Flier Bullheads
Total

19

4108 17.3

0.08 o. 14

6

556 2.3

l. 15 1.35

17

18405 77.6

0.60 0.38

3

168 0.7

0.05 0.04

2

34 0. l

4.26 0.94

2

471

2.0

3.03 l. 13

23742 l 00.0

0.57 0.38

27

:. ' . . .; -~- ~ :.~.- .'::. "\ '

ANALYSIS Several parameters were examined for detecting changes in the fish population in relation to changes in bowfin abundance. Spring and summer rotenone data from Mud Lake slough were used for reflecting population changes since they were collected before and after removal and included data from ~Jyatt et al. (1966) and (1967), Holder (l970a) and (l973c), and Germann (1973). Before removal F/C ratios were low (Figure 2). They increased in 1970 and declined in 1971. From 1971 to 1976 F/C ratios continued to decline. The A~ values showed a decline in the quality of the game fish population in 1972 after an increase in 1970 and 1971. Both of these parameters show that a change occurred in the fish population between 1967 and 1970 and that after 1971 the fish population reverted back to the original level. The spring samples in 1966 and 1967 had bowfin E values of 76.7 and 70.0%, respectively; the game fish E values were 13.4 and 16.2%, respectively (Table 13). The bowfin E values in the 1974-1976 Mud Lake samples exceeded the values reported before removal. The game fish values were either less than or equivalent to those recorded prior to removal To determine the fish species that may be causing these changes, %weight composition (E value) of key species in the spring and summer rotenone samples from Mud Lake slough from 1970 to 1976 were regressed against year. The hypothesis tested was B = 0 at P ~.05 where B is the slope of the regression (Snedecor and Cochran 1968). Warmouth and largemouth bass were the only game species to show a significant relationship and they were both decreases through time (Y = 14.5214- 1.2696X and Y = 25.3857 - 2.5671X, respectively). Bowfin and spotted suckers were
29

the only non-game species with significant changes and they were both increases (Y = 1.6243 + 7.5782X andY = 2.0343 + 0.5261X, respectively). Spotted suckers, even with the significant increase in E values, made up less than 4% of the standing crop estimates and are not an abundant species in the Suwannee River.
Analysis of the standing crop values of bowfin and game fish showed somewhat different results than suggested by the E values (Table 13). The weight per acre of bowfin from 1972 to 1976 is lower than the standing crop estimates in 1966 and 1967. Though the bowfin E values from 1974 to 1976 exceeded the levels of 1966-1967, the weight per acre did not reflect increases of the same magnitude. The game fish weight per acre was about the same from 1966 to 1972 and then declined. However, the E values increased in 1970-1971. The difference in the game fish E values between 1966-1967 and 1970-1971 appears to be the result of the decrease in bowfin abundance. Also, the decrease in the game fish weight, principally warmouth and largemouth bass, from 1972 to 1976 accounts for part of the increase in bowfin E values during the same period.
Analysis of bowfin population estimates (Figure 3) tended to agree with the standing crop estimates of bowfin in the Mud Lake rotenone samples (Table 13) and to a lessor extent with the E values. The 1967-68 estimate showed an initial high bowfin population. The 1969 estimate showed a lower population. Then from 1970 to 1975 the bowfin increased to around 20,000. The increase was considerable lower than the level indicated in 1967-68. Visual analysis of the confidence intervals in Figure 3 shows that the bowfin population from 1973 to 1975 is significantly higher than in 1969 (year of lowest estimate) and that the population has stabilized.
Though the bowfin population estimates in Figure 3 correspond to the standing crop estimates in Table 13, they do not follow in the same
32

1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6
-u 0.5
LL
0.4 0.3 0.2 0. 1

7 \......

F/C

"' \

\

\
\

A~

\

\

\

l ....... ......... ........

50
40
30
:::::::-!-)
<
20
10

0

0

1966 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76

YE/\R

Figure 2.

Changes in F/C ratio and A~ values in the fish
population of the Suwannee River. The 1968 rotenone mainstream sample was included for depicting the condition of the population before and during bowfin removal.

30

ANALYSIS

Several parameters were examined for detecting changes in the fish

population in relation to changes in bowfin abundance. Spring and

summer rotenone data from Mud Lake slough were used for reflecting

population changes since they were collected before and after removal

and included data from ~Jyatt et al. (1966) and (1967), Holder (1970a)

and (1973c), and Germann (1973).

Before removal F/C ratios were low (Figure 2). They increased in

1970 and declined in 1971. From 1971 to 1976 F/C ratios continued to decline. The A~ values showed a decline in the quality of the game

fish population in 1972 after an increase in 1970 and 1971. Both of ._.,.;
these parameters show that a change occurred in the fish population

between 1967 and 1970 and that after 1971 the fish population reverted

back to the original level.

The spring samples in 1966 and 1967 had bowfin E values of 76.7

and 70.0%, respectively; the game fish E values were 13.4 and 16.2%,

respectively (Table 13). The bowfin E values in the 1974-1976 Mud

Lake samples exceeded the values reported before removal. The game

fish values were either less than or equivalent to those recorded

prior to removal.

t

To determine the fish species that may be causing these changes,

%weight composition (E value) of key species in the spring and summer

rotenone samples from Mud Lake slough from 1970 to 1976 were regressed

against year. The hypothesis tested was B = 0 at P 5.05 where B is the

slope of the regression (Snedecor and Cochran 1968). vJarmouth and

largemouth bass were the only game species to show a significant relation-

ship and they were both decreases through time (Y = 14.5214- 1.2696X and

Y = 25.3857 - 2.5671X, respectively). Bowfin and spotted suckers were

29

aJ
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'<:t-

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aJ
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c0 o

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31

proportion. It is likely that the original estimate is an over-estimate. Only 250 bowfin were marked when the first estimate was made (\lyatt et al. l968b). Also the estimate was over a six month period. ~~arked bowfin could have moved downstream out of the area during the period of the estimate and, if so, would have resulted in an overestimate.
If we assume that the rotenone standing crop estimates in Mud Lake slough are an index of bowfin abundance in the river, we can get another measure of the bowfin population level in 1968 by comparing differences in the bowfin weight per acre from 1972-76 to those in 1966-67. The mean weight per acre in the Mud Lake rotenone samples from 1972-1976 (327.2 lb/acre) was 41% lower than the 1966-67 mean weight per acre
'. -,.
(555.0lb/acre)o Applying this value to the bowfin population estimates, the original bowfin population would be 1.69 times the mean of the estimates from 1972 to 1975. This becomes 33,710 bowfin. Regardless of which estimate is used (original or adjusted) for reflecting bowfin abundance, the bowfin population from 1973 to 1975 is less than the level indicated in 1967-68.
Data on changes in catch per unit effort (CPUE) of bowfin by electrofishing during the period of the population estimates were also examined (Table 14). The CPUE in 1967-68 at the time of the i~tial population estimate was 121 fish/hr weighing 231.3 lb. It dropped to around 27 fish/hr in 1969 and 1970 and then gradually increased, except for the high increase in 1974 that approached the 1967-68 CPUE values. The CPUE values generally corresponded with the other parameters for reflecting bowfin abundance. Sampling efficiency improved in 1973 from modifications in electrofishing assembly and replacement of the voltage booster. One other variable affecting the CPUE values was water level. The 1974 CPUE reflects this influence since water flows during that period were lower
34

the only non-game species with significant changes and they were both increases (Y = 1.6243 + 7.5782X andY = 2.0343 + 0.5261X, respectively). Spotted suckers, even with the significant increase in E values, made up less than 4% of the standing crop estimates and are not an abundant species in the Suwannee River.
Analysis of the standing crop values of bowfin and game fish showed somewhat different results than suggested by the E values (Table 13). The weight per acre of bowfin from 1972 to 1976 is lower than the standing crop estimates in 1966 and 1967. Though the bowfin E values from 1974 to 1976 exceeded the levels of 1966-1967, the weight per acre did not reflect increases of the same magnitude. The game fish weight per acre was about the same from 1966 to 1972 and then declined. However,
the E values increased in 1970-1971. The difference in the game fish E
values between 1966-1967 and 1970-1971 appears to be the result of the decrease in bowfin abundance. Also, the decrease in the game fish weight, principally warmouth and largemouth bass, from 1972 to 1976 accounts for part of the increase in bowfin E values during the same period.
Analysis of bowfin population estimates (Figure 3) tended to agree with the standing crop estimates of bowfin in the Mud Lake rotenone samples (Table 13) and to a lessor extent with the E values. The 1967-68 estimate showed an initial high bowfin population. The 1969 estimate showed a lower population. Then from 1970 to 1975 the bowfin increased to around 20,000. The increase was considerable lower than the level indicated in 1967-68. Visual analysis of the confidence intervals in Figure 3 shows that the bowfin population from 1973 to 1975 is significantly higher than in 1969 (year of lowest estimate) and that the population has stabilized.
Though the bowfin population estimates in Figure 3 correspond to the standing crop estimates in Table 13, they do not follow in the same
32

Table 13. Bowfin and game fish standing crop data from spring and summer Mud Lake slough rotenone samples, Suwannee River from 1966 to 1976.

Bowfin Standing Crop _____

Game Fish Standing CroQ

Total Harvestable Total Harvestab-le

Date

No/Acre Lb/Acre E Value

No/Acre No/Acre LJgt/ Acre vJgt/ Acre E Value

11 t1ay 1966

243

458.9

76.7

365

122

79.7

74.3

13.4

9 May 1967

344

651 . 1

70.0

790

174

151.9 141 4

16.2

21 t~ay 1970

35

80.5

27.8

1,400

199

97.2

72.2

35.7

w__.

29 Apri 1 1971

102

212. 1

58.0

256

152

131 6 129.3

36.0

10 May 1972

187

333.1

69.2

1 '245

142

82.9

65.6

17. 2

23 May 1974

210

393.0

79.6

96

65

37.9

37.1

7.3

2 July 1975

205

363.0

80.1

1 ,094

111

48.8

35.6

10.3

21 April 1976

. 115

219.6

80.4

771

52

37.3

27.2

13.6

70

60

50

(V')
.0--

w w

X 30
~

QJ

..0

E
:::::l
z:

I

20 -1

T
I

I
I

f I
I

f f

10

t

0

1967-68 1969

1970

1971

1972

1973 1974

1975

YEAR
Figure 3. Plot of yearly bowfin population estimates ~ 2 standard errors in the Suwannee River including data for 1967-68-1972 from Holder(l973a) with current data.

than when the estimates were made in 1973 and 1975.
The data on the fish population (F/C ratios, A~ values, E values,
standing crop estimates, bowfin population estimates, and CPUE values) show that changes occurred in the Suwannee River fish population following removal. The analysis further shows that the bowfin population has increased substantially following removal; however, the various parameters of bowfin abundance do not show the same level of increase. The analysis of the fish population shows that a decline has occurred in the game fish population, principally in warmouth and largemouth bass. Though this decline seems to be inversely related to bowfin abundance, the data on game fish standing crop suggest that the game fish population did not improve following removal and that the game fish decline is not the result of bowfin increases.
Creel data on the Suwannee River and the Okefenokee Swamp for years 1969-75 were examined to determine changes in the sport fishery that would be related to bowfin abundance. Data from Swanson and Holder (l974a and b) were included in this analysis.
The Suwannee River sport fishery fluctuated yearly (Table 15). The total number and total weight caught in the Suwannee River were regressed against fishermen effort to determine if fishing e-rt"ort was causing the yearly fluctuations (Table 16). The relationships were significant (B = oat p s.05). As fishing pressure increased, the number and pounds of fish caught increased. This shows that the fluctuations in the creel were not from the fishery being depleted from increased fishing pressure. Anglerhours regressed against years was not a significant relationship, indicating no trend in fishing pressure through time.
The 1975 catch rate of 2.1 fish/hr weighing 1.27 lb (Table 15) was comparable to the 2.29 fish/hr weighing 1.16 lb in 1970. The only
36

proportion. It is likely that the original estimate is an over-estimate. Only 250 bowfin were marked when the first estimate was made (lJyatt et al. 1968b). Also the estimate was over a six month period. Marked bowfin could have moved downstream out of the area during the period of the estimate and, if so, would have resulted in an overestimate.
If we assume that the rotenone standing crop estimates in Mud Lake slough are an index of bowfin abundance in the river, we can get another measure of the bowfin population level in 1968 by comparing differences in the bowfin weight per acre from 1972-76 to those in 1966-67. The mean weight per acre in the Mud Lake rotenone samples from 1972-1976 (327.2 lb/acre) was 41% lower than the 1966-67 mean weight per acre (555.0lb/acre)o Applying this value to the bowfin population estimates, the original bowfin population would be 1.69 times the mean of the estimates from 1972 to 1975. This becomes 33,710 bowfin. Regardless of which estimate is used (original or adjusted) for reflecting bowfin abundance, the bowfin population from 1973 to 1975 is less than the level indicated in 1967-68.
Data on changes in catch per unit effort (CPUE) of bowfin by electrofishing during the period of the population estimates were also examined (Table 14). The CPUE in 1967-68 at the time of the initial population estimate was 121 fish/hr weighing 231.3 lb. It dropped to around 27 fish/hr in 1969 and 1970 and then gradually increased, except for the high increase in 1974 that approached the 1967-68 CPUE valueso The CPUE values generally corresponded with the other parameters for reflecting bowfin abundance. Sampling efficiency improved in 1973 from modifications in electrofishing assembly and replacement of the voltage booster. One other variable affecting the CPUE values was water level. The 1974 CPUE reflects this influence since water flows during that period were lower
34

70

60

50

(V')
0
r-

w w

>< s...

30

Q)

.0

E
::l
z:

I

20 -1

f -t T

I

I

I

I

I

f

10

t

0

1967-68 1969

1970

1971

1972

1973 1974

1975

YEAR
Figure 3. Plot of yearly bowfin population estimates ~ 2 standard errors in the Suwannee River including data for 1967-68-1972 from Holder(l973a) with current data.

Table 14. Dates

Bowfin catch per unit effort by electrofishing in the Suwannee River during the period of the population estimates from November 1967 to December l975.a

Hrs/Effort

-----
Number

vJgt (1b)

C PUE

No/hr

Lb/hr

2 Nov. 67 - May 68

94.5

ll '392

21,859.4

120.6

231.3

22 Jan. 69 - 13 Feb. 69

18.5

508

1,117.6

27.4

60.4

9 Nov. 70 - 29 Nov. 70

33.9

935

2,131.8

27.6

62.9

ll Dec. 72 - 9 Jan. 73

21.2

764

l ,680.8

36.0

79.3

29 Oct. 73 - 16 Nov. 73

29.0

l '337

3,315.8

46. l

114. 3

2 Dec. 74 - ll Dec. 74

18.6

1,836

4,333.0

w

()1

2 Dec. 75 - 5 Dec. 75

34.3

l '978

4,905.4

98.7

233.0

57.7

143.0

a The 1971 estimates are not included since they were made with gill net sampling.

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38

than when the estimates were made in 1973 and 1975.
The data on the fish population (F/C ratios, A~ values, E values,
standing crop estimates, bowfin population estimates, and CPUE values) show that changes occurred in the Suwannee River fish population following removal. The analysis further shows that the bowfin population has increased substantially following removal; however, the various parameters of bowfin abundance do not show the same level of increase. The analysis of the fish population shows that a decline has occurred in the game fish population, principally in warmouth and largemouth bass. Though this decline seems to be inversely related to bowfin abundance, the data on game fish standing crop suggest that the game fish population did not improve following removal and that the game fish decline is not the result of bowfin increases.
Creel data on the Suwannee River and the Okefenokee Swamp for years 1969-75 were examined to determine changes in the sport fishery that would be related to bowfin abundance. Data from Swanson and Holder (1974a and b) were included in this analysis.
The Suwannee River sport fishery fluctuated yearly (Table 15). The total number and total weight caught in the Suwannee River were regressed against fishermen effort to determine if fishing effort was causing the yearly fluctuations (Table 16). The relationships were significant (B = 0 at P ~.05). As fishing pressure increased, the number and pounds of fish caught increased. This shows that the fluctuations in the creel were not from the fishery being depleted from increased fishing pressure. Anglerhours regressed against years was not a significant relationship, indicating no trend in fishing pressure through time.
The 1975 catch rate of 2.1 fish/hr weighing 1.27 lb (Table 15) was comparable to the 2.29 fish/hr weighing 1.16 lb in 1970. The only
36

Table 14. Dates

Bowfin catch per unit effort by electrofishing in the Suwannee River during the period of the population estimates from November 1967 to December l975.a

- -- --- --
Hrs/Effort

------

-

Number

~Jgt (1b)

CPU E

No/hr

Lb/hr

2 Nov. 67 - May 68

94.5

11 '392

21,859.4

120.6

231.3

22 Jan. 69 - 13 Feb. 69

18.5

508

1,117.6

27.4

60.4

9 Nov. 70 - 29 Nov. 70

33.9

935

2,131.8

27.6

62.9

11 Dec. 72 - 9 Jan. 73

21.2

764

1,680.8

36.0

79.3

29 Oct. 73 - 16 Nov. 73

29.0

1 '337

3,315.8

46.1

114.3

2 Dec. 74 - 11 Dec. 74

18.6

1,836

4,333.0

w

CJ1

2 Dec. 75 - 5 Dec. 75

34.3

1 '978

4,905.4

98.7

233.0

57.7

143.0

a The 1971 estimates are not included since they were made with gill net sampling .

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Table 17. Summary of pounds creeled in the Suwannee River from 1970 to 1975a.

Species

1970 1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

Bowfin Bullheads

4846 5982 13646 6692 13478

9971

7639

9167 29390

7028

Warmouth

23952

2371

7062 15933 2123

Spotted sunfish 4470

319 3644 2940 2821

Largemouth bass

3420 1411

3271

3016

2343

Chain pickerel

3193

Redbreast sunfish 996

Channel catfish

244

Bluegill

808

Other

773

Total

52673

2076 252 328 316
36 20730

2569 1391
566 513 440 42269

2403 595 2734 973 315
64991

2012 258 3747 449 510
34769

t
a 1969 is not included since no weight data were collected.

11155 22079 4917
5742 1182 3379 1294 9833 2082
528 62191

40

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38

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Table 15. Summary of estimates on fishing pressure, catch, and catch rates on the Suwannee River from 1969-1970 including data from Swanson and Holder (l974a).

Year Angler Hours

Total Harvest

No.

~Jgt. {lb}

Catch No/llr

Rate Lb/Hr

1969

11292

17805

a

l. 58

a

., ~!

1970

45567

l 04357

52673

2.29

l. 16

1971

19616

39749

20730

2.03

1.06

1972

36215

55682

42269

1.54

1.17

1973

54952

121460

64991

2. 21

1.18

1974

31616

41903

34769

l. 33

l. l 0

1975

49105

103063

62191

2. l 0

1.27

a Was not collected

37

significant catch rate relationship in the Suwannee River was weight per hour regressed on angler hours. Bass and Hitt (1973) reported a catch rate of 1.77 fish/hr for the lower Santa Fe River in Florida. Holder and Ruebsamen (1976) cited per hour catch rates for the upper and lower Satilla River in Georgia as 0.71 fish weighing 0.28 lb and 0.72 fish weighing 0.42 lb, respectively. Ober (1977) found that the per hour catch rates in the upper Flint River, Georgia was 0.60 fish weighing 0.63 lb. Pasch and McSwain (1974) reported a catch rate of 1.01 fish/hr weighing 0.38 lb in the lower Flint River. The catch rates for the Suwannee River have exceeded all these values.
Visual observations of changes in the catch by weight through time show that species catches varied yearly (Table 17). Warmouth appeared to be less dominant in the creel. Bullheads are now the dominant species and spotted sunfish and channel catfish are becoming more prominent. The only species to exhibit a significant change from 1970 to 1975 is channel catfish (Figure 4). The relationship Y = 10,026.95 + l724.77X was a trend of increase through time and was significant (B = 0 at P s.05).
It is apparent that several of the more abundant species in the creel were not abundant in the rotenone slough samples. Since 1973 channel catfish and spotted sunfish have never comprised more than 3% of the game species weight in rotenone samples at Mud Lake (Table 4.) Yellow bullhead never exceeded 2.8% of the population weight. During this same interval these three species have collectively averaged 70% by number and 53% by weight of the river creel estimates. The slough samples apparently are not representative of the abundance of these species in the Suwannee River.
Graphical analysis of the pounds of game fish, bullheads, and bowfin was made to compare yearly changes between these categories (Figure 5).
39

70 -

60 50

40

30

+

20

-t

10

t

GA~1E FISH

t

AND BULLHEADS

40

30

0

0 0

20

><
10
.....C.-l

t

+>

~
en

60

r-

Q)

:2:

50

f

BULLHEADS
t

+

GM1E FISH

40 30 20

t t

t t
+

10

+

20
f 10

+ +t

+

+BOWFIN

1970 1971

1972 1973

1974

1975

YEAR

Figure 5. Mean estimates ~ 2 approximate standard errors of Suwannee River creel catch data.

42

:-;:.

. .. ~ .

Table 17. Summary of pounds creeled in the Suwannee River from 1970 to 1975a.

Species

1970

Bowfin

4846

Bull heads

9971

Warmouth

23952

Spotted sunfish 4470

Largemouth bass 3420

Chain pickerel

3193

Redbreast sunfish 996

Channel catfish

244

Bl uegi 11

808

Other

773

Total

52673

1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

5982 7639 2371
319 1411 2076
252 328 316
36 20730

13646 9167 7062 3644 3271 2569 1391
566 513 440 42269

6692 29390 15933
2940 3016 2403
595 2734
973 315 64991

13478 7028 2123 2821 2343 2012 258 3747 449 510 34769

11155 22079 4917
5742 1182 3379 1294 9833 2082
528 62191

a 1969 is not included since no weight data were collected.

40

significant catch rate relationship in the Suwannee River was weight per hour regressed on angler hours. Bass and Hitt (1973) reported a catch rate of 1.77 fish/hr for the lower Santa Fe River in Florida. Holder and Ruebsamen (1976) cited per hour catch rates for the upper and lower Satilla River in Georgia as 0.71 fish weighing 0.28 lb and 0.72 fish weighing 0.42 lb, respectively. Ober (1977) found that the per hour catch rates in the upper Flint River, Georgia was 0.60 fish weighing 0.63 lb. Pasch and McSwain (1974) reported a catch rate of 1.01 fish/hr weighing 0.38 lb in the lower Flint River. The catch rates for the Suwannee River have exceeded all these values.
Visual observations of changes in the catch by weight through time show that species catches varied yearly (Table 17). Warmouth appeared to be less dominant in the creel. Bullheads are now the dominant species and spotted sunfish and channel catfish are becoming more prominent. The only species to exhibit a significant change from 1970 to 1975 is channel catfish (Figure 4). The relationship Y = 10,026.95 + 1724.77X was a trend of increase through time and was significant (B = 0 at P ~.05).
It is apparent that several of the more abundant species in the creel were not abundant in the rotenone slough samples. Since 1973 channel catfish and spotted sunfish have never compris~d more than 3% of the game species weight in rotenone samples at Mud Lake (Table 4.) Yellow bullhead never exceeded 2.8% of the population weight. During this same interval these three species have collectively averaged 70% by number and 53% by weight of the river creel estimates. The slough samples apparently are not representative of the abundance of these species in the Suwannee River.
Graphical analysis of the pounds of game fish, bullheads, and bowfin was made to compare yearly changes between these categories (Figure 5).
39

15
0 0
0 10
><

Y - - 10026.95 + 1724.77 X (0.8755)
f

t t

+

+

+

1970 1971

1972

1973

1974 1975

Figure 4.

YEAR
Mean estimate 2 approximate standard errors of
channel catfish pounds harvested from the Suwannee River, 1~70-1975. (The regression equation and correlat1on coefficient is given since the slope was significant at P~ 0.05).

41

winter and early spring (Figure 6). A linear regression equation developed

for the relationship of pounds harvested to the mean winter flow (Jan -

, ..

April) in Figure 6 was Y = 22,434.7 + ll.52X. The correlation coefficient

was 0.83 and was significant at P.-s..05. Holder (l970c) noted that high

water during the late fall and winter resulted in fish movements into

the Suwannee River from the Okefenokee Swamp. Winter high water inter-

vals occurred prior to the 1970, 1972, 1973, and 1975 fishing seasons.

Catches of game fish and bullheads were higher in these years (Figure 5).

One area of concern about the Suwannee River fishery is the indi-

cation of a declining largemouth bass population. We earlier showed a

significant decline in the largemouth bass E values. Few young and

yearling bass were collected in the 1973-1975 rotenone samples (Appendix

Tables A-1 to A-6). The estimated number of largemouth bass harvested in

the creel since the high of 2,525 in 1970 was 928- 1971, 1,535- 1972,

1,380- 1973, 996- 1974 and 661 - 1975. The four month period surveyed

in 1976 had a bass harvest of 566. The regression equation of largemouth

bass number to years from 1970 to 1975 was Y = 3,324.14- 264.88X and was

a significant decline ( P = .05). Fished-for data on largemouth bass

showed a similar pattern and included data from Holder (l970b) and (l973b)

and Swanson and Holder (l974a). The fished-for catch ~ates were 0.47 -

1970, 0.30- 1971, 0.41 - 1972, 0.35- 1973, 0.13- 1974, 0.26- 1975 and

0.15- March-June 1976. A linear regression of these values to year

(Y = 0.6671 - 0.04628X) showed a significant decline. Pounds harvested

yearly showed a less definite trend and was non-significanto Largemouth

bass are one of the more popular species sought by fishermen. They also

are one of the top carnivores in the food chain. A continuing trend of

decline could pose some serious problems in the well being of this species

in the Suwannee River.

44

70

60 50

t

40

30 20

GA~1E FISH

+

t

.l\ND BULLHEADS

-t

10

40

30

0

0 0

20

><
10
.0

t

f

BULLHEADS
t

+

+-'
60 ..s:::
01 ClJ
3
50
40
30
20

t t

GAt-1E FISH
t

10

+

20
f 10

t
+

t

+

+BOWFIN

1970 1971

1972 1973

1974 1975

YEAR

Figure 5. Mean estimates ~ 2 approximate standard errors of Suwannee River creel catch data.

42

15
0 0
0 10
><
..0

Y - - 10026.95 + 1724.77 X (0.8755)
f

.+.c-:'

5

.,0...". \

<lJ 3:

t t

+

+

+

1970 1971

1972 1973

1974 1975

Figure 4.

YEAR

Mean estimate 2 approximate standard errors of

channel catfish pounds harvested from the Suwannee

River, 1970-1975. (The regression equation and

correlation coefficient is given since the slope

was significant at P~ 0.05).

t

41

Bullheads were separated from game fish to allow comparison of bowfin to sport fisheries. Total pounds game fish and bowfin caught with confidence intervals at P =.05 showed no significant differences between the catches of 1970 and 1975. There were, however, some changes during the years between. Game fish catches in 1971 and 1974 were generally significantly lower than in other years. The catches of game fish fluctuated yearly except for 1973. Bowfin catches in 1972 and 1974 were generally significantly higher than in other years. Bowfin yearly catches were less variable than game fish and were similar in 1970-1971 and 1974-1975.
Bullheads showed similar catches through 1972 and then fluctuated yearly. The harvest of bullheads in 1975 was significantly higher than the harvest in 1970. When bullheads were included with game fish catches, each year's harvest was significantly different from the previous year. However, there was no difference between the 1970 and 1975 harvest totals.
The pounds harvested of bowfin, game fish, bullheads, and game fish and bullheads combined were regressed to years. All equations were nonsignificant (B = 0 at P 5.05), suggesting that definable trends have not developed in the fishery. Changes in game fish catches could not be related to changes in bowfin catches in the creel. They also cannot be related to changes in the bowfin population (Figure 3) since fluctuations occurred i~ the creel from 1971 to 1975 even though the bowfin population had stabilized.
One factor which apparently influences the sport fishery of the Suwannee River is water flow. Higher fishing pressure and catch occurred in years with the higher mean annual flowso In fact, the higher pressure and catch values corresponded with those years having high water in the
43

In contrast to the generally healthy condition of the river fishery,

the quality of the fishery in the Okefenokee Swamp appears to be deter-

iorating (Table 18). Catch in 1970 was 195,178 fish weighing 93,451 lb.

The annual catch declined to 52,191 fish weighing 32,320 lb by 1975.

As in the river, the total number and pounds of fish creeled in the

Okefenokee Swamp showed positive relationships with angler hours; however,

the regressions were not significant (Table 19). The regression of angler

hours to year and fishing trips to year were also non-significant. Total

number and total pounds caught to time were both significant relationships

and the slopes were negative. Although fishing pressure has not changed,

fewer numbers and pounds of fish have been harvested from the Okefenokee

Swamp through the years.

Catch rates in the Okefenokee Swamp have also decreased even though

fishermen pressure did not increase significantly. The catch per hour

in 1970 was 2.07 fish weighing 0.99 lb (Swanson and Holder 1974b). In

1973, the catch rate had decreased to 1.58 fish/hr weighing 0.93 lb

(Table 18). By 1975 the per hour catch rate had dropped to 0.96 fish

weighing 0.60 lb. Regression equations of catch per hour and catch per

trip by number and weight against year were significant. In all cases,

the regression slopes were negative indicating trendstof decrease with

time.

A summary of changes in weight harvested by species from 1970 to

'..,'

1975 are presented in Table 20. Graphical analysis of warmouth, flier,

and largemouth bass illustrate the decline in the sport fishery (Figure

7). In 1970 warmouth pounds harvested in this portion of the swamp was

64,149 fish. By 1975 warmouth catch had declined to 12,847 lb. This

was an 80% reduction since 1970. A regression equation of pounds

warmouth caught against year was Y = 8qz80.81 - 7J03.89X and was

46

winter and early spring (Figure 6). A linear regression equation developed for the relationship of pounds harvested to the mean winter flow (Jan April) in Figure 6 was Y = 22,434.7 + 11.52X. The correlation coefficient was 0.83 and was significant at P.:::..05. Holder (1970c) noted that high water during the late fall and winter resulted in fish movements into the Suwannee River from the Okefenokee Swamp. Winter high water intervals occurred prior to the 1970, 1972, 1973, and 1975 fishing seasons. Catches of game fish and bullheads were higher in these years (Figure 5).
One area of concern about the Suwannee River fishery is the indication of a declining largemouth bass population. We earlier showed a significant decline in the largemouth bass E values. Few young and yearling bass were collected in the 1973-1975 rotenone samples (Appendix Tables A-1 to A-6). The estimated number of largemouth bass harvested in the creel since the high of 2,525 in 1970 was 928- 1971, 1,535- 1972, 1,380- 1973, 996- 1974 and 661 - 1975. The four month period surveyed in 1976 had a bass harvest of 566. The regression equation of largemouth bass number to years from 1970 to 1975 was Y = 3,324.14- 264.88X and was a significant decline ( P = .05). Fished-for data on largemouth bass showed a similar pattern and included data from Holder (1970b) and (1973b) and Swanson and Holder (1974a). The fished-for catch rates were 0.47 1970, 0.30- 1971, 0.41 - 1972, 0.35- 1973, 0.13- 1974, 0.26- 1975 and 0.15- March-June 1976. A linear regression of these values to year (Y = 0.6671 - 0.04628X) showed a significant decline. Pounds harvested yearly showed a less definite trend and was non-significanto Largemouth bass are one of the more popular species sought by fishermen. They also are one of the top carnivores in the food chain. A continuing trend of decline could pose some serious problems in the well being of this species in the Suwannee River.
44

Bullheads were separated from game fish to allow comparison of bowfin to sport fisheries. Total pounds game fish and bowfin caught with confidence intervals at P =.05 showed no significant differences between the catches of 1970 and 1975. There were, however, some changes during the years between. Game fish catches in 1971 and 1974 were generally significantly lower than in other years. The catches of game fish fluctuated yearly except for 1973. Bowfin catches in 1972 and 1974 were generally significantly higher than in other years. Bowfin yearly catches were less variable than game fish and were similar in 1970-1971 and 1974-1975.
Bullheads showed similar catches through 1972 and then fluctuated yearly. The harvest of bullheads in 1975 was significantly higher than the harvest in 1970. When bullheads were included with game fish catches, each year 1 s harvest was significantly different from the previous year. However, there was no difference between the 1970 and 1975 harvest totals.
The pounds harvested of bowfin, game fish, bullheads, and game fish and bullheads combined were regressed to years. All equations were nonsignificant (B = 0 at P 5.05), suggesting that definable trends have not developed in the fishery. Changes in game fish cat~hes could not be related to changes in bowfin catches in the creel. They also cannot be related to changes in the bowfin population (Figure 3) since fluctuations occurred i~ the creel from 1971 to 1975 even though the bowfin population had stabilized.
One factor which apparently influences the sport fishery of the Suwannee River is water flow. Higher fishing pressure and catch occurred in years with the higher mean annual flowso In fact, the higher pressure and catch values corresponded with those years having high water in the
43

80

70
0 0 0
><
_Q 50

40 ..s:::::
u

+r>o

u 30

,...-

ro

+>

0 I-

20

10-

/)\ CFS

/

\

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r /

\
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Figure 6. Relationship of fishing pressure and catch to mean
winter (Jan.-April) water discharge in the Suwannee River. Water flows were taken from U.S. Geological Survey (197lb-1976).

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48

In contrast to the generally healthy condition of the river fishery, the quality of the fishery in the Okefenokee Swamp appears to be deteriorating (Table 18). Catch in 1970 was 195,178 fish weighing 93,451 lb. The annual catch declined to 52,191 fish weighing 32,320 lb by 1975 As in the river, the total number and pounds of fish creeled in the Okefenokee Swamp showed positive relationships with angler hours; however, the regressions were not significant (Table 19). The regression of angler hours to year and fishing trips to year were also non-significant. Total number and total pounds caught to time were both significant relationships and the slopes were negative. Although fishing pressure has not changed, fewer numbers and pounds of fish have been harvested from the Okefenokee Swamp through the years.
Catch rates in the Okefenokee Swamp have also decreased even though fishermen pressure did not increase significantly. The catch per hour in 1970 was 2.07 fish weighing 0.99 lb (Swanson and Holder l974b). In 1973, the catch rate had decreased to 1.58 fish/hr weighing 0.93 lb (Table 18). By 1975 the per hour catch rate had dropped to 0.96 fish weighing 0.60 lb. Regression equations of catch per hour and catch per trip by number and weight against year were significant. In all cases, the regression slopes were negative indicating trends of decrease with time.
A summary of changes in weight harvested by species from 1970 to 1975 are presented in Table 20. Graphical analysis of warmouth, flier, and largemouth bass illustrate the decline in the sport fishery (Figure 7). In 1970 warmouth pounds harvested in this portion of the swamp was 64,149 fish. By 1975 warmouth catch had declined to 12,847 lb. This was an 80% reduction since 1970. A regression equation of pounds warmouth caught against year was Y = 8~80.81 - 7~03.89X and was
46

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Table 18. Summary of estimates of fishing pressure, catch, and catch rate in the southeast corner of the Okefenokee Swamp from 1970 to 1975 including data from Swanson and Holder (l974b).

Year Angler Hours Fishing Trips

Total Harvest

No.

Ugt.(lb)

Catch Rate No/Hr Lb/Hr

Catch Rate No/Trip Lb/Tri p

1970

94174

19457

195178

93451

2.07

0.99

10.03

4.80

1971

53857

13233

92216

49970

l. 73

0.93

6.96

3. 77

1972

71671

17267

99584

55771

l. 50

0.84

5.76

3.22

1973

66475

19051

104751

61715

l. 58

0.93

5.48

3o23

1974

79186

20445

108572

63077

1.37

0.80

5.31

3.08

1975

54156

16263

52191

32320

0.96

0.60

3.20

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Table 19. Regression equations developed on Okefenokee Swamp 1970-1975 creel (El = 0 at P ~.05).
An asterisk indicates a significant t value.

Regression

Corre 1ati on

Coefficient

Student ''t 11

df

Number Caught to Angler Hours

Y = - 70056.02 + 2.47X

0.7075

2.0025

4

Weight Caught to Angler Hours

Y =- 15520.12 + l.04X

0.6945

1 . 9309

4

Angler Hours to Year

Y = 81253.95 - ll08.97X

0.1548

0.3838

4

Number of Fishing Trips to Year Y = 16023.67 + 212.80X

0.1513

0.3749

4

+c:o>

Number Caught to Year

Weight Caught to Year

Y = 253412.62- 19lll.l7X 0.7643

2.9029

4

Y = 116909.43 - 7586.66X 0.7103

2.4718

4

Number/Hour to Angler Hours Weight/Hour to Angler Hours Number/Hour to Year Weight/Hour to Year Number/Trip to Year Weight/Trip to Year

Y = 0.91 +.000008X Y = 0.74 +.OOOOOlX Y = 3.14- 0.22X Y = 1.46- 0.09X Y = 14.57- l.l3X Y = 6.8071 - 0.46X

0.2392

0.3942

4

0.0689

0.2011

4

0.9160

5.5916*

4

0.8243

3.5673*

4

0.9289

6.1501*

4

0.9361

6.5009*

4

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47

..

Table 20. Summary of pounds creeled in the Okefenokee Swamp from 1970 to 1975.

Species Bowfin Bullheads Warmouth Flier Largemouth bass Chain pickerel Spotted sunfish Bluegill Other Total

1970 3120 6215 64149 11426 3086 5381
74 93451

1971 4758 5940 29530 3485 2290 3764
203 49970

1972 9552 4985 27130 5174 2750 5346
127 626 81 55771

1973 8746 13279 29442 1982 2475 5321
58 231 181 61715

1974 9254 10489 32264 1344 2442 5207 1428
284 365 63077

1975 4577 8255 12847 448 1381 4588
130 60 34
32320

49

Table 21. Changes in fished-for catch rates of warmouth and largemouth bass in the Okefenokee Swamp.

Warmouth

Year

No/Hr

Largemouth bass No/Hr

1970

1.72

0.22

1971

1.43

0.26

1972

1.16

0.15

1973

1.22

0.15

1974

1.24

0.14

1975

0.60

0.08

52

100 90 80 70

60

50

40 30

20

10
0 0 0
>< ........
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.+.s:-::'

5

01

r-

:O:;J:

t

f

15

UARMOUTH
y = 86280.81 - 7103.89X
(0.7909)

t t

LARGEMOUTH BASS

y = 4280.10- 245.06X

t

t

+ + (0.7530)

10

FLIER

y = 17883.57 - l849.34X

5

t

(0.8591)
t + +

1970 1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

Figure 7.

YEAR
11ean estimates ~ 2 approximate standard errors of Okefenokee Swamp creel catch data. (Regression equations and correlation coefficients are given for significant slopes at P~ 0.05).

50

Table 20. Summary of pounds creeled in the Okefenokee Swamp from 1970 to 1975.

Species Bowfin Bullheads Warmouth Flier Largemouth bass Chain pickerel Spotted sunfish Bluegill Other Total

1970 3120 6215 64149 11426 3086 5381
74 93451

1971 4758 5940 29530 3485 2290 3764
203 49970

1972 9552 4985 27130 5174 2750 5346
127 626 81 55771

1973 8746 13279 29442 1982 2475 5321
58 231 181 61715

1974 9254 10489 32264 1344 2442 5207 1428
284 365 63077

1975 4577 8255 12847 448 1381 4588
130 60 34
32320

49

significant. Largemouth bass exhibited less of a decline than warmouth and flier. Although bass are not an abundant species in the swamp creel, a regression equation was developed of pounds caught to year. The relationship Y = 4,280.10- 245.06X was significant forB= 0 at P 5.05.
Fished-for catch rates were examined for warmouth and largemouth bass in the Okefenokee Swamp to determine if they exhibited similar trends and included data from Holder (l973b) and Swanson and Holder (l974b) (Table 21). Warmouth and largemouth bass fished-for catch rates regressed against year showed a significant decline (Y = 2.5376- O.l746X and Y = 0.3938 - 0.0303X, respectively). Fished-for catch rates were not analyzed for flier since so little fishing effort was applied toward this species.
The decline in the Okefenokee Swamp cannot be related to bowfin abundance in the creel since bowfin harvest demonstrated no definable pattern (Figure 8). Confidence intervals applied to bowfin pounds harvested showed a significant increase in 1972 and a significant decrease in 1975. The regression equation of bowfin pounds harvested against years was non-significant (B = 0 at P 5.05).
The decline of catches in the Okefenokee Swamp may be related to the phenomena of water level conditions and habitat space. Holder (1970c) noted that the Okefenokee Swamp was dependent upon local rainfall because of its small watershed of 1,100 square miles. Holder stated that during wet seasons, most of the swamp may be covered with water, and during a severe drought only the open areas may contain water. Since most of the swamp drainage flows into the Suwannee River (Cypert 1961), water discharge records for the Suwannee River (Table 22) would identify the wet years in the Okefenokee Swamp. The period from 1964 to mid 1967 was almost a continuous high water interval. Such a high water period would cause the
51

Table 22. Mean monthly water discharge in cubic feet per second at Fargo, Ga. on the Suwannee River from October 1960 to September 1976 (from U. S. Geological Survey records 1961-1976).

Water Year Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Mean

1961 2878 561 239 555 1616 1157 3569 1817 525 742 746 2443 1398

1962

310 94 104 304 238 802 2902 322 87 224 414 607 532

1963

353 109 233 428 2179 2928 669 131 143 470 156 64 647

1964

74 16 140 2839 2913 3674 1026 2344 301 1483 5101 6471 2197

1965 4151 2041 2584 2127 2204 4769 3216 929 809 969 1203 445 2125

1966

697 235 388 1346 3204 5631 1490 1138 2835 1945 2233 618 1808

(.)1
.f:>

1967

955 431 256 2257 2571 1098 213

74

89 398 1168 536 828

1968

62

36 128 259 135 110

38

27

40

37 180 265 110

1969

37

58 185 280 389 1452 906 709 1315 626 1409 1549 743

1970

1663 2896 1464 1799 2105 1952 3359 739 557 352 3020 1488 1777

1971

268 189 121. 557 1031 797 563 1174 214 942 3181 3301 1028

1972

635 245 1184 3384 4387 1834 1526 467 678 1221 242 392 1340

1973

131 123 422 828 3062 2379 8330 2606 4258 2132 1817 909 2231

1974

346 140 181 320 551 384 557 273 219 519 552 2048 505

1975

899 151 252 1658 2673 1920 3874 1894 745 909 2018 1506 1532

1976

845 349 218 533 919 661 384 917 1729 1609 573 1098 818

--'

--'

<..0

<..0

<..0

<..0

<..0

<..0

-ro<

-.....!

-.....!

-.....!

-.....!

-.....!

-.....!

OJ

-I OJ o-

U1 +::> W

N

--' 0

""'5

--'
ro

. N
--'

::0::: OJ

-'On ::::s-+,;;;

. . . 0

--'

O'l

N

N

0

+::> N

. . . --'

--'

--' +::> -.....!

O'l

W

N

Z""'S
0 3
-0 :I:C ""'Sri"
;::;

OJ

rt::E:::::S

=>OJ!..C

t'D""'St'D

3 (/)

0
7'

0 c

......

(.)1
r,;,

rort::::s
-+>;::;

r::o::s OJ .-.+..>..

0 ::::s (/)

7' 0.;::;
ro ro

. . . . . . 0

0

0

0

0

0

0co

--'
+::>

--'
(.)1

--' U1

N O'l

N N

I OJ ""'5 !..C
ro Z3
0 0
-c
:I: rt
""'5 ;::;

('0--'0.
OJI Vl""'S-+, ::E: !..C 0 OJt'D""'S
-3o3o n c OJ
rt rt
;::; ()
;::;
oOJ""'S
(/)OJ

o-
OJ

Vlrlro

(/)

(/)

(/)

significant. Largemouth bass exhibited less of a decline than warmouth and flier. Although bass are not an abundant species in the swamp creel, a regression equation was developed of pounds caught to year. The relationship Y = 4,280.10- 245.06X was significant forB= 0 at P $.05.
Fished-for catch rates were examined for warmouth and largemouth bass in the Okefenokee Swamp to determine if they exhibited similar trends and included data from Holder (1973b) and Swanson and Holder (l974b) (Table 21). Warmouth and largemouth bass fished-for catch rates regressed against year showed a significant decline (Y = 2.5376- O.l746X and Y = 0.3938- 0.0303X, respectively). Fished-for catch rates were not analyzed for flier since so little fishing effort was applied toward this species.
The decline in the Okefenokee Swamp cannot be related to bowfin abundance in the creel since bowfin harvest demonstrated no definable pattern (Figure 8). Confidence intervals applied to bowfin pounds harvested showed a significant increase in 1972 and a significant decrease in 1975. The regression equation of bowfin pounds harvested against years was non-significant (B = 0 at P $.05).
The decline of catches in the Okefenokee Swamp may be related to the phenomena of water level conditions and habitat space. t Holder (1970c) noted that the Okefenokee Swamp was dependent upon local rainfall because of its small watershed of 1,100 square miles. Holder stated that during wet seasons, most of the swamp may be covered with water, and during a severe drought only the open areas may contain water. Since most of the swamp drainage flows into the Suwannee River (Cypert 1961), water discharge records for the Suwannee River (Table 22) would identify the wet years in the Okefenokee Swamp. The period from 1964 to mid 1967 was almost a continuous high water interval. Such a high water period would cause the
51

20 10
130 120
110 100 90 ccc 80 _o 70 60 +-'
.s:::.
Ol
.--
<lJ
3 50 40 30 20 10

+

+

t

t

BULLHEADS
+

GAME FISH (0.7958)
Y 112475.4- 9013.0X

t

20

10

+

BOt~FIN
+

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

YEAR

Figure 8.

Mean estimates 2 approximate standard errors of
Okefenokee Swamp cree 1 catch data. (Regression
equations correlation coefficients are given for significant slopes at P~0.05).

53

yearly fluctuations, however, could be related to high water in the winter. Unlike the Suwannee River, the Okefenokee Swamp sport fishery seemed
to be deteriorating in its quality with the most notable declines being in catch rates and in harvest of warmouth, flier, and largemouth bass.

Waterlevels in the swamp were thought to cause these changes in the fishery of the Okefenokee Swamp. Changes in the Suwannee River and Okefenokee Swamp fishery seemed to be influenced to a great degree by

factors other than bowfin abundance. RECOI~t1ENDATI ONS
Bowfin population estimates should be performed periodically in the
Suwannee River to monitor the population level for major changes. Future ...
,-;_J;.
removal efforts should be based on these estimates. Consideration should be given to evaluating the status of the large-

mouth bass in the Suwannee River in light of the indicated population

decline. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service should be made aware of the
deteriorating status of the Okefenokee Swamp fishery. Consideration should be given toward determining the causes of the apparent decline in

the Okefenokee sport fishery.

LITERATURE CITED

t

Bass, D. G. Jr. and V. G. Hitt. 1973. Creel census of the lower Santa Fe River. Sport fishery ecology of the Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers, Florida. Fla. Game and Freshwater Fish Comm. Rept 1, Study 4: 169-184.

Cypert, E. 1961. The effects of fires in the Okefenokee Swamp in 1954 and 1955. Amer. Midl. Nat. 66 (2): 485-503.

Dahlberg, M. D. and D. C. Scott. 1971. The freshwater fishes of Georgia. Ga. Acad. Sci. Bull. 29: 1-64"

Germann, J. F. 1973. Population studies, streams-Suwannee River. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Ann. Prog. Rept., Fed. Aid Project
F-21-4, Study XVI, Job 2: 29-42.

56

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+-' -o ~
.oc u0 Q) ~
n:l <.!:'>,
Q)
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0~
O'l ::I
~ (/')
n:l l.L. . -
<0 +-' u <Or-
O'l
-oo c roo u Q)
. QJ<.!)
Vl
~(/') Q)
0.
::;)
+-' GJ E Q) 0
4-~
u .4.....-...

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c
r- ~

Q)

QJ..O

OlE

~ Q)

<0+-'

..s::::: u

0.
Q)

Vl (/')
r-
-oo

+-'
~

QJO

+n-:' s1m..0
3:.-

>,~
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C0 +u-' EO
c E
n:l 0
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:::E4-

N N
Q)
.-
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L.{)

CX)

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0

N

0

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CX)

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(V')

r--

CX)

0

.-

L.{)

N

CX)

r:-~-"

rr----

N 0

:~"

(V')

0

(V')

.-

(V')

N

L.{)

L.{)

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L.{) :~"

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1..0
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m
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mCX)

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(V')
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(V')
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m
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0
(V')

rCX) r(V')

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rCX)
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r-
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L.{)

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CX) (V')

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(V')

0

N

N

1..0
(V')

CX) L.{)

1m..0
CX)

m
CX)

L.{)
:~"
N

(V')
.N -

N

L.{)

N

r--

(V')

CX)

L.{)

.-

L.{)

1..0

(V')

1..0

1..0

(V')

("")

m

.1.-.0 N

1..0

L.{)

1..0

1..0
m

1m..0

CX)

m

1m..0

1m..0

,....-

.- N
r-- r-m .m-

0 .-

.Nm-

1..0 1..0

(V')

r--
1..0

mr -

N

CX)

(V')

L.{)

(V')

.1.-.0

L.{)

N
L.{)

CX)
.-

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N

.-
L.{)
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L.{)

1..0

.mr---

mr--
,.....-

54

20 10

130

120

110 100

90 ccc 80

_o 70

+>
_c

60

CJ)

ClJ
3 50

40

30

20

10

+

+

t

t

BULLHEADS
+

GAME FISH (0.7958)
y 112475.4- 9013.0X

t
t

20

10

+

BO\~FI N

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

YEAR

Figure 8.

Mean estimates 2 approximate standard errors of
Okefenokee Swamp creel catch data. (Regression equations correlation coefficients are given for significant slopes at P~0.05).

53

Okefenokee Swamp to become a large shallow lake through several growing seasons. In addition, a spillway dike was completed in 1960 which raised the water table of the swamp by an undetermined alllount and acted as a water retention dam during drought periods (Holder 1970c). The dike separated the Suwannee River from the swamp during most flows.
The high catches of warmouth in the creel in 1970 and 1971 may have resulted from the high water periods of 1964 to mid 1967. Germann et al. (1974) described warmouth age frequencies through 1972 from the Suwannee River and Okefenokee Swamp which contained substantial numbers of fish age V and older in the 1964 to 1968 year classes. Since then warmouth recruitment apparently has not been able to maintain the yearly catch level. It is also possible that this period of high water in the midsixties created habitat conditions that led to the build up of bowfin in the Suwannee River before removal. Bowfin reproduction has been reported in the swamp during high water years (Holder 1971).
Following the removal of bowfin in 1968, Holder (l973a) postulated that bowfin would attain population levels similar to those before removal and that the sport fishery would decline in quality. From the analysis of the fish population we saw that bowfin increased in abundance but not to the levels indicated before removal. A significant decline was indicated in standing crop and E values of largemouth bass and warmouth. \-Jhen we examined the sport fishery data from the Suwannee River and the Okefenokee Swamp, we found that the Su\vannee River fishery was variable with no significant pattern of increase or decrease except for the increase in channel catfish. Largemouth bass and warmouth harvest in pounds appeared to be declining; however, the trend was not a significant one. Yearly fluctuations in the Suwannee River sport fishery could not be related to bowfin abundance in the river or in the creel. The
55

Snedecor, G. W. and W. G. Cochran. 1968. Statistical methods. Iowa St. Univ. Press. Ames, Iowa. 593pp.

Surber, E. W. 1959. Suggested standard methods of reporting fish population data from reservoirs. Proc. 13th Ann. Conf. S.E. Assoc. Game and Fish Comm. 13: 313-324.

Swanson, C. D. and D. R. Holder l974a. Stream creel census-warmwater Suwannee River. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Final Rept.,
Fed. Aid Project. F-21-5, Study XV, Job 3: 31-53.

----~~-1974b. Stream creel census-warmwater, Okefenokee Swamp. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Final Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-5, Study XV, Job 3: 54-73.

Swingle, H. s. 1950. Relationships and dynamics of balanced and unbal-
anced fish population. Auburn, Ala. Polytech Inst., Agr. Exper. Sta. Bul. 274: 1-73.
u. s. Geological Survey. 1961. Surface water records of Georgia, 1961. u. s. Dept. Int. 1962. Surface water records of Georgia, 1962. u. s. Dept. Int. 1963. Surface water records of Georgia, 1963. u. s. Dept. Int.
1964. Surface water records of Georgia, 1964. u. s. Dept. Int.

1965. Water resources data for Georgia, 1965-Part 1: Surface
water records. u. s. Dept. Int.

water19re6c6o. rdWs. ateur.

resources
s. Dept.

data Int.

for

Georgia,

1966-Part

1:

Surface

water19re6c7o. rdWs. ateur.

resources
s. Dept.

data Int.

for

Georgia,

1967-Part

1:

Surface

1968. Water resources data for Georgi a, 1968-Part 1: Surface

water records. u. S. Dept. Int.

t

197la. Water resources data for Georgi a, 1969. u. s. Dept. Int.

197lb. Water resources data for Georgia, 1970. u. s. Dept. Int.

1972. Water resources data for Georgia, 1971. u. s. Dept. Int.

1973. Water resources data for Georgi a, 1972. u. s. Dept. Int.

1974. vJater resources data for Georgia, 1973. u. s. Dept. Int.

1975. Water resources data for Georgia, 1974. u. s. Dept. Int.

1976. Water resources data for Georgi a, 1975. u. s. Dept. Int.

1977. Water resources data for Georgia, 1976. u. s. Dept. Int.

"i

58

.. :. :, -:~1-i::'~.:-: -~.

~

~

\;rl:f,f

-./.: .
.;->
.. ';:,;. .::\ixl~;-

yearly fluctuations, however, could be related to high water in the winter. Unlike the Suwannee River, the Okefenokee Swamp sport fishery seemed
to be deteriorating in its quality with the most notable declines being in catch rates and in harvest of warmouth, flier, and largemouth bass. Water levels in the swamp were thought to cause these changes in the fishery of the Okefenokee Swamp. Changes in the Suwannee River and Okefenokee Swamp fishery seemed to be influenced to a great degree by factors other than bowfin abundance.
RECOf-1f1ENDATI ONS Bowfin population estimates should be performed periodically in the Suwannee River to monitor the population level for major changes. Future removal efforts should be based on these estimates. Consideration should be given to evaluating the status of the largemouth bass in the Suwannee River in light of the indicated population
decline. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service should be made aware of the
deteriorating status of the Okefenokee Swamp fishery. Consideration should be given toward determining the causes of the apparent decline in the Okefenokee sport fishery.
LITERATURE CITED Bass, D. G. Jr. and V. G. Hitt. 1973. Creel census of the lower Santa Fe
River. Sport fishery ecology of the Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers, Florida. Fla. Game and Freshwater Fish Comm. Rept 1, Study 4: 169-184. Cypert, E. 1961. The effects of fires in the Okefenokee Swamp in 1954 and 1955. Amer. f1idl. Nat. 66 (2): 485-503. Dahlberg, M. D. and D. C. Scott. 1971. The freshwater fishes of Georgia. Ga. Acad. Sci. Bull. 29: 1-64. Germann, J. F. 1973. Population studies, streJms-Suwannee River. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Ann. Prog. Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-4, Study XVI, Job 2: 29-42.
56

Okefenokee Swamp to become a large shallow lake through several growing seasons. In addition, a spillway dike was completed in 1960 which raised the water table of the swamp by an undetermined a~ount and acted as a water retention dam during drought periods (Holder l970c). The dike separated the Suwannee River fro~ the swamp during most flows.
The nigh catches of warmouth in the creel in 1970 and 1971 may have resulted from the high water periods of 1964 to mid 1967. Germann et al. (1974) described warmouth age frequencies through 1972 from the Suwannee River and Okefenokee Swamp which contained substantial numbers of fish age V and older in the 1964 to 1968 year classes. Since then warmouth recruitment apparently has not been able to maintain the yearly catch level. It is also possible that this period of high water in the midsixties created habitat conditions that led to the build up of bowfin in the Suwannee River before removal. Bowfin reproduction has been reported in the swamp during high water years (Holder 1971).
Following the removal of bowfin in 1968, Holder (l973a) postulated that bowfin would attain population levels si~ilar to those before removal and that the sport fishery would decline in quality. From the analysis of the fish population we saw that bowfin increased in abundance but not to the levels indicated before removal. A s~nificant decline was indicated in standing crop and E values of largemouth bass and warmouth. \Jhen we examined the sport fishery data from the Suwannee River and the Okefenokee Swamp, we found that the Suwannee River fishery was variable with no significant pattern of increase or decrease except for the increase in channel catfish. Large~outh bass and warmouth harvest in pounds appeared to be declining; however, the trend was not a significant one. Yearly fluctuations in the Suwannee River sport fishery could not be related to bowfin abundance in the river or in the creel. The
55

Germann, J. F., L. E. McSwain, D. R. Holder, C. D. Swanson. 1974. Life history of warmouth in the Suwannee River and Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia. Proc. 28th Ann. Conf. S.E. Assoc. Game and Fish Comm. 28: 259-278.
Holder, D. R. l969a. Applied management in warmwater streams. Ga. Game and Fish Comm. Ann. Prog. Rept., Fed Aid Project F-21-l, Study VI, Job l. 43pp.
----~---l970a. Population studies-streams. Ga. Dept. of Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Ann. Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-2, Study XVI, Job 2. 66pp.
----~---l970b. Stream creel census-warmwater. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Ann. Prog. Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-2, Study XV, Job 3. 24pp.
----~--_l970c. A study of fish movements from the Okefenokee Swamp into the Suwannee River. Proc. 24th Ann. Conf. S.E. Assoc. Game and Fish Comm. 24: 591-608.
_________1971. Life history studies of stream fish. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Ann. Prog. Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-3, Study XII, Job l. 45pp.
_________l973a. Applied management in warmwater streams. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Ann. Prog. Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-4, Study VI, Job 1: l-8.
----~---l973b. Stream creel census-warmwater. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Ann. Prog. Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-3, Study XV, Job 3. 34pp.
----~---l973c. Population studies-streams (Suwannee River and Okefenokee Swamp). Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Ann. Prog. Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-3, Study XVI, Job 2. 42pp.
Holder, D. R. and R. Ruebsamen. 1976. A comparison of the fisheries of the Upper and Lower Satilla River. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Final Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-29. 68pp.
Ober, R. D. 1977. Upper Flint River creel and recreational use survey. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Final Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-28. 40pp.
Pasch, R. and L. E. McSwain. 1974. Stream creel census-warmwater (Flint River). Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Final Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-5, Study XV, Job 3: 96-116.
Ricker, W. E. 1975. Computation and interpretation of biological statistics of fish populations. Bull. Fish. Res. Board Can. No. 191.
Robson, D. S. and H. A. Regier. 1964. Sample size in Petersen markrecapture experiments. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 93: 215-226.
57

APPENDIX 60

Snedecor, G. W. and W. G. Cochran. 1968. Statistical methods. Iowa St. Univ. Press. Ames, Iowa. 593pp.

Surber, E. W. 1959. Suggested standard methods of reporting fish population data from reservoirs. Proc. 13th Ann. Conf. S.E. Assoc. Game and Fish Comm. B: 313-324.

Swanson, C. D. and D. R. Holder l974a. Stream creel census-warmwater Suwannee River. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Final Rept., Fed. Aid Project. F-21-5, Study XV, Job 3: 31-53.

----~---l974b. Stream creel census-warmwater, Okefenokee Swamp. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Final Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-5, Study XV, Job 3: 54-73.

Swingle, H. S. 1950. Relationships and dynamics of balanced and unbalanced fish population. Auburn, Ala. Polytech Inst., Agr. Exper. Sta. Bul. 274: 1-73.
u. S. Geological Survey. 1961. Surface water records of Georgia, 1961. u. s. Dept. Int. 1962. Surface water records of Georgia, 1962. u. s. Dept. Int. 1963. Surface water records of Georgia, 1963. u. s. Dept. Int. 1964. Surface water records of Georgia, 1964. u. s. Dept. Int.

1965. Water resources data for Georgia, 1965-Part 1: Surface water records. U. S. Dept. Int.

1966. Water resources data for Georgia, 1966-Part 1: Surface water records. U. S. Dept. Int.

water19re6c7o. rdWs. ateur.

resources
s. Dept.

data Int.

for

Georgia,

1967-Part

1:

Surface

1968. Water resources data for Georgia, 1968-Part 1: Surface water records. U. S. Dept. Int.
197la. Water resources data for Georgia, 1969. u. s. Dept. Int. 197lb. Water resources data for Georgia, 1970. u. s. Dept. Int. 1972. Water resources data for Georgia, 1971. u. s. Dept. Int. 1973. Water resources data for Georgi a, 1972. u. s. Dept. Int. 1974. vJater resources data for Georgi a, 1973. u. s. Dept. Int. 1975. Water resources data for Georgia, 1974. u. s. Dept. Int. 1976. Water resources data for Georgia, 1975. u. s. Dept. Int. 1977. Water resources data for Georgia, 1976. u. s. Dept. Int.
I

58

Germann, J. F., L. E. McSwain, D. R. Holder, C. D. Swanson. 1974. Life history of warmouth in the Suwannee River and Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia. Proc. 28th Ann. Conf. S.E. Assoc. Game and Fish Comm. 28: 259-278.
Holder, D. R. 1969a. Applied management in warmwater streams. Ga. Game and Fish Comm. Ann. Prog. Rept., Fed Aid Project F-21-1, Study VI, Job 1. 43pp.
_________1970a. Population studies-streams. Ga. Dept. of Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Ann. Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-2, Study XVI, Job 2. 66pp.
1970b. Stream creel census-warmwater. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and ----~--- Fish Div. Ann. Prog. Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-2, Study
XV, Job 3. 24pp.
_________1970c. A study of fish movements from the Okefenokee Swamp into the Suwannee River. Proc. 24th Ann. Conf. S.E. Assoc. Game and Fish Comm. 24: 591-608.
----~---1971. Life history studies of stream fish. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Ann. Prog. Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-3, Study XII, Job 1. 45pp.
----~---1973a. Applied management in warmwater streams. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Ann. Prog. Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-4, Study VI, Job 1: 1-8.
----~---1973b. Stream creel census-warmwater. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Ann. Prog. Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-3, Study XV, Job 3. 34pp.
1973c. Population studies-streams (Suwannee River and Okefenokee ----~S~w-a-m-p). Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Ann. Prog. Rept.,
Fed. Aid Project F-21-3, Study XVI, Job 2. 42pp.
Holder, D. R. and R. Ruebsamen. 1976. A comparison of the fisheries of the Upper and Lower Satilla River. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Final Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-29. 68pp.
Ober, R. D. 1977. Upper Flint River creel and recreational use survey. Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Final Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-28. 40pp.
Pasch, R. and L. E. McSwain. 1974. Stream creel census-warmwater (Flint River). Ga. Dept. Nat. Res., Game and Fish Div. Final Rept., Fed. Aid Project F-21-5, Study XV, Job 3: 96-116.
Ricker, W. E. 1975. Computation and interpretation of biological statistics of fish populations. Bull. Fish. Res. Board Can. No. 191.
Robson, D. S. and H. A. Regier. 1964. Sample size in Petersen markrecapture experiments. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 93: 215-226.
57

Wyatt, H. N., W. Godwin and M. B. Norton. 1966. Fish population studiesstreams. Ga. Game and Fish Comm. Ann. Rept., Fed. Aid Project. F-19-R-1, Work plan II, Job 1: 71-96.
1-Jyatt, H. N., C. B. O'Neal, Jr., t~. B. Norton and P. M. Laska. 1967. Fish population studies-streams. Ga. Game and Fish Comm. Ann. Rept., Fed. Aid Project. F-19-R-2, Work plan II, Job 1: 29-42.
Wyatt, H. N., D. R. Holder and P. M. Laska. 1968a. Fish population studies-streams. Ga. Game and Fish Comm. Final Rept., Fed. Aid Project. F-19-R-3, Work plan II, Job 1: 44-68.
----~---1968b. Life history studies. Ga. Game and Fish Comm. Final Rept., Fed. Aid Project. F-19-R-3, Work plan II, Job 3: 74-130.
Prepared by: }_\., --.:._~ 1c hlo-t.~~ .__.
Daniel R. Holder Regional Fisheries. Supervisor

and

.
,,; l' fo,C l

:1

C2/ .1-'l' //,A

J ,.-;11

Jerome Germann (_ Fisheries Biologist III

~[M~- Approved by: awrence E. McSwain OJ Coordinator

Ji: ~ (._ _;.') ///A /

I '

j

Date

r; / } I ;

59

Table A-1. Continued

Species

Fingerling No. Wgt. %Hgt.

Intermediate

Harvestable

No. Wgt. %Hgt. No. Wgt. %\Jgt.

No.

Total Wgt. %Wgt. % of Wgt.

-

Forage

0'1 N

Mosquito fish

7 trace 0.0

Lined topminnow 33 0. 1 100.0

Banded sunfish 115 0.4 100.0

Pygmy sunfish

13 trace 0.0

Bl uespotted sunfish 62 Oo3 1OOo 0

Swamp darter

89 Oo 1 lOOoO

Tadpole madtom 166 Oo7 87o5

Pirate perceh 448 2o9 93o5

Speckled madtom 2 trace OoO

Mud sunfish

2 trace OoO

Do11 ar sunfish

9 trace 0.0

Total

946 4o5 9lo8

0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0 OoO 0.0 0 OoO OoO 0 0.0 OoO 7 0. 1 l2o5 7 Oo2 6o5 0 OoO OoO 0 OoO OoO 2 Ool lOOoO 16 Oo4 8o2

0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
0 OoO 0 OoO 0 OoO 0 OoO 0 0.0 0 OoO 0 0.0 0 OoO 0 OoO

0.0

7 trace 0.0

0.0 33 0. 1 2.0

0.0 115 0.4 8.2

OoO 13 trace OoO

OoO

62

Oo3 6 0 l

OoO

89

0 0 1 2o0

0.0 173 0.8 16o3

OoO 455

3 0 l 63o3

OoO

2 trace OoO

0.0

2 trace 0.0

OoO

11

0.1 2o0

OoO 962 4o9 lOOoO

0.0 0.1
0.3
OoO Oo2 0. 1
0.6 2o4 OoO
OoO 00 1 3o8

Grand Total

1242 6o9 5o3
-

327 23o3 17.9

258 99o9

76o8 1827 l30o 1 1OOo 0

lOOoO

)::o
-a -a

:f'Tz1

0'1 0

.0.....
><

)::>

""0

::E:

~

::E:

-o

-s

'<

'<

'<

-o

ro

s:u

s:u

s:u

-s

-o

rt

rt

rt

0

s:u

rt

rt

rt

<

-s

;o

""11Vl ..

)::>-o ..

""T'l Vl ..

ro 0.
..cr
'<
).

ro 0.
~..

;o 0

ros:u

;;}

c.o :::::5 ~/ -' ....J.

0 ro

..ro
-o rt
__.
\.0 .., O"l
. .roco
o. cr
)::> -'I

_I_. rs::t :r:

\.0 0..

I --' :;oro

:z:

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I



. Vl

rt 0

. ::E:-s

oro

-s s:u ;o

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--'0 0. -o

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. rt . Vl
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0. --'

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c.o <'\..,

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. .~ 3.
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ro

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Vl

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...., ..,--' .roV>
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::3"

Table A-1. Red Bluff slough 0.55 acre rotenone sample expanded to one acre, Suwannee River, 3 October 1973.

Species

Fingerling

Intermediate

Harvestable

1-fo. Wgt. %~Jgt. No. \tJgt. %\tJgt. No. Wgt. %Wgt.

Total r~o. Wgt. %Wgt. % of Wgt.

Predatory Game Fish

Chain pickerel 60 0.6 1.7 98 7.9 22.3 25 26.9 76.0 183 35.4 81.0 27.2

Redfin pickerel 44 0.6 7.2 75 6.8 81.9 4 0.9 10.8 123 8.3 19.0

6.4

Total

104 1.2 2.7 173 14.7 33.6 29 27.8 63.6 306 43.7 100.0 33.6

Non-Predatory Game Fish

O"l

Bluegill

0 0.0 0.0

4 0. 1 50.0 2 0. 1 50.0

6 0.2 0.6

0.2

Flier

40 0.3 2.3 80 1.0 7.7 69 11.7 90.0 189 13.0 40.9 10.0

~~armouth

86 0.4 3.4

2 0.2 1.7 36 11.1 94.9 124 11.7 36.8

9.0

Spotted Sunfish 4 T 0.0

4 0.2 2.9 36 6.7 97.1 44 6.9 21.7

5.3

Total

130 0.7 2.2 90 1.5 4.7 143 29.6 93.1 363 3-1.8 100.0 24.4

Non-Predatory Food Fish

Lake chubsucker 44 0.2 2.7 24 4.3 57.3 7 3.0 40.0 75 7.5 28.0

5.8

Yellow bullhead 18 0.3 1.6 22 1.9 9.8 66 17. 1 88.6 106 19.3 72.0 14.8

Total

62 0.5 1.9 46 6.2 23.1 73 20. 1 75.0 181 26.8 100.0 20.6

Predatory Food Fish

Bowfin Total

0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0

2 0.5 2.2 13 22.4 97.8 15 22.9 100.0 17.6 2 0.5 2.2 13 22.4 97.8 15 22. 9 100. 0 17.6

Table A-2. Continued

Species

Fingerling No. Wgt. %Wgt.

Intermediate No. Wgt. %~~gt.

Harvestable

Total

No. ~~gt. %Wgt. No. Hgt. %Wgt. % of Wgt.

Forage Fish

Do ll ar sunf i sh 130 0.4 100.0

0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 130 0.4 6.6

0.3

Tadpole madtom 641 1.5 100.0 Speckled madtom 1 trace 0.0

0 0.0 0.0
5 o. l 100.0

0 0.0 0.0 641

0 0.0 0.0

6

1.5 24.6 0. l l . 6

l.O .
0. l

Brook silverside 90 trace 0.0

l trace 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 91 trace 0.0

0.0

Swamp darter

310 0.3 100.0

0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 310 0.3 4.9

0.2

Lined topminnow 39 0. l 100.0

l

T 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 40 0. l 1.6

0. l

0'\
~

Mosquitofi sh

l 04 0. 1 100.0

0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 104 0. l 1.6

0. l

Pirate perch

680 2.9 80.6 23 0.7 19.4 0 0.0 0.0 703 3.6 59.0

2.4

Total

1995 5.3 86.9 30 0.8 13.1 0 0.0 0.0 2025 6.1 100.0

4. l

Grand Total

2718 11.3 7.6 456 12.8 8.6 217 124.4 83.8 2291 148.5 100.0 100.0

..

~~ ~--

<t;~j~*:~--

Table A-1. Continued

Species

Fingerling No. Wgt. %~Jgt.

Intermediate

Harvestable

No. Wgt. %~~gt. No. Wgt. %~Jgt.

No.

Total Hgt. %Wgt. %of Wgt.

-

Forage

0'\ N

Mosquito fish

7 trace

Lined topminnow 33 0. 1

Banded sunfish 115 0.4

Pygmy sunfish

13 trace

Bl uespotted sunfish 62 0.3

Swamp darter

89 0.1

Tadpole madtom 166 0.7

Pirate perceh 448 2.9

Speckled madtom 2 trace

Mud sunfish

2 trace

Dollar sunfish

9 trace

Total

946 4.5

0.0
100.0 100.0
0.0 100.0 100.0
87.5 93.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 91.8

0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0
0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0
7 o. 1 12.5
7 0.2 6.5 0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 2 0.1 100.0 16 0.4 8.2

0 0.0
0 0.0
0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
0 0.0 0 0.0
0 0.0

0.0

7 trace 0.0

0.0 33 0.1 2.0

0.0 115 0.4 8.2

0.0 13 trace 0.0

0.0 62 0.3 6. 1

0.0 89 0. l 2.0

0.0 173 0.8 16.3

0.0 455 3. 1 63.3

0.0

2 trace 0.0

0.0

2 trace 0.0

0.0 ll

0. 1 2.0

0.0 962 4.9 100.0

0.0 0.1 0.3
0.0 0.2 0. l 0.6 2.4 0.0 0.0 0. 1 3.8

Grand Total

1242 6.9 5.3 327 23.3 17.9 258 99.9 76.8 1827 130.1 100.0 100.0

Table A-l. Red Bluff slough 0.55 acre rotenone sample expanded to one acre, Suwannee River, 3 October 1973.

Species

Fingerling

Intermediate

Harvestable

No. Wgt. %\.<Jgt. No. vJgt. %vJgt. No. Wgt. %Wgt.

Total No. Wgt. %Wgt. % of Wgt.

Predatory Game Fish

Chain pickerel 60 0.6 1.7 98 7.9 22.3 25 26.9 76.0 183 35.4 81.0 27.2

Redfin pickerel 44 0.6 7.2 75 6.8 81.9 4 0.9 l 0. 8 123 8.3 19.0

6.4

Total

l 04 1.2 2.7 173 14.7 33.6 29 27.8 63.6 306 43.7100.0 33.6

Non-Predatory Game Fish

Q)

Bluegill

0 0.0 0.0

4 0. l 50.0 2 0. l 50.0

6 0.2 0.6

0.2

Flier

40 0.3 2.3 80 1.0 7.7 69 ll. 7 90.0 189 13.0 40.9 l 0. 0

~~armouth

86 0.4 3.4

2 0.2 1.7 36 ll. l 94.9 124 ll. 7 36.8

9.0

Spotted Sunfish 4 T 0.0

4 0.2 2.9 36 6.7 97. l 44 6.9 21 . 7

5.3

Total

130 0.7 2.2 90 1.5 4.7 143 29.6 93. l 363 Jl . 8 l 00. 0 24.4

Non-Predatory Food Fish

Lake chubsucker 44 0.2 2.7 24 4.3 57.3 7 3.0 40.0 75 7.5 28.0

5.8

Yellow bullhead 18 0.3 1.6 22 1.9 9.8 66 17. l 88.6 l 06 19.3 72.0 14.8

Total

62 0.5 1.9

46 6.2 23.1 73 20. l 75.0 181 26.8 100.0

20.6

Predatory Food Fish

Bowfin Total

0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0

2 0.5 2.2 13 22.4 97.8 15 22.9 100.0 l7o6 2 0.5 2.2 13 22.4 97.8 15 22.9 lOOoO 17.6

-:~~~ft~:
.-: ...

Table A-2. t1ud Lake slough 0.75 acre rotenone sample expanded to one acre, SuvJannee River, 4 October 1973.

Species

Fingerling No. Wgt. %Wgt.

Intermediate No. ~~gt. %Wgt.

Harvestable No. Wgt. %~~gt.

Total
No. ~~gt. %l~gt. % of Wgt.

Predatory Game Fish

Black crappie

0 0.0 0.0

0 0.0 0.0

3 1.5 100.0

3 1.5 4.9

l 0 0

Largemouth bass 0 0.0 0.0

l 0.2 8.7

3 2. l 91.3

4 2.3 7.5

1.5

Chain pickerel

24 0.4 1.6

61 3.7 14.8

19 20.9 83.6 l 04 25.0 82.0

16.8

Redfin pickerel ll 0.3 17.6 40 1.4 82.4

0 0.0 0.0 51 1.7 5.6

l.l

Total

35 0.7 2.3 l 02 5.3 l7. 4 25 24.5 80.3 162 30.5 100.0 20.5

Q)
w

Non-Predatory Game Fish

Spotted sunfish 0 0.0 0.0

0 0.0 0.0

7 0.8 l 00.0

7 0.8 2.8

0.5

Flier

684 5.2 22.5 297 3.5 15.2 89 14.4 62.3 l 070 23. l 81.9 15.6

Warmouth

0 0.0 0.0

9 0.8 40.0

8 1.2 60.0

17

2.0 70 l

1.3

Bluegill

0 0.0 0.0

9 0.3 13.0 19 2.0 87.0 28 2.3 8.2

1.5

Total

684 5.2 18.4 315 4.6 16.3 123 18.4 65.2 1122 28.2 100.0 19.0

Non-Predatory Food Fish

Yellow bullhead Spotted sucker Lake chubsucker Total

4 0. l 2.4 0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0
4 o. l 0.5

0 0.0 0.0 15 4. l 97.6 19 4.2 22. l

2.8

0 0.0 0.0

4 6. l 100.0

4 6. l 32. l

4. l

5 0.7 8.0

8 8.0 92.0 13 8.7 45.8

5.9

5 0.7 3.7 27 18.2 95.8 36 19.0 l 00.0 12.8

Predatory Food Fish

Bowfin Spotted gar Channel catfish
Total

0 0.0 0.0
0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0
0 0.0 0.0

3 0.8 1.3 37 59.8 98.7 40 60.6 93.7 40.8

l 0.6 100.0

0 0.0 0.0

l 0.6 0.9

0.4

0 0.0 0.0

5 3.5 100.0

5 3.5 5.4

2.4

4 1.4 2.2 42 63.3 97.8 46 64.7 l 00.0 43.6

Table A-3. Continued

Grou~

Fingerling

Intermediate

Harvestable

Total

% of Pop,

No. Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. S~Wgt.

Wgt.

Predatory Food Fish

Bowfin Channel catfish Total

0

0

0 0

0

0 210 393.0 100.0 210 393.0 99.6 79.6

0

0

0 0

0

0 1 1.7 100.0 1 1.7 .4

.3

0

0

0 0

0

0 211 394.7 100.0 211 394.7 100.0 79.9

Forage Fish

Brook sunfish

24

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 24

T

T

T

Lined topminnow

23

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 23

T

T

T

. Swamp darter

9

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 9

T

T

T

Bluespotted sunfish

4

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 4

T

T

T

Mosquitofish

4

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 4

T

T

T

0'\ 0'\

Pirate perch

Tadpole madtom

4

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 4

T

T

T

3

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 3

T

T

T

Banded sunfish

1

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 1

T

T

T

Dollar sunfish

0

0

0 1

T

T 0

0

0 1

T

T

T

Total

72

T

T 1

T

T 0

0

0 73

T

T

T

Grand Total

83

T

T 29 2.4

.5 348 491.4 99.5 460 493.8 100.0 100.0

..

;~~~,;
._z.-

--:.

.-;;_~i.~J~i":_: .'

Table A-2. Continued

Species

Fingerling No. Wgt. %Wgt.

Intermediate No. Wgt. %~~gt.

Harvestable

Total

No. ~~gt. %Wgt. No. ~~gt. %Wgt. % of Wgt.

Forage Fish

Do 11 ar sunfish 130 0.4 100.0

0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 130 0.4 6.6

0.3

Tadpole madtom 641 1. 5 100.0

0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 641 1.5 24.6

1.0 .

Speckled madtom 1 trace 0.0

5 0. 1 100.0 0 0.0 0.0

6 0. 1 1. 6

0. 1

Brook silverside 90 trace 0.0

1 trace 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 91 trace 0.0

0.0

Swamp darter

310 0.3 100.0

0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 310 0.3 4.9

0.2

Lined topminnow 39 0. 1 100.0

1

T 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 40 0. 1 1.6

0. 1

0'\
~

Mosquitofish

104 0. 1 100.0

0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 104 0. 1 1.6

0. 1

Pirate perch

680 2.9 80.6 23 0.7 19.4 0 0.0 0.0 703 3.6 59.0

2.4

Total

1995 5.3 86.9 30 0.8 13. 1 0 0.0 0.0 2025 6.1 100.0

4. 1

Grand Total

2718 11.3 7.6 456 12.8 8.6 217 124.4 83.8 2291 148. 5 100. 0 100.0

Table A-2. t1ud Lake slough 0.75 acre rotenone sample expanded to one acre, Suwannee River, 4 October 1973.

Species

Fingerling No. Wgt. %Wgt.

Intermediate No. ~~gt. %Wgt.

Ha rves table No. Wgt. %~~gt.

Total No. ~~gt:. %\~gt. % of Wgt.

Predatory Game Fish

Black crappie

0 0.0 0.0

0 0.0 0.0

3 1.5 l 00.0

3 1.5 4.9

1.0

Largemouth bass 0 0.0 0.0

l 0.2 8.7

3 2. l 91.3

4 2.3 7.5

l 5

Chain pickerel

24 0.4 1.6

61 3.7 14.8 19 20.9 83.6 104 25.0 82.0

16.8

Redfin pickerel ll 0.3 17.6 40 l. 4 82.4

0 0.0

0.0

51

l 7 5.6

l.l

Total

35 0.7 2.3 102 5.3 17.4 25 24.5 80.3 162 30.5 100.0 20.5

w0'\

Non-Predatory Game Fish

Spotted sunfish 0 0.0 0.0

0 0.0 0.0

7 0.8 l 00.0

7 0.8 2.8

0.5

Flier

684 5.2 22.5 297 3.5 15.2 89 14.4 62.3 l 070 23. l 81.9 15.6

Warmouth

0 0.0 0.0

9 0.8 40.0

8 1.2 60.0 17 2.0 7. l

l 3

Bluegill

0 0.0 0.0

9 0.3 13.0 19 2.0 87.0 28 2.3 8.2

1.5

Total

684 5.2 18.4 315 4.6 16.3 123 18.4 65.2 1122 28.2 100.0 19.0

Non-Predatory Food Fish

Yellow bullhead Spotted sucker Lake chubsucker Total

4 0. l .. 2.4 0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 4 0. l 0.5

0 0.0 0.0 15 4. l 97.6 19 4.2 22. l

2.8

0 0.0 0.0

4 6. l 100.0

4 6. l 32. l

4. l

5 0.7 8.0

8 8.0 92.0 13 8.7 45.8

5.9

5 0.7 3.7 27 18.2 95.8 36 19.0 l 00.0 12.8

Predatory Food Fish

Bowfin Spotted gar Channel catfish
Total

0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0
0 0.0 0.0

3 0.8 1.3 37 59.8 98.7 40 60.6 93.7 40.8

1 0. 6 100.0

0 0.0 0.0

1 0.6 0.9

0.4

0 0.0 0.0

5 3.5 100.0

5 3.5 5.4

2.4

4 1.4 2.2 42 63.3 97.8 46 64.7 100.0 43.6

.:-__:.;:;

::~~:..

Table A-3. Mud Lake slough 0.75 acre rotenone sample expanded to one acre, Suwannee River, 24 May 1974.

Group

Fingerling

Intermediate

Harvestable

Total

% of Pop.

No. Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. %Wgtc Noo Wgt. %Wgt.

Wgt.

Predatory Game Fish
Chain pickerel Largemouth bass Black crappie Redfin pickerel Total

0

0

0 3 .3 1.6 9 17.9 98.4 12 18.2 77.4

3.7

1

T

T 0

0

0 1 4.3 100.0 2 4.3 18.3

.9

0

0

0 0

0

0 1 1.0 100.0 1 l 0 4o3

.2

0

0

0 1

T

T 0

0

0 1

T

T

T

1

T

T 4 .3 1.3 11 23.2 98.7 16 23.5 100.0

4o8

Non-Predatory Game Fish

0'\ U'1
Warmouth Flier Bluegill Spotted sunfish Total

6

T

T 3 1 1.2 16 8.4 98.5 25 8.5 59.1

L7

0

0

0 9 1 2.9 20 3.4 97. l 29 3.5 24.3

07

0 0 6

0 0 T

0 7 0 1 T 20

.2 9.5 1 33.3 .5 3.5

17 1.9 90.5 1 .2 66.7 54 13.9 96.3

24 2. 1 14.6 2 .3 2.0 80 14.4 100.0

.4 l
2.9

Non-Predatory Food Fish

Lake chubsucker Spotted sucker Brown bullhead Ye 11 ow bull head Total

4

T

T 4 1.6 3.4 63 45.0 96.6 71 46.6 76.2

9.4

0 0

0 0

0 0 0 0

0 0

0 7 12.6 100.0 7 12.6 20.6 0 1 l 6 1OOo 0 1 1.6 2.6

2.6 .3

0

0

0 0

0

0 1 .4 100.0 1 .4 .6

1

4

T

T 4 1.6 2.6 72 59.6 97.4 80 61.2 100.0 12.4

Table A-4. Continued

Group

Fingerlings

Intermediate

Harvestable

Total

% of Pop.

No. ~Jgt. %VJgt. _N_o.__~.J_g_L_ %Wgt. No. Wgto %Wgt. No. Wgt. %Wgto

Wgt.

Predatory Food Fish

Bowfin Spotted gar Channel catfish Total

0

0

0 0

0

0 205 363.2 100.0 205 363.2 98.6 80o 1

0

0

0 1 .4 7.7 9 4.8 92.3 11 5.2 1.4

1 1

0

0

0 1 . 1 100.0 0

0

0 1 .1

T

T

0

0

0 2 .5 1 214 368.0 99.9 217 368.5 100.0 81.2

Forage Fish

Pirate perch

1471 3.5 97.2 7 1 2.8 0

0

0 1478 3.6 57.1

o8

Tadpole madtom

210 1.7 85.0 13 .3 15.0 0

0

0 223 2o0 31.8

.4

Lined topminnow

116 .5 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 116 5 7.9

. 1

Bluespot sunfish

32 1 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 32 . 1 1.6

T

c0"o1

Swamp darter t<bsquitofish

51

1 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 51

. 1 1.6

T

61

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 61

T

T

T

Brook silverside

11

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 11

T

T

T

Blackbanded sunfish

8

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 8

T

T

T

Mud sunfish

4

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 4

T

T

T

Pygmy sunfish

3

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 3

T

T

T

Speckled madtom

1

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 1

T

T

T

Blackbanded darter

1

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 1

T

T

T

Total

1969 5,..9 93.7 21

.4 6.3

0

0

0 1993 6.3 lOOoO

1.3

Grand Total

2747 11.0 2.4 239 9.3 201 356 433.4 95.5 3342 453.7 lOOoO 100.0

Table A-3. Continued

GrOUf2

Fingerling

Intermediate

Harvestable

Total

% of Popo

No. Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. ~swgt.

Wgt.

Predatory Food Fish

Bowfin Channel catfish
Tota 1

0

0

0 0

0

0 210 393.0 100.0 210 393.0 99.6 79.6

0

0

0 0

0

0 1 1.7 100.0 1 1.7 .4

. 3

0

0

0 0

0

0 211 394.7 100.0 211 394.7 100.0 79.9

Forage Fish

Brook sunfish

24

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 24

T

T

T

Lined topminnow

23

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 23

T

T

T

. Swamp darter

9

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 9

T

T

T

Bluespotted sunfish

4

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 4

T

T

T

Mosquitofish

4

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 4

T

T

T

0"1 0"1

Pirate perch

Tadpole madtom

4

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 4

T

T

T

3

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 3

T

T

T

Banded sunfish

1

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 1

T

T

T

Dollar sunfish

0

0

0 1

T

T 0

0

0 1

T

T

T

Total

72

T

T 1

T

T 0

0

0 73

T

T

T

Grand Total

83

T

T 29 2.4 .5 348 491.4 99.5 460 493.8 100.0 100.0

Table A-3. Mud Lake slough 0.75 acre rotenone sample expanded to one acre, Suwannee River, 24 May 1974.

Grou

t.

Noo

Predatory Game Fish
Chain pickerel Largemouth bass Black crappie Redfin pickerel Total

0 1
0 0 1

0 T
0 0 T

0
T 0 0 T

3 0
0 1
4

.3 1.6 9 17.9 98.4 12 18.2 77.4

0

0 1 4.3 100.0 2 4.3 18.3

0

0 1 l.O 100.0 1 l.O 4o3

T .3

T 1.3

0

0

0

ll 23.2 98.7

1

T

T

16 23.5 100 .o

3.7 .9 .2 T
4o8

Non-Predatory Game Fish

0'> U1
Warmouth
Flier Bluegill Spotted sunfish
Total

6 0 0 0 6

T
0 0 0 T

T 3 0 9 0 7 0 1 T 20

1 1.2
. 1 2.9 .2 9.5 1 33.3
.5 3.5

16 8.4 98.5 20 3.4 97.1 17 1.9 90.5 1 .2 66.7 54 13.9 96.3

25 8.5 59. 1 29 3.5 24.3 24 2. 1 14.6 2 .3 2.0 80 14.4 100.0

L7
07 .4 1
2.9

Non-Predatory Food Fish

Lake chubsucker Spotted sucker Brown bullhead
Yellow bullhead
Total

4

T

0 0

a0

0

0

4

T

T
0 0 0 T

4 0 0 0 4

1.6 0 0 0
1.6

3.4 0
0 0 2.6

63 45.0 96.6 7 12.6 100.0 1 1.6 1OOoO 1 .4 100.0 72 59.6 97.4

71 46.6 76.2 7 12.6 20.6 1 1.6 2.6 1 .4 .6 80 61.2 100.0

9.4 2.6
.3 1 12.4

j, .!;,.

Table A-4. Mud Lake slough 0.75 acre rotenone sample expanded to one acre, Suwannee River, 2 July 1975.

Group

Fingerling No. Wgt. %Wgt.

Intermediate No. Wgt. %Wgt.

Harvestable No. Wgt. %Wgt.

No.

Total Wgt. %Wgt.

~~ of Pop. Hgt.

Predatory Game Fish
Chain pickerel Redfin pickerel Black crappie Largemouth bass Total

72
169 " v 1

1.1 4.6

1.9 63.3

0

0

T

T

39 24 0
0

2.7 ll. 2

1.1 36.7

0

0

0

0

17 20.3 84.2 128 24.1 84.9

0

0

0 193 3.0 10. 5

1 1.3 100.0 1 1.3 4.6

0

0

0 1

T

T

242 3.0 1o. 7 63 3.8 13.4 18 21.6 76.0 321 28o4 100.0

5. 1 .6 .3 T
6.0

Non-Predatory Game Fish

0'>

'-I

Warmouth

Flier

Spotted sunfish

Bluegill

Total

12 414 88
15 529

1 1.1 69 1.3 17.3 7
.5 22.7 35 1 6.3 40 2.0 9.8 151

2.5 27.5 .3 4.0 .5 22.7
1.1 68.7 4.4 21.6

25 6.5 71.4 106 9. 1 44.6 56 5.9 78.7 477 7.5 36.8 7 1.2 54.6 130 2.2 l 0. 8 5 .4 25.0 60 1.6 7.8 93 14o0 68.6 773 20.4 100.0

1.9 1. 6
.5
.3 4.3

Non-Predatory Food Fish

Spotted suckers Lake chubsucker Yellow bull head
Total

0
7 0 7

0

0

. 1 1.1

0

0

. 1 .3

0
1 1 2

0

0 ll 18.2 100.0 ll 18.2 60.7

1 1.1

9 8.8 97.8 17 9.0 30.0

1 3.6 ll 2.7 96.4 12 2.9 9.3

.2

.6 31 29.7 99.1 40 30.1 100.0

3.8
1.9 .6
6.3

Table A-5. Continued

Group

~6 of Pop. No. Wgt. %Wgt. Noo Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. %VJgt. No. Wgt. %Wgt Wgt.

Forage Fish

Pirate perch

283 1.1 100.0 2

T

T 0

0

0 283 1.1 33.3

.4

Lined topminnow

411

.9 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 411

.9 27.3

.3

Bluespotted sunfish 270 .4 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 270 .4 12. 1

. 2

Tadpole madtom

87 .3 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 87

,.3 9.1

1

Mosqu itofi sh

41

.2 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 41

.2 6.1

. 1

Brook silverside

139 .2 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 139 .2 6. 1

1

Banded sunfish

37 . 1 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 37 . 1 3.0

1

Dollar sunfish

18 1 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 18 . 1 3.0

T

Pygmy sunfish

77

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 77

T

T

T

Swamp darter

88

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 88

T

T

T

Golden topminnow

14

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 14

T

T

T

Pygmy killifish

5

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 5

T

T

T

'-1

Total

0

1470 3.3 1.0 2

T

T 0

0

0 1470 3.1 100.0 1.3

Grand Total

2069 4.9 1.8 184 1o. 9 4.0 183 257.5 94.2 2436 273.3 100.0 100.0



Table A-4. Continued

Fingerlings

Intermediate

Harvestab1e

Total

% of Pop.

Grou

No. ~igt. %~Jgt. __No. ___!'JQt._ %Wgt. No. Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. %Wgt.

Wgt.

Predatory Food Fish

Bowfin Spotted gar Channel catfish Total

0

0

0 0

0

0 205 363.2 100.0 205 363.2 98.6 80.1

0

0

0 1 .4 7.7 9 4.8 92.3 11 5.2 14

1.1

0

0

0 1 . 1 100.0 0

0

0 1 1

T

T

0

0

0 2 .5 1 214 368.0 99.9 217 368.5 100.0 81.2

Forage Fish

Pirate perch

1471 3.5 97.2 7 1 2.8 0

0

0 1478 3.6 57.1

o8

Tadpole madtom

210 1.7 85.0 13 .3 15.0 0

0

0 223 2.0 31.8

.4

Lined topminnow

116 .5 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 116 .5 7.9

1

Bluespot sunfish

32 1 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 32 1 1.6

T

0"1

Swamp darter

51

1 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 51

. 1 1.6

T

OJ

r.bsquitofish

61

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 61

T

T

T

Brook silverside

11

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 11

T

T

T

Blackbanded sunfish

8

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 8

T

T

T

Mud sunfish

4

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 4

T

T

T

Pygmy sunfish

3

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 3

T

T

T

Speckled madtom

1

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 1

T

T

T

Blackbanded darter

1

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 1

T

T

T

Total

1969 5.9 93.7 21

.4 6.3

0

0

0 1993 6.3 100.0

1.3

Grand Tota 1

2747 11.0 2.4 239 9.3 20 1 356 433.4 95.5 3342 453.7 100.0 100.0

Table A-4. Mud Lake slough 0.75 acre rotenone sample expanded to one acre, Suwannee River, 2 July 1975.

Group

Fingerling

Intermediate

Harvestable

Total

5~ of Pop.

No. Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. ~~Wgt.

Hgt.

Predatory Game Fish

Chain pickerel Redfin pickerel
Black crappie Largemouth bass Total

72 l.l 4.6 39 2.7 ll. 2 17 20.3 84.2 128 24. l 84.9

5. 1

169 1.9 63.3 24 l.l 36.7 0

0

0 193 3.0 l 0. 5

. 6

" v

0

0 0

0

0 1 l 3 100.0 1 1.3 4.6

3

l

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 1

T

T

T

242 3.0 1o. 7 63 3.8 13.4 18 21.6 76.0 321 28o4 100.0

6,0

Non-Predatory Game Fish

0'1

-.....!

Warmouth

Flier

Spotted sunfish

Bluegill

Total

12 1 1.1 69 2.5 27.5 25 6.5 71.4 106 9.1 44.6

1.9

414 1.3 17.3 7 .3 4.0 56 5.9 78.7 477 7.5 36.8

1.6

88 .5 22.7 35 .5 22.7 7 1.2 54.6 130 2.2 10.8

.5

15 1 6.3 40 1.1 68.7 5 .4 25.0 60 1.6 7.8

3

529 2.0 9.8 151 4.4 21.6 93 14.0 68.6 773 20.4 100.0

4.3

Non-Predatory Food Fish

Spotted suckers
Lake chubsucker Yellow bull head Total

0

0

0 0

0

0 ll 18.2 100.0 ll 18.2 60.7

3.8

7 .l l.l

1

1 l.l

9 8.8 97.8 17 9.0 30.0

1.9

0

0

0 1 1 3.6 ll 2.7 96.4 12 2.9 9.3

.6

7 1 . 3 2 .2 .6 31 29.7 99.1 40 30.1 100.0

6.3

... .)

,

Table A-5. Mud Lake slough 0.55 acre rotenone sample expanded to one acre, Suwannee River, 21 April 1976.

Group

Fingerling

Intermediate

Harvestable

Total

% of Pop.

No. Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. %WgL No. Wgt. %vJgt. No. Wgt. %Wgt. vJgt.

Predatory Game Fish

Chain pickerel Redfin pickerel Total

35 1

T 39 5.6 25.7 13 16. l 73.9 87 21.8 92c3

8.0

7 l

1 35 1.7

.9

42 1.8 7.6

. 7

42 .2 .9 74 7.3 30.9 l3 16. l 68.2 129 23.6 100.0

8.6

Non-Predatory Game Fish

Warmouth

0'1

Bluegill

1.0

Spotted sunfish

Flier

Total

280 l.O 12.8 61 l.l 14. l 23 . 5. 7 73. l 364 7.8 56.9

2.8

25

T

T l3

.5 l 0. 6 14 4.2 89.4 52 4.7 34.3

1.7

192 .3 42.9 6 .2 28.5 2 .2 28.6 200 .7 . 5

.3

26 . 5 100.0

26 .5 3.6

.2

497 1.3 9.5 106 2.3 16.8 39 10. l 73.7 642 13.7 100.0

5.0

Non-Predatory Food Fish

Spotted sucker
Lake chubsucker Yellow bullhead Total

0 60

0 ,
I

0 0 .02 0

0 0

0 10 7.5 l 00.0 10 7.5 57.0 0 6 4.7 98.0 66 4.8 37.0

2.7 1.8

0

0

0 0

0

0 2 .8 100.0 2 .8 6.0

.3

60 . 1 . 01 0

0

0 18 13.0 99.0 78 13. 1 100.0

4.8

Predatory Food Fish

Bowfin Total

0

0

0 2 1.3 . 01 113 218.3 99.0 ll5 219.6 l 00.0 80.3

0

0

0 2 1.3 . 01 ll3 218.3 99.0 ll5 219.6 100.0 80.3

Table A-l Rotenone recovery (R) of fish marked (M) and released in the slough sample areas on the Suwannee River, 1973-1975.

S~<:>cies

Red Bluff 'Jc~. l'J73 MR %

Mud Lake Oct. 1973 MR %

Mud Lake May 1974 MR %

Mud L~ke -
July 1975 M R %

io~al
MR %

Bowfin Warmouth

10 5 50.0 45 24 53.3 35 22 62.9 24 18 75.0 114 69 60.5 7 3 42.8 1 1 100.0 12 10 83.3 5 5 100.0 25 19 76.0

Spotted sunfish

5 1 20.0 2 2 100.0 6 0

0 4 4 100.0 17 7 41.2

"'-..1 N

Lake chubsucker

3 1 33.3

5 5 100.0

8 6 75.0

Chain pickerel

2 0

0

2 0

0

Largemouth bass

2 1 50.0 2 2 100.0 4 4 100.0 2 2 100.0 10 9 90.0

Channel catfish

l 1 100.0 2 1 50.0

3 2 66.7

Yell ow bull head Spotted sucker

10 4 40.0 1 0

0 4 3 75.0 15 7 46.7



1 1 100.0

1 1 100.0

Bluegill

1 0

0

1 0

0

Total

30 12 40.0 62 34 54.8 65 42 64.6 39 32 82.1 196 120 61.2

,,~:~f:ii

Table A-5. Continued

Group

% of Pop. No. Wgt. %Wgt. Noo Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. %~Jgt. No. Wgt. %Wgt Wgt.

Forage Fish

Pirate perch

283 1.1 100.0 2

T

T 0

0

0 283 1.1 33o3

.4

Lined topminnow

411

.9 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 411

.9 27.3

.3

Bluespotted sunfish 270 .4 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 270 .4 12. 1

.2

Tadpole madtom

87 .3 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 87

o3 9. 1

. 1

Mosqu itofi sh

41

.2 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 41

.2 6. 1

. l

Brook silverside

139 .2 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 139 . 2 6. 1

1

Banded sunfish

37 1 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 37 . 1 3.0

. l

Do 11 a r sunf i sh

18 . 1 100.0 0

0

0 0

0

0 18 . 1 3.0

T

Pygmy sunfish

77

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 77

T

T

T

Swamp darter

88

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 88

T

T

T

Golden topminnow

14

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 14

T

T

T

Pygmy killifish

5

T

T 0

0

0 0

0

0 5

T

T

T

"'-..1

Total

1470 3.3 1.0 2

T

T 0

0

0 1470 3.3 100.0 1.3

0

Grand Total

2069 4.9 1.8 184 1o. 9 4.0 183 257.5 94.2 2436 273o3 100,0 100.0

Table A-5. Mud Lake slough 0.55 acre rotenone sample expanded to one acre, Suwannee River, 21 April 1976.

Grou~

Fingerling

Intermediate

Harvestable

Total

% of Pop.

No. Wgt. %Wgt. No. Wgt. %WgL No. Wgt. %vJgt. No. Wgt. %Hgt. vJgt.

Predatory Game Fish

Chain pickerel Redfin pickerel Total

35 l

T 39 5.6 25.7 l3 16. l 73o9 87 21.8 92,3

8.0

7 .l

1 35 1.7

.9

42 1.8 7.6

. 7

42 .2 .9 74 7.3 30.9 13 16. l 68.2 129 23.6 100.0

8.6

Non-Predatory Game Fish

Warmouth

0'1 1.0

Bluegill Spotted sunfish

Flier

Total

280 l.O 12.8 61 l.l 14. l 23 5.7 73. l 364 7.8 56.9

2.8

25

T

T 13

.5 10.6 14 4.2 89.4 52 4.7 34.3

1.7

192 .3 42.9 6 .2 28.5 2 .2 28.6 200 .7 . 5

c3

26 .5 l 00.0

26 .5 3.6

o2

497 1.3 9.5 106 2.3 16.8 39 10. 1 73.7 642 13.7 100.0

5o0

Non-Predatory Food Fish

Spotted sucker
Lake chubsucker Yellow bullhead Total

0 60

0 ,
!

0

0

.02 0

0 0

0 10 7.5 100.0 10 7.5 57.0 0 6 4.7 98.0 66 4.8 37.0

2.7 1.8

0

0

0 0

0

0 2 .8 100.0 2 .8 6.0

.3

60 .,1

. 01 0

0

0 18 13.0 99.0 78 13. 1 l 00.0

4.8

Predatory Food Fish

Bowfin Total

0

0

0 2 1.3 .01 ll3 218.3 99.0 ll5 219.6 100.0 80.3

0

0

0 2 1.3 . 01 ll3 218.3 99.0 ll5 219.6 100.0 80.3

-:~:~~~~:

Table A-6. Summary of expanded one acre rotenone samples taken on Suwannee River 1973-1976.

Red Bluff 1973
~Jgt. Percent

1973 ~~gt. Percent

Mud Lake

1974

1975

1976

VJgt. Percent \~gt. Percent VJgt. Percent

Predatory Game Fish

43.7 33.6 30.5 20.5 23.5 4.8 28.4 6.3 23.6 8.6

Non-Predatory Game Fish 31.8 24.4 28.2 19.0 14.4 2.9 20.4 4.5 13. 7 5.0

Non-Predatory Food Fish 26.8 20.6 19.0 12.8 61.2 12.4 30. l 6.6 13. 1 4.8

Predatory Food Fish

22.9 17.6 64.7 43.6 394.7 79.9 368.5 81.2 219.6 80.3

Forage Fish

".....

Total

4.9 3.8 6. 1 4. 1 130. l 100.0 148.5 100.0

T

T 6.3 1.4 3.3 1.3

493.8 100.0 453.7 l 00.0 273.3 l 00.0

Finglering Intermediate Harvestable Total

6.9 23.3 99.9 130.1

5.3 17.9 76.8 100.0

11.3 12.8 124.4 148.5

7.6 8.6 83.8 100.0

T 2.4 491.4 493.8

T . 5 99.5 100.0

11.0 9.3 433.4 453.7

2.4 2. 1 95.5 100.0

4.9 10.9 257.5 273.3

1.8 4.0 94.2 l 00.0

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Table A-l Rotenone recovery (R) of fish marked (M) and released in the slough sample areas on the Suwannee River, 1973-1975.

S~ecies

Red BIutt IJc~. 1973 MR %

Mud Lake Oct. 1973 MR %

Mud Lake May 1974 MR %

Mud L~ke July 1975 MR %

To:a1 MR %

Bowfin

10 5 50.0 45 24 53.3 35 22 62.9 24 18 75.0 114 69 60.5

Warmouth

7 3 42.8 1 1 100.0 12 10 83.3 5 5 100.0 25 19 76.0

Spotted sunfish

5 1 20.0 2 2 100.0 6 0

0 4 4 100.8 17 7 41.2

'-J N

Lake chubsucker

3 1 33.3

5 5 100.0

8 6 75.0

Chain pickerel

2 0

0

2 0

0

Largemouth bass

2 1 50.0 2 2 100.0 4 4 100.0 2 2 100.0 10 9 90.0

Channel catfish

1 1 100.0 2 1 50.0

3 2 66.7

Yell ow bull head Spotted sucker

10 4 40.0

1 0

0

1 1 100.0

4 3 75.0

15 7 46.7 1 1 100.0

Bluegill

1 0

0

1 0

0

Total

30 12 40.0 62 34 54.8 65 42 64.6 39 32 82.1 196 120 61.2

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Table A-8. Estimates of fishing pressure, catch, and catch rates by weekdays and weekends on the Suwannee River from 17 March
1973 to 9 July 1976.

Total Catch Angler Hours No. Wgt.(lb)

March - Dec. 1973

Weekdays Weekends Total

29932 25020 54952

65558 55902 121460

34022 30969 64991

March - Dec. 1974

Weekdays
Weekends Total

15973 15643 31616

21435
20468 41903

19507 15262 34769

March - Dec. 1975

Weekdays Weekends Total

27254 21851 49105

57172 45891 103063

36362
25829 62191

March - July 1976

~~eekdays
Weekends Total

9314 10892 20206

12816 12825 25641

8277 8387 16664

Catch Rate No/Hr Lb/Hr
2.19 1.14 2. 23 1. 24 2. 22 1.19
l. 34 1.22 1. 31 0.98 1.33 1.10
2.10 1.33 2.10 1.18 2.10 1.27
1.38 0.89 1.18 0.77 1.27 0.82

73

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76

Table A-9. Methods of fishing and types of bait used by fishermen on the Suwannee River from 17 March 1973 to 9 July 1976.

Period March - Dec. 1973
r~arch - Dec. 1974
r~arch - Dec. 1975 March - July 1976

Still 92.3 79.6 81.5 72.5

Cast &Sj2in
7.0 15.0 14.6 25.2

Type of Bait - Percent
Set &Trot Natural Artificial

0.7

93.0

7.0

5.4

85.9

14. l

____ a 3.9

2.3

a Not collected

74

Table A-8. Estimates of fishing pressure, catch, and catch rates by weekdays and weekends on the Suwannee River from 17 March 1973 to 9 July 1976.

Total Catch Angler Hours No. Wgt.(lb)

March - Dec. 1973

Weekdays Weekends Total

29932 25020 54952

65558 55902 121460

34022 30969 64991

March - Dec. 1974

Weekdays
Weekends Total

15973
15643 31616

21435 20468 41903

19507 15262
34769

~1a rc h - Dec. 1975

Weekdays Weekends Total

27254 21851 49105

57172 45891 103063

36362
25829 62191

March - July 1976

~~eekdays
Weekends Total

9314 10892 20206

12816 12825 25641

8277 8387 16664

Catch Rate No/Hr Lb/Hr
2.19 1.14 2.23 1.24 2.22 1.19
1.34 1.22 1.31 0.98 1.33 1.10
2.10 1.33 2.10 1. 18 2.10 1.27
~. 38 0.89 1.18 0. 77 1.27 0.82

73

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Table A~l. Methods of fishing and type of bait used by fishermen on the Okefenokee Swamp from 10 March 1973 to 26 December 1975.

Period

Type of Fishing - Percent

Type of Bait - Percent

Still Cast, S~in, Flt Set, Trot, Trolling Natura1 Artificial

March - Dec. 1973 84.9

15. 1

0

86.6

13.4

March - Dec. 1974 86.6

12.5

0.9

86.9

13. 1

March - Dec. 1975 82.0

18.0

-....J 0)

0

82.0

18.0