Use of Cast Nets and Seine Hauls to Estimate Abundance of Age-0 Yellow Perch

Authors

Michael Vaske

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Knowledge about fish population dynamics is essential for developing management plans and evaluating management success. In many lakes, yellow perch (Perca flavescens) are the main forage for many upper level predators and recreational fish species. To better manage recreational fisheries, an accurate estimate of prey abundance is necessary. The objectives of the study were to sample the littoral and limnetic zone to better estimate population of age-0 yellow perch, and obtain an estimate of the proportion of yellow perch being missed by traditional littoral seining methods. Littoral seines were conducted at three randomly selected locations in the south basin of Lake Bemidji. Starting points for cast net transects were chosen at random around the lake and transects were run from the shore to the deepest portion of the lake. A cast net was thrown 10 times at every 1.5 m depth interval throughout each transect. Analysis of the data indicated that traditional methods of estimating population using littoral seines were in fact missing a proportion of the population. Analysis of the data resulted in a population estimate of 3,851,254. The estimate using seine hauls and cast net transects showed an increase by 163% from the population estimate of 1,464,864 using just littoral seines. This more accurate estimate of age-0 yellow perch recruitment will result in better management decisions.

Publication Date

2014

Comments

Faculty sponsor: Dr. Andrew Hafs, Department of Biology, Aquatic Biology Program

Recommended Citation

Vaske, Michael, "Use of Cast Nets and Seine Hauls to Estimate Abundance of Age-0 Yellow Perch" (2014). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 51.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/51