Document Type
Article
Abstract
A number of conditions within a lake system can affect northern pike (Esox lucius) size structure. Of these conditions, the amount of angling pressure may have the biggest effect on the size structure of northern pike in Minnesota lake systems. In this study, five private and five public lakes were chosen near Bemidji, Minnesota. Each lake was fished for twenty angling hours using live northern hog suckers (Hypentelium nigricans) or golden shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas). Total length (mm) and weight (kg) were measured for each northern pike caught. The number of fish houses that were on the lake during each angling event was used as an estimate of angling pressure. In private lakes northern pike had higher densities in the 500, 600, 800 mm class sizes. Between public and private lakes there was a significant difference in average ice house density (p-value = 0.004) but not in average mean of northern pike length (p-value = 0.27).
Publication Date
2014
Recommended Citation
Carrow, Ryan, "The Effects of Angling Pressure on Northern Pike Size Structure" (2014). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 55.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/55
Included in
Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Biology Commons, Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Population Biology Commons, Sustainability Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons, Water Resource Management Commons
Comments
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Andrew Hafs, Department of Biology, Aquatic Biology Program