Theses and Dissertations
Issuing Body
Mississippi State University
Advisor
Neal, J. Wesley
Committee Member
Miranda, Leandro E.
Committee Member
Allen, Peter J.
Date of Degree
12-13-2019
Original embargo terms
Worldwide
Document Type
Graduate Thesis - Open Access
Major
Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture
Degree Name
Master of Science
College
College of Forest Resources
Department
Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Abstract
Mississippi is home to many small impoundments, providing anglers with local fishing opportunities. Crappie (Pomoxis spp.) fisheries are highly prized in the state, and managers struggle to meet angler expectations in these smaller systems. From 2015 to 2017, white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) and magnolia crappie (male black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus x female white crappie Pomoxis annularis), marked with oxytetracycline and alizarin red s, were stocked into five small Mississippi impoundments to evaluate stocking efficacy and long-term mark retention. Overall stocking contribution to established populations was 0.59% with only one marked fish recovered. An additional 12 lakes ranging in size from 28 and 357 hectares were studied to assess factors contributing to successful crappie populations. Highest crappie growth rates were observed in systems where crappie abundance is limited. Findings of this study suggest predator population management can be a valuable tool for managing crappie in small impoundments.
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/11668/16437
Recommended Citation
Haley, Bryant, "Development of quality crappie fishing opportunities in Mississippi State Lakes" (2019). Theses and Dissertations. 1471.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/1471