Implementation of Protected Slot Limits to Manage Largemouth Bass among Southeast Nebraska Waterbodies

Harvest regulations including implementation of size restrictions are a cornerstone of freshwater fish population management. Size restrictions are meant to direct harvest by anglers to desired length ranges of a fish population in efforts to alter the length distribution and meet management objectives. Common types of size restrictions used are minimum length limits, maximum length limits, and protected-slot length limits. Nevertheless, a core need for size restrictions to meet management objectives is the propensity of angler groups to harvest.
Largemouth Bass is a popular sportfish in North America and is predominately managed through restricting sizes and number available to harvest. Harvest regulations have been extensively evaluated and have had mixed results at meeting intended management objectives. A major shift in angler attitudes regarding Largemouth Bass harvest resulting in a harvest averse mindset has been suggested as an impediment to using size restrictions. Further, characteristics of Largemouth Bass populations may influence effectiveness of size restrictions in altering size structure (e.g., slow growth).
Size restrictions to direct harvest at components of Largemouth Bass populations may benefit from understanding both population characteristics and exploitation levels. Size-based restrictions of harvest may be most applicable when angler exploitation and individual growth rates of Largemouth Bass are high. Without adequate levels of angler harvest, sized-based restrictions may fail to meet management targets for Largemouth Bass populations. Further, without adequate growth rates, Largemouth Bass may not reach sizes subjected to harvest. As such, information regarding population characteristics (abundance, somatic growth, etc.,) and levels of angler harvest are needed predict effectiveness of changes in size restrictions as a management tool. Therefore, the objectives of this study include 1) evaluate baseline population parameters including abundance, survival, growth, size structure, and condition indices of Largemouth Bass populations in southeast Nebraska reservoirs, 2) estimate the propensity of anglers to harvest Largemouth Bass in southeast Nebraska reservoirs, and 3) predict changes in population size structure and abundance of Largemouth Bass in southeast Nebraska reservoirs following the implementation of a protected slot limit of 15 to 18 inches.

Goals

The purpose of this 2.5 year study is to assess the effectiveness of protected slot limits at meeting the size structure and abundance goals of NGPC biologist for Largemouth Bass populations in southeast Nebraska reservoirs. This work will include both field evaluations of Largemouth Bass populations, creel surveys of anglers, and the development of population models to predict population outcomes.