Evaluating Muskellunge catch-and-release mortality at elevated summer water temperature

Ian Taylor Booth; Kyle J. Hartman; Derek P. Crane; Jeff L. Hansbarger; Jordan Weeks; Josh Henesy; Heather L. Walsh; Jeffrey C. Williams

doi:10.1002/tafs.10418

USGS · 70246239

Evaluating Muskellunge catch-and-release mortality at elevated summer water temperature

Ian Taylor Booth·Kyle J. Hartman·Derek P. Crane·Jeff L. Hansbarger·Jordan Weeks·Josh Henesy·Heather L. Walsh·Jeffrey C. Williams

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Abstract

Angling for Muskellunge Esox masquinongy has become widespread and increasingly popular. Management strategies for Muskellunge include high minimum harvest lengths (>1016mm), closed seasons, and catch-and-release regulations. Due to these strategies and angler behaviors, up to 97% of Muskellunge caught are released, and anglers assume these fish survive to be caught again in the future. Previous research on catch-and-release mortality for Muskellunge has suggested relatively low mortality rates (0%-5%). However, these studies were all conducted within the range of water temperatures that are thermally optimal for Muskellunge and generally at water temperatures <25°C. Muskellunge populations in some latitudes routinely experience temperatures >25°C during the summer months. Fisheries managers and anglers have expressed concerns regarding warm water angling mortality, representing a need to evaluate mortality rates at various water temperatures and multiple latitudes. Our objective was to quantify warm-water (>25°C) catch-and-release mortality rates in Muskellunge (>760mm) and identify factors influencing mortality using experimental ponds. Adult Muskellunge (n=102) were stocked into eight earthen or plastic lined flow-through ponds (0.06-0.71 ha) at densities of <16 fish/ha. Muskellunge (n=50) were angled utilizing specialized Muskellunge fishing gear at water temperatures of 19.6–32.6°C, with 32 fish being caught at temperatures >25°C. Fish were closely monitored for 2 weeks after being angled to assess mortality, and fish that remained uncaught during the experiment were used as controls (n=53). Mortality was greater for angled (30.0%) compared to control fish (11.3%). Differences in catch-and-release mortality were compared across a range of temperature regimes using firth's logistic regression. Five-day cumulative temperature and net time were positively related to the probability of mortality, but size and sex were unrelated to mortality. Elevated catch-and-release mortality rates at warm water temperatures warrant investigations into the population level effects at varying levels of exploitation.

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Ian Taylor Booth, Kyle J. Hartman, Derek P. Crane, Jeff L. Hansbarger, Jordan Weeks, Josh Henesy, Heather L. Walsh, Jeffrey C. Williams. 2023-04-15. Evaluating Muskellunge catch-and-release mortality at elevated summer water temperature. https://doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10418

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