Paul J Radomski - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Paul J Radomski

Waterbirds, Apr 1, 2014

BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access t... more BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Fisheries, Apr 1, 2006

... Kevin S. Page Paul Radomski Page is a fisheries biologist at the Ohio Department of Natural R... more ... Kevin S. Page Paul Radomski Page is a fisheries biologist at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Radomski is a fisheries biologist at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Page can be contacted at Kevin. Page•ktnr. state.oh.us INTRODUCTION ...

Lake and reservoir management, May 23, 2019

Despite the known linkage between aquatic plants and fish communities, research that quantifies t... more Despite the known linkage between aquatic plants and fish communities, research that quantifies the relationship between aquatic habitat and fisheries management is lacking, particularly for lakes. Lake management is often driven by recreational interests and fails to evaluate outcomes or identify conservation benefits. Effective management of vegetation to benefit fisheries will require information on how fish utilize aquatic plant stands, as well as how they are affected by changes in vegetation coverage or richness. Management strategies will need to account for both local and large-scale effects on aquatic plant habitat. Studies that assess the economic benefits of aquatic plants to fisheries will provide support for sustainable aquatic vegetation management approaches. Finally, natural resources managers (including both aquatic botanists and fisheries biologists) will have to collaborate to identify priorities to implement and evaluate vegetation management activities. Marine seagrass and fisheries research is presented as a means to provide guidance on aquatic plant inventory and monitoring, as well as potential research opportunities to better understand aquatic plant and fish relationships and the implications for lake management.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Feb 1, 2020

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Feb 1, 2005

We used simulations to compare the distributions of estimation errors for virtual population anal... more We used simulations to compare the distributions of estimation errors for virtual population analysis using forward calculation (FVPA) and three variants of statistical kill-at-age analysis (KAA). The KAA variants assumed constant, time-blocked, and nonadditive selectivity. Simulations were based on a recreational walleye (Sander vitreus) fishery in Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota. The focus of our experiments was on how model mis-specification (incorrect assumptions about selectivity for KAA or that kill had no error for FVPA) interacted with the magnitude of measurement errors and fishing mortality. We found that KAA models outperformed FVPA when they assumed the correct selectivity pattern, even when kill was measured without error. Of particular concern was a strong tendency by FVPA to overestimate stock size when kill was measured with substantial error. When KAA was based on an incorrect assumption regarding fishery selectivity and kill was measured with little error, wide distributions of errors and substantial biases sometimes resulted. KAA models that allowed fishery selectivity to change over time performed about as well as a constant-selectivity KAA model when selectivity was constant, and they performed much better when selectivity changed over time. Careful consideration of alternative fishery selectivity models should be a fundamental part of any age-structured assessment. Résumé : Des simulations nous ont permis de comparer les distributions des erreurs d'estimation dans une analyse virtuelle de population utilisant un calcul prospectif (FVPA) et trois variantes d'une analyse statistique KAA (kill-at-age, mortalité à un âge donné). Les variantes de l'analyse KAA présupposent une sélectivité constante, déterminée en fonction du temps et non additive. Nos simulations se basent sur la pêche sportive de dorés (Sander vitreus) dans le lac Mille-Lacs, Wisconsin. Nos expériences visent à étudier comment les paramètre erronés des modèles (présuppositions fausses de la sélectivité pour KAA et présupposition d'absence d'erreur de mortalité dans FVPA) interagissent avec l'importance des erreurs de mesure et de la mortalité due à la pêche. Les modèles KAA fonctionnent mieux que les modèles FVPA lorsqu'on présuppose les bons patterns de sélectivité, même quand la mortalité est mesurée sans erreur. Il est particulièrement inquiétant que les modèles FVPA aient une forte tendance à surestimer la taille du stock lorsque la mortalité est estimée avec une erreur importante. Lorsque l'analyse KAA est basée sur des présuppositions fausses concernant la sélectivité de la pêche et que la mortalité est mesurée avec peu d'erreur, il peut en résulter quelquefois de distributions étendues des erreurs et des tendances erronées importantes. Les modèles KAA qui permettent à la sélectivité de la pêche de changer dans le temps fonctionnent presque aussi bien que le modèle KAA à sélectivité constante lorsque la sélectivité est constante et fonctionnent beaucoup mieux lorsque la sélectivité varie dans le temps. Toute évaluation qui tient compte de la structure en âge devrait considérer de façon attentive les différents modèles de rechange de sélectivité de la pêche et en faire une partie essentielle de l'analyse. [Traduit par la Rédaction] Radomski et al. 452

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Feb 1, 2006

Lead poisoning in waterbirds from ingestion of lead fishing items may be a growing problem. There... more Lead poisoning in waterbirds from ingestion of lead fishing items may be a growing problem. There are few studies that quantify tackle loss for recreational fisheries. Tackle loss from large recreational lake fisheries in Minnesota is unknown. The objectives of this study were to determine tackle loss for five large lake fisheries targeting walleye Sander vitreus in Minnesota by means of creel surveys and to estimate recent cumulative losses. Mean rates of tackle loss were low: 0.0127/h for lures, 0.0081/h for large sinkers, 0.0057/h for small sinkers, 0.0247/h for jigs, and 0.0257/h for hooks. Many anglers lost no fishing tackle on a fishing trip. The estimated total loss of tackle for the five water bodies in the summer of 2004 was 214,811 items. Over 100,000 leadbased items were estimated to have been lost, representing about 1 metric ton of lead. Assuming 2004 lead tackle loss rates, estimates of cumulative lead item loss for Lake of the

Fisheries, May 1, 2001

Recent research has indicated that creel limits are largely ineffective in regulating recreationa... more Recent research has indicated that creel limits are largely ineffective in regulating recreational fish harvest in Minnesota. Current creel limits give an unrealistic picture of the biological capabilities of Minnesota's fisheries and less than 5% of angler-trips culminate with the harvesting of a creel limit. We present evidence that high creel limits may cause anglers to have unrealistic expectations of their potential harvest. When fishing success expectations are not met, the result is often dissatisfied anglers. We propose reducing creel limits to more appropriate levels by using a probability angling management strategy. These new limits would be based on past recreational harvest data from completed angler-trips. Our goal is to select creel limits that more anglers could attain, or come closer to attaining. Over time, we anticipate reduced creel limits would function more as an educational tool and may help anglers develop more realistic expectations of Minnesota's fisheries. Creel Limits in Minnesota The principal fishing regulations in Minnesota are creel limits, which are the maximum number of a particular species that an angler may possess at any one time. Many anglers mistake creel limits as a daily limit, which in Minnesota they are not. Technically and legally, once an angler possesses a

Ecological Indicators, Sep 1, 2012

This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the a... more This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit:

Fisheries, May 1, 2001

Creel limits are ubiquitous in regulating individual angler harvest per fishing event or day in N... more Creel limits are ubiquitous in regulating individual angler harvest per fishing event or day in North America. In our examination of freshwater fishing regulations in 54 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, black bass (Micropterus dolomieuand M. salmoides), and trout (Salmo trutta, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Salvelinus fontinalis, and S. namaycush) always had a daily creel limit where they occurred. Larger piscivorous fish species had lower creel limits than smaller insectivorous or planktivorous species (Figure 1). For example, the median creel limit for northern pike (Esox lucius) and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) was 3 and 5 fish, respectively, whereas, yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and sunfish (Lepomis spp.), had median creels of 25 and 50 fish, respectively. Moreover, many states and provinces do not have limits for yellow perch and sunfish. A wide range of creel limits exist for catfish (Ictalurus punctatusand Pylodictis oli varis), crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatusand P. annularis), rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris), and temperate

CRC Press eBooks, Oct 18, 2022

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Mar 24, 2011

Full terms and conditions of use: http://www.informaworld.com/terms-and-conditions-of-access.pdf ... more Full terms and conditions of use: http://www.informaworld.com/terms-and-conditions-of-access.pdf This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution , reselling , loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Jun 1, 2009

A survey of fisheries biologists was used to assess changes in size structure of populations of l... more A survey of fisheries biologists was used to assess changes in size structure of populations of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides in relation to additional harvest regulations and to associate biologists' perceptions with various measures of length frequency changes. Biologists were presented with largemouth bass population data from regulated and control fisheries and then were asked to judge whether they perceived that the population size structure had improved over time. A blind survey approach was used (biologists did not know which populations received the additional regulations or which were control fisheries). We developed statistical models that include lake, regulation type, and biologist effects and compared them with traditional statistical analyses of regulation effectiveness. Based on perceptions of fisheries biologists about length frequency changes, 12-in maximum length limits and catch-and-release regulations were about four times more likely to improve the size structure than just reliance on standard bag limits (the regulation on control fisheries). Improvement in size structure substantially beyond a statistically significant change was often needed before a regulation was considered successful by fisheries biologists. Individuals differed in their propensity to see changes as improvements. The advantages and caveats of using biologists' perceptions as a component of regulation analyses were discussed. A similar approach using angler questionnaires may yield informative data on what constitutes an improved fishery.

Lake and reservoir management, Sep 25, 2018

Identifying lakes in which to invest water quality conservation efforts can help more effectively... more Identifying lakes in which to invest water quality conservation efforts can help more effectively target efforts and more efficiently utilize limited resources. The objective of this study was to compare different approaches to prioritize Minnesota lakes primarily for water quality protection or restoration. Lakes were objectively ranked using a multi-criteria values-based model that included phosphorus-loading resilience, level of watershed degradation, and feasibility of water quality protection or restoration. We explored how the list of priority lakes might change when incorporating benefit:cost ratios that used a hedonic model to predict land value increases with total phosphorus loading reductions. In addition, we examined the influence of including data on lakes with unique or high-quality biological communities. The multi-criteria values-based model was moderately correlated with the benefit:cost ratio approach; however, the exclusion of benefits and cost in the prioritization would likely result in the loss of a modest amount of potential benefit ($20%). A focus on impaired waters would likely result in considerable forgone benefit ($80%) and substantially higher costs. We provide recommendations on how to combine prioritization approaches along with a peer review process to produce lake priority lists that are both defensible and practical.

Fisheries, Jun 1, 1999

Management of many commercial fisheries includes a struggle to avoid overfishing. Natural resourc... more Management of many commercial fisheries includes a struggle to avoid overfishing. Natural resource agencies fail in this struggle when the application of biological, sociological, or philosophical sciences fails. In addition, they fail because they underestimate the pervasiveness of greed and the power of commerce, not because they lack good intentions. Current strategies to manage commercial fishing include extending property rights for fish harvests. The objective of this paper is to stimulate debate on the need-and consequences-of extending property rights to wild, exploitable fish populations as opposed to granting harvest rights. The question is, If property rights for fish were awarded to nonfishing, nongovernmental entities that then sell fishing rights to harvesters and help manage fish stocks, would this system be more likely to produce sustainable harvests and benefits? Strategies to achieve sustainable wild fish benefits are many and diverse. Should we explore extending property rights for fish to nonharvesting entities as another possible strategy for managing some commercial fisheries? he failure of commercial fisheries management has severe ecological, economic, and social costs. If we value wild, exploitable fish populations, then it is time for adaptive management. In U.S. coastal waters, 23% of fish stocks are overfished, and approximately half the marine stocks have population levels below those needed to achieve their full potential sustainable yields (National Marine Fisheries Service 1996). While human population continues to grow, and the demand for fish continues to increase, critical habitats are being degraded. Commercial fishing is changing rapidly, and resource agencies are eager to develop new ways to conserve wild fish stocks. The world's fisheries are in crisis. Of the 200 commercial fisheries monitored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 1 in 3 is depleted or heavily overexploited (Weber 1995). The U.S. Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Sep 1, 1993

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Nov 1, 2003

The theories and management style of commercial fisheries management have recently been applied t... more The theories and management style of commercial fisheries management have recently been applied to recreational fisheries. Several Minnesota recreational fisheries are now managed with target harvest levels based on sustainable yield predictors or quotas based on constant fishing mortality rate strategies. Creel limits and length-based regulations are being used to meet established targets or quotas. Three case histories are described.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Feb 1, 2001

The muskellunge Esox masquinongy is an important sport fish in Wisconsin and elsewhere, but more ... more The muskellunge Esox masquinongy is an important sport fish in Wisconsin and elsewhere, but more information about its diet is needed to better understand its role in aquatic systems and its effects on other fish. Stomach contents were examined for 1,092 muskellunge (226-1,180 mm total length, TL) captured in the littoral zone from 34 Wisconsin water bodies from July 1991 to October 1994. Food occurred in 34.3% (N ϭ 375) of the stomachs, with most (74%) containing a single item. Overall, the proportion of muskellunge with food differed significantly among seasons, with the greatest proportion occurring in fall (69.0%), followed by summer (53.5%) and then spring (25.4%). Prey items consisted of 547 fish, representing 12 families and 31 species, along with 35 nonfish items; fish composed 98% of the diet. Relative importance values of diet items varied by taxa, season, and water body, but the main food items eaten by muskellunge in each season were yellow perch Perca flavescens and white sucker Catostomous commersoni. Black basses Micropterus spp., northern pike Esox lucius, walleye Stizostedion vitreum, cyprinids, and other taxa were less common in the diet. Prey fish ranged in size from 6% to 47% of muskellunge total length and prey length increased significantly as muskellunge size increased. Yet the size of prey in proportion to muskellunge size remained the same for all sizes of muskellunge. The results of this study indicate that, if readily available, yellow perch and catostomids will compose a large proportion of the muskellunge diet. Additional studies assessing muskellunge diet among lakes having different prey community types and assessing diet in deeper offshore areas of lakes are needed to better understand the role that muskellunge play in aquatic communities.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Feb 1, 2004

We developed a new approach for directly quantifying selection parameters for fishing gear using ... more We developed a new approach for directly quantifying selection parameters for fishing gear using a dual underwater video camera apparatus and employed the method to estimate gill net retention probability for walleye (Sander vitreus). The method allows observation of fish behavior around fishing gear and estimation of the absolute probability of fish encountering, contacting, or being retained by the gear. We demonstrated the applicability of this method by quantifying the probability that walleye were retained in multifilament nylon gill nets after contacting the nets. Walleye with total lengths 2.49 times the perimeter of the mesh were most likely to be retained, and retention probability peaked at 0.60 (95% confidence interval 0.41-0.90), meaning 40% of walleye that were the ideal size for a given mesh escaped after contacting the net. Our empirically derived retention curve exhibited a steep ascending limb and strong positive skew because of walleye morphology and the tendency for larger walleye to be captured by tangling. Most walleye that avoided capture did not fully enter the mesh or backed out of the mesh after they became temporarily wedged or tangled. Résumé : Nous avons mis au point une méthode nouvelle pour quantifier les paramètres de sélection d'engins de pêche qui utilise une paire de caméras vidéo sous-marines et nous l'avons appliquée à l'estimation de la rétention de dorés jaunes (Sander vitreus) dans un filet maillant. La méthode permet d'observer le comportement des poissons aux alentours du filet et d'estimer la probabilité absolue que les poissons rencontrent et touchent l'engin de pêche et soient retenus par lui. Nous démontrons l'efficacité de la méthode en calculant la probabilité que les dorés jaunes soient retenus par des filets maillants en multifilament de nylon une fois qu'ils sont entrés en contact avec eux. Les dorés dont la longueur totale représente 2,49 fois le périmètre de la maille sont les plus susceptibles d'être capturés et la probabilité de rétention atteint un sommet de 0,60 (intervalle de confiance de 95 %, 0,41-0,90), ce qui indique que 40 % des dorés de taille idéale pour une grandeur de maille donnée réussissent à s'échapper après avoir touché au filet. La courbe de rétention obtenue empiriquement possède une partie ascendante à forte pente et une asymétrie positive importante à cause de la morphologie des dorés et parce que les grands dorés ont tendance à se prendre par enchevêtrement. La plupart des dorés qui réussissent à éviter la capture n'entrent pas complètement dans le trou de la maille ou alors reculent après avoir été temporairement coincés ou enchevêtrés.

Aquatic Botany, Jul 1, 2021

Abstract Aquatic plant communities are good indicators of lake conditions, and persistent changes... more Abstract Aquatic plant communities are good indicators of lake conditions, and persistent changes to those communities are indicative of environmental change. Our study used historical and recent lake plant surveys to detect changes in Minnesota’s lake plant communities over the last century. We did not find taxa richness estimates useful for change detection and suggest that recent richness values were higher than historical due to increased search effort rather than real change. The primary signal of change was the failure to relocate taxa in lakes where they were historically common. In 55 % of the lakes, surveyors did not relocate at least one taxon that was reported in an historic survey. We found that emergent plant taxa were most likely to have been lost; for lakes where emergents were reported historically, 45% had at least one emergent taxon that was not redetected compared to 30% of lakes where at least one floating-leaf taxon was not redetected and 42% of lakes where at least one submerged taxon was not redetected. Lakes in the southwestern and central ecoregions of the state were most likely to have gross and persistent aquatic plant losses. Eutrophication was the most likely reason for losses, with substantial declines in the probability of presence of many taxa with greater increases in lake phosphorus concentrations. We identified limitations with these datasets and recommend survey method changes to improve future collection of lake plant lists.

Waterbirds, Apr 1, 2014

BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access t... more BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses.

Fisheries, Apr 1, 2006

... Kevin S. Page Paul Radomski Page is a fisheries biologist at the Ohio Department of Natural R... more ... Kevin S. Page Paul Radomski Page is a fisheries biologist at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Radomski is a fisheries biologist at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Page can be contacted at Kevin. Page•ktnr. state.oh.us INTRODUCTION ...

Lake and reservoir management, May 23, 2019

Despite the known linkage between aquatic plants and fish communities, research that quantifies t... more Despite the known linkage between aquatic plants and fish communities, research that quantifies the relationship between aquatic habitat and fisheries management is lacking, particularly for lakes. Lake management is often driven by recreational interests and fails to evaluate outcomes or identify conservation benefits. Effective management of vegetation to benefit fisheries will require information on how fish utilize aquatic plant stands, as well as how they are affected by changes in vegetation coverage or richness. Management strategies will need to account for both local and large-scale effects on aquatic plant habitat. Studies that assess the economic benefits of aquatic plants to fisheries will provide support for sustainable aquatic vegetation management approaches. Finally, natural resources managers (including both aquatic botanists and fisheries biologists) will have to collaborate to identify priorities to implement and evaluate vegetation management activities. Marine seagrass and fisheries research is presented as a means to provide guidance on aquatic plant inventory and monitoring, as well as potential research opportunities to better understand aquatic plant and fish relationships and the implications for lake management.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Feb 1, 2020

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Feb 1, 2005

We used simulations to compare the distributions of estimation errors for virtual population anal... more We used simulations to compare the distributions of estimation errors for virtual population analysis using forward calculation (FVPA) and three variants of statistical kill-at-age analysis (KAA). The KAA variants assumed constant, time-blocked, and nonadditive selectivity. Simulations were based on a recreational walleye (Sander vitreus) fishery in Lake Mille Lacs, Minnesota. The focus of our experiments was on how model mis-specification (incorrect assumptions about selectivity for KAA or that kill had no error for FVPA) interacted with the magnitude of measurement errors and fishing mortality. We found that KAA models outperformed FVPA when they assumed the correct selectivity pattern, even when kill was measured without error. Of particular concern was a strong tendency by FVPA to overestimate stock size when kill was measured with substantial error. When KAA was based on an incorrect assumption regarding fishery selectivity and kill was measured with little error, wide distributions of errors and substantial biases sometimes resulted. KAA models that allowed fishery selectivity to change over time performed about as well as a constant-selectivity KAA model when selectivity was constant, and they performed much better when selectivity changed over time. Careful consideration of alternative fishery selectivity models should be a fundamental part of any age-structured assessment. Résumé : Des simulations nous ont permis de comparer les distributions des erreurs d'estimation dans une analyse virtuelle de population utilisant un calcul prospectif (FVPA) et trois variantes d'une analyse statistique KAA (kill-at-age, mortalité à un âge donné). Les variantes de l'analyse KAA présupposent une sélectivité constante, déterminée en fonction du temps et non additive. Nos simulations se basent sur la pêche sportive de dorés (Sander vitreus) dans le lac Mille-Lacs, Wisconsin. Nos expériences visent à étudier comment les paramètre erronés des modèles (présuppositions fausses de la sélectivité pour KAA et présupposition d'absence d'erreur de mortalité dans FVPA) interagissent avec l'importance des erreurs de mesure et de la mortalité due à la pêche. Les modèles KAA fonctionnent mieux que les modèles FVPA lorsqu'on présuppose les bons patterns de sélectivité, même quand la mortalité est mesurée sans erreur. Il est particulièrement inquiétant que les modèles FVPA aient une forte tendance à surestimer la taille du stock lorsque la mortalité est estimée avec une erreur importante. Lorsque l'analyse KAA est basée sur des présuppositions fausses concernant la sélectivité de la pêche et que la mortalité est mesurée avec peu d'erreur, il peut en résulter quelquefois de distributions étendues des erreurs et des tendances erronées importantes. Les modèles KAA qui permettent à la sélectivité de la pêche de changer dans le temps fonctionnent presque aussi bien que le modèle KAA à sélectivité constante lorsque la sélectivité est constante et fonctionnent beaucoup mieux lorsque la sélectivité varie dans le temps. Toute évaluation qui tient compte de la structure en âge devrait considérer de façon attentive les différents modèles de rechange de sélectivité de la pêche et en faire une partie essentielle de l'analyse. [Traduit par la Rédaction] Radomski et al. 452

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Feb 1, 2006

Lead poisoning in waterbirds from ingestion of lead fishing items may be a growing problem. There... more Lead poisoning in waterbirds from ingestion of lead fishing items may be a growing problem. There are few studies that quantify tackle loss for recreational fisheries. Tackle loss from large recreational lake fisheries in Minnesota is unknown. The objectives of this study were to determine tackle loss for five large lake fisheries targeting walleye Sander vitreus in Minnesota by means of creel surveys and to estimate recent cumulative losses. Mean rates of tackle loss were low: 0.0127/h for lures, 0.0081/h for large sinkers, 0.0057/h for small sinkers, 0.0247/h for jigs, and 0.0257/h for hooks. Many anglers lost no fishing tackle on a fishing trip. The estimated total loss of tackle for the five water bodies in the summer of 2004 was 214,811 items. Over 100,000 leadbased items were estimated to have been lost, representing about 1 metric ton of lead. Assuming 2004 lead tackle loss rates, estimates of cumulative lead item loss for Lake of the

Fisheries, May 1, 2001

Recent research has indicated that creel limits are largely ineffective in regulating recreationa... more Recent research has indicated that creel limits are largely ineffective in regulating recreational fish harvest in Minnesota. Current creel limits give an unrealistic picture of the biological capabilities of Minnesota's fisheries and less than 5% of angler-trips culminate with the harvesting of a creel limit. We present evidence that high creel limits may cause anglers to have unrealistic expectations of their potential harvest. When fishing success expectations are not met, the result is often dissatisfied anglers. We propose reducing creel limits to more appropriate levels by using a probability angling management strategy. These new limits would be based on past recreational harvest data from completed angler-trips. Our goal is to select creel limits that more anglers could attain, or come closer to attaining. Over time, we anticipate reduced creel limits would function more as an educational tool and may help anglers develop more realistic expectations of Minnesota's fisheries. Creel Limits in Minnesota The principal fishing regulations in Minnesota are creel limits, which are the maximum number of a particular species that an angler may possess at any one time. Many anglers mistake creel limits as a daily limit, which in Minnesota they are not. Technically and legally, once an angler possesses a

Ecological Indicators, Sep 1, 2012

This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the a... more This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit:

Fisheries, May 1, 2001

Creel limits are ubiquitous in regulating individual angler harvest per fishing event or day in N... more Creel limits are ubiquitous in regulating individual angler harvest per fishing event or day in North America. In our examination of freshwater fishing regulations in 54 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, black bass (Micropterus dolomieuand M. salmoides), and trout (Salmo trutta, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Salvelinus fontinalis, and S. namaycush) always had a daily creel limit where they occurred. Larger piscivorous fish species had lower creel limits than smaller insectivorous or planktivorous species (Figure 1). For example, the median creel limit for northern pike (Esox lucius) and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) was 3 and 5 fish, respectively, whereas, yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and sunfish (Lepomis spp.), had median creels of 25 and 50 fish, respectively. Moreover, many states and provinces do not have limits for yellow perch and sunfish. A wide range of creel limits exist for catfish (Ictalurus punctatusand Pylodictis oli varis), crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatusand P. annularis), rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris), and temperate

CRC Press eBooks, Oct 18, 2022

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Mar 24, 2011

Full terms and conditions of use: http://www.informaworld.com/terms-and-conditions-of-access.pdf ... more Full terms and conditions of use: http://www.informaworld.com/terms-and-conditions-of-access.pdf This article may be used for research, teaching and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution , reselling , loan or sub-licensing, systematic supply or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Jun 1, 2009

A survey of fisheries biologists was used to assess changes in size structure of populations of l... more A survey of fisheries biologists was used to assess changes in size structure of populations of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides in relation to additional harvest regulations and to associate biologists' perceptions with various measures of length frequency changes. Biologists were presented with largemouth bass population data from regulated and control fisheries and then were asked to judge whether they perceived that the population size structure had improved over time. A blind survey approach was used (biologists did not know which populations received the additional regulations or which were control fisheries). We developed statistical models that include lake, regulation type, and biologist effects and compared them with traditional statistical analyses of regulation effectiveness. Based on perceptions of fisheries biologists about length frequency changes, 12-in maximum length limits and catch-and-release regulations were about four times more likely to improve the size structure than just reliance on standard bag limits (the regulation on control fisheries). Improvement in size structure substantially beyond a statistically significant change was often needed before a regulation was considered successful by fisheries biologists. Individuals differed in their propensity to see changes as improvements. The advantages and caveats of using biologists' perceptions as a component of regulation analyses were discussed. A similar approach using angler questionnaires may yield informative data on what constitutes an improved fishery.

Lake and reservoir management, Sep 25, 2018

Identifying lakes in which to invest water quality conservation efforts can help more effectively... more Identifying lakes in which to invest water quality conservation efforts can help more effectively target efforts and more efficiently utilize limited resources. The objective of this study was to compare different approaches to prioritize Minnesota lakes primarily for water quality protection or restoration. Lakes were objectively ranked using a multi-criteria values-based model that included phosphorus-loading resilience, level of watershed degradation, and feasibility of water quality protection or restoration. We explored how the list of priority lakes might change when incorporating benefit:cost ratios that used a hedonic model to predict land value increases with total phosphorus loading reductions. In addition, we examined the influence of including data on lakes with unique or high-quality biological communities. The multi-criteria values-based model was moderately correlated with the benefit:cost ratio approach; however, the exclusion of benefits and cost in the prioritization would likely result in the loss of a modest amount of potential benefit ($20%). A focus on impaired waters would likely result in considerable forgone benefit ($80%) and substantially higher costs. We provide recommendations on how to combine prioritization approaches along with a peer review process to produce lake priority lists that are both defensible and practical.

Fisheries, Jun 1, 1999

Management of many commercial fisheries includes a struggle to avoid overfishing. Natural resourc... more Management of many commercial fisheries includes a struggle to avoid overfishing. Natural resource agencies fail in this struggle when the application of biological, sociological, or philosophical sciences fails. In addition, they fail because they underestimate the pervasiveness of greed and the power of commerce, not because they lack good intentions. Current strategies to manage commercial fishing include extending property rights for fish harvests. The objective of this paper is to stimulate debate on the need-and consequences-of extending property rights to wild, exploitable fish populations as opposed to granting harvest rights. The question is, If property rights for fish were awarded to nonfishing, nongovernmental entities that then sell fishing rights to harvesters and help manage fish stocks, would this system be more likely to produce sustainable harvests and benefits? Strategies to achieve sustainable wild fish benefits are many and diverse. Should we explore extending property rights for fish to nonharvesting entities as another possible strategy for managing some commercial fisheries? he failure of commercial fisheries management has severe ecological, economic, and social costs. If we value wild, exploitable fish populations, then it is time for adaptive management. In U.S. coastal waters, 23% of fish stocks are overfished, and approximately half the marine stocks have population levels below those needed to achieve their full potential sustainable yields (National Marine Fisheries Service 1996). While human population continues to grow, and the demand for fish continues to increase, critical habitats are being degraded. Commercial fishing is changing rapidly, and resource agencies are eager to develop new ways to conserve wild fish stocks. The world's fisheries are in crisis. Of the 200 commercial fisheries monitored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 1 in 3 is depleted or heavily overexploited (Weber 1995). The U.S. Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Sep 1, 1993

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Nov 1, 2003

The theories and management style of commercial fisheries management have recently been applied t... more The theories and management style of commercial fisheries management have recently been applied to recreational fisheries. Several Minnesota recreational fisheries are now managed with target harvest levels based on sustainable yield predictors or quotas based on constant fishing mortality rate strategies. Creel limits and length-based regulations are being used to meet established targets or quotas. Three case histories are described.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Feb 1, 2001

The muskellunge Esox masquinongy is an important sport fish in Wisconsin and elsewhere, but more ... more The muskellunge Esox masquinongy is an important sport fish in Wisconsin and elsewhere, but more information about its diet is needed to better understand its role in aquatic systems and its effects on other fish. Stomach contents were examined for 1,092 muskellunge (226-1,180 mm total length, TL) captured in the littoral zone from 34 Wisconsin water bodies from July 1991 to October 1994. Food occurred in 34.3% (N ϭ 375) of the stomachs, with most (74%) containing a single item. Overall, the proportion of muskellunge with food differed significantly among seasons, with the greatest proportion occurring in fall (69.0%), followed by summer (53.5%) and then spring (25.4%). Prey items consisted of 547 fish, representing 12 families and 31 species, along with 35 nonfish items; fish composed 98% of the diet. Relative importance values of diet items varied by taxa, season, and water body, but the main food items eaten by muskellunge in each season were yellow perch Perca flavescens and white sucker Catostomous commersoni. Black basses Micropterus spp., northern pike Esox lucius, walleye Stizostedion vitreum, cyprinids, and other taxa were less common in the diet. Prey fish ranged in size from 6% to 47% of muskellunge total length and prey length increased significantly as muskellunge size increased. Yet the size of prey in proportion to muskellunge size remained the same for all sizes of muskellunge. The results of this study indicate that, if readily available, yellow perch and catostomids will compose a large proportion of the muskellunge diet. Additional studies assessing muskellunge diet among lakes having different prey community types and assessing diet in deeper offshore areas of lakes are needed to better understand the role that muskellunge play in aquatic communities.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Feb 1, 2004

We developed a new approach for directly quantifying selection parameters for fishing gear using ... more We developed a new approach for directly quantifying selection parameters for fishing gear using a dual underwater video camera apparatus and employed the method to estimate gill net retention probability for walleye (Sander vitreus). The method allows observation of fish behavior around fishing gear and estimation of the absolute probability of fish encountering, contacting, or being retained by the gear. We demonstrated the applicability of this method by quantifying the probability that walleye were retained in multifilament nylon gill nets after contacting the nets. Walleye with total lengths 2.49 times the perimeter of the mesh were most likely to be retained, and retention probability peaked at 0.60 (95% confidence interval 0.41-0.90), meaning 40% of walleye that were the ideal size for a given mesh escaped after contacting the net. Our empirically derived retention curve exhibited a steep ascending limb and strong positive skew because of walleye morphology and the tendency for larger walleye to be captured by tangling. Most walleye that avoided capture did not fully enter the mesh or backed out of the mesh after they became temporarily wedged or tangled. Résumé : Nous avons mis au point une méthode nouvelle pour quantifier les paramètres de sélection d'engins de pêche qui utilise une paire de caméras vidéo sous-marines et nous l'avons appliquée à l'estimation de la rétention de dorés jaunes (Sander vitreus) dans un filet maillant. La méthode permet d'observer le comportement des poissons aux alentours du filet et d'estimer la probabilité absolue que les poissons rencontrent et touchent l'engin de pêche et soient retenus par lui. Nous démontrons l'efficacité de la méthode en calculant la probabilité que les dorés jaunes soient retenus par des filets maillants en multifilament de nylon une fois qu'ils sont entrés en contact avec eux. Les dorés dont la longueur totale représente 2,49 fois le périmètre de la maille sont les plus susceptibles d'être capturés et la probabilité de rétention atteint un sommet de 0,60 (intervalle de confiance de 95 %, 0,41-0,90), ce qui indique que 40 % des dorés de taille idéale pour une grandeur de maille donnée réussissent à s'échapper après avoir touché au filet. La courbe de rétention obtenue empiriquement possède une partie ascendante à forte pente et une asymétrie positive importante à cause de la morphologie des dorés et parce que les grands dorés ont tendance à se prendre par enchevêtrement. La plupart des dorés qui réussissent à éviter la capture n'entrent pas complètement dans le trou de la maille ou alors reculent après avoir été temporairement coincés ou enchevêtrés.

Aquatic Botany, Jul 1, 2021

Abstract Aquatic plant communities are good indicators of lake conditions, and persistent changes... more Abstract Aquatic plant communities are good indicators of lake conditions, and persistent changes to those communities are indicative of environmental change. Our study used historical and recent lake plant surveys to detect changes in Minnesota’s lake plant communities over the last century. We did not find taxa richness estimates useful for change detection and suggest that recent richness values were higher than historical due to increased search effort rather than real change. The primary signal of change was the failure to relocate taxa in lakes where they were historically common. In 55 % of the lakes, surveyors did not relocate at least one taxon that was reported in an historic survey. We found that emergent plant taxa were most likely to have been lost; for lakes where emergents were reported historically, 45% had at least one emergent taxon that was not redetected compared to 30% of lakes where at least one floating-leaf taxon was not redetected and 42% of lakes where at least one submerged taxon was not redetected. Lakes in the southwestern and central ecoregions of the state were most likely to have gross and persistent aquatic plant losses. Eutrophication was the most likely reason for losses, with substantial declines in the probability of presence of many taxa with greater increases in lake phosphorus concentrations. We identified limitations with these datasets and recommend survey method changes to improve future collection of lake plant lists.