Evaluating Alberta’s Fall Index Netting Protocol for Assessing Northern Pike (Esox lucius) Populations

To assess the validity of Fall Index Netting (FIN) for monitoring Northern Pike (Esox lucius) populations, we tested five hypotheses relating FIN catches to independently measured abundance and sizes of Northern Pike, including testing the economic effectiveness of FIN monitoring. These tests used fisheries survey data on 133 lakes collected between 2000 and 2020. Mark-recapture studies and angler surveys were paired with FIN surveys done in the same year. We found that 1) FIN catch rates were related to Northern Pike population density, 2) FIN catchability was unrelated to Northern Pike density, 3) FIN catch size distributions were predictably related to Northern Pike sizes, 4) FIN catch rates were related to angler catch rates, and 5) FIN monitoring was economically efficient. Continued assessments of this monitoring technique are necessary to enhance statistical accuracy, improve stakeholder trust, and continue to provide environmental benefits for fish stocks, fisheries managers, and stakeholders. Keywords: Northern Pike, Index Net, Catchability, Size Vulnerability, Relative Abundance

Author dc:creator

• Brown, Myles

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Kerr, Gillian

• School of environment and sustainability

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/IR-20539

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/28976