Evaluation of Fish Stocking in Southeastern South Dakota Ponds

A mail survey was sent to owners of 220 ponds which had received hatchery fish. Based on 187 pond owner responses, at most 45 (24%) of the ponds still contained the fishes stocked. Pond dryness and/or winterkill attributed to the failure of 121 (65%) of the ponds. A subsequent field survey of 30 ponds identified fish populations of recreational value. Attempts were made to identify important pond parameters that contributed to successful fish populations. Aᵼ (percent harvestable fish), F/C (forage to carnivore ratio), balance (in or out), and a scale of balance were the dependent variable used to describe successful fish populations. Statistical analysis of the field survey data identified several significant (P .10) correlations. Alkalinity was negatively correlated with Aᵼ (percent harvestable fish). That is, as alkalinity levels increased, Aᵼ estimates decreased. Estimated pond size and secchi disk visibility were positively correlated with a scale of balance. That is, as estimated pond size increased or the depth to which the secchi disk was visible increased balance improved.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Year

1978

Author dc:creator

• Peeters, Paul J.

• Natural Resources and Conservation

Statement dc:rights

• <p>No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only<br /><a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/</a></p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/197

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:openprairie.sdstate.edu:etd-1197