LARGEMOUTH BASS FISHERY RESPONSES TO LENGTH LIMITS

I compiled quantitative information from published and unpublished stu dies that evaluated largemouth bass fishery responses to minimum-lengt h and slot-length limits. My data set includes results from 91 evaluat ions conducted on 88 lakes located across the United States. Forty-nin e evaluations were of minimum-length limits, and 42 were of slot-lengt h limits. The most commonly evaluated regulations were 12- (n = 13) an d 14-in (n = 14) minimum-length limits and 12- to 15-in slot-length li mits (n = 23). I constructed and tested six hypotheses about largemout h bass fishery responses to minimum-length and slot-length limits. Min imum-length limits increased largemouth bass population size when all minimum-length limits were included (P = 0.034) but not when 12-in min imum-length limits were excluded. Minimum-length limits failed to incr ease the proportion of larger fish (proportional stock density, relati ve stock density) and the number and weight of fish harvested by angle rs, but did increase angler catch rates (P = 0.033). Slot-length limit s were successful in restructuring largemouth bass populations by incr easing population size (P = 0.018) and the proportion of larger fish ( proportional stock density, P = 0.025; relative stock density, P = 0.0 56) but did not increase angler catch rates or harvest. Limitations in the studies reviewed demonstrate that (1) although increased angler c atch and harvest rates are commonly stated goals for the use of length limits, inadequate creel data have been collected to assess possible changes in angler catch statistics; (2) the duration of most evaluatio ns is at best minimal (generally less than or equal to five years of d ata spanning both pre- and post-treatment periods are collected); and (3) there is a critical need for well-designed experimental studies th at provide definitive assessments of largemouth bass fishery responses to length limits.