Catch-and-Release Mortality of Striped Bass in the Roanoke River, North Carolina

Abstract

Short-term (72-h) catch-and-release mortality was determined for 153 striped bass Morone saxatilis caught with live bait and artificial lures from spawning grounds in the Roanoke River, North Carolina, during spring 1995. Fish captured by electrofishing were used as the control treatment. Mean adjusted mortality (difference between treatment and control mortality) was 6.4% for striped bass 293–610 mm in total length and was not significantly different between the two fishing methods. Logistic regression analysis showed that mortality was highly dependent on water temperature (P < 0.0005) and hooking location (P < 0.0002), indicating that stress and injury were components of catch-and-release mortality. Mortality of treatment and control fish increased markedly when river temperatures exceeded 21°C. Hooking locations were significantly different (P < 0.0005) between types of terminal gear. Fourteen percent of fish caught on live bait were hooked in sensitive locations (pharynx, esophagus, or gills) compared with 3% of those caught on artificial lures. Study results suggest that catch and release may represent a substantial proportion of fishing mortality of striped bass while fish are in the Roanoke River. Limiting fishing at warmer water temperatures (>21°C) and promoting less stressful angling techniques are recommended to reduce stress-related mortality of striped bass. To reduce injury-related mortality, fishery managers should encourage anglers to use artificial lures or other methods that have a relatively low incidence of deep hooking.