Exploitation and Mortality Rates of White Bass in Kansas Reservoirs

Abstract

White bass Morone chrysops were tagged with Floy FD-94 anchor tags during spring for 3 years in five Kansas reservoirs to assess exploitation and mortality rates. Rewards (US$5 to $100) were offered for returned tags, and return postcards requested catch and harvest information. Ninety percent of the tags returned each year were from spring and summer angling. Exploitation (adjusted for tag loss and nonreporting) varied from 11% to 40%, averaging 21%. Estimated natural mortality rates averaged 56%. Many anglers (53%) practiced catch and release. Although white bass catch rates during some seasons appear high, exploitation rates are not excessive and natural mortality rates are high. The combination of low exploitation and high natural mortality rates suggests that harvest restrictions would not benefit this fishery.