Effects of Chase Boat Use, Electrofishing Duration, and Water Velocity on Sample Efficiency and Size Structure of Blue Catfish

Abstract Chase boats are used to assist in the capture of Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus because they often surface relatively far from electrofishing boat (electrofisher) when incapacitated by low‐frequency, pulsed DC. We conducted this study determine how chase use affects size‐related and efficiency metrics Catfish, we concurrently examined possible confounding effects sample duration velocity on these metrics. DC at 15 pulses/s 5‐ or 10‐min runs during four trials that were stratified reservoir zone, season, macrohabitat over a 2‐year period Pool 10 Arkansas River (Lake Dardanelle, Arkansas). captured 4,330 fish 96 samples analyzed catch data size‐group (all fish; >199, >299, >509 mm). compared an electrofisher alone with those collected combination (chase+). The electrofisher‐only protocol greater proportion less than 300 mm chase+ protocol, but length‐frequency distributions larger‐size did not differ. Overall was for difference generally increasing except largest fish. Catch versus both protocols, relative as size increased. Calculated values proportional distribution quality‐size sufficiently similar among all combinations management purposes. practical implication is can be collect representative increases average per boat.