Effects of Environmental Factors on Sucker Catch Rate, Size Structure, Species Composition, and Precision from Boat Electrofishing

Abstract Catostomidae (catostomids) are suckers of the order Cypriniformes, and majority species native to North America; however, in this group understudied rarely managed. The popularity bowfishing gigging for United States has increased concerns related overfishing. Little information exists about relative gear effectiveness sampling catostomids. We sought evaluate boat electrofishing Black Redhorse Moxostoma duquesnei, Golden M. erythrurum, Northern Hogsucker Hypentelium nigricans, White Sucker Catostomus commersonii, Spotted Minytrema melanops populations Lake Eucha, Oklahoma. used an theoretic approach determine abiotic variables sucker catch per effort (C/f). Our analysis indicated that C/f was highest during night decreased with increasing water temperature. size structure significantly different between daytime nighttime samples; effect estimates comparisons distributions exhibited moderate overlap. Distributional samples were similar fish greater than 180 mm total length. Effect also little association proportion each captured time day or Night reservoirs at temperatures from 16 25°C yielded most precise estimates, numbers collected 6 15°C. Further study relationship catostomid catchability using various gears will be beneficial agencies interested these populations.