Fishing regulations, sexual dimorphism, and the life history of harvest

Freshwater recreational fisheries regulations are a vital tool for achieving social and ecological objectives. However, angler behavior fish biology may interact to influence regulation efficacy in unexpected ways. We combined models of growth explore how interacts with life history shape the probability harvest given capture across ages, stages, sexes walleye ( Sander vitreus). Compared females, males grew more quickly as juveniles, matured earlier, reached smaller maximum sizes. Male were therefore vulnerable their reproductive lives than females because spent time at sizes where anglers very likely them. suggest that restricting large individuals sexually dimorphic species favor survival large, reproductive-aged females. Moreover, we show combining harvester can provide insights into affects complex histories over course lives.