Species differences, but not habitat, influence catch rate hyperstability across a recreational fishery landscape

In commercial and recreational fisheries, catch rate is often assumed to be proportional stock size used by managers fishers as an indicator of fishery sustainability. If size, it can signal a decline stocks impose restrictive harvest policies or anglers move new system allow the over-exploited rebound. A growing literature has documented rates remaining high even fish (i.e., hyperstability rates) leading delayed management intervention overexploitation. Although recent evidence indicated presence in whether differs across species types remains unknown. To investigate varies amongst systems, we first tested electrofishing per unit effort (efCPUE) was appropriate proxy for true abundance. We then compared relationship between angler abundance common freshwater sport fishes gradients habitat availability. found significant differences strength species. did not identify consistent influence on rates. Angler preferences behavior may explain some variance non-proportional Future research investigating behavior, population structure, dynamics these systems key interactions that create vulnerability collapse.