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• "Where are the Fish?"
• An Angler Survey of the Lower Suwannee River

• Dan Dorosheff
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

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Agency Mission Managing fish and wildlife
resources for their long-term well-being and the
benefit of people
Objective of Creel Survey To determine the
relation of alternating cycles of high and low
water levels on angler catch and success rates.
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Middle Suwannee River
Middle Suwannee River
Lower Suwannee River
Lower Suwannee River
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• Middle Suwannee River Creel

History

• Initial survey conducted in 1971 Gray Bass,
  Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission
• 1988 SRWMD identifies entire basin as most in
  need of attention regarding Surface Water
  Improvement and Management (SWIM)
• 10 angler surveys total 1971-2004
• 6 consecutive surveys 1999-2004

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Middle Suwannee River Creel
Sample Design

• 12-week, peak season, roving survey
• 5 random sample days per 14-day period
• Standardized questions
• Data expanded with agency program Creel Analysis
  Version 1.0

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• Middle Suwannee River Creel

• 2004 Results

Effort (hrs. fishing) Effort (hrs. per km) Catch ( of fish) Success ( of fish per hr.)
Bass Caught 7,551 146 4,709 0.52
Bass Kept 7,383 143 2,614 0.33
Panfish Kept 29,268 565 55,119 1.78
Catfish Kept 8,575 166 4,541 0.59
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• 2004 Middle River
• Panfish Breakdown

Bluegill Sunfish 15
Redear Sunfish 3
Spotted Sunfish 12
Redbreast Sunfish 70
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• 5 Year Middle River Panfish Comparison

Success (fish/hr.)
Mid- March through Mid-June
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• 2004 Creel Areas Compared

Effort (hrs. fishing) Effort (hrs. per km) Catch ( of Fish) Success ( of fish per hr.)
Middle Bass Caught 7,551 146 4,709 0.52
Panfish Kept 29,268 565 55,119 1.78
Lower Bass Caught 10,724 228 7,941 0.74
Panfish Kept 26,235 547 62,258 2.19
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• 2004 Lower River
• Panfish Breakdown

Bluegill Sunfish 10
Redear Sunfish 4
Redbreast Sunfish 57
Spotted Sunfish 29
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• 2004 Middle River
• Panfish Breakdown

Bluegill Sunfish 15
Redear Sunfish 3
Spotted Sunfish 12
Redbreast Sunfish 70
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• Middle Suwannee River Creel

Angler Frequencies
Non-Local (resides in FL. Co. which does not
boarder survey area)
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• Middle Suwannee River Creel

Where Do We Go From Here?

• Continue survey for at least 4 more years
• Update at least every 3 years afterwards
• Continue to coordinate with other managing
  agencies

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