Live-imaging sonar use in Texas crappie fisheries: Examining population-level responses due to potential increases in exploitation

ABSTRACT

The use of live-imaging sonar (LIS) has surged in popularity among anglers in recent years, especially those targeting crappie Pomoxis spp. With LIS, anglers have perceived an increase in catchability of crappie and concerns have been raised about the resilience of crappie populations. As an attempt to provide information in response to these concerns, our study addressed the potential for LIS to increase angler catch rates and exploitation rates, with implications for potential overfishing. Using creel survey data collected on three regionally significant crappie fisheries, we subset creel estimations by LIS use (i.e., users and nonusers) for anglers targeting crappie. Users caught and harvested crappie at significantly higher rates than nonusers. Results suggest that LIS use has the potential to increase overall exploitation rates among the study reservoirs. Although exploitation may increase, we found that the potential for overfishing was minimal, given fishing mortality estimates as high as 79% and a 254-mm minimum length limit. Our study provides a baseline evaluation of current LIS use within popular crappie fisheries while showcasing how increasing fishing mortality could affect the sustainability of crappie populations across a range of growth and exploitation scenarios.