Abstract Objective Although bowfishing is legal in all 50 states the USA, practice of releasing shot fish only 8 states. An argument favoring this has been that survival after shoot‐and‐release fishing high. Bowfishing mortality trials were conducted 2021–2022 Lake Texoma, Oklahoma, to quantify and characterize via location wound associated with release by bowfishing. Methods A total 240 nongame experienced bowfishers conventional equipment held convalescent pools, control captured...

Abstract With an increased interest in nongame fishes such as buffalofishes (Catostomidae, Ictiobus ), there is a need for better foundational data on their life history. Bigmouth Buffalo I. cyprinellus , example, have been found to live more than century. Age estimates other sucker species similarly suggested long spans, but validation studies reference points are often lacking. We conducted 3‐year study Smallmouth bubalus Oklahoma validate annual increments three hard part structures...

Abstract We evaluated the accuracy and precision of age estimates from ground sagittal otoliths, sectioned pectoral fin rays, whole branchiostegal rays Longnose Gar Lepisosteus osseus Spotted oculatus using fish marked with oxytetracycline ( OTC ). The presence time stamps in these calcified structures ability to correctly identify post–time stamp annuli varied greatly. identified 66.7% 91.7% otoliths 43.8% 61.4% for Gars Gars, respectively; marks were not observed rays. Annual increment...

Abstract The Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula is a species of conservation concern throughout its range, and better definition otoliths during early development would aid understanding life history ecology. We conducted X‐ray computed tomography scans, scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy to examine the three pairs how they developed over time in relation fish size age. sagittae are largest, possessing distinct dorsal ventral lobes covered with small otoconia concentrated sulcul...

Abstract Tiger muskellunge (Northern Pike Esox lucius × Muskellunge E. masquinongy ) are stocked into aquatic systems across North America to control undesirable fish species or create sportfishing opportunities. Because decreased water clarity can affect the poststocking foraging ability of an ambush predator like tiger muskellunge, we evaluated effects turbidity on success in a laboratory setting. We tested prey selectivity and total consumption by juvenile at four levels (Secchi depths...

Abstract Gars are often spawned by means of hormone injection for aquaculture purposes, but unassisted captive spawning is less common. In May 2014, Spotted Lepisosteus oculatus while being held in a large research pond at the University Oklahoma's Aquatic Research Facility. Holding conditions were similar to natural required these fish reproduce, and viable offspring produced. The Gar species conservation concern periphery its range can benefit from studies describing aspects biology. This...

Abstract Water temperature influences both morphological and physiological development in fishes. However, the effects of water on early Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula Spotted Lepisosteus oculatus are not well understood. Both gar species were collected from natural environments spawned a hatchery setting. After spawning, fertilized embryos transferred to Oklahoma Fishery Research Laboratory, where (50–72 embryos/treatment) placed into one five treatments (15.5, 20.0, 23.8, 27.5, 32.2°C)...

Accurately ageing fish is essential for fisheries managers when calculating population dynamics a particular species. Despite being popular sport in its native range with large expanding non-native range, otoliths of white perch Morone americana have not been validated. White were collected monthly during 2015–2016 from Sooner Lake, Oklahoma to remove sagittal validate annulus formation. Marginal increment analysis verified single formed once yearly and formation was complete by April or...

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio, [Linnaeus, 1758]) have long been established in the United States and some cases their populations can be very dense, leading biologists to expend significant effort towards reducing numbers of common populations. Estimating abundance prior removal efforts would useful evaluating success these efforts, but marking large fish expensive. Therefore, a low-cost tagging option is needed. In this study, we used tank field experiments determine retention longevity...

The first record of pughead deformity in redear sunfish Lepomis microlophus is presented based on a single specimen captured from wild population small Oklahoma reservoir. pugheaded was compared to normal fish the same population. had slightly poorer body condition, although total length comparable individuals age. Poorer condition may have resulted difficulty feeding due incomplete mouth closure and restricted gape caused by severe anterior neurocranium upper jaw. Extreme drought conditions...

Abstract The Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula ( AG ) is a long‐lived fish of growing management and conservation interest. Situated on the border Texas Oklahoma, Lake Texoma supports one last robust populations in Oklahoma; however, genetic evaluation this population lacking. We genotyped individuals with 17 microsatellite loci, 7 which also cross‐amplified three sympatric Lepisosteus species: Longnose L. osseus LN ), Shortnose platostomus SN Spotted oculatus SP ). Bayesian assignment...

Water temperature controls a plethora of morphological and metabolic functions in fishes studies examining thermal tolerance the responses to changing water temperatures have been conducted for over century. Although there has renewed interest management conservation alligator gar, currently are no data regarding minima species. In this study, we obtained gar juveniles from hatchery setting, acclimated these fish three separate (21, 24.5, 28°C) then subjected them critical trials quantify...

AbstractWe evaluated the accuracy and precision of age estimates from ground sagittal otoliths, sectioned pectoral fin rays, whole branchiostegal rays Longnose Gar Lepisosteus osseus Spotted oculatus using fish marked with oxytetracycline (OTC). The presence OTC time stamps in these calcified structures ability to correctly identify post time-stamp annuli varied greatly. We identified 66.7% 91.7% otoliths 43.8% 61.4% for Gar, respectively; marks were not observed rays. Annual increment...

Abstract Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula numbers have declined throughout much of the species’ historic range due to anthropogenic effects (habitat alteration or loss, commercial fishing, and recreational fishing). As a result, many conservation agencies now rely on hatchery production Gars aid in recovery reintroduction efforts. Because difficulty harvesting juvenile from ponds, we evaluated use recreational‐grade swimming pools (4.6 m diameter × 1.2 deep) for spawning Gars, as this may...

Abstract Conservation and restoration of gar (Lepisosteidae) populations in North America are increasingly interest to fisheries managers. Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula being stocked as age‐0 fish efforts re‐establish extirpated populations. However, gars known be highly cannibalistic hatcheries, suggesting that introduced into natural habitats may face predation pressures from other species, limiting the likelihood released recruiting population. Furthermore, not have proper prey...