An Assessment Of Recreational Angling In The Ohio River
Christopher J. O'Bara, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Parkersburg, WV 26101; (304) 420-4550; FAX (304) 420-4554; cobara@dnr.state.wv.us
Scott A. Schell, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Athens, OH 45701
Kenneth K. Cunningham, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Hebron, OH 43025
Douglas T. Henley, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Frankfort, KY 40601
Les D. Frankland, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Fairfield, IL 62837
Thomas C. Stefanavage, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Winslow, IN 47598
Ohio River angling opportunities are diverse both in species sought and habitat available. Major recreational fisheries exist for sauger, walleye, white bass, hybrid striped bass, as well as the catfishes and the black basses. To assess angler recreation surveys were conducted at eight tailwaters for a minimum of 12 months. A modified bus-stop method was employed at most tailwaters were more than one access site was present. Surveys were conducted either on foot at access sites or via boat where access was limited. Interviews were conducted on over 8,500 angler-trips at the eight tailwaters. Anglers resided primarily within the bordering states adjacent to the tailwaters. Directed effort groups were dominated by any species (33%) and percids (24%) river-wide. Catfish (17%), Morone species (16%), paddlefish (10%), and black bass (1%) were represented. The any species group and percid group dominated most upstream tailwaters, and catfish were of greater importance in downstream tailwaters. Paddlefish were of greatest importance at the Markland tailwater with 43% of the effort being expended on this group. Angling effort peaked in the June-August period (catfish-associated angling) for all tailwaters. A second peak was evident in the late-fall and was most likely associated with the percid and Morone fishery. Sauger, hybrid striped bass, and white bass were the dominant species caught with over 20,000 caught river-wide. An estimated 2,064 paddlefish were caught at all Ohio River tailwaters of which 92% were harvested. The majority of paddlefish were caught at the Markland tailwater (867-99% harvested) and J.T. Myers tailwater (967-99% harvested). Percent harvested ranged from 92% for paddlefish to 3% for hybrid striped bass. River-wide 34% of sauger, 13% of white bass, 31% of channel catfish and 77% of blue catfish were harvested.