Effects of Organizational Procedures on Mortality of Largemouth Bass during Summer Tournaments

During May–September 1991–1992, we monitored mortality of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides at 14 catch-and-release tournaments on Lake Eufaula, Alabama. Prerelease fish mortality was documented at weigh-ins, and postrelease mortality was determined by holding fish (927 in all) for 4 d in nylon pens. Water temperature ranged from 27.2 to 32.8°C during the study period. Overall, prerelease mortality averaged 8.9% (range, 2.4–18.4%), postrelease mortality averaged 22.0% (1.3–50%), and, total averaged 30.8% (9.1–68.4%). Ten rules and procedures that tournament officials could control influenced total mortality. Tournaments received one point for each factor handled correctly. Higher tournament scores were associated with lower postrelease and total mortalities (rank correlations, P < 0.05). Largemouth bass mortality increased significantly with fish length (P < 0.005). Our results indicate that catch-and-release tournament officials can reduce total mortalities of largemouth bass by following specific procedures. Resource managers can help insure successful catch-and-release programs by providing technical guidance to tournament organizers and helping them secure the materials needed to increase fish survival.