Channel Catfish Population Estimates in the Lower Platte River, Nebraska

Catfish angling comprises nearly 23% of all fishing effort in the U.S.  In Nebraska alone, nearly 50% of all anglers in the state target catfish.  This heavy fishing pressure requires close monitoring of the populations within the state to prevent overexploitation.  Therefore, our objective was to examine the population size of channel catfish in the Lower Platte River, one of Nebraska’s premier catfish fisheries.  Baited hoop nets and electrofishing were used to collect catfish from March - November in 2010, at two historically high use fishing areas in the Lower Platte River.  A total of 2,782 channel catfish (> 200 mm) catfish were tagged with t-bar anchor tags, weighed, measured, spine removed for age and growth analyses, and released.   Preliminary results using a Schnabel closed population analysis yields an estimated population of about  58,000 channel catfish (> 200 mm) within the 5.5 km study area of the upstream site, while the downstream site yields and estimated population of about 17,500 within the 5.5 km study area.  These results are correlated to relative abundance estimates from standardized population sampling in these same reaches.  Understanding the present population level and population dynamics of the catfish population for the Lower Platte River is essential for appropriate management of catfish populations within Nebraska.  These results will provide crucial information needed for future management decisions.