Population Demographics of Catfishes in the Ohio River

Catfish are of high importance to recreational anglers in Illinois and are commercially fished.  Commercial harvest of both blue and channel catfish in the U.S. increased during 2002-2010. However, despite the potential for overfishing of catfish stocks in large rivers and strong interest among recreational anglers (66% of those surveyed in a 2002 study) for more attention to management of catfishes in Mississippi River basin states, limited data on catfish population demographics are available for large rivers including the lower Ohio River between Illinois and Kentucky.  The objectives of this study are to develop a standardized sampling protocol for catfishes in the Ohio River and to gather baseline data on their population characteristics.  Sampling for catfishes was conducted during June-November 2012 using electrofishing, trot lines, and hoop nets.  We have begun to develop estimates of size structure, condition, age structure and growth rates of Ohio River catfish populations.  Additional sampling will be conducted during 2013-2014 to refine sampling protocols and estimates of population characteristics.  Population demographic data will be used to develop simulation models to assess the impacts of commercial fisheries and different management strategies on Ohio River catfishes.