Comparison of North American Standard Gill Nets and Fyke Nets with South Dakota Standard Gill Nets and Fyke Nets

Paired gear comparisons were performed between North American Standard (Standard) and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) gears for both gill nets and fyke nets in 13 Eastern South Dakota lakes during June-August of 2013 to facilitate a statewide transition to Standard sampling gears.  Differences in catch per unit effort (CPUE), size structure, and diversity were quantified and conversions for relative abundance between Standard and SDGFP gears were developed using regression analyses.  Longer SDGFP gill nets yielded higher CPUE for all species except White Bass.  Standard gill nets selected for larger bullhead, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch.  Black Crappie and Bluegill were sampled in greater numbers by Standard fyke nets while bullhead, Walleye, and Yellow Perch CPUE was higher for SDGFP fyke nets.  Standard fyke nets selected for larger Black Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass while SDGFP fyke nets selected for larger bullhead and Yellow Perch.  No difference in species diversity was detected between gill net or fyke net types.  Regression equations with high strength of fit proved useful for converting CPUE data from SDGFP to Standard allowing for continued use of historic data and easing a potential transition to Standard sampling gears.