Size-Related Mortality of Largemouth Bass Released at Various Stages in a Tournament

We examined the size-specific mortality of Largemouth Bass released at various stages within a tournament.  We conducted a simulated tournament to investigate mortality associated with immediate release and delayed release (associated with culling) of fish simultaneously with a prize-tournament focused on weighing-in of fish.  Observers accompanied anglers in both tournaments.  Immediate release and delayed-release fish were collected from the simulated tournament anglers whereas weigh-in fish were collected from the prize-tournament anglers. Control fish were collected using high-pulse electrofishing.  All fish were held for 6 days to estimate mortality.  There was no significant difference between the two tournaments in angling success, fish size distribution, or bag size. Mortality of control fish was 4.2%, and consistent across all sizes of fish.  Fish immediately released had mortalities comparable to control fish.  Larger fish had higher mortality associated with delayed release and weigh-in than did smaller fish.  Overall mortality after 6 days was highest for the weigh-in fish (38.2%), followed by delayed-release fish (19.6%), and immediate-release fish (2.5%). We estimated 127 fish died as a result of the prize tournament.