Evaluation of a 14-in Minimum Length Limit for Smallmouth Bass Micropterus Dolomieu in the Eleven Point River

The Eleven Point River is 138-miles long running through southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. It originates in Howell County near Willow Springs, Missouri and enters Arkansas in Randolph County before converging with the Spring River southwest of Pocahontas, Arkansas.  The Lower Eleven Point River consists of a 40-mile stretch in northern Arkansas.  In 2005, the Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu minimum length limit (MLL) and creel were changed from 305 mm MLL and 4-fish creel to a 355 MLL and a 2-fish creel. Smallmouth Bass were sampled in the fall of 2002 -2004 and again in the fall of 2011-2012. Mean lengths (± SD) for 2002-2004, 2011-2012 were 244.2 ± 69.7 mm and 251.5 ± 72.1 mm, respectively.  Mean ages for 2002-2004, 2011-2012 were 2 yr. and 3 yr.  Growth rates for 2002-2004, 2011-2012 were 0.29 and 0.15.  Years to reach 355mm (14 in.) in 2002-2004, 2001-2012 were 4.4 yrs. and 5.4 yrs.  Total annual mortality of 2002-2004, 2011-2012 were 61% and 50%. Differences in mortality were analyzed using the homogeneity of slopes assumption of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).  No significant difference was found in mortality between the 2002-2004 and 2011-2012 groups (ANCOVA F _{3, 9} = 0.73, P = 0.48).