Evaluation of a Differential-Harvest Regulation for Black Bass in Cave Run Lake, Kentucky

Abstract A differential-harvest regulation was imposed in 1985 on black bass at Cave Run Lake, Kentucky. This regulation put a 15.0-in minimum-size limit on largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and removed the size limit on spotted bass M. punctulatus. Our evaluation of this regulation showed it to be effective in managing black bass in Cave Run Lake. Condition of certain sizes of largemouth and spotted bass decreased, angler exploitation of largemouth bass declined, and angler exploitation of the abundant, slow-growing spotted bass increased. Total weight of largemouth bass harvested in 1989 equaled that observed under the former 12.0-in size limit; and large numbers of quality-size (≥ 12.0 in) largemouth bass were caught and released. Electrofishing catch rates increased for all sizes for largemouth bass but declined for spotted bass 9.0 in and longer.