Book Description

Management strategies for fish populations in small impoundments are reviewed with consideration given to intensification techniques applied throughout the United States and Canada. The concept of balance in fish populations is used as a basis for illustrating the importance of maintaining desirable predator/prey relationships through stocking and harvest regulation of keystone predators. Generally, harvest levels for predators are reduced when species diversity and structural complexity of the environment are increased. Intensification is also achieved by enhancing water fertility through liming and fertilization. Case studies are presented representing contrasting climatic regions of North America while demonstrating similarities in management style. Principles and practices presented in this paper should be adaptable to the management of fisheries in small water bodies over a wider geographical range than discussed.