Surveying Largemouth Bass Harvest Preferences in Two Small Fishing Impoundments in South Carolina

Abstract This project used angler survey results to determine Largemouth Bass Micropterus nigricans harvest preferences, as well as anglers’ attitudes toward management in two small fishing impoundments. Our objective was to compare anglers’ preferred Largemouth Bass harvest lengths to proportional size distribution (PSD) advised management harvest lengths to provide theoretical management recommendations regarding harvest and predator–prey population dynamics. We collected survey submissions at Lancaster Reservoir and Lake Oliphant in north central South Carolina, questioning anglers regarding harvest preferences, attitude, angling effort, demographic profile, and possible recommendations to fisheries managers. We used Fisher’s exact test to compare results between impoundments and Pearson’s χ2 test to find differences between all submitted responses. Using Kruskal–Wallis tests, we related angling effort to categorical responses. In total, we recorded 82 angler survey submissions. We found no significant differences between impoundments regarding preferred trophy bass length, reason for fishing, regulation support, and whether the angler harvested Largemouth Bass. The majority of anglers at both impoundments responded that they would never harvest Largemouth Bass. We found a significant difference between impoundments regarding targeted species, with the majority (45%) of anglers at Lancaster Reservoir targeting anything that would bite and the majority (53%) of anglers at Lake Oliphant targeting Largemouth Bass. Lancaster Reservoir PSD values aligned with a trophy bass management strategy, whereas Lake Oliphant PSD values fit a balanced management strategy. Anglers’ preferences and attitudes showed minimal differences between surveyed impoundments. Survey results suggested inadequate amounts of Largemouth Bass harvest at both impoundments. Although a lack of harvest falls within the management plan for Lancaster Reservoir, it does not for Lake Oliphant, according to prior PSD calculations. Low harvest rates coupled with a PSD score within the balanced management quadrant suggest Lake Oliphant is at risk of becoming bass crowded.