Using mark–recapture techniques to evaluate catch and release, recycling, and associated survival probabilities of stocked Muskellunge at two Ohio reservoirs

Abstract Objective Muskellunge Esox masquinongy fisheries in Ohio are almost exclusively catch and release. Catch and release is expected to benefit anglers via recaptures of previously caught fish (i.e., recycling). We used mark–recapture techniques to evaluate catch-and-release dynamics over multiple years in two stocked Muskellunge fisheries in Ohio. Methods Muskellunge were collected and tagged each spring by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife (ODNR-DOW) at Clearfork Reservoir (1991–2006) and Leesville Lake (2016–2022). A total of 4139 Muskellunge were tagged, of which 38% (n = 1575) were recaptured at least once by either the ODNR-DOW or anglers. A total of 252 anglers reported 1339 catches of tagged fish. Multistate modeling was used to estimate survival and transition probabilities across years for the following marked fish states: at large (L, ODNR-DOW marked fish not reported caught by anglers); catch and release (C, those fish reported caught and released by anglers); and recycled (R, catch-and-release fish caught and reported by anglers again). Transition probabilities between states L to C and C to R estimated Muskellunge catch and release and recycling, respectively. Result Raw angler catch reports indicated that intra-annual recycling was rare, with the median time between recapture events exceeding a year. Modeled annual survival probability of L fish at Clearfork Reservoir and Leesville Lake was 0.67 and 0.87, respectively. About a quarter of these fish were caught and released by anglers at both reservoirs. Survival of C fish was lower than L fish at both reservoirs (Clearfork Reservoir = 0.58; Leesville Lake = 0.67), suggesting a “catch-and-release effect” on survival. Joint probability of catch-and-release fish surviving and being recycled annually was 0.24 and 0.23 for Clearfork Reservoir and Leesville Lake, respectively. Conclusion Integration of survival and catch probabilities over the long-term provides a comprehensive evaluation of catch-and-release dynamics. Estimates suggest that post-catch-and-release survival and probability of recycling may be lower than anticipated, which may have implications for managing Muskellunge fisheries and angler expectations.