Population Characteristics of Flathead Catfish in Small Kansas Impoundments

Flathead Catfish Pylodictus olivaris management has been difficult across much of their range because of limited population-level data. This is also true in Kansas where population-level Flathead Catfish information is lacking compared to other managed species. We evaluated Flathead Catfish population characteristics from eight populations in small Kansas impoundments (37-114 surface ha). We used boat electrofishing within a capture-recapture framework with spatial replication to estimate population abundance and obtain individuals for age determination. Total estimated population density varied from 0.77 to 9.50 individuals/ha (mean = 4.58/ha). Maximum estimated age was 21 years with growth being variable between populations. Estimated mean annual mortality across populations was 18% and varied from 4% to 34%. These results demonstrate a diversity of Flathead Catfish population parameters exist among small impoundments and provide points of comparison for future studies.