| Abstract: | I determined the accuracy and repeatability of electrofishing for estimating the proportional stock density (PSD) of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Three production ponds with known PSDs were electrofished at approximately weekly intervals and PSD was estimated for each sample. The mean estimated PSD (25.98%), based on data pooled across all samples, was within 2.61% of the true PSD (28.59%). However, estimates of PSD based on individual samples were quite variable (95% confidence interval = 19.06- 32.90%). This variability was not related significantly to differences between ponds or to changes in water temperature between sampling dates. Due to this inherent variability, a large sample size (N = 70) is needed for an accurate estimate of PSD. |
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