Evaluation of the Trotline Fishery of the Upper Laguna Madre

An evaluation was made of the commercially important trotline fishery in the northern third of the Upper Laguna Madre. Catches fluctuated with changes in hydrological and meteorological conditions. These catches were representative of standing crops of some species but not of the entire finfish population. Trotlines were far less efficient than nets in harvesting desirable species. Artificial baits took fewer trash fish than live baits, were only about one-half as efficient in harvesting game fish, and were somewhat selective toward redfish. Abandoned trotlines caused little mortality to fish and birds.