FISHERY ECOLOGY OF GBEDIKERE LAKE

The fishery ecology of Gbedikere Lake, Kogi State was undertaken over a period of twenty four months from October, 2006 to September, 2008. Fish were caught using experimental gill net stretched meshes ranging from 1.27cm to 12.7cm. Water quality parameters of temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, total dissolved solid and transparency showed that the Lake exhibits a nutrient fair system. These assessed water quality parameters were found to be within the range expected for freshwater bodies. Interrelationships among the water quality parameters were found to be beneficial for fish production. Experimental gill nets revealed 12 species from 10 families. The catches are dominated by cichlids, which constituted over 30.91% of the total number of the fish caught. Fish abundance was higher at high water level. Catch per unit of effort ranged from 14.40kg per 1000sqm to 32.20kg per 1000sqm in experimental gill net. Frame assessment revealed six villages along the Lake as well as 48 fishermen operating on the lake..