Abstract

The study of fish populations highlights the reservoir’s importance for food security, economic development, and environmental sustainability. The reservoir’s diverse fish species, including tilapia, catfish, and Nile perch, provide essential nutrients and income for local communities. The study’s findings on fish composition, distribution, gear efficiency, and craft characteristics provide valuable insights over 18-month from September 2019 to February 2021 for informed decision-making and effective conservation strategies. Data collected from five sampling points. A total of eight species from five families were identified, Tilapia zillii from the family Cichlidae was the most dominant species, constituting 35.9% of the total catch. Oreochromis niloticus was the second most dominant species, representing 26.3%, followed by Hemichromis bimaculatus at 14.7%. The lowest recorded abundance was Clarias anguillaris, constituting only 1.5% of the total catch, while accounted for 2.8%. Other species, including Brycinus nurse (7.5%), Labeo parvus (6%), and Petrocephalus bane (5.3%), were less abundant. The study also highlighted the reliance on different fishing gears, with gill nets being the most commonly used, constituting 44.09% of the total fishing gear. Cast nets followed with 28.00%, while long lines and Malian traps accounted for 11.72% and 9.62%, and the use of Ndurttu was recorded at 6.89% respectively.

Keywords: Species; Reservoir; Gears; Crafts