Assessment of fishing gear and crafts utilized by fishermen in Eleyele Lake, Ibadan, Oyo State

The study was conducted to assess the evolution of fishing gears and crafts utilized by fishermen in Eleyele lake reservoir in lbadan Nigeria. Data were collected from thirty fishermen using a structured questionnaire. The data obtained were analyzed using counts and chi-square. Majority (56.7%) of the respondents were married, more of respondents were male (56.7%). Fish and fishing gear construction activities in the study area is dominated by youth. More of the respondents were Christians and few were Muslims (36.7%). There was significant relationship between the type of fishing gear use (modern and traditionl) and the time spent to catch fish as well as the quantity of fish caught. The result also revealed that traditional fishing gears such as bamboo trap, hook and line and cast net were been used by the fisher folks but were later changed to modern fishing gear. However, the effectiveness and efficiency of the modern fishing gear is being hampered by aquatic weed covering the surface of the water