Quantifying brood predation in Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) associated with catch-and-release angling of nesting males

Abstract Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides is arguably the most popular sport fish of inland waters in the United States. The majority of anglers in the fishery practice catch and release. Catch-and-release guidelines aim to reduce negative impacts of angling on individual fish, though such impacts on populations are not widely reported. We hypothesized that a decline in the population size for Largemouth Bass from a catch-and-release fishery from the Potomac River resulted from a period of greater fishing mortality followed by habitat loss that reduced the recovery of the population. After we analyzed several years of fishery-dependent and independent data (1999–2015), it was determined that fishing mortality and relative exploitation were greater than average in the latter half of the 2000s than in previous years. Fishery-independent survey results suggested a loss of large fish and decline in population size. The relative abundance of juveniles subsequently declined possibly because the area of submerged aquatic vegetation used as nursery habitat had declined after tropical storms. For management purposes, we suggest that fishing mortality not exceed 28% for a sustainable fishery (assuming similar levels of natural mortality) in the Potomac River. Negative impacts to Largemouth Bass populations could be lessened by reduced harvest and widespread enforcement of catch-and-release guidelines, especially during times when angler effort is high, fish are highly accessible to anglers in the fishery, and habitat loss limits recruitment.

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Black Bass Diversity: Multidisciplinary Science for Conservation

Black Bass Diversity: Multidisciplinary Science for Conservation ◽

10.47886/9781934874400.ch18 ◽

2015 ◽

Keyword(s):

Largemouth Bass ◽

Micropterus Salmoides ◽

The United States ◽

Environmental Drivers ◽

Minimum Length ◽

Catch And Release ◽

Black Bass ◽

Intensively Managed ◽

Catch Rates ◽

Sport Fish

Abstract.—Largemouth Bass (LMB) Micropterus salmoides is one of the most popular sport fish in the United States and is intensively managed across much of its range. Beginning in 1989, Wisconsin implemented more restrictive harvest regulations for LMB, including greater minimum length limits, reduced bag limits, and a catch-and-release-only season during the spawning period across much of northern Wisconsin. We tested for trends in LMB relative abundance, growth, and angler catch and harvest in relation to LMB management policies from 1990 to 2011. We also tested for potential sport fish community responses to changes in LMB abundances using Walleye (WAE) Sander vitreus as an example. Angler catch rates and electrofishing catch per unit effort of LMB greater than 8 and 14 in increased significantly statewide. Mean length of age-6 LMB decreased significantly statewide. Release rates of LMB increased from about 80% in 1991 and then plateaued at more than 96% from 2005 to 2011. Concurrent with increases in LMB, adult WAE densities declined in lakes containing LMB. Ongoing research is being conducted to test for interactions between LMB and WAE and to test for additional environmental drivers, such as climate warming, that may be associated with increased LMB abundances. Largemouth Bass abundances have increased in Wisconsin, possibly in response to changes in harvest regulations, angler behavior, and potentially other environmental drivers. These increases in LMB abundances have had negative intraspecific effects on growth and may be negatively affecting WAE stocks. We recommend that management goals for LMB consider intra- and interspecific consequences, particularly in water bodies where multispecies fisheries are desired.

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Tournament and non-tournament anglers have little effect on a largemouth bass population compared to natural mortality

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/cjfas-2020-0442 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Andrea L Sylvia ◽

Stephen J. Dinsmore ◽

Michael J Weber

Keyword(s):

Largemouth Bass ◽

Total Population ◽

Micropterus Salmoides ◽

Population Level ◽

Natural Mortality ◽

Catch And Release ◽

The Past ◽

Population Mortality ◽

Annual Mortality ◽

Temperature Water

Popularity of bass Micropterus spp. catch and release and tournament angling during the past decade has resulted in increased potential for these activities to induce population level effects. Understanding capture rates and mortality sources relative to total population mortality is essential to focus of management. We conducted monthly electrofishing, solicited non-tournament angler tag returns, and censused largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides tournaments at Brushy Creek Lake, IA, USA from April 2015 to June 2018. We used a multistate mark-recapture model to evaluate the effects of air temperature, water temperature, tournament bass per angler, and tournament initial mortality on non-tournament and tournament angler capture probability and natural, non-tournament angling, and initial and delayed tournament mortality. Average total annual mortality was 0.66 with natural mortality representing the largest mortality source (0.57) followed by delayed tournament mortality (0.06), non-tournament angling mortality (0.02), and initial tournament mortality (0.006). Our results reveal both non-tournament and tournament angling mortality are low compared to natural mortality in some lakes. Therefore, cumulative angling mortality likely has minimal population level effects on some bass populations.

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Effects of catch-and-release angling on a largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) population in a north temperate lake, 2001–2005

Fisheries Research ◽

10.1016/j.fishres.2018.02.012 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 204 ◽

pp. 95-102 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Greg G. Sass ◽

Jereme W. Gaeta ◽

Micheal S. Allen ◽

Cory D. Suski ◽

Stephanie L. Shaw

Keyword(s):

Largemouth Bass ◽

Micropterus Salmoides ◽

Temperate Lake ◽

Catch And Release

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Assessing the potential to mitigate climate-related expansion of largemouth bass populations using angler harvest

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/cjfas-2019-0035 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 77 (3) ◽

pp. 520-533

Author(s):

Christopher J. Sullivan ◽

Daniel A. Isermann ◽

Kaitlin E. Whitlock ◽

Jonathan F. Hansen

Keyword(s):

Largemouth Bass ◽

Cold Water ◽

Micropterus Salmoides ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Warm Water ◽

Small Fish ◽

Fishing Mortality ◽

Ecological Benefits ◽

Catch And Release ◽

New Challenges

Climate-related changes in fish communities can present new challenges for fishery managers who must address declines in cool- and cold-water sportfish while dealing with increased abundance of warm-water sportfish. We used largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Wisconsin lakes as model populations to determine whether angler harvest provides a realistic method for reducing abundance of a popular warm-water sportfish that has become more prevalent and has prompted management concerns around the globe. Model results indicate largemouth bass will be resilient to increased fishing mortality. Furthermore, high rates of voluntary catch-and-release occurring in most largemouth bass fisheries likely preclude fishing mortality rates required to reduce bass abundance at meaningful levels (≥25% reductions). Increasing fishing mortality in these scenarios may require more “stimulus” than merely providing anglers with greater harvest opportunities via less stringent harvest regulations. Angler harvest could result in populations dominated by small fish, a scenario that may be undesirable to anglers, but could provide ecological benefits in certain situations.

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Urban and Community Fisheries Programs: Development, Management, and Evaluation

Urban and Community Fisheries Programs: Development, Management, and Evaluation ◽

10.47886/9781934874042.ch20 ◽

2008 ◽

Keyword(s):

Rainbow Trout ◽

Striped Bass ◽

Ictalurus Punctatus ◽

Channel Catfish ◽

Largemouth Bass ◽

Micropterus Salmoides ◽

Hybrid Striped Bass ◽

The Public ◽

Catch And Release ◽

Community Fisheries

Abstract.-The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Family and Community Fishing Program was developed in 2002 after a 3-year pilot study. The program’s goal is to enhance or create destinations in highly populated areas so that excellent fishing is available to all Arkansans. The program has grown from stocking catchable fishes in 10 locations in 2002 to 36 locations in 2007. In 2007, approximately 68,000 channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and 65,000 rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss were stocked in spring/summer and winter, respectively, in 22 cities. Channel catfish and rainbow trout were both stocked at approximately 200 fish per acre per month. Hybrid striped bass Morone saxatilis x M. chrysops were stocked at 50-100 fish per acre when fish became available. Trophy blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus from 15 to 60 lb were stocked on occasion to increase media attention and generate angler excitement at Program locations. Anglers were permitted to harvest three channel catfish, three hybrid striped bass, and five rainbow trout per day with no length restrictions. Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides were catch and release only and the sunfish Lepomis spp. daily limit was 25. Ten fishing derbies and 14 fishing clinics were provided free to the public in 2007 to facilitate angler education and family participation. The Program has provided an opportunity for thousands of Arkansans to fish with friends and family in convenient locations.

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Growth response of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) to catch-and-release angling: a 27-year mark–recapture study

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.1139/f2011-150 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 69 (2) ◽

pp. 224-230 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Timothy J. Cline ◽

Brian C. Weidel ◽

James F. Kitchell ◽

James R. Hodgson

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Largemouth Bass ◽

Sublethal Effects ◽

Micropterus Salmoides ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Growth Patterns ◽

Fish Growth ◽

Natural Setting ◽

Mark Recapture ◽

Catch And Release

Catch-and-release angling is gaining popularity worldwide and plays an increasingly important role in both fisheries management and conservation. Mortality from catch-and-release angling is well documented across species, but the sublethal effects have not been evaluated in a natural setting. Laboratory studies have yielded mixed results regarding catch-and-release impacts on fish growth. These studies do not adequately capture the scales of stress and variability of a natural system. We used a 27-year mark–recapture study of 1050 individually tagged largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) to determine the effects of catch-and-release angling on the growth in a natural setting. Individual bass were angled one to six times per season. Recapture intervals ranged from 1 to 98 days. Largemouth bass exhibited a post-release period (~6 days) of weight loss. Following this weight loss, we observed a subsequent period of compensatory growth facilitating recovery to normal weight. We found that catch-and-release angling had little impact on the overall seasonal growth patterns of largemouth bass and therefore should have limited adverse effects on growth-dependent ecological functions.

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