Use of underwater video to assess freshwater fish populations in dense submersed aquatic vegetation

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle L. Wilson ◽  
Micheal S. Allen ◽  
Robert N. M. Ahrens ◽  
Michael D. Netherland
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Hydrilla Verticillata ◽  
Submersed Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
Underwater Video ◽  
Point Counts ◽  
Abundance Estimates ◽  
Total Fish

Underwater video cameras (UVC) provide a non-lethal technique to sample fish in dense submersed aquatic vegetation. Fish often inhabit densely vegetated areas, but deficiencies of most sampling gears bias relative abundance estimates that inform fisheries management. This study developed methods using UVC to estimate relative abundance in dense vegetation using three experimental ponds covered with surface-matted hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) stocked at different densities of Lepomis spp. and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). We conducted UVC point counts over 13 weeks to measure relative fish abundance and occurrence from video analysis. Ponds were then drained to obtain true fish densities. In total, fish were detected in 55% of all counts and juvenile and adult Lepomis spp. and largemouth bass were enumerated. End-of-season true fish densities ranged across ponds (from 52 to 37000 fishha–1). Additionally, pond 2’s true density changed substantially from 370 to 12300 fishha–1. True population size was accurately reflected in differences in estimated relative abundances obtained from fish counts, as in pond 2 where mean fish counts increased from 0.10 in week 1 to 2.33 by week 13. Underwater video accurately and precisely quantified relative abundance at naturally-occurring fish densities, but this success was reduced at low densities.

Historical Changes in Large River Fish Assemblages of the Americas

2005 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Mississippi River ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Fish Assemblage ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Lepomis Macrochirus ◽  
Large River ◽  
Frequency Of Occurrence ◽  
Abundance And Distribution

<em>Abstract.</em>—An investigation of historical fisheries information for pools 4–13 of the upper Mississippi River (UMR) was conducted to 1) determine the pre-1938 relative abundance and distribution of bluegill <em>Lepomis macrochirus </em>and largemouth bass <em>Micropterus salmoides, </em>2) determine the composition and relative abundance of the preimpoundment fish assemblage, and 3) determine if a shift in frequency of occurrence and relative abundance has occurred due to impoundment.

Fishing Mortality and Habitat Loss Affect Largemouth Bass Fishery in the Potomac River (Maryland)

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph W. Love ◽  
Mary Groves ◽  
Branson D. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Habitat Loss ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
The United States ◽  
Potomac River ◽  
Fishing Mortality ◽  
Catch And Release ◽  
Negative Impacts

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.

scholarly journals Recruitment dynamics of non-native largemouth bass within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brock M. Huntsman ◽  
Frederick Feyrer ◽  
Matthew J. Young ◽  
James A. Hobbs ◽  
Shawn Acuña ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Fish Community Structure ◽  
Health Indices ◽  
Young Of The Year ◽  
Overwinter Mortality ◽  
Critical Developmental Period

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides, LMB) recruitment is limited by a critical developmental period during early life-stages, but this mechanism may be less significant within non-native habitats. We conducted boat electrofishing surveys in four tidal lakes of California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (SSJD) from 2010-2011 to describe introduced LMB recruitment dynamics. We evaluated growth, proximate composition, and health indices of young-of-the-year (YOY) LMB among tidal lakes and developed an integrated count model to determine how factors known to affect LMB recruitment shape SSJD population structure. Our results show a mismatch between growth, nutrition, and YOY abundance, where the tidal lake with the most abundant and fastest growing LMB had the poorest nutritional status. The warm winter water temperatures and lack of a hatching-cohort growth advantage suggests overwinter starvation plays a less significant role in SSJD LMB recruitment than many native LMB habitats. Collectively, our results suggest that habitat characteristics (submerged aquatic vegetation) and not overwinter mortality shapes SSJD LMB population structure, a mechanism consistent with contemporary hypotheses about the altered fish community structure of the SSJD.

Muskellunge Management: Fifty Years of Cooperation Among Anglers, Scientists, and Fisheries Biologists

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Gastric Lavage ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Diet Analysis ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Population Reduction ◽  
Lake Washington

<em>Abstract</em>.—Tiger muskellunge (Muskellunge <em>Esox masquinongy </em>× Northern Pike <em>E. lucius</em>) growth, condition, and diet, as well as the effect of stocking on Northern Pikeminnow <em>Ptychocheilus oregonensis</em>, were studied at Curlew Lake, Washington from 2001 to 2006. Curlew Lake (373 ha) was stocked with tiger muskellunge beginning in 1998 to reduce an overabundant Northern Pikeminnow population and to create a unique trophy fishery. Historically, Curlew Lake had provided good fishing opportunity for stocked Rainbow Trout <em>Oncorhynchus mykiss</em>, as well as naturally reproducing Largemouth Bass <em>Micropterus salmoides </em>and Smallmouth Bass <em>M. dolomieu</em>. The quality of trout fishing, however, had declined throughout the 1990s, commensurate with anecdotal observations of increased numbers of Northern Pikeminnow in the sport catch. To monitor changes in species relative abundance, the lake was sampled annually in the fall with standardized boat electrofishing surveys. Additionally, the lake was sampled by boat electrofishing monthly, from spring through fall, to collect tiger muskellunge diet samples by gastric lavage. Rainbow Trout and Northern Pikeminnow were the most important prey species for tiger muskellunge in Curlew Lake while Largemouth Bass were a distant third. Diet varied seasonally, with Rainbow Trout being the most important prey during spring, while Northern Pikeminnow was most important in summer. Both Rainbow Trout and Northern Pikeminnow were important in the fall. The relative abundance of Northern Pikeminnow in Curlew Lake significantly declined over the duration of the study. The high proportion of Northern Pikeminnow observed in the tiger muskellunge diet analysis indicates that the reduction can be attributed to the added presence of tiger muskellunge to the community. Therefore, the goal of Northern Pikeminnow population reduction through tiger muskellunge introduction (biological control via predation) has been successful. Continued biannual monitoring of the fish community to assess Northern Pikeminnow abundance should provide the necessary data to refine future tiger muskellunge stocking rates in Curlew Lake.

Balancing Fisheries Management and Water Uses for Impounded River Systems

2008 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Grass Carp ◽  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Minimum Weight ◽  
Ctenopharyngodon Idella ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
Eurasian Watermilfoil ◽  
Parrot Feather

<em>Abstract</em>.—Lake Austin is a 648-ha riverine impoundment of the Colorado River located in central Texas and supports a trophy ($5.9 kg minimum weight) largemouth bass <em>Micropterus salmoides </em>fishery. Much of the reservoir is bordered by waterfront homes and, in addition to largemouth bass anglers, also is used by recreational boaters. Aquatic vegetation management on this reservoir has been an issue of concern since the 1950s. Parrot feather <em>Myriophyllum aquaticum </em>and Eurasian watermilfoil <em>M. spicatum </em>were the traditional species of concern but were successfully controlled with winter drawdowns. In 1999, hydrilla <em>Hydrilla verticillata </em>(9 ha) was documented for the first time, and by 2002, coverage had expanded to 130 ha. A hydrilla management plan was developed by a multistakeholder group that included biological (including triploid grass carp <em>Ctenopharyngodon idella</em>), mechanical, physical (reservoir drawdowns), and chemical management options. Of these options, most attention was given to the use of triploid grass carp. Many waterfront property owners viewed grass carp as the only reasonable solution, while largemouth bass angling groups vehemently opposed this management option. After much discussion, the stakeholder group decided that a slow methodical approach to triploid grass carp use, with a number of incremental stockings, might have a chance of successfully reducing hydrilla coverage without denuding the reservoir of all aquatic vegetation. The strategy was to increase the number of grass carp slowly until there were just enough in the reservoir to control hydrilla but not so many as to eliminate less preferred plant species. After an initial stocking in February 2003, the number of additional grass carp stocked was based on results of hydrilla coverage surveys conducted at 2–4-month intervals during the growing season. From February 2003 through November 2004, a total of 8,125 triploid grass carp were stocked in six stockings. The number of grass carp per hectare of hydrilla ranged from 29.2 to 68.3 until coverage declined in December 2004 to 34 ha. From February 2005 to March 2007, hydrilla coverage ranged from only 1 to 27 ha (0.1–4.2% coverage) while other plant species less preferred by grass carp, primarily Eurasian watermilfoil expanded. As a result, mean total vegetation coverage from February 2005 to March 2007 was 17% and continued to provide habitat for largemouth bass. Grass carp stockings were reinitiated in October 2006 when hydrilla coverage increased to 27 ha. In 2005 and 2006, the incremental stocking strategy implemented at Lake Austin appeared to help control hydrilla without denuding the reservoir of all aquatic vegetation. Cooperators and interest groups seemed satisfied with the strategy and results.

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