Experiments with Various Rates of Stocking Bluegills, Lepomis Macrochirus Rafinesque, and Largemouth Bass, Micropterus Salmoides (Lacépède), in Ponds

Author(s):  
H. S. Swingle

<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.


1978 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj V. Kilambi ◽  
James C. Adams ◽  
William A. Wickizer

Growth, population size, and survival of resident largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were estimated before, during, and after the cage culture of Salmo gairdneri and Ictalurus punctatus. Growth in length, length–weight relationship, and condition factor were similar among the periods; however, abundance and survival of largemouth bass increased through the 3 yr of investigation. Stomach content analyses showed that the bass fed on fishes (mostly Lepomis macrochirus), crayfish, insects, and zooplankton (predominantly entomostracans). Increase in the standing crops of L. macrochirus and entomostracans during the study periods have provided forage to the increased bass population and thus resulted in greater survival of the young and adult bass of the cage culture and postcage culture periods. Key words: largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, cage culture, growth, abundance, survival


1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 540-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Hoyle ◽  
Allen Keast

An experimental study was carried out on prey handling time (from initial seizure of prey to completion of swallowing movements) in the grass pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus), using bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) as prey. Esox differs from the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), which was studied previously, in having a more specialized dentition. It was found that for individuals of the same mouth width (20 mm), handling time was 40–80% less in Esox for bluegill prey of total length 20–50 mm. Further, "optimal" and maximum size of prey consumed were 56 and 46% larger, respectively, for the esocid. The results are also related to body weight and age in Esox and Micropterus and the ecological significance of the findings is discussed.


1999 ◽  
Vol 202 (22) ◽  
pp. 3101-3110 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.C. Wainwright ◽  
S.S. Shaw

The effects of differences among species in the scaling of lower jaw levers on the scaling of prey-capture kinematics are explored in three species of centrarchid fishes. We consider the jaw opening and closing lever systems and calculate the consequences of differences in the scaling of the in-levers for the scaling of the time taken to open the mouth (T(o)) and the time taken to close the mouth (T(c)) during prey capture. Predictions of T(o) and T(c), based on differences in the scaling of jaw in-levers, are compared with the observed scaling of T(o) and T(c) in three centrarchid fishes. Video recordings (200 and 400 images s(−)(1)) were made of prey capture in largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (33–206 mm standard length, SL), spotted sunfish Lepomis punctatus (24–145 mm SL) and bluegill sunfish Lepomis macrochirus (24–220 mm SL), and the fastest values of T(o) and T(c) were taken from the fastest recorded feeding event for each fish. The scaling exponents of T(o) and T(c) regressed on fish SL for largemouth bass were 0.592 and 0.572, respectively. Exponents observed for sunfishes were not significantly different from predicted values, based on scaling exponents in largemouth bass and interspecific differences in jaw lever proportions. Two conclusions are emphasized. First, between 25 and 220 mm SL, the time taken to open and close the mouth during the strike increases with body size in all three species, suggesting a general pattern for this family. Second, evolutionary changes in jaw lever mechanics are a major determinant of the diversity of prey-capture kinematics in this sample of centrarchid fishes.


<em>Abstract</em>.—We have been examining proximate (functional morphology) and ultimate factors (survival from predation) relating to the pectoral spine in channel catfish <em>Ictalurus punctatus</em>. We briefly review functional morphology of the spine in channel catfish and then add new data on morphology in other ictalurids, including interpretation of the relatively smooth anterior and armored posterior profiles of the spine, functions of the various pectoral spine muscles, and new details about the mechanism of stridulatory sound production. Binding, locking, and production of stridulation sounds by the spine utilize derived processes on the spine base (dorsal, anterior, and ventral processes) that mate with counterparts within the pectoral girdle. Stridulation sounds are produced as a series of individual pulses during a forward pectoral fin sweep (abduction), and we provide evidence that each pulse is produced by a small amplitude forward movement, a slip-stick movement similar to bowing a violin. An anti-predator adaptation can work as a deterrent that reduces the probability of attack and as a defense that reduces the risk of mortality. Previous work indicated that the spine functions in defense. Intact channel catfish have a threefold greater chance of surviving a session with a largemouth bass <em>Micropterus salmoides</em> predator as comparably sized individuals with clipped spines. The question of whether the spine reduces the probability of attack had not been investigated. We presented bluegills <em>Lepomis macrochirus</em> and channel catfish to largemouth bass and found that largemouth bass consume more bluegills than channel catfish in a choice situation. Thus, experience with the pectoral spines likely deters attack, particularly if other species are available, and the spine increases the probability of surviving attack by complicating ingestion and possibly by the production of distress calls. Survival advantages accruing from the spine appear to have lead to the evolution of complex adaptations that permit locking and sound production.


<em>Abstract.-</em>Demographic studies have indicated that, since 1990, Kentucky’s urban population has experienced an 18% increase while its rural population has expanded by less than 1%. These demographic changes, coupled with a decline in fishing license sales, focused the need to develop and increase fishing opportunities in and around urban areas. In 2005, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources initiated a pilot urban fishing program aimed at providing urban residents with high quality fishing opportunities close to home. Five pilot lakes, located within four of Kentucky’s most populated counties, were selected to receive regular stockings of rainbow trout <em>Oncorhynchus mykiss</em>, channel catfish <em>Ictalurus punctatus</em>, largemouth bass <em>Micropterus salmoides</em>, and hybrid bluegill <em>Lepomis macrochirus </em>x <em>L. cyanellus</em>. Rainbow trout were stocked at each lake in April and October. Channel catfish, largemouth bass, and hybrid bluegill were stocked in May and June. Monthly stocking rates were 202 trout/ha, 34 channel catfish/ha, 12 largemouth bass/ha, and 81 hybrid bluegill/ha. Creel and angler attitude surveys were conducted at two of the pilot lakes from April through August 2006 to determine angler catch and satisfaction. Although fishing pressure at these two lakes was high, most anglers practiced catch and release. Catch rates were 1.03 fish/h at Stein Lake and 0.79 fish/h at Upper Sportsman’s Lake. Angler attitude survey results indicated that the majority of anglers interviewed were not aware of the program and did not know that regular fish stockings were occurring at the lakes. The typical angler fishing these lakes was a white male between the ages of 30 and 49, who was satisfied with his fishing experience regardless of the number or size of fish caught. Further studies need to be completed to compare results from this study, and to refine stocking and marketing techniques used in the program.


2002 ◽  
Vol 80 (12) ◽  
pp. 2156-2163 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Eidietis ◽  
T L Forrester ◽  
P W Webb

Responses of three fish species were measured following the addition of neutrally buoyant weight-float combinations that increased rolling instability. The three species were creek chub, Semotilus atromaculatus, largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, and bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus. Ability to correct posture was predicted to increase with fin size and body depth in the order creek chub < largemouth bass < bluegill. In a 90-s period, the least added torque causing fish to roll to 90° in response to disturbances, ΔT90, and the least added torque making fish unable to recover from rolling, ΔTcrit, were measured as limits of ability to correct postural disturbances. Contrary to expectations, creek chub required a 58% increase in body torque to reach ΔT90, significantly larger than the 11% increase for largemouth bass and 19% increase for bluegill. Similarly, ΔTcrit was a 78% increase in body torque for creek chub, 43% for largemouth bass, and 34% for bluegill. Increased rolling torques resulted in behaviors reducing and avoiding rolling, including tilting, which reduces metacentric height, inverted swimming, which stabilizes fish, and contacting surfaces, which generates static forces. The superior ability of creek chub to correct postural disturbances may be explained by a fin arrangement that facilitates interactions with the ground.


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