Managing Centrarchid Fisheries in Rivers and Streams

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Water Temperature ◽  
Stream Temperature ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Summer Temperature ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Selection Processes ◽  
Stepwise Variable Selection ◽  
Random Forest Models ◽  
Recruitment Patterns

<em> Abstract.</em>—Identifying abiotic variables that influence fish recruitment patterns is crucial to understanding, assessing, and managing populations. Smallmouth Bass <em> Micropterus dolomieu </em>have been sampled from five streams in southwestern Wisconsin since 1989 with the goals of explaining variation and describing patterns of annual age-0 relative abundance. Summer water temperature and stream stage data have been collected annually since 2010 and United States Geological Survey modeled stream temperature and stage data were acquired from 1990–2009. Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) of age-0 fish was highly variable within and among streams and ranged from 0 to 48.54 fish/100 m across all streams. Random forest models with stepwise variable selection processes were used to determine the relative importance of stream temperature and stream stage variables in describing variation in CPUE from 2010–2016. July mean water temperature and maximum summer temperature explained 69.7% of the variation in CPUE of age-0 Smallmouth Bass. July mean temperature and maximum summer temperature were positively related with CPUE of age-0 fish from 2010–2016; however, modeled July mean water temperatures and modeled maximum summer temperatures were not significantly correlated with CPUE from 1990–2008. We conclude that caution must be taken when using models to predict CPUE of age-0 Smallmouth Bass from temperature or flow variables, as variability in both recruitment patterns and climatic conditions may reduce model application over longer time frames.

Climate regimes and water temperature changes in the Columbia River: bioenergetic implications for predators of juvenile salmon

2001 ◽  
Vol 58 (9) ◽  
pp. 1831-1841 ◽  
Author(s):  
James H Petersen ◽  
James F Kitchell
Keyword(s):  
Water Temperature ◽  
Columbia River ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Climatic Effects ◽  
Marine Habitats ◽  
Climate Shifts ◽  
Climatic Regime ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Predation Rates

We examined how climatic regime shifts may have affected predation rates on juvenile Pacific salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.) by northern squawfish (Ptychocheilus oregonensis, also called northern pikeminnow), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) in the Columbia River. During 1933–1996, oceanic, coastal, and freshwater indices of climate were highly correlated, and an index for the Columbia River Basin suggested that climate shifts may have occurred about 1946, 1958, 1969, and 1977. Summer water temperature varied as much as 2°C between climate periods. We used a bioenergetics model for northern squawfish, the most important piscivore, to predict that predation on salmonids would have been 26–31% higher during two periods with relatively warm spring–summer water temperatures (1933–1946, 1978–1996) than during an extremely cold period (1947–1958). Predicted predation rates of northern squawfish were 68–96% higher in the warmest year compared with the coldest year. Predation rates of smallmouth bass and walleye on juvenile salmonids varied among climate periods similar to rates predicted for northern squawfish. Climatic effects need to be understood in both freshwater and nearshore marine habitats, since growth rates of salmon populations are especially sensitive to mortality during early life stages.

Impacts of road access on lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) populations: regional scale effects of overexploitation and the introduction of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott D. Kaufman ◽  
Ed Snucins ◽  
John M. Gunn ◽  
Wayne Selinger
Keyword(s):  
Lake Trout ◽  
Scale Effects ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Excessive Pressure ◽  
Fishing Activity ◽  
Remote Lakes

In lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ) lakes of northeastern Ontario, Canada, aerial surveys of fishing activity on individual lakes (N = 589) and quantitative gillnet surveys (N = 65) were used to assess the effects of road access on angling effort and the presence of introduced smallmouth bass ( Micropterus dolomieu ). Angling effort, particularly during the open-water season, was highest and often exceeded estimated sustainable levels on lakes with good road access. Approximately 25% of the remote lakes also received excessive pressure during the winter season. Angler numerical responses to lake trout abundance were detected in remote lakes, but not in road-accessible lakes. Smallmouth bass were more prevalent in lakes with road access and human settlement (either cottages or lodges), supporting the theory that they were introduced into these lakes. Lake trout populations were depleted throughout much of the study range. Even without road access or smallmouth bass, lake trout abundance was still 47% lower than in unexploited reference lakes. When bass and (or) road access were present, lake trout abundance decreased by 77%. Remote lake trout populations in this area are clearly vulnerable to the negative impacts of improved access, a vector for both overexploitation and species introductions.

scholarly journals River Otter, Lontra canadensis, Food Habits in the Missouri Ozarks

2008 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan M. Roberts ◽  
Charles F. Rabeni ◽  
John S. Stanovick ◽  
David A. Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Lontra Canadensis ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Widespread Occurrence ◽  
River Otters ◽  
Lepomis Megalotis ◽  
Rock Bass ◽  
Longear Sunfish ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ambloplites Rupestris

The reintroduction of River Otters (Lontra canadensis) between 1982 and 1992 resulted in widespread occurrence of the species throughout the Missouri Ozarks. This study examined otter diets from the vicinity of two Ozark streams in relation to seasonal and spatial trends. Otter scats (N = 4750) were collected and analyzed from the Osage Fork River and Big Piney River during the summer and winter seasons of 2001 and 2002. During the winter (January-March), fish occurred in 86% of the samples. During the summer (June–August), occurrence of fish dropped to approximately 15% for both rivers. Seven families of fish were identified in the diets, with Centrarchidae being most common regardless of river or season. Within the Centrarchidae, the genus Lepomis (mostly Longear Sunfish, Lepomis megalotis) was most common, with Micropterus (mostly Smallmouth Bass, Micropterus dolomieu) and Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris) also well represented. The mean age of Ambloplites consumed (mean = 3.3 years) was consistently older than that of either Micropterus (mean = 2.54 years) or Lepomis (mean = 2.78 years). Crayfish were recovered from a mean of 85.2% of scats in the winter and 99% in the summer. Smaller fish and crayfish were more common from the upper reaches of the streams while larger fish were prevalent in the lower reaches.

Black Bass Diversity: Multidisciplinary Science for Conservation

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Spawning Period ◽  
Sampling Gear ◽  
Gray Literature ◽  
Black Bass ◽  
Effective Conservation ◽  
Conservation And Management

<em>Abstract</em>.—We reviewed the published and gray literature associated with Neosho Smallmouth Bass <em>Micropterus dolomieu velox</em> and the genetically distinct Ouachita lineage. Substantial interstream variation appears to occur among these populations, particularly related to age. The Neosho subspecies is more abundant, grows faster, and lives longer than the genetically distinct Ouachita lineage. Recruitment is highly variable among streams for both populations and appears to be related to some undescribed aspects of hydrology but also likely reflect bias due to sampling gear. Information on annual and seasonal trends is lacking for the Neosho subspecies and the Ouachita lineages, particularly as related to the spawning period. Conservation efforts for these lineages might benefit from agencies partnering to achieve goals that extend beyond a particular agency’s responsibilities and state boundaries. Recognition of spatial and temporal considerations, combined with a better understanding of the population dynamics as related to abundance, growth, mortality and reproduction, would benefit the creation of more effective conservation and management strategies for genetically distinct populations of Smallmouth Bass <em>M. dolomieu</em>.

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