Aging and Growth of Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Redear Sunfish from Louisiana Ponds of Known Stocking History

Scales of largemouth bass taken from two ponds at Baton Rouge, Louisiana over a three-year period agreed closely with the known past stocking history on these fish. Largemouth bass scales from a 50-acre pond at Clinton, Louisiana indicated agreement with the six years fish had been stocked. Total length growth rates of bass were increased by controlled fall drawdown; however, prolonged summer droughts decreased total length growth and condition factors. Spawning and drastic drawdowns resulted in more pronounced growth checks than winter cessation on the scales of bluegill and redeal' sunfish from ponds of known stocking history.