Growth Variation In Selected Fishes Of Barkley Lake And Adjoining Land Between The Lakes Subimpoundments

Population growth differences were demonstrated for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) and freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) from mainstream bays of Barkley Lake, as well as between these bays and adjoining subimpoundments. Growth in Crooked Creek Bay fish was atypical, with those fish exhibiting overall superior growth. Subimpoundments contained viable fish populations, but those fish were generally in poorer condition than mainstream fish. Great heterogeneity in growth existed within a large flood control reservoir.