Larval Fish Populations During The First Three Years Of Impoundment In Normandy Reservoir, Tennessee

Seasonal abundance of larval fishes in Normandy Reservoir, Tennessee, was determined during the first 3 years (1976-1978) following impoundment. Relative abundance of major taxa collected with a 0.5 m frame net was compared with results of cove rotenone samples to measure year-class strength. Centrarchids dominated both larval and cove rotenone populations throughout the investigation. The strongest year class of crappie (Pomoxis spp.) was observed in 1976, even though greater larval abundance (5 times) was recorded in 1978. Threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) were stocked and subsequently spawned in 1977, but failed to survive the winter; gizzard shad (D. cepedianum) were the only clupeids collected in'1978.