Growth Rates And Food Habits Of Roanoke Bass In The Eno And Tar Rivers, North Carolina

Two hundred and thirty Roanoke bass (Ambloplites cavifrons) were collected from the Tar and Eno rivers in Piedmont, North Carolina. Seven age groups (I to 7) were collected from the Tar River and 5 age groups (I to 5) were collected from the Eno River. Mean back-calculated total lengths were similar in both rivers. Five-year old fish from the Tar River averaged 246 mm and from the Eno River 243 mm. Roanoke bass were generally opportunistic feeders, hut larger individuals selectively fed on crayfish (Cambarus sp.) and fish. Feeding appeared to he concentrated in ve~etated riffle areas.