The Impact of Drought on Lake Elmdale Largemouth Bass

Low water levels, sustained high temperatures, and potential increases in predatory pressure appear to have adversely affected the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) population of Lake Elmdale, Arkansas. An estimated population of 3,916 bass were present in 1981 compared to previous estimates of 11,770 in 1977 and 8,937 in 1979. Size overlap between 2- and 3-year-old bass is indicative of differential states of sexual maturity and associated reproductive activity during the harsh drought conditions.