Survival of Hybrid Striped Bass in Central Florida

Otolith aging was utilized to evaluate age structure and survival of hybrid striped bass stocked in 5 central Florida lakes. Age VI and age VII hybrids collected during the study represent the oldest yet collected in Florida. High survival rates of ages 0, I, and II were observed in all lakes. Lakes stocked for more than 4 years had low survival of hybrids older than age II. It is possible that adding hybrids in a lake on an annual basis may lead to overstocking. Alternative stocking practices are being investigated.