Summer Habitat Selection of Striped Bass in Lake Norman
Lake Norman is a 13,516-ha reservoir frequently devoid in late summer of the cool, well-oxygenated water preferred by mature striped bass {Morone saxatilis). Large summer striped bass kills, however, are rare. The objective of this study was to determine the summer temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in habitat used by striped bass in Lake Norman. We tagged 48 striped bass (2.2-7.8 kg) with temperaturesensing radio tags (40-50 MHz) during spring 1992 and 1993. Tag frequency, tag temperature, location, and a water column temperature/DO profile were recorded for each tag encounter....
