Effects of Expanded Stocking Locations on Striped Bass Survival
Smith Mountain Lake is a 8,337-ha reservoir formed by the Roanoke and Blackwater Rivers in Virginia. This lake maintains suitable habitat for striped bass (Morone saxatilis) but does not contain adequate spawning habitat for natural reproduction. Consequently, it requires annual stockings of this species to maintain the fishery. We examined how recruitment of striped bass to age-1 was affected by increasing the number of stocking locations at Smith Mountain Lake. Prior to 1996, striped bass were stocked at 2 sites. Four sites were stocked in 1996-1997 and 10 to 14 sites were stocked from...
