Jeffrey W. Slipke

We examined the effects of an aquatic herbicide (Aquathol K) applied prior to largemouth bass spawning to reduce the exotic submersed macrophyte hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) and promote establishment of native submersed plants on largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) population metrics. Density and biomass of adult (>250 mm) largemouth bass were determined between 2000 and 2003 using a catch-depletion technique in a cove that had been periodically treated with herbicides. Also, catch-per-effort for both number and weight were compared in 2002-2003 between a treated and untreated...

Between the early and late 1990s, a nearly 10-fold decline in angler catch rates of large (?2.27 kg) largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) was observed in Wheeler Reservoir, Alabama. The objective of our study was to estimate the exploitation rate of largemouth bass and compare predicted population responses from simulated minimum length limit (MLL) regulations in an attempt to explain this reduction. Exploitation was seasonal, with most of the harvest occurring during spring. Spring and early summer exploitation estimates adjusted for tag loss and angler non-reporting ranged from 10% to...

A contingency of local anglers and guides from Weiss Lake, Alabama, has voiced concern that the natural reproduction of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) has negatively impacted the popular crappie (Pomoxis spp.) fishery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of naturally reproducing striped bass on the crappie population in Weiss Lake. Specifically, we examined striped bass food habits and compared crappie population characteristics before (1990-1992) and after (1993-1999) the establishment of the naturally reproducing bass population. Shad (Dorosoma spp.) accounted for 93...