M. D. Clady

We studied fish populations in four lakes in southwestern Oklahoma before and after stocking striped bass (Morone saxatilis) X white bass (M. chrysops) hybrids to determine if the population structure changed as a result of predation by the hybrids. Two lakes were stocked with hybrid fmgerlings at 45 fish/ha in fall 1979 and again with fry at 120 fishlha in spring 1980. The other two lakes (the controls) were not stocked Although growth of hybrid fmgerlings was good, survival was poor. Mortality was greatest for fingerlings less than 150 mm in total length at the time of stocking. None of...

In 1980 and 1981, stomach contents were removed from 224 striped bass (Morone saxatilis) X white bass (M. chrysops) hybrids and 149 largemouth bass (Mu:ropterus salmoides) collected from Sooner Lake, Oklahoma. Relative abundances of forage fishes were also estimated and food electivity and overlap of diet were determined seasonally. Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) was the most important food of all hybrids except those <301-mm; insects and inland silversides (Menidia beryllina) were seasonally important. Gizzard shad, insects, and sunfishes (Lepomis spp.) and crappies (Pomoxis spp.)...

Winter home ranges and movements of northern and Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides salmoides and M. s. floridanus) in a heated cove of Boomer Lake, Oklahoma, were estimated by using ultrasonic telemetry. Within the heated cove, individuals of both subspecies (3 northern, 2 Florida) occupied home ranges that appeared to be related to the distribution of heated water, cover, current, depth, and food. Other fish of both subspecies left the heated cove and did not return. No periodic migrations into or out of the heated cove were observed, although tagged bass frequently moved...