Steve E. Lochmann

Interannual Variability in Spatial and Temporal Spawning Distributions of White Bass in the Arkansas River

SEAFWA Journal Volume 7, March 2020

There is a limited understanding of the spatial and temporal variability of tributary use for riverine populations of white bass (Morone chrysops) during the spawning season. We sampled white bass in 10 tributaries of Arkansas River Pool 4 during their spawning season in 2010 and 2011. Each tributary was sampled using boat-mounted electrofishing every third week during the spawning season to assess spatial variability of white bass spawning. One tributary (Caney Bayou) known to be occupied by white bass during the spawning season was sampled weekly to document temporal variability of the...

An Evaluation of Crappie Supplemental Stocking in Arkansas Impoundments

SEAFWA Journal Volume 2, March 2015

Supplemental stocking of sport fish has been an important management tool used by fisheries management agencies, but published accounts of stocking success are infrequent. Both black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis) have been stocked throughout the southeastern United States with over one million stocked annually in Arkansas alone. Stocking contribution was determined for six impoundments that ranged in size from 58 to 503 ha. In October 2010 and 2011, crappies were marked with oxytetracycline hydrochloride and stocked at rates that ranged from 53 to 246...

Spotted Bass Population Characteristics and Relationships with Macrohabitat Variables in the Arkansas River, Arkansas

Despite its importance to anglers, the Arkansas River spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) fishery has not been intensively studied or managed. Thus, spotted bass populations in the lower nine navigation pools of the Arkansas River were assessed during 2004-2005 using nighttime boatmounted electrofishing. Across years and pools, size structure measures were within acceptable ranges for black basses (mean PSDQ = 38, range 21-56; mean PSDP = 10, range 0-19). Theoretical maximum sizes generated from growth models were not large for spotted bass (mean L∞ = 395 mm TL, range 351-429 mm...

Pellet-reared Largemouth Bass Competitive Ability at Various Levels of Exposure to Live Forage

We investigated the effects of exposing pellet-reared, advanced-fingerling largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) to live forage on the ability of bass to capture live forage (competitive ability). Wild and pellet-reared largemouth bass were paired in competitive trials in 75-L aquaria and offered live fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Prior to competitive trials, pellet-reared largemouth bass were placed into trial groups and fed fathead minnows daily for 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16 days among groups. Pellet-reared largemouth bass without exposure to live forage captured the fathead...

A Population Assessment and Minimum Length Limit Evaluation for White Bass in the Arkansas River, Arkansas

Fisheries Outstanding Technical Paper

White bass (Morone chrysops) are a popular sport fish throughout most of their zoogeographic distribution. We conducted a population assessment of white bass in Pool 4 of the Arkansas River. Using population metrics calculated from the assessment, responses of the white bass fishery to a 254-mm or 305-mm minimum length limit (MLL) were simulated using the Fishery Analysis and Modeling Simulator (FAMS) model. White bass ages ranged from 1-7, but 88% of white bass were less than age 5. Conditional natural mortality averaged 0.43, and total annual mortality was 54%, so exploitation was...

Mortality and Growth of Young-of-year Wild Largemouth Bass following Stocking of Hatchery-reared Fingerlings

Stocking hatchery-reared largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fingerlings to supplement wild populations is a common practice, but assessment of the influence of such stocking practices on the wild population is less common. In September 2007 and 2008, we estimated abundance of wild young (age 0 and age 1, respectively) largemouth bass in backwaters of the Arkansas River before and after stocking with hatchery-reared largemouth bass (100-150 mm TL). Two backwaters were sampled as reference populations, four backwaters were unstocked for comparison with stocked locations. Five...

Largemouth Bass Fishery Characteristics in the Arkansas River, Arkansas

The Arkansas River largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fishery has not been intensively managed or studied, especially downstream of Lake Dardanelle. Recent issues that have potentially affected the fishery necessitated a comprehensive assessment of populations throughout the entire Arkansas portion of the river. During 2004-2005, largemouth bass populations were assessed in all 11 Arkansas navigation pools of the river using boat-mounted, nighttime electrofishing. Populations were young with 94% of the individuals consisting of ages 1-4. Across years and pools, size structure...

Grass Carp Movement and Persistence in Felsenthal Reservoir, Arkansas

Excessive coverage of aquatic vegetation has reduced aesthetic quality and recreational value in Felsenthal Reservoir, Arkansas. A large portion of the 6,000-ha impoundment of the Ouachita River, located within the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, is covered by dense aquatic vegetation. Grass carp are commonly used to control aquatic vegetation in closed systems, but results of stocking grass carp for vegetation control in open systems is less certain. Radio transmitters were implanted in 48 adult triploid grass carp. Grass carp were released in the reservoir during fall 2006. Radio...

Potential Effects of Double-crested Cormorants on Largemouth Bass in Lake Chicot, Arkansas

Fisheries Outstanding Technical Paper

Fisheries managers and anglers are concerned about the effects that increasing over-wintering populations of piscivorous double-crested cormorants Phalacrocorax auritus have on sport fishes across North America. We estimated the mortality of the largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides population due to predation by cormorants on a 2024-ha oxbow lake in southeastern Arkansas. Cormorants consumed an estimated 0.05%-6.20% of the largemouth bass population in 2001. Consumption ranged widely because of the variability associated with our estimates of the number of days per year...

Evaluation of a Crappie Length Limit on Lake Chicot, Arkansas

Population characteristics for black Pomoxis nigromaculatus and white crappies P. annularis combined were simulated using a dynamic pool model to determine if the current 254-mm length limit is practical at Lake Chicot, Arkansas. Catch curve regressions were used to estimate annual mortalities, and exploitation was estimated with two consecutive tag reward studies. Exploitation was adjusted for tag loss, tagging mortality, and non-reporting. Average annual mortality was 78% and adjusted exploitation was 17%. The model predicted no significant changes in PSD, RSD-P, RSD-M, or population...