Timothy N. Churchill

Population Characteristics of White Bass and an Evaluation of Minimum Length Limits in Kentucky Lake, Tennessee

SEAFWA Journal Volume 2, March 2015

Relatively few studies have been conducted for white bass (Morone chrysops) populations in large river impoundments. Our study focused on population characteristics of white bass in Kentucky Lake, a mainstem impoundment of the Tennessee River. A total of 994 fish were collected using electrofishing during April 2006 and 2007 to evaluate age, growth, and mortality. Kentucky Lake white bass exhibited relatively fast growth compared to previously studied populations. Females were already larger than males by age-1 and continued to grow faster than males; both genders were sexually mature by...

An Assessment of Sauger Population Characteristics on Two Tennessee River Reservoirs

SEAFWA Journal Volume 2, March 2015

In 1992, a 356-mm minimum length limit (MLL) was enacted on Kentucky Lake and a 381-mm MLL was enacted on Watts Bar Lake, two mainstem reservoirs on the Tennessee River, in an attempt to reduce exploitation and improve the size structure of the sauger (Sander canadensis) populations. The objectives of this study were to compare sauger population characteristics immediately following (1993-1994) and 15 years after (2008-2009) the regulations took effect, examine spatial and temporal patterns in growth, examine recruitment patterns in each reservoir using a recruitment variability index (RVI...

Genetic Confirmation and Assessment of an Unauthorized Fish Introduction in Parksville Reservoir, Tennessee

SEAFWA Journal Volume 1, March 2014

In 2001, Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency biologists sampled what morphologically appeared to be Alabama bass (Micropterus henshalli) in Parksville Reservoir (Tennessee River Basin). Alabama bass, which are morphologically similar to spotted bass (M. punctulatus), are endemic to the Mobile Basin and had never been previously stocked in Parksville Reservoir. This study sought to confirm the identification of this nonnative fish species in Parksville Reservoir and assess the extent of hybridization with other black bass species within the lake and surrounding water bodies (Chickamauga...

Angler Opinions Regarding Catfish Management in Tennessee

Emphasis on catfish management has increased in Tennessee, and in 2003 the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency adopted new regulations protecting trophy-sized catfish by restricting recreational harvest of catfish >864 mm to one fish per day and eliminating all commercial harvest of catfish >864 mm. A statewide survey on licensed catfish anglers was conducted in fall 2000, 2005 and 2006 to determine if angler responses changed following implementation of these regulations. Before the regulation change, catfish anglers generally supported protecting trophy-sized catfish but angler...

Temporal Variability in the Littoral Fish Community of a Puerto Rico Reservoir

Electrofishing the littoral zone of Lucchetti Reservoir, Puerto Rico, from 1992 through 1997 indicated dynamic changes in fish community structure, despite consistent annual water level regimes. Nine species of fish, including 2 cichlids, 2 centrarchids, and 2 ictalurids, were collected. Relative abundance varied significantly over seasons and years for most species. One species, the bigmouth sleeper (Gobiomorus dormitor), may have become extirpated during the period and 1 new species, armored catfish (Liposarcus multiradiatus), became established. Adult largemouth bass (Micropterus...

Trophic Dynamics of Juvenile Largemouth Bass in Lucchetti Reservoir, Puerto Rico

The feeding dynamics of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were studied from March 1992 to December 1994 in Lucchetti Reservoir, Puerto Rico. Early piscivory by juvenile bass was aided by constant, but qualitatively variable, availability of fish prey items including threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense), mozambique tilapia (Tilapia mossambica), redbreast tilapia (T. rendalli), and bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus). Threadfin shad was the primary food item for juvenile bass, supplemented by bluegills and tilapias when abundant. Insectivory was high in situations of low fish prey...

Invalidation of Otolith Ageing Techniques for Tropical Largemouth Bass

The validity of otolith ageing in Puerto Rico was examined using known-age largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Lucchetti Reservoir. Age-0 largemouth bass were tagged with binary-coded wire microtags and stocked into the reservoir on 6 separate events between April 1992 and May 1996. Fish were collected throughout the study at ages 1-3 and otoliths and microtags were removed from tagged bass. Of 36 age-1 and older tagged bass recovered, 50% had no discernible otolith rings (read as age 0). Observed ages of all otoliths agreed with true ages only 14% of the time, and often differed by...