Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Hybrid bass (Marone saxatilis X Marone chrysops) age, growth, survival, and condition indices were studied in 1980 and 1981 to gain information needed to refine the hybrid bass stocking program on Clarks Hill Reservoir, Georgia. Age and growth data and survival estimates were derived using scales taken from fish collected with gill nets over a 12-month interval. Average calculated lengths for 1975-1980 year classes were age I, 279 mm; age II, 429 mm; age III, 491 mm; age IV, 536 mm; age V, 598 mm; and age VI, 561 mm. Relative mortality rates were positively correlated with increased stocking densities and catch curve analysis yielded survival estimates of 0.3085 to 0.3985. Condition indices suggested a decrease in hybrid bass condition since 1972. Hybrid bass growth potential and life expectancy are discussed regarding reservoir management and sport fishery utilization.

Water temperature appeared to be a major factor influencing the distribution of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) during 1978 in Lake Norman, North Carolina, while size of striped bass, dissolved oxygen concentrations, available forage, and current also had some influence on their distribution. Large striped bass [~400 mm TL) appeared to be more restricted to the cooler waters than small striped bass « 400 mm TL) when water temperature exceeded 17.0 0 C and stratified conditions existed. These factors should be considered when establishing or managing a striped bass fishery in a reservoir or lake.

Of 109,675 striped bass (Morone saxatilis) stocked in June 1979 in Cherokee Reservoir, Tennessee, only 72 were recaptured. They were stocked at a mean total length of 3.5 cm and averaged 21.7 cm after I year of growth. After stocking, striped bass consumed mostly Crustacea, with Chironomidae being the primary food source for the rest of the year. Striped bass switched from invertebrates to fish (primarily Clupeidae) at 20 cm or approximately 1 year after stocking. Condition values (K) ranged from 0.8 to 1.3.

Several experiments were tried with varying results using 5 different marking techniques in an attempt to permanently mark juvenile striped bass (Marone saxatilis). Techniques included: immersion staining, dye injection, tetracycline ingestion, streamer tagging, and fin-clipping. From a practical and economical standpoint, 2 methods were satisfactory, at least for short term marking: fin-clipping and tetracycline ingestion. The latter method showed some promise of permanency in mark retention. Other methods were either too ephemeral, too expensive, or caused considerable mortality.

Physiochemical characteristics of Lake Frierson were monitored biweekly from 15 May to 14 September 1979. Lake Frierson revealed intense thermal stratification in late May. Stratification continued until fall turnover in mid-September. The anoxic hypolimnion started at the 3.0 to 3.5 m sampling depth and continued to the bottom. During this time, evaporation accounted for the loss of 1.0 m of water. Data from the shallow stations revealed anoxia and oxygen values of 2.0 mgll or less on 2 dates, 10 July and 8 August 1979.

An experimental pricing study using a Latin square design was conducted to determine the relative sales potential of fresh, pond-raised tilapia (Tilapia aurea) in supermarkets in north Alabama. Six prices ranging from $3.06/kg to $4.611kg were tested in 6 supermarkets during a 6-week period in September and October 1980. The effect of price on average sales of the sample of stores was estimated by simple linear regression. Sales potential varied from 4.11 to .97 kg liveweight! 1,000 customers over the price range, or approximately 617 to 146 kg/week for the 4 city study region. Retail prices which yielded maximum net revenue to the retailer and farmer were estimated to be $2.84/kg and $4.83/kg respectively.

Food habits of wild and hatchery-reared brook trout stocked in a stream environment were compared to those of blacknose dace within the same stream. Trout utilized aquatic adult insects (38.9%), terrestrial insects (19.5% ), and immature dipterans (14.2%) as their major food sources while dace consumed immature Trichoptera (27.0%) and Diptera (23.0%) as their major food items. A comparison of food habits suggested that some inter-specific competition might have been involved. Brook trout stomachs contained significantly more organisms than dace stomachs; however, no difference was found in mean volume of organisms in either.

Replacement of supplementary feeding with enhancement of natural productivity by pond fertilization for growout of the Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) was evaluated in 2 successive trials stocked at 330,000 fish/ha and 150,000 fish/ha, respectively. The first trial compared fertilization only, fertilization plus feeding at 3% body weight, and feeding at 3% body weight only in replicated 0.1 ha ponds. Growth rates were not significantly different, although days to marketable fish were 80-94 in the fertilized treatments and 100-107 in the fed-only ponds. Overall production averaged 710 kg/ha; 689 kg/ha in fertilized-only ponds. The second trial compared fertilization only, feeding at 5% body weight, and feeding at 5% body weight split into 2 daily feedings. Again growth rates did not significantly differ. Low fall temperatures prevented attainment of marketable fish. Both labor and material costs are substantially reduced by using fertilization only.

Winter growth of young-of-the-year bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) and male bluegill X female green sunfish (L. cyanellus) hybrids was compared. After 112 days in ponds with a mean afternoon surface water temperature of 10.4 0 C, and under monospecies and bispecies culture conditions, the hybrids were significantly (P < 0.01) longer and heavier than the bluegiIls, outgrowing the bluegills by a ratio of approximately 2: 1.

Selection responses were compared in 4 lines of channel catfish (lctalurus punctatus) selected for: (1) large 40-week body weight (W+), (2) large spawn weight (S+), (3) sma1l40-week body weight and large spawn weight (W-S+), and (4) large 40-week body weight and small spawn weight (W+S-). Each line comprised 4 spawns hatched into 4 sibling sets. Ten randomly selected fish from each sibling set (40 fish per line) were included in the study and were grown in 2 segments of a recirculating raceway system. Results indicated that single-trait selection for 40-week body weight was most effective in increasing body weight and total length 9 and 28 months after selection was made. Joint selection for body weight and spawn weight (W+S-) was not as effective as selection for body weight alone (W+) on improving growth. Both lines were, however, more effective in growth improvement than S+ and W-S+ lines. Selection for increased spawn weight (S+ or W-S+) reduced subsequent growth severely.

Growth and food conversion patterns of Tilapia aurea raised in aquaria and fed diets containing 10% lipid from 4 different sources showed that growth and food conversion were significantly better on menhaden oil than on beef tallow. No significant differences were detected in growth of tilapia on catfish oil or soybean oil and either beef tallow or menhaden oil. No mortalities occurred during the course of the lO-week feeding trial. T. aurea responded similarly to channel catfish with respect to their ability to utilize menhaden oil as a suitable source of dietary lipid. Tilapia did not grow well on a diet supplemented with beef tallow, whereas channel catfish have been shown to perform equally well on both dietary lipids.

Defatted, glandless cottonseed flour and meal appear to be of relatively high nutritive value for fingerling channel catfish. Growth and feed conversions were not significantly different in fish fed diets in which glandless, defatted cottonseed flour or meal replaced varying amounts of solvent extracted soybean meal. Supplemental lysine did not significantly improve fish performance.

Average depths of 35 ponds were computed by reliable mapping techniques. Average depths were also estimated from maximum depths X 0.4, soundings made along several transects across ponds, and sounding made along a single S-pattern over ponds. Assuming that average depths by mapping were accurate, averages of relative errors by other procedures were: maximum depth X 0.4, 12.60/0; transects, 9%; and S-pattern, 5.4%. The S-pattern required fewer soundings and.was the most reliable. If mapping is not feasible, 12 to 24 soundings made along an S-pattern over a pond will provide a suitable value of average depth for computing pond volume.

Najas, Chara, and several filamentous algae species were controlled or eliminated by a single 0.1 mg!l (active ingredient) application of the herbicide Igran 80W, an 80% wettable powder formulation of terbutryn (2-tert-butylamino-4-ethyl-amino-6-methyl-thio-s-triazine), a commercial product registered for control of terrestrial vegetation but not now approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for use in ponds or other waters. The chemical, applied in summer, eliminated target plants within 2 weeks of application. The chemical is relatively nontoxic to fish at concentrations recommended for vegetation control.

Liquid ammonium polyphosphate fertilizer (Poly NR) was evaluated at state-owned public fishing lakes in Alabama. Initial evaluation indicated that only one-third the quantity of phosphate that would normally be applied in granular fertilizer (9 kg/ha P20 5 ) to fishing lakes was necessary to produce acceptable Secchi disc visibilities (≤ 60 cm) during the fertilization season. Further evaluation at 20 public fishing lakes demonstrated that significant financial savings could be achieved in conjunction with acceptable Secchi disc visibilities with a liquid fertilization program.

Rising costs and increasing demands for limited marine resources dictate that managers monitor the status and utilization of these resources efficiently. Seventy-two percent to 100% of aU weekend sport boat anglers completing a trip from 0700-1800 hours could be interviewed from 1000-1800 hours in Texas bay systems. A comparison of mean daily trailer boat counts suggest that optimum estimates of fishing pressure within a year can be made by stratifying data into 2 periods (13 November to 8 April; 9 April to 12 November).

The retention of Floy FD-68B anchor tags and survival of 200 tagged and fin-clipped white catfish (Ictalurus catus) and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were determined over a 184-day period in 2 0.20-ha ponds. In 1 pond, 50 tagged fish and 50 fin-clipped fish were stocked. In the second pond, 50 tagged and fin-clipped fish and 50 fin-clipped fish were stocked. Of the 70 tagged fish recovered (all tagged fish received 2 tags), all had retained at least 1 tag. Four Floy tags were lost, yielding an overall tag retention of 97.1 %. No separation of plastic sleeves was observed from the remaining 136 tags. Floy-tagged fish exhibited the highest rate of survival (86% ), followed by fin-clipped fish (66% ), then Floy-tagged and fin-clipped fish (54% ). The results indicated that use of Floy tags was less detrimental than removing a pectoral fin and spine from catfish.

Six hundred sixty fingerling largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were stocked into a 0.1 ha hatchery pond for 69 days to determine if micromagnetic wire tags or the tagging process affected survival and growth rates. Two hundred twenty fingerlings were tagged internally in the vomerine (nasal) cartilage and 220 in the forebrain area. These were costocked with 220 control fingerlings. At recovery, survival rates of vomerine and forebrain tagged bass were comparable (70.5% and 75.9%), but were less than the rate for control fish (93.6%). Tag retention rates for vomerine and forebrain tagged fish (25.0% and 10.0%) were far less than desirable. Both vomerine and forebrain tagged fish (those retaining tags for 69 days) exhibited slower growth rates than controls, but only the forebraintagged fish grew significantly slower (P < 0.005).

Cost:benefit of 3 walleye fisheries were evaluated in 3 Texas reservoirs. Costs to establish walleye fisheries included expenses for equipment and for labor to procure and hatch eggs, to rear fry or fingerlings, and to stock reservoirs. Benefits of walleye fisheries were determined by multiplying the monetary value of a man-hour of recreational fishing by number of manhours of walleye fishing as determined by creel surveys. At Meredith Reservoir, where low densities of fry were stocked as the lake initially filled, costto- benefit of 1:89 was achieved in 3 years. At Greenbelt Reservoir, where fingerlings were stocked at low densities into an established fish community, it took 7 years to achieve a cost-to-benefit of only I :21. At White River, a reservoir which also had an established fish community, mass stocking (introducing large numbers of frys) achieved a cost-to-benefit of 1:42 in only 2 years.

Phytoplankton communities of commercial catfish ponds in westcentral Alabama were usually dominated by green algae (Chlorophyta). Blue-green algae, which were usually the dominant forms of algae in channel catfish ponds at the Auburn University Research Unit (east-central Alabama), were seldom present in great abundance in the commercial fish ponds. The pond waters in west-central Alabama had total alkalinity values of 69-148 mg/liter as CaC03 while total alkalinity values were much lower (lO to 15 mg/ liter) in pond waters on the Fisheries Research Unit. Difference in total alkalinity likely resulted in the difference in proportions of blue-green algae in ponds of the 2 vicinities.

Although mitigation is now required on excavation lakes resulting from limestone mining in South Florida, little baseline information exists on which to base mitigation recommendations. For this study, 8 representative limestone excavation lakes in Dade County, Florida, were sampled during 1981-82 to measure selected limnological parameters. There was little within-lake variation in water quality but substantial differences in means and ranges among lakes. Depths ranged from 3.2 to 15.2 m and surface areas, 8 to 44 ha. Maximum water temperature observed was 33° C and the minimum 19° C. Surface dissolved oxygen was 7.5-8.3 mglliter and 2.0- 7.5 mglliter at lake bottoms. Other ranges measured included alkalinity 72-170 mg/liter, conductivity 221 to 1,058 p,mhos, pH 7.2 to 8.2, and transparency 1.4 to 5.6 m. Mean values for total phosphorus (7.1 to 12.3 mg/m3 ) varied greatly by lake.

Age, growth, and sex ratio were determined from 484 yellow-phase American eels (Anguilla rostrata) collected from brackish waters (16.4 g/liter; mean salinity) in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. Eels averaged 4.4 years, 437.6 mm total length, and 189.9 g live wet weight. Length-weight relationship was: log W = -5.7156 + 3.0067 log L. Length and weight increases were greatest in the third and fifth year of age, respectively. The population consisted of 85.5% mature females, 7.9% advanced females, and 6.6% males. Mature and advanced females averaged 1.6 and 3.1 years older than males (2.7 years), respectively. Males were consistently smaller than females for each age class.

Twenty-two larval fish taxa were collected from Wee Tee Lake, a backwater tributary of Santee River, South Carolina, and 2 adjacent main river sites during the spring of 1981 and 1982. Pomoxis spp., Alosa aestivalis, Dorosoma petenense, D. cepedianum, and Perca flavescens were the most abundant species collected in both Wee Tee Lake and Santee River during both years. These species were significantly (P < 0.05) more abundant in the lake than in the river, indicating a better spawning habitat in the lake. A. aestivalis and D. cepedianum appeared to spawn concurrently and exhibited similar patterns of diel periodicity. D. petenense spawned later and exhibited a different diel pattern. Flood control operations in the Santee River prior to the detection of larvae in 1982 appeared to alter time and duration of spawning and reduce species diversity and abundance of larval fish.

Suppression of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus) fingerling production in 0.01 ha ponds with high blue tilapia (Tilapia aurea) densities (760-1,900 kg/ha; 1,300-2,500 fish/ha) was studied to determine if the suppression is caused by direct competition for spawning sites. Bass spawned successfully in 8 of 9 ponds with tilapia but mean (x = 340) production of bass fingerlings was 84% less than in ponds without tilapia (x = 2183; N = 3). Difference in young-of-year bass production between ponds with and without tilapia was statistically significant; however, differences between young-of-year bass production in ponds with only male and only female tilapia were non-significant (P ≥ 0.05). Since only male blue tilapia construct spawning depressions, reduced bass fingerling production was attributed primarily to interactions independent of direct competition for spawning sites or tilapia sex.

Triploid hybrid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella x Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) were provided known weights of hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) in 300 liter aquaria, to determine consumption rates for age I hybrids from 6 size groups, 21 to 37 cm total length (TL). Mean consumption rates for these groups at 26° C ranged from 25% to 52% of their body weight/day (% BW/D) or 1.7 to 8.6 g dry weight of hydrilla/day (g DW/ D). Smaller hybrids generally ate less hydrilla than larger fish, but expressed as a percentage of their body weight, small hybrids consumed more than large hybrids. The exception was the intermediate size hybrids (31 cm TL group), which consumed significantly (P < 0.05, Tukey's range test) more both in dry weight of hydrilla and in percent body weight than other groups. Regression of dry weight consumed/ day on total hybrid length produced the following equation: g DW/D =-6.1 + 0.039(TL); with a correlation coefficient of 0.82.

A minimum size limit of 305 mm for smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) in the Shenandoah River was evaluated by creel surveys to determine the limit's effect on the sport fishery. Smallmouth bass harvest decreased from 24/ha prior to the limit to an average of 6/ha after the limit. The catch and release fishery increased from 19/ha to 1111ha. Despite the restricted harvest, the number of legal bass (≥305 mm) harvested remained unchanged and average size decreased from 348 mm to 330 mm. Channel catfish (lctalurus punctatus) harvest decreased 91 %, but sunfish harvest increased more than 57%. Smallmouth bass growth rates were unchanged by the size limit, but annual mortality for ages III-V bass increased from 0.51 to 0.65. Increased mortality rate is thought to be the reason that bass harvest (≥305 mm) did not increase.

Analysis of catch records at state- owned and managed public fishing lakes indicated that significant increases in permit sales and harvest of fish occurred the year after treatment with rotenone to thin or eliminate threadfin shad and/ or gizzard shad. No significant change in the harvest of trophy largemouth bass was observed following treatment.

During March, April, and May 1979, a nonuniform probability creel survey of snag fishermen was conducted in the tailwaters of Logan Martin and H. Neely Henry reservoirs located on the Coosa River in Alabama. Fishermen harvested an estimated 5,278 and 4,640 fish in the 2 reservoirs, respectively. Daily catch was 57 fish/ day at Logan Martin tailwater and 50 fish/ day at Neely Henry tailwater. White bass (Marone chrysops) were the predominant fish in the creel. Catch/unit effort (CPE) was 0.75 fish/hour at Logan Martin tailwater and 0.89 fish/hour at Neely Henry tailwater. The typical fisherman traveled less than 47 km, was not species specific, had less than 5 years snagging experience, spent an average of $6.68 per trip, and fished for food and sport.

From December 1981 through March 1983, 71 observations of pound nets were conducted. In 407 net days, commercially important species comprised 93.5% of the total pound net catch while game fish species comprised 4.4%. An average of 1.8 game fish were caught per net day. Harvestable-size game fish (that size retained by sport fishermen) represented 3.6% of the total catch and comprised 81.5% of all sizes of game fish caught. Initial mortality was 3.3% for game fish or 0.06 game fish deaths/ net day. An estimated 68 game fish/km of shoreline/year were caught by the entire pound net fishery in 1981 and 1982, all of which were returned as required by law. Considering their limited use in extensive river area and the small number of game fish caught, it was determined that pound nets had no significant impact on game fish populations in the 8t. Johns River, Florida.

A I-year sport fishing creel census, designed by North Carolina State University statisticians, was conducted on the Santee and Cooper rivers, South Carolina, from 26 February 1981 through 25 February 1982. Estimates of fishing effort, harvest, and success were obtained. The Santee River received more effort per unit area (81.0 hours/ha) but less total hours (96,215) than the Cooper River (50.9 hours/ha, 173,005 hours). Santee River fishermen expended most fishing effort (37.1 %) seeking black crappie, while largemouth bass was the species most sought (29.4%) by Cooper River fishermen. Fishermen creeled 65.6 fish/ha weighing 33.7 kg/ha from Cooper River and 103.1 fish/ha weighing 29.3 kg/ha from the Santee. Fishing success was nearly equal for the 2 rivers. Cooper and Santee River fishermen caught 1.29 and 1.26 fish/hour, respectively. Most fishermen were local residents, and still fishing (which included cane pole fishing) was the preferred fishing method on both rivers.

Largemouth bass catch data and other information were compiled from records generated from a Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission tournament permitting system implemented in 1975. Popular tournament waters were determined and ranked according to success rates, average weights, and weights of "big bass" reported by tournament sponsors. Commission records indicate 645 bass tournaments were permitted from 1975-1982 with more than 57% staged in the St. Johns River/Rodman Reservoir area, Lake Okeechobee, and the Kissimmee chain of lakes. Between 1978 and 1982, mean tournament success rates statewide were computed at 0.27 bass/hour, while Lake Okeechobee ranked highest at 0.40 bass/hour. Highest average bass weights were reported from the Clermont Chain at 1.18 kg, and statewide weights averaged 0.86 kg. Orange/Lochloosa lakes produced the largest "big bass" reported with a mean weight of 4.26 kg.

A depressed economic situation, coupled with an ever-increasing population, has resulted in a severe financial strain being placed on many state agencies in recent years. Because of a lack of funds, public service agencies have not expanded at the same pace as the population they serve. This problem is even more evident in southern states that have had to contend with a migration of northern industry to these less energy-sensitive areas. Employees accompanying this industry, added to the population expansion, have placed an additional burden on these so-called sun belt states. Wildlife agencies of the South are especially hard pressed because many state legislators consider them as only indirectly responsible for public safety. Wildlife enforcement and management compete for these less than adequate funds within the wildlife agencies. This combination of factors has resulted in many wildlife enforcement divisions waging a constant battle for adequate manpower and equipment.

To evaluate the incidence of road hunting during the dog and no-dog portions of the Mississippi deer season, the numbers of road hunting citations from the 1980-1981 and 1982-1983 hunting seasons were determined. Road hunting violations were significantly more common during the dog seasons than during the no-dog seasons. Although road hunting problems during the dog season were caused by unethical behavior of some deer hunters and not due to the use of dogs for deer hunting, the public impact may result in an unfavorable image of dog hunting. Deer hunters (especially during the dog season) must promote ethical behavior to ensure the future of their sport

Included as an introduction to the open fields doctrine and a closely related concept, the plain view doctrine, are a brief historic overview, a review of some cases in which open fields law played an important role, and a statement about the importance of this legal concept in wildlife law enforcement.

One of the most difficult yet important challenges facing the wildlife law enforcement officer today lies in his ability to develop confidence and a cooperative spirit in his court. There are a variety of means by which to achieve this goal and in overcoming common prejudices often surrounding the law enforcement officer and his profession. It is critical that the officer learn to communicate, in both deeds and words, his professionalism and the public desire for firm decisions involving wildlife violations.

As the computer age dawns on wildlife law enforcement divisions across Southeastern United States, it has become all too clear that you will get your data computerized eventually. If you are slow to respond, you will be victim of another agency's idea of what your informational needs are. Green-lined paper will flow with little control and you will drown in a sea of information. The key element to taming the computer is to have control of the source document, the problem, and the report. Large portions of wildlife agency budgets are devoted to this pursuit and law enforcement departmental heads are obligated to use the funds in the most efficient and economical manner. In this computerized age, we can do no less than utilize to the maximum extent possible these machines that are designed to provide useful information.

Stockings of striped bass, (Morone saxatilis), hybrid striped bass, (Marone saxatilis x Marone chrysops), and reciprocal hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops x Morone saxatilis), at Alabama's public fishing lakes were evaluated. Age and growth data are presented for each of the 3 groups. The length-weight relationship developed for hybrid striped bass from Alabama's public fishing lakes is LoglO weight =-4.9549 + 3.033 (loglO length). The condition factor Kn for hybrid striped bass from these lakes was very low, relative to hybrid striped bass from West Point Reservoir. Survival of hybrid striped bass at one lake from age I to age 2 was over 30%. A cost-benefit ratio from the cost of stocking these fish divided by the benefit to fishermen from harvesting them produced a value near 1.

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) and Morone hybrids were studied in the Tallapoosa River downstream of Thurlow Dam from March through November 1980. Age and growth analysis revealed that over 80% of the striped bass scales had numerous false annuli, while none were observed on Morone hybrid scales. The presence of false annuli indicated interruptions in normal growth during the mid- to late-summer period. These interruptions were attributed to striped bass preferential selection of cooler water temperatures in mid-summer. The striped bass are believed to spatially separate themselves from much of their food, resulting in a reduced growth rate until water temperatures subside in the fall.

Gulf Coast striped bass (Marone saxatilis) represent a race of striped bass that differ phenotypically and probably genotypically, behave as a cohesive unit and were once spatially separated from other stocks. The significance of discrete spawning stocks of striped bass is discussed. Evidence for the stock concept is reviewed and discussed in relation to maintenance of genetic diversity in fish populations. Caution is urged that stocks, designated for release into foreign waters, be carefully evaluated with respect to their potential genetic impact on native populations.

Food habits of hybrid bass (Morone saxatilis x Morone chrysops) were studied in Clarks Hill Reservoir from 1 July 1980 to 30 June 1981. Stomachs from 820 hybrid bass ranging from 221 mm to 736 mm total length and 0.13 kg to 4.21 kg were examined. Overall, threadfin shad was the predominant food item of hybrid bass (62% frequency of occurrence). Data indicated hybrid bass were fully utilizing the threadfin shad. Hybrid bass did not shift to gizzard shad despite the apparent winter depletion of threadfin shad. Analysis by season and by size group indicated that insect larvae and non-shad fishes were of periodic importance and occurred in the diets at levels higher than previously reported.

Biotelemetry studies of 13 striped bass (Morone saxatilis) x white bass (M. chrysops) hybrids in the Escambia River, Florida demonstrated positive affinity of the hybrids for saline waters. Average salinity at relocation sites ranged from 0.5 to 4.1 ppt at the surface and from 3.6 to 21.8 ppt on the bottom. Movements of hybrids in the river system appear to be strongly influenced by seasonal fluctuations in river discharge. Hybrids usually inhabited the lower, tidal delta of the river during periods of low and normal discharge and moved into the bay during times of high flow. No evidence of significant upstream emigration was observed. Two hybrids emigrated from the Escambia River estuary into adjacent river systems. Maximum movement recorded was 88 km.

Fingerling Morone hybrids were stocked into Lake Apopka, Florida, in an attempt to create a sportfishery in the hypereutrophic lake. The lake was stocked with 635,000 original hybrids (8 fish/ha) in May, 1980 and 315,000 original hybrids (4 fish/ha) in May, 1981. Growth during their first year (age 0) was not rapid for either year class, however, by 23 months the mean total length of the 1980 year class was comparable to that of other hybrids in Florida and the southeast. Analysis of stomach contents indicated extensive use of shad (Dorosoma spp.), although grass shrimp (Palaemonidae) comprised a large part of the stomach contents of hybrids 292 mm total length and smaller. Enthusiastically accepted by anglers, a successful but localized put-grow-and-take sportfishery was created.

The effects of sunlight intensity on survival of Morone saxatilis X Morone chrysops hybrid fry were examined through studies performed in replicated aquaria and hatchery rearing ponds. The aquaria and ponds were exposed to direct sunlight and 2 types of sunlight reduction (overhead shading and decreased water clarity). Direct sunlight reduced fry survival in the aquaria and pond experiments. In aquaria, variations in overhead shade and water clarity significantly affected fry survival, and decreased water clarity was more effective than an increase in overhead shade in increasing survival. In ponds, overhead shading was more effective than water clarity in increasing fry-to-fingerling survival.

The scale method and length-frequency analysis were not adequate for accurately aging and measuring growth rate of black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) collected in Florida. Black crappie otoliths (sagittae) showed clearly recognizable: bands in whole view, suggesting possible use of otoliths to age black crappie. Otoliths satisfied necessary criteria for validating aging structures: growth was proportional to black crappie growth, annuli formed in the spring, and back-calculated lengths agreed with lengths for age-classes estimated from length-frequency analysis. We consider otoliths useful for accurately aging black crappie in Florida.

A food habit study was conducted for the redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) and the longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) occurring in small streams of the Coastal Plains and Piedmont Plateau physiographic provinces near Auburn, Alabama. Fish stomach analyses revealed that redbreast and longear are primarily insectivores. The bulk of the diet of both species in small streams was composed of aquatic and terrestrial insects. Crustaceans were also consumed by both species regularly. Ingestion of a wide variety of other organisms suggests opportunistic feeding in both species. Based on 24-hour sampling results, both species had the greatest food item diversity during daylight hours and the least after dark. Redbreast was the more active feeder. Significant overlap in food habits between the 2 species was evident using the Schoener Index to food overlap.