Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Denning behavior of black bears (Ursus americanus) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was studied using motion sensitive radio-collars. All radioinstrumented bears (n = 29) entered dens and exhibited periods of decreased activity in the predenning and postdenning periods (n = 20). Denning behavior was characterized by a reduction in sensitivity, with females being more lethargic than males. Female bears departed fall ranges earlier (P

Eighty-three white-tailed deer fawns (Odocoileus virginianus texanus) were captured in the Wichita Mountains of southwestern Oklahoma between 1974 and 1977. General physical appearance was documented and 10 body measurements were taken from each fawn. The calculated age of captured fawns ranged from I to 21 days. Three measurements (total weight, total body length, and hind foot length) appeared to be those most descriptive of skeletal and body mass changes with increasing age. Regression models indicated that males were larger and grew faster than females. The rates ofweight gain for male (0.28 kg/ day) and female (0.24 kg/ day) fawns were higher than previously reported.

Midsummer daytime bedsites of white-tailed deer (Odocileus virginianus texanus) fawns in southwestern Oklahoma were analyzed to determine the species composition of the surrounding vegetation. Vegetative composition varied between bedsites and range sites, but fawns did not bed in areas dominated by short vegetation. Fawns used 5 different range sites for daytime bedsites. Bedsites located on the 2 savannah range sites had higher percentages of woody vegetation than did bedsites located in the 3 open range sites. Grasses and grass-likes were the most abundant plant forms around all bedsites. Forbs were not a major component of the vegetation at any bedsite. Bedsites located in the boulder ridge, hilly stony, and hard land range sites were in good to excellent range condition, whereas bedsites located in hilly stony savannah and boulder ridge savannah range sites varied from poor to excellent in range condition class.

Average home range size for 10 desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crookii) was 384.1 ha. The average home range size for 5 bucks (493.4 ha) was I.7 times larger than that of 5 does (283.7 ha). Home range sizes increased with age and were largest among deer 5 to 7 years old. Deer 7.5 to 8+ years old had somewhat smaller home ranges than animals 5.5 years old. Seasonal migration or seasonal shifts in home ranges were not apparent; however, vegetative type preferences within home ranges did vary according to season. During the winter months deer preferred the skeletonleaf goldeneye (Viguiera stenolba) j catdaw (Mimosa biuncifera) cover type. The juniper (Juniperus Pinchotii) j javelina bush (Condalia ericoides) j catclaw cover type was preferred by deer during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Skeletonleaf goldeneyejcatdaw cover types were preferred diurnal bedding sites during the fall months.

In southeastern pinelands, continuous year-long cattle grazing often degrades wildlife habitat and range condition. Short periods of intensive grazing followed by long rest periods show potential for improving wildlife habitat. In 1976 we began a study in which small pastures on a mature longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) flatwoods site in northern Florida were grazed for I to 2 weeksXuntil 50 percent of the grazeable forage was removed. Pastures were then rested for 2, 4, or 6 months before grazing was repeated. Early results indicate that the 4-month period of rest will significantly reduce the occurrence of pineland threeawn (Aristida stricta) and saw-palmetto (Serenoa repens) 2 abundant and troublesome plants, and will favor the increase of some desirable wildlife plants, mainly herbs.

Data collected from woodcock banded in Canaan Valley, West Virginia from 1964 to 1970 were analyzed to determine population dynamics of resident (breeding) woodcock. lmmatures comprised over 60% ofthe banded sample, with immature males comprising 42% (P<0.05). Immatures appeared more susceptible to capture. Overall sex ratio for the banded sample revealed more males than females, but more females were found in the adult class. Greater survival of immature females causes ratios favoring females in the adult class. Additionally, adult females have a higher survival rate than adult males. Exceptionally high recovery rates were attributed to concentrated hunting pressure and band collecting. Immatures were 1.7 times more susceptible to gunning than adults. High variances and confidence limits were computed for population and survival estimates, which suggested great variation in collection of data.

Select forbs, chosen on the basis of their suspected importance in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) diets, were collected in the geologic Ouachita Highlands and Coastal Plain provinces in southeastern Oklahoma to determine nutrient content and dry matter digestibility. Sampling was conducted from May to September, 1977, on 5year- old clearcuts. Field dry matter, crude protein, calcium, phosphorus, ash, and in vitro dry matter digestibility were determined. Crude protein content (9.2 to 16.8%) was generally low for all species. Calcium and phosphorus concentrations (0.75 to I.57% Ca and 0.19 to 0.37% P) appeared adequate to meet estimated daily maintenance requirements for white-tailed deer. Dry matter digestibility ranged from 31.4 to 46.7% and averaged 40.8%. Differences (P<'05) in nutrient content and dry matter digestibility were not evident between the Ouachita Highlands and the Coastal Plain geologic provinces in this study except for ash content.

The impact of a concentrated (.52 deer / hal herd of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on the vegetation in Cades Cove is discussed. Utilization by cattle and horses had a greater impact on the woodlots in the cove than utilization by deer. Livestock reduced the number of vascular plant species and woody stem counts in all strata sampled. Deer utilization reduced the total plant species number and favored conifers in the 3 cm dbh and smaller stem size classes. Species such as dogwood (Comus .florida), white oak (Quercus alba), and redbud (Cercis canadensis), which were common on limestone elsewhere in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, were much reduced around Cades Cove. The intensive impacts of deer on vegetation do not appear to extend more than I km from Cades Cove.

Thirty pen-reared European wild hogs (Sus scrofa) were released in 1971 in southwestern West Virginia with the purpose of establishing a huntable population. The stocking involved construction of pens in a remote area followed by artificial feeding and gradual release of sows that had recently farrowed. Size of release area and sow-piglet introductions are considered major factors resulting in establishment of a wild population. Wild boars have produced litters annually and are presently occupying 130 sq km. Observations from monitoring activities on reproduction, foods, seasonal movements, and behavior closely conform to similar data of other researchers. A limited permit hunt is scheduled for November 1979.

In 1978, all commercial aquaculture enterprises operating in the state were surveyed by telephone and in person to determine the status of the industry and to assess the biological and economic feasibility of rearing aquatic organisms for profit in Virginia. A total of II commercial aquaculture firms were in business during 1978. Six establishments were producing rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) for food and stocking recreational waters, 2 were rearing warmwater sport fish fingerlings and bait fish, and 3 were culturing clams. In contrast to most southern states, no commercial producers in Virginia were growing edible-size channel catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus) for food. The gross economic return from freshwater fish production in Virginia during 1978 was conservatively estimated to exceed $1,000,000 at the first level. Rainbow trout accounted for 75% of the total income.

Food habits of gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), threadfin shad (D. petenense), and blue tilapia (Tilapia aurea) were studied in summer and winter, 1975. Stomach contents of all 3 species consisted predominantly of organic detritus, followed by green algae, blue-green algae and diatoms. Occurrence of planktonic foods corresponded closely with the composition of the plankton. Although food habits differed between season, they were closely correlated among species within season. Similarities in food habits of the 3 planktivorous species suggest potential food competition.

Main channel measurements of temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration are used to describe trout habitat in Bull Shoals Reservoir during August, September and October for 1963-1965 and 1969-1973. These months were chosen to show selected events preceding the October minimum of potential trout habitat. Watershed inflow to the reservoir, generation releases, and inflow from upstream Table Rock Dam were analyzed to determine correlations among these factors and minimum volume of potential trout habitat remaining in Bull Shoals Reservoir each year prior to recirculation. Rainfall is the governing influence over watershed inflow, Table Rock Dam inflow, and release from Bull shoals Dam. During 1973, 161.3 cm of rain fell on the watershed compared to an average of 106.7 cm; trout habitat in the hypolimnion of the reservoir was completely lost by mid-October.

Morphometric ratios of female striped bass (Marone saxatilis) X male white bass (M. chrysops) and female striped bass X male white perch (M. americana) that were best for distinguishing them from the parental species were: standard length/ body depth, head length/second anal spine length, head length/fourth dorsal spine length, standard length/fork length, fork length/total length, second anal spine length/third anal spine length and head length/upper jaw length. Ratios were generally intermediate between those of the parental species, but sometimes differed from those of either parent. Computer plots of ratios against standard length demonstrated that many changed as a function of fish length; thus care should be taken to utilize similar sized individuals when employing them for identification purposes. Plots of body measurements against standard length indicated most were linear, with the general exception of head depth, fourth dorsal spine length and the 3 anal spine lengths.

Production of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) fingerlings in eight 0.02-ha ponds aerated with continuously operated airlift pumps averaged 181,000 fish! ha. Ponds were initially fertilized with hay at either 560, 1120, or 2240 kg! ha and zooplankton blooms were maintained with hay and meat scrap fertilizers. The average daily application of organic fertilizers ranged from 32 to 82 kg! ha. Five-day-old fry were stocked at the rate of 250,000, 500,000, or I million! ha. Fry were supplementally fed a 45% protein diet 3 times per day after they were 22 days old. After 44 days in the pond the average weight and total length of the 49-day-old fingerlings were 0.5 g and 3.0 cm. Return per treatment averaged 116, 29, and 22% for the low, medium, and high stocking densities, respectively, and daily production averaged 2.1, 1.2, and 2.6 kg! ha. The airlift pumps maintained dissolved oxygen above 3 mg!1 when organic input averaged 62 kg! ha per day or less.

Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) were collected from Watts Bar Reservoir, Tennessee, in 1977 and 1978 to assess relationships between growth rates, survival, stocking density, and distribution patterns of stocked fingerlings. Survival and average sizes attained at ages I and 2 were inversely related to stocking density and directly related to size at stocking. Average lengths of age 3. and older fish were not related to stocking size, and the principal advantage of stocking large fingerlings was improved survival. Fingerlings stocked during June and July 1978 dispersed rapidly but tended to remain within the general area into which they had been introduced. During October and November 1978, electrofishing catch data indicated a preference for sandy shoreline habitats. Site-specific factors, such as the presence of preferred habitats, should be considered to enhance striped bass survival following stocking.

Spawning locations of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) were identified over a 118 km reach of the Arkansas River from the collection of 8,828 striped bass eggs during 1976-78. Although certain spawning locations remain constant from year to year others vary significantly within the 118 km stretch of river. Spawning began between 7 and 14 April when water temperature reached 15.5 to 18.5C and had a duration of 27 to 51 days. Spawning peaks occurred annually, generally within a few days from one year to the next. Water temperature, discharge, velocity, total dissolved solids, specific conductance, salinity, pH, alkalinity and dissolved oxygen were monitored, however, no relationship to egg production was found. However, salinity affected egg chorion diameters during the study. Chorion diameters of striped bass eggs in the Arkansas River (1.7 to 2.0 mm) were much smaller than previously reported for striped bass, due to high salinities arresting chorion expansion.

A creel survey was conducted on the lower Illinois River, Oklahoma, during 1977. Striped bass (Marone saxatilis) were also collected for food habit information and their relative abundance was noted. Striped bass predation on rainbow trout (Sa/rna gairdnen) occurred only at the downstream sampling site and only for the I-week period following trout stocking. Trout made up 40% of the food items of these striped bass within I week after trout stocking. The trout fishery of the lower Illinois River has declined in overall intensity since J965, particularly in the downstream reaches. However, the warm-water fishery, particularly for striped bass, has increased dramatically.

The fish population of Lake Columbia, a 36.42 ha Mississippi impoundment, was estimated by shoreline seining, mark and recapture, rotenone sampling and gill netting. The impoundment was then drained to evaluate results. Shoreline seining provided an excellent estimate of population balance. Mark and recapture oflargemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) gave a statistically valid estimate and was the only method to which statistics could be applied. Length-frequency data of bass from rotenone samples were stable and appear useful, although large bass were underestimated. Rotenone samples gave stable balance ratios, but standing crop varied greatly. Gill nets captured all major species and provided useful data on species not adequately represented in rotenone samples.

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were tagged on West Point Reservoir, Alabama-Georgia in 1976-1978 to estimate rates offishing. During the 3 years, several factors affecting these estimates were evaluated. Non-response by anglers who recovered non-reward tags was calculated to be 0.66; tag loss was estimated to occur at an average rate of 4% per week; tagging mortality and displacement offish while tagging did not appear to affect estimates of fishing mortality.

A SAS program was designed to compile and summarize data collected by rotenone sampling. The program is designed to accept data in a variety of forms, providing a statistical summary of number, weight and percentage composition for all species and also a separate summary for harvestable gamefish and! or forage fish. Options are available to calculate weights for fish collected on second and third day pickups with weight-length relationships established from first day fish for either individual fish or by size groups.

We examined the accuracy and application of sequential sampling to determine structure of fish stocks, using electrofishing data for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) as an example. Structure of the stock was categorized with the index of Proportional Stock Density (PSD), which is the percentage of quality-size fish in the stock. Minimum stock and quality sizes for largemouth bass were defined as 20 and 30 cm, respectively. Sequential sampling is based on data evaluation during collection. An average reduction in sample size of 42% is realized when populations are sampled sequentially rather than continuing to an endpoint (n= I00 fish), because sampling ends as soon as a decision is reached. Fish stocks can be categorized based on PSD, i.e. Oto 39%, 40 to 60%, or 61 to lOO%, or a point estimate of PSD with confidence limits can be calculated.

Culturability of snook (Centropomus undecimalis) was evaluated in laboratory studies during the summers of 1975-1977. This is the first report of snook being reared from artificially fertilized eggs. No snook survived longer than II days in the 1975 experiments, although about 50 and 250 were reared through metamorphosis and beyond in the experiments of 1976 and 1977, respectively. These snook were reared in closed saltwater rearing systems for 14-16 days, after which they were converted to fresh water and stocked in 0.01 ha ponds. In our studies, snook were not cannibalistic at sizes less than 20 mm TL; withstood low overnight dissolved oxygen concentrations of less than 1.0 ppm; and could be converted to fresh water at 15 days ofage. Snook 15 days and older are relatively hardy, and if procedures could be developed to rear them to this age in large numbers, culture of fingerling snook could become a routine matter.

In 2 trials during 1976-1979, juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellata) were reared to marketable size (454 g) in 0.08-ha, brackish-water ponds at the Claude Peteet MaricuIture Center. In Trial I, survivors from a nursery pond were stocked in 2 production ponds, fed a commercial feed, and harvested when 394 or 532 days old. Less than I% of drum from the first harvest were marketable, and yield was 787 kgl ha with 21O-g mean weight, 89% survival, and 2.8 feed conversion. Twenty-one percent from the second harvest were marketable, and yield was 1,062 kgl ha with 335-g mean weight, 75% survival, and 4.6 feed conversion, In Trial II, red drum from a second nursery pond were restocked in periodically drained production ponds, fed commercial feeds, then harvested when 715 days old. Standing crop of drum was 2,292 kg/ha during Trial II, and 33% of the drum were marketable at harvest.

In September 1974 the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission banned the use of plastic baits on trotlines because these baits were thought to be selective for small «500 mm) red drum (Sciaenops ocellata). The size of red drum landed by commercial fishermen before (1972-1974) and after (1974-1978) the ban was compared with the size of fish collected during Texas Parks and Wildlife Department trammel net surveys in order to determine whether the ban had any effect on either the commercial catch or fish availability. Fish landed by commercial fishermen were significantly larger after the ban then before; therefore, it appears that plastic baits are selective for small red drum and that the ban resulted in the desired effect. The larger red drum in the commercial landings as compared with trammel net caught fish may have resulted from such factors as fishing method (hook size and bait type), fishing location and / or culling.

Biomodal spawning peaks, as determined by the gonadosomatic index, were noted for the spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) in the Barataria Bay, Louisiana, system for 1976 and 1978. Males matured earlier in the season and at a smaller size than females. Males were found to have sound producing capabilities. Fish spawned throughout the bay regardless of water depth or substrate. Spawning seemed to occur in the northern portion of the bay later than in the southern portion. Photoperiod and temperature were the only exogenous factors found to have a direct relationship with spawning.

Depth distributi.on of tarpon (Megalops atlantica), pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), Atlantic Croaker (Micropogon undulatus), black drum (Pogonias cromis), and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) placed in cylindrical cages extending from the surface to the bottom of the thermal effluent of a steam-electric power plant was monitored daily using a depth locator. Temperature,conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and gas saturation levels were recorded immediately after recording the depth distribution data. Overall trends suggested that intraspecific interaction had an effect on fish distribution. Pinfish, black drum, and Atlantic croaker reacted to ambient light levels. Mean depth of pinfish, black drum, and striped mullet was shown to be significantly correlated with %-total gas saturation. Tarpon and black drum responded to temperature, croaker responded to conductivity, and striped mullet responded to %oxygen saturation.

Water quality and aquatic fauna associated with ditching systems dug in 1968 and in 1972 in an irregularly flooded marsh were studied. Salinity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, were determined monthly. Dissolved oxygen was lowest at the upper ends of the ditches. Organic matter seemed to have been built up at the upper ends ofthe ditches due to inadequate tidal flushing. Mats of submersed vegetation hindered tidal flow which reduced the flushing effectiveness of the tides. Water quality differences between the upper and lower portions of the ditches seemed to be physical rather titan biological. Organisms collected were typical estuarine species. There were no significant benefits from the ditches other than to control mosquitoes.

The influence of floating tire breakwaters on the ecology of coves was studied in Lake Carl Blackwell, a 1400-ha reservoir in north-central Oklahoma. Breakwaters, consisting of a single row of 18-tire modules, were installed across the mouths of 2 coves (8.5 and 9.8 ha). Wind, wave height, water temperature, transparency, suspended solids, turbidity, and sedimentation rate were measured during one 7-month period at windward and leeward sites in 2 experimental and 2 control coves. Populations of fish and benthic invertebrates were monitored in experimental and control coves for 2 years after construction of the breakwaters. At leeward sites, breakwaters reduced wave heights by 50%, increased transparency in both experimental coves and increased sedimentation rate in I cove. Slight differences in turbidity, suspended solids, and temperature between windward and leeward sides of the breakwaters were similar to differences between lakeward and shoreward areas of control coves.

Chain pickerel (Esox niger) in Lake Conway consumed progressively more fish with increase in size. A shift also occurred in size, species composition, and relative abundance of fish prey with chain pickerel size. An index of selection was applied to food habit data. There was an increase in number of species and an increase in size of species that were positively selected as chain pickerel size increased. Size, rather than abundance of forage fish was the dominant influence on prey selection.

The removal of a 381 mm minimum size limit on walleye in Glenville Reservoir, North Carolina did not significantly affect the mean calculated total length ofthose fishes at the first 3 annuli. However, a significant increase in calculated total length was determined at the fourth annulus. There were no significant changes in the mean calculated growth increments. Comparisons of net survey data collected before and after removal of the minimum size limit showed no change in the average catch of walleye per net-day. Also, there was no significant change in the mean total length and the mean age of walleye caught by anglers. The increased exploitation afforded by removal of the minimum size limit had no effect on the annual harvest of walleye and had a positive effect on the growth of older walleye.

Fish populations in the Neuse River, North Carolina, were studied near a steam electric plant which included a low-head dam as part of the installation. The purpose of the study was to describe the fish population of a moderate-sized upper coastal plain river, and to provide insight in to the distribution of fishes relative to the dam. Fish were collected by gill netting, fyke netting, electrofishing, seining, and trawling to examine the various species and sizes of fishes present. Sampling was conducted over a I-year period to include seasonal changes in the fish population. Fifty-two species offish were collected including several estuarine forms, although the study area was located at approximately river mile 140. Several species of anadromous fishes were collected, but of these, only American shad were abundant.

Eight species of bacteria, 8 genera of parasites, and I species of virus were found infecting rainbow trout (Salrno gairdnen), brown trout (S. trutta), brook trout (Salvelinus jontinalis) and yellow perch (Perca jlavescens) from 2 locations in the Chattahoochee River below Buford Dam. There were no clinical signs ofdiseases caused by these potentially pathogenic organisms. Microscopic lesions were present in some of the fish, and the gill was the organ most often affected. These lesions were probably caused by a chemical in the water, but it was not possible to identify the chemical with the results of this study. There were fewer lesions in the fish collected at the downstream station compared to the fish collected near the dam, possibly a result of higher dissolved oxygen concentrations downstream.

Three natural lakes were studies to determine effects of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella Val.) introduction on invertebrates. Benthic macroinvertebrate populations were changed after the introduction of grass carp changed the existing habitat in the 3 natural lakes. Species diversity (d), number of taxa and pollution-intolerant organisms decreased in all lakes after grass carp introduction. Macrophytes were also reduced in all study areas and several native species were eliminated. Changes in benthos corresponded to changes in water quality and aquatic vegetation.

Nutritional and physical properties of the diet, management, and environment affect voluntary food consumption by channel catfish (lctalurus punctatus). Laboratory studies in which channel catfish were fed twice daily to satiation with semipurified diets containing various ratios of protein and digestihle. energy indicated that food intake was directly proportional to calorie density in the diet but independent of protein density until the protein percentage exceeded 45. Protein levels above 45% caused reduced food intake. Pond experiments in which channel catfish were fed to satiation twice daily, once daily, or on alternate days demonstrated that fish fed twice daily consumed the most food when water temperature was 26 C or greater, those fed once daily consumed the most food at 20-26 C, and those fed on alternate days consumed the most food when temperature declined below 20 C.

From 20 May to 28 October 1978, 5 experimental fish ponds at Arkansas State University Fish Farm, Walcott, Arkansas, were utilized in determining the effects of cropping on channel catfish growth. Three ponds were used as experimental ponds and 2 as controls. Selected physiocochemical properties of the water were measured. With the exception of air and water temperatures, properties of the experimental ponds fluctuated more than the controls due to indirect effects of cropping. However, all values fell within acceptable ranges for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque) culture. Mean biweekly gains for the experimental and control fish were .065 and 0.63 kg respectively. Analysis of variance and t-test analysis indicated that at an innitial stocking density of 3720 fish per ha, cropping yielded no significant differences in growth rate or weight gain.

Three experimental ponds were stocked with a polyculture of channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). silver carp (Hypopthalmichthyes molit rix) , and bighead carp (Aristichthes nobilis). Three control ponds were stocked with catfish alone. In 2 of the 3 sets of ponds, there was little difference in catfish production (less than I and 10% by weight) while total production in the polyculture ponds far exceeded the controls with catfish alone. In the remaining set. catfish production was less in the polyculture pond but total production remained higher as a result of the additional growth of the silver and bighead carp. Lesser objectives were to refine artificial spawning methods and describe the difference in water quality resulting from the presence of the filter feeding Chinese carps. Successful hormone induced spawning techniques were developed and an improvement in pond water quality was noted.

Data were obtained on dissolved oxygen (DO) problems in 36 ponds used for the commercial production of channel catfish (lctalurus punctatus) in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. The frequency of DO concentrations below 2 mg/Iiter at dawn was greatest during summer when water temperatures were above 26C. On summer days, 20% or more of the ponds often had DO concentrations below 2 mgjliter at dawn. During the I54-day period, I May through I October, emergency aeration was employed a total of 410 times in the 36 ponds. During the summer, at least 1 pond was aerated most nights, and a maximum of 9 ponds was aerated on a single night. Findings suggest that at least I aeration unit should be available for each 4 ponds.

Ammonia is the primary nitrogen-containing waste product of fish. Under natural conditions, ammonia is converted first to nitrite and then to nitrate. Ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish at low levels, but nitrate is relatively non-toxic. Ammonia has a variety of toxic effects, including reduced growth rates, whereas nitrite primarily interfers with oxygen transport. The literature pertaining to toxic levels and effects of environmental ammonia and nitrite as well as experimental methods of inhibiting these toxicities are reviewed. Prevention of elevated pH for high ammonia conditions, and the addition of sodium chloride for elevated nitrite levels are suggested as possible inhibitors of these toxicities in channel catfish production.

Two .05 ha ponds were planted with water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis) corms in March 1978. After the waterchestnuts had sprouted the ponds were flooded in late March to an average depth of 15 em, and remained flooded until mid-October 1978. The ponds were drained and left dry until February 1979 when they were harvested. One pond had excellent production throughout, leading to an extrapolated level of 13,600 kg! ha. The other pond had good production only along the sides and in the shallow end due to high turbidity and unfavorably low soil pH. Production in the second pond was at the rate of 13,200 kg!ha. Production figures for intensive culture in China range from 17,000 to 34,500 kg! ha. The Chinese waterchestnut grows well in the southeastern United States and the necessary technology for mechanical harvesting and peeling have recently been developed.

Ultrasonic transmitters were surgically implanted into 50 sexually mature walleye Stizostedion vitreum vitreum (mean weight 1.9 kg) in Canton Reservoir during March 1977. The locations of these fish were determined bimontly from March through November 1977, as an indication of walleye concentration areas in the reservoir. Temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH profiles were also obtained bimonthly at 2 stations during this time. During the March spawning season walleye were all located near the riprap of the dam. The rest ofthe year the fish showed a preference for areas near submerged islands. There was also a tendency for the walleye to concentrate farther upstream along the perimeters of these islands as the year progressed. This apparent upstream movement by transmitter-equipped walleye may have been related to low dissolved oxygen concentrations near the bottom in the deeper portion of the reservoir during the summer months.

Effects of temperature on survival of peacock bass ( Cichla ocellaris) fingerlings were examined in the laboratory. Fish were acclimated to 25, 30 or 35 C prior to testing. The ultimate lower and upper lethal temperatures in freshwater were 15.6 and 37.9 C when the temperature change from acclimation was I C/ day. Salinity (10% 0) significantly reduced (P<0.05) the ultimate lower lethal temperature to 14.4 C. Acclimation temperature significantly affected the temperature at which peacock bass began losing equilibrium (LEso) and dying (CTMin) when fish were exposed to a I Cf h decrease. LEso's for the 35, 30 and 25 C acclimation temperatues were 18.9, 16.2 and 14.5 C, respectively. When fish were transferred abruptly from acclimation to 20,15 and 10 C, median resistance times were longer when there was less difference between acclimation and test temperatures.

the fish communities of the middle Savannah River and 2 cooling water intake canals connected to the river had equal species richness and were equally diverse. However, the relative abundance of functionally similar species groups differed between the localities. Sunfishes were more dominant in the canal communities. Suckers contribued 55% of the biomass in all 3 communities. Impingement was very low and spread over 32 species. Three species of c1upeids comprized 32% of the total number of fish impinged. The impingement of a number of species was disproportionate to their relative abundance in the intake canals

Threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) impingement at the Tennessee Valley Authority's Cumberland Steam-Electric Plant followed a seasonal pattern related to the abundance and length distribution of young-of-year fish. Electrofishing samples taken near the plant showed a similar pattern. The number ofimpinged fish (larger than 50 mm) decreased rapidly with increasing length due to reduction in abundance by natural mortality. Impingement mortality was found to be length dependent. Most individuals. less than 50 mm in length passed through the screens, while increasingly larger individuals were more likely to become impinged. Impinged fish less than 100 mm total length tended to be more plump than fish collected in rotenone samples, while impinged fish larger than 100 mm tended to be in poorer condition.

Seasonal abundance of larval fishes in Normandy Reservoir, Tennessee, was determined during the first 3 years (1976-1978) following impoundment. Relative abundance of major taxa collected with a 0.5 m frame net was compared with results of cove rotenone samples to measure year-class strength. Centrarchids dominated both larval and cove rotenone populations throughout the investigation. The strongest year class of crappie (Pomoxis spp.) was observed in 1976, even though greater larval abundance (5 times) was recorded in 1978. Threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) were stocked and subsequently spawned in 1977, but failed to survive the winter; gizzard shad (D. cepedianum) were the only clupeids collected in'1978.

The data from 3 years of ichthyoplankton sampling during the initial impoundment of Little Bear Creek Reservoir are presented. Trends of percentage composition and abundance are discussed by family and taxon. The Centrarchidae greatly outnumbered other families of fishes throughout the study, while c1upeids failed to become established. Strong year classes of Lepomis and Pomoxis were produced during the first year of impoundment. Relative failures of the second and third years are attributed to lack of spawning success in the case of Lepomis and predation in the case of Pomoxis. The ichthyoplankton data are compared to a preimpoundment adult survey and 3 years of concurrent postimpoundment rotenone surveys.

A cooperative study was conceived, organized and implemented by the Reservoir Committee and its member agencies, Southern Division, AFS. The Crooked Creek Bay (85 ha) of Barkley Reservoir was divided into various cove and open-water areas and treated with rotenone. Overall. 990 kg/ ha of fish were recovered.

Recovery rates were determined for marked fish released into 10 of 15 cove areas and 2 of 6 open water areas during the cove rotenone study at Crooked Creek Bay, an 85 ha arm of Barkley Lake, Kentucky. Fish were tagged with a F10y FD-68B dart tag and either released back into the same study area or introduced from an outside area. Of 986 fish tagged in the embayment, 89% were recaptured. Seventy-five percent of the marked fish were recovered in 9 cove areas, where marked fish were released back into the same cove section. Only 32% were recovered from a back-cove area in which marked fish were introduced from an open water area. Sixty percent were recovered outside this area, indicating a strong tendency for displaced fish to escape. Percentage escapement of marked fish from the other 9 cove areas was only 16%. Escapement increased in each cove section that was progressively farther from open water. Escapement also decreased as mean depth of coves increased.

Tire and brush fish attractors were sampled during the Barkley Lake Rotenone Study. Standing crop comparisons were made between tire and brush attractors and control areas. Channel catfish (lctalurus punctatus), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) were effectively concentrated by both types of attractors, although brush exceeded tires in concentrating all 4 species. Fish attractors were particularly effective in concentrating harvestable-sized fish.

Available prey-predator ratios (API P) in Crooked Creek Bay indicated a deficiency of prey for predators (largemouth bass equivalents) 200 mm long (total length) or less. Analysis of samples collected after the application of rotenone to small coves led to overestimates of available prey. Application of adjustment factors to account for differences in fish distribution in coves and in open water improved AP/ P estimates based on small-cove samples. After reviewing previous food studies, we redefined crappies longer than 210 mm and catfishes longer than 390 mm as predators. Revised AP/ P calculations then indicated no shortage of prey in the Bay. Comparison of these data with those from a 1965 study in Douglas Lake, Tennessee, showed that predators in Douglas Lake were more efficient in cropping available prey.

Estimates of the number of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) 153 mm and longer in Crooked Creek Bay made by mark-recapture techniques were compared with rotenone estimates. Electrofishing was used to collect bass for marking, while electrofishing and angling provided recaptures. Estimates obtained by Petersen and Schnabel methods generally were lower than rotenone estimates. Both methods estimated the number of intermediate-size bass more accurately than adult bass. Size distributions of bass captured by angling, electrofishing, and rotenone recovery showed no differences in the location of their central tendencies. All 3 sampling methods were selective for bass in the 293 to 368-mm size group. Electrofishing and rotenone also showed selectivity for 445 to 521-mm bass.