Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Spotted bass were propagated and stocked by the Missouri Deparbnent of Conservation into 16 northern and central Missouri streams to establish spotted bass fisheries. Until recently, spotted bass in Missouri, were confined to the southern half of Missouri primarily in the lower reaches of large streams. A review of spotted bass habitat requirements as detennined by earlier studies indicated that spotted bass might thrive in some ofthe northern Missouri streams which are too silty or turbid for the other black basses. Seining and electro-fishing were used to determine the degree of success of these introductions. As a result of stocking more than 28,000 spotted bass fingerlings (1.2-5.5 inches in length) during the years 1961 through 1968, spotted bass fisheries were established in Lamine and Loutre rivers and Perche and Silver Fork creeks in central Missouri.

Experimental gill nets were fished at sites with and without cages in which catfish were fed pelletoo feed in lakes Hartwell and Keowee, South Carolina, during 1972, 1973, and 1974. Native fishes were indentified, counted, and weighed. Of34 species captured in the two lakes the most numerous were threadfin and gizzard shad, carp, bullhead species, white bass. bluegill, and largemouth bass. Total numbers of fish caught in each lake were greater at cage sites than at control sites after stocking cages. and total weight of fish caught in Lake Keowee was greater at cage sites than at control sites after stocking the cages and for the overall experiment, but not before stocking.

Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, Lac. fingerlings were successfully grown in cylindrical cages made of a synthetic netting fabric. Diet was Oregon Moist Pellet or floating trout pellets fed ad lib. Feed conversions ranged from 1.31 to 5.19 for 16 cage replications included in four trials. One trial was in the fall months when water temperature averaged 14. 7°C. Another was during the fall and winter (144 days) when average water temperature was 12.8°C. The other two were done in the slimmer at an average water temperature of about 27°C. Survival was 83.7 percent or higher for all lots except two where side effects from a disease treatment caused mortality. Response of the test animals to the cage environment was comparable with what had been observed in rearing this size bass on artificial feed in small earthen ponds. Cage design was satisfactory and the method shows promise for specialized use in bass culture.

Hybrid (blue lctalurus furcatus x channel l. punctatus) channel catfish were grown separately at 3000/acre in 0.1-acre ponds for a growth period of 220 days. The average net yield was 3,752 pounds/acre for the hybrid catfish and 3,262 pounds/acre for the channel catfish. This difference was significant (P<0.0l with the hybrid catfish averaging 13.5 percent more pounds/acre than the channel catfish. When the two fish were compared in other commercially important aspects, the hybrid catfish was captured more easily by seining, more uniform in size, and had greater dress·out percentage. The channel catfish was slightly lower in fat and moisture percentage. No significant diflerence (P<0.05) was noted between the two catfishes in survival or protein percentage.

Channel catfish were cultured alone, and in combination with Tilapia aurea, Israeli carp, and hybrid huffalofish in O.l-acre earthen ponds. Studies were conducted on the stomach contents ofthese species in May, July. and October. During the study the stomachs of 243 channel catfish, 17 adult hybrid buffalofish, 85 fingerling hybrid buffalofish, 157 tilapia, and 7 Israeli carp were examined. Supplemental feed comprised 87% ofthe channel catfish diet. 58% in the tilapia, 42% in the adult hybrid buffalofish, 56% in the hybrid bulfalofish fingerlings, and87% in the Israeli carp. Net yields ofchannel catfish were reduced with the polyculture combinations used.

Polyculture studies were conducted in coastal brackish ponds evaluating buffalo (Ictiobus spp.) and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) combinations. The 1973 and 1974 southwest Louisiana studies demonstrated feeding to be necessary, without it, buffalo were found to compete with catfish for natural foods. Bigmouth buffalo (I. cyprinellus), black buffalo (I. niger) and bigmouth x black hybrid buffalo when stocked at 100 per acre with 1,600 and 2,000 catfish did not compete to any extent for supplemental feed. Addition of buffalo in some ponds actually resulted in increased catfish production. Results showed average buffalo production ranged up to 300 pounds per acre in addition to catfish production. The stocking of buffalo will supplement incomes where the demand for this fish is high.

The feasibility of raising rainbow trout with Dver·wintering channel catfish in 0.04 ha (0.1 acre) ponds was examined. Three treatments with three replications were used; (1) 200 rainbow trout fed three percent offish weight per day, (2) 100rainbow trout and 75 charmel catfish fed three percent of trout weight per day, (3) 100 rainbow trout and 75 channel catfish not fed. Trout grown alone showed slightly higher gains than those grown with catfish and receiving feed. and were statistically significant (P<.05). Both trout and catfish not fed showed statistically significantly less gain than those receiving feed and the trout significantly lower survival than trout receiving feed. Catfish receiving feed showed a mean gain of 117 g. Trout receiving feed demonstrated a mean gain of 217 g. in the 131 days of the study.

This study was designed to obtain population estimates of largemouth bass in 703-acre Forrest Lake, Missollri, and also to compare population estimates obtained using electrofishing and tournament angling as recapture methods. A total of 283 electroshocked bass was marked with floy tags during September 30--October 4, 1974. Recaptures obtained during a two-day (October 12-13, 1974) bass fishing tournament yielded a population estimate of 1,203 bass over 250mm (10 in) in total length. During October 15-17, 1974. bass were resarnpled by electrofishine resulting in a population estimate of 1,032 bass over 250mm in length.

We estimated populations of largemouth bass (Micropter salmoides) 12 inches tong or longer in total length by mark and recapture, using angling tournament catches on 28,200-acre Beaver Lake in 1974, and tournament catches and a supplemental creel census on 45,440-acre Bull Shoals Lake in 1975. Population estimates were 55,450 in Beaver Lake and 30,800 in Bull Shoals Lake. These estimates were in good agreement with those based on mark-recapture samples taken each spring by electrofishing near shore, and were correlated with harvest when applied to the lower reaches ofeach lake. Lakewide estimates ofanglers' catches indicated that the largemouth bass populations may have been 2-2.5 times larger than those based on tournament catches in hoth lakes. Probable sources of bias in these estimates include nonrandomization of marks and recaptures, and an exceptionally high tag return during the 1-month creel census on Bull Shoals Lake.

Largemouth bass caught by fishermen during the March, 1975 B.A.5.S. fishing tournament on Toledo Bend Reservoir were tagged and released from a central site to measure dispersal and recapture rate. Dispersal of bass durining the four months following the tournamament ranged between 0 and .5 miles. The majority of the recaptured fish (93.6 percent) were caught within 2 miles of the release site. A total of 16.7 percent of the released fish was caught by fishermen during the study period. Suggestions are given concerning utilization of tournament caught bass in fish tagging programs in large impoundments.

A mark-recapture study used in conjunction with a roving creel survey utilizing non-uniform probability sampling was conducted in two 1,000 acre study areas on Lake Okeechobee. In one study area, 472 largemouth bass 216mm and greater total length were tagged and released prior to the creel survey. In the other study area, 201 largemouth bass 241mm and greater total length were tagged and released prior to the creel survey. Of 48 total recaptures from both years, only two fish had moved outside the creel survey area. Both surveys indicated under-utilization of bass less than 356mm total length, and over-exploitation of bass 356mm and greater.

The age and growth of 454 smallmouth bass, 371 largemouth bass, and 119 spotted bass were determined. When compared to other bodies of water smallmouth bass growth was exceptional, while largemouth bass and spotted bass growth was relatively slow. Distinct sexual differences in growth were not shown; however, sexual differences in longevity and survival were noted. Length-weight relations were calculated for each species and sex from 506 smallmouth bass, 414 largemollth bass, and 134 spotted hass specimens. Differences by species and sex were noted in the calculated length-weight relations.

The fish population of Lake Jackson was sampled over a three year period. The standing crop estimate was 971bs. 11 oz. per acre with largemouth bass comprising 36.7% of this total. Evidence is presented indicating the possibility oran overcrowded bass population. A (Tee) survey, conducted during: the last year of the study, documented intense fishing pressure and high harvest in Lake Jackson. Largemouth bass comprised an unusually high proportion of the effort (71.6%) and harvest (41.5%), with one trophy bass (8Ibs.> landed for each 13 acres of lake surface.

The activity of 10, 25, and 50-mm juvenile striped bass exposed to water velocities ranging from static to 27 cm/sec was analyzed to determine mobility, feeding response, positional orientation, and group interaction. Increased water velocity reduced the area traveled per unit time. Presence of food also reduced the area traveled. Rheotaxis, the orientation of a swimming fish with respect to the direction of stream flow, was variable at low velocities. At water velocities of 15 and 27 cm/sec positive rheotaxis occurred frequently, while lateral and negative rheotaxis were infrequently observed. Distance between fish, a measure of group interaction, decreased with increasing water velocity and also decreased with the addition of food.

Striped bass were stocked in the Choctawhatchee River System from 1968-1975. Abundance restllts are reported for seines, trawls, and gill nets. Striped bass accounted for 1.75% and 1.44% of the number and weight, respectively, of all fishes caught in 36 months of gill netting. The mean catch of striped bass in trawls was .070 fish per tow and in seines .094 fish per haul. Condition, growth rates, and stomach contents were similar to those reported in other studies.

Lake of the Ozarks, a 60,000 acre reservoir built in 1931 by the Union Electric Company in west-central Missouri, was chosen for an introduction of striped bass since it offered the best chance for establishing a naturally perpetuating fishery in Missouri. Fingerling striped bass were reared and stocked each year from 1967 to 1974 with the exception of1972. The effects of these introductions upon the existing fishery were monitored by a creel census conducted from March to November, 1967-1973. Fishing pressure in the two census areas ofthe lake ranged from 35.5 to 63. 7 hours per acre in the Niangua Arm and from 10.4 to 25.9 hours per acre in the Osage Arm. The average number of fishing trips per acre per year was 18.5 for the Niangua Arm and 5.4 for the Osage Arm.

Previously reported meristics, made from small specimens of these fishes, were found to be inadequate for positive indentification; therefore, new methods and means of measurement were investigated. Measurements were taken from 214 white bass Marone chrysops (Raflnesque), 224 striped bass Marone saxatilis (Walbaum), and 204 hybrids (striped bass xwhite bass) from six upstate South Carolina reservoirs. The fish were from numerous year classes and both sexes. Specimens ranged in length from 127mm. to 889mm. and weighed from 23 grams to 8,172 grams. Fork length body depth and body depth head length ratios plus type of tooth patches on tongue indicate positive means of identification.

Age and growth, mortality and population structure of white bass from Beaver Reservoir were studied. The number of scale radii increased with age of fish and were useful in the identification of annuli. Growth histories for year classes 1958-1970 showed increased growth during the reservoir formation. Analysis of growth data by the von Bertalanffy growth formula indicated that the postimpoundment white bass attained larger asymptotic lengths than the preimpoundment fish. The factors influencing the asymptotic size were discussed. The population structure revealed that the Beaver Reservoir white bass population was of a declining population with a dominance of older age groups. On the basis of this study, it was recommended that catch limit on white bass be removed and effective January 1974, by the action of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, there has been no catch limit on white bass in Beaver Reservoir.

A recreational fishery for semitropical reef fishes has developed over the past 12 years off the North Carolina and South Carolina coasts. About 30 headboats fishing from coastal cities transport anglers to the fishing grounds daily for a fee. The faster vessels regularly fish selected locations on the edge of the Continental Shelf 40 to 50 miles offshore while the slower ones fish coral patches and rocky outcroppings closer inshore. A large part of the catch is composed of four species of grouper: scamp, Mycteroperca phenax; gag, Myderoperca microlepis; speckled hind, Epinephelus drummondhayi; and snowy grouper, Epinephelus nil)catus. Catch and effort statistics indicak that these species can become quickly depleted from fishing sites hy continued heavy fishing pressure. Their alulndance on fishing sites in the area has generally remained high, however, because vessel captains try to spread fishing effort in order not to deplete anyone site.

Various aspects of the life history of spotted seatrout in Georgia were studied. Females comprised 63.2 per cent and males 36.8 per cent of all fish examined. Spotted seatrout moved from the shallow waters of the estuaries to deeper waters in the creeks and rivers during periods ofhigh and low water temperature. Spawning occurred in the shallow waters in all sectors of the eshlaries including the beaches near inlets. Food items found in the stomachs of spotted seatrout consisted of 53.9 per cent fish, 44.9 per cent shrimp and 0.8 per cent squid.

A total of 122,700 acres ofleased oyster bottoms were adversely affected by the flood waters of 1973; this represented 68 percent of the leased oyster grounds in Louisiana. Additionally, much orthe public natural "Oyster Seed Grounds" were subjected to unusually low salinities, siltation, and vegetation overburden; this resulted in loss of a portion of the 1973 seed oyster crop.

Blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, stocked in cages at two different densities both with and without artificial habitats were compared for growth and survival in a power plant discharge canal and in a pond. Survival was higher for crabs in the pond but growth was significantly greater for those in the discharge canal. Artificial habitats increased survival of crabs cultured in the discharge canal but had no effect on those caged in the pond. In the laboratory no significant differences were found in weight, carapace width, or survival of crabs selected at random in regards to molting cycle and placed in individual molting chambers at 30 C and ambient temperatures (21-29 C). In 35 days the greatest increases in carapace width for individual crabs were 52, 33 and 14% for small, juvenile and sub-adult crabs, respectively. Crabs, all sizes pooled, molted earlier at 30 C than at ambient temperatures (22.2 vs 25.0 days to first molt).