Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Albino and Donnal channel catfish, lctalurus puncta/us (Rafinesque), were stocked in suspended cages in a pond at densities of 11.1, 13.9 and 16.7 fish per ft3, respectively, with two replications of each. There wefe no apparent growth or sucvival differences between the albino and normal channel catfish. Mean gain/fash and mean gain/cage/day were significantly different (P 0.01) between the two higher stocking densities with both types of fish. These data indicate that a standing crop of about 15 Ib per ft of cage is the maximum which can be grown in still water ponds.

Macrophyte standing crop (primarily Eleocharis and Utricularia) was reduced nearly 90% in two catfish ponds after introduction of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Abundant vegetation remained in 1-m2 exclosures placed in the ponds as controls. The stocking ratio of grass carp (live weight) to macrophyte standing crop (dry weight) that resulted in vegetation control within 1 year was 0.15 in the pond is which the fish were fed pelleted food and 0.06 in the pond in which the flsh were not fed. Scattering of feed over the entire pond rather than conflning it to a few locations may have discouraged grass carp from feeding on pellets and contributed to the success of vegetation control.

Fifty male and 106 female largemouth bass were injected with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) during the 1972 and 1973 spawning seasons. Milt production was increased or maintained in 80% of the males tested. and 63% of the females ovulated. Females with spent or immature gonads did not noticeably respond to HeG injections. Females tested during the latter half of both spawning seasons demonstrated lower percentages of successful ovulations and reduced numbers of eggs per ovulation. Ninety percent of the ovulated females required only one injection, whereas nearly half of the females that resorbed their eggs required two injections before resorption could be determined. Results indicate that some females can be ovulated twice or three times with multiple injections, but that the success rate is too low to enable practical application. Most females ovulated within 48 hours of injection.

Grass carp (Clenopharyngodon idel/a) were stocked into a 3.6-ha Georgia pond devoid of vegetation to simulate conditions that might occurr in a pond where grass carp have eliminated the macrophytes. The flSh were readily captured by hook-and-line fishing. The stomachs of 417 grass carp contained primarily terrestrial macrophytes; no fish or fish eggs were found. Many of the grass carp examined weighed less than when they were stocked.

Life history data were collected from Suwannee River and Okefenokee Swamp warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) from 19 July 1968 through 28 June 1973. Suwannee River warmouth became sexually mature in the third year of life. while warmouth from the Okefenokee Swamp became sexually mature in the second year of life. Collection of fecund warmouth suggested that the nesting season extended from April to late July or early August and that peak spawning generally occurred in early May. Fecundity estimates varied from 3,029 to 22,850 ova per female and generally increased with fish length. The average total lengths of Suwannee River warmouth at ages I through VIII were 52, 73, lOS, 132, 158, 177, 189, and 214 mm, respectively. Okefenokee Swamp warmouth were 54, 90,127,154,179,179, and 190 mm at ages I through VII, respectively. The length-weight relationship of Suwannee River warmouth was log W=-5.4996+ 3.3726 Log L.

Life history data were collected from redbreast sunfish. Lepomis Quritus (Linnaeus). in the Satilla River between 1 July 1970 and 30 June 1973, Spawning was observed in the Little Satilla River during May and June at water temperatures from 22.2°-24.4°C. Strong site preference was evident. Nests were associated with fallen trees, stumps. or logs. The average nest diameter was 93.5 em and the preferred substrate was sand. Sex ratio was I male to 1.49 females. Fecundity estimates ranged from 322 to 9206 ova per female around a mean of 3302 ova. Fecundity increased with both length and weight. Average calculated total lengths at annulus I through VII were 59, 90, 125. 153. 181, 205, and 222 mm, respectively. The length-weight relationship of all redbreast examined was log W=-5.2810+3.2368 log L (r=.9759). Redbreast from the upper river were heavier per given length than specimens from the lower river.

An important element of the ichthyofauna of warmwater streams of the southeastern United States, the redbreast sunfish is the dominant species of the lower Suwannee and lower Santa Fe Rivers in Florida. Insects formed the bulk of the diet of both populations though opportunistic feeding is suggested by the wide variety of organisms tak.en. Spawning occurs from April through October, with a peak in late spring and summer. Fecundity ranged from 942 to 9968 ova per fish. Mean condition factor (K) was higher for Santa Fe redbreasts than for Suwannee specimens. Lengthwweight relationships for Santa Fe fish were log W =-4.20+2.89 (logL) and logW =-4.06+2.81 (IogL).

The food habits and growth of 1,062 largemouth bass. Microplerus salmoides (Lacepede), collected from Lake Blackshear during the period 31 March 1970-19 December 1972 were examined. Mean lengths of bass at Age I, II, III, IV, and V were 106, 253, 350, 418, and 473 mm total length, respectively. Young-od-year and yearling bass showed great variation in growth rates. Threadfin shad, Dorosoma petenense (Gunther). and gizzard shad. Dorosoma cepedianum (leSueur). were identified as the most important forage species to bass beginning their piscivorous feeding habits. The great variation in growth of young-of-year bass resulted from the timing of bass reproduction with respect to shad spawning activity. A specific goal and methods for managing largemouth bass are recommended for Lake Blackshear.

A stratified, random survey was conducted from I August 1970through 31 July 1971 at the 15 public access points on the unimpounded riverine flowing portions of the Mountain Fork River in McCurtain County, Oklahoma. The purpose of the study was to compare fisherman expenditures and capitalized resource values in the portions of the river above and below Broken Bow Reservoir, a flood control and hydroelectric impoundment. Of the estimated 16,485 fishermen who spent $156,864, 8,403 fishennen above the reservoir spent 76,757 and 8,082 fishermen below the resevoir spent $80,107. The difference was not statistically significant. Estimated expenditures at the various access sites ranged from $238 to $49,322. Mean expenditure per man-day was $9.52 for the entire river and ranged from $3.60 to $24.84 at different sites.

This study evaluated the effects of discharges from three southeastern trout hatcheries on the benthic organisms and fish in the receiving streams. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service hatcheries were at Suches, Georgia; Walhalla, South Carolina; and Brevard, North Carolina. Although effects differed somewhat for each hatchery, the numbers and kinds of both benthos and fish generally increased immediately downstream from the hatchery outfalls. Pollution intolerant benthic organisms were not lost from the fauna below the hatchery outfalls. No detrimental changes in the fish communities were apparent.

A 4.3 km section of Waters Creek in LumpkinCounty. Georgia. was managed for trophy trout with supplemental feeding under restrictive regulations. including 22 inch minimum size. Complete creel data for 3 years reveal a mean daily pressure of 31.9 anglers, and an annual mean catch rate of 0.18-0.24 fish/hr. Total anglers decreased 13.5% and total hours increased 18.0% 1972-1973. Trip length increased from 3.1 to 4.7 he 1972-1974. An analysis of variance of catch rate means provided evidence of differences in catch rates with total daily effort. The mean catch rate of 0.51 fish/ hr at 26-50 hr daily effort was significantly higher than catch rates at higher pressure. The cumulative frequency distribution of trophy catch rates was influenced by initial stockings. The mean standing crop (44.7 kg/hal between feeding points and high density of sub-legal fish at feeding points indicate that natural recruitment may sustain the fishery.

A trend in the stocking procedure of trout in tailwaters has developed as an outcome of increasing fishing pressure. Fingerling stocking of trout was initially recommended in tailwaters where an adequate food supply was available. and predation by predatory fish was not considered a problem. Eventually, fishing pressure increased and the fingerling trout were harvested before reaching a desirable size necessary to maintain a quality put-grow-and-take fishery. Consequently. stocking of larger catchablesize trout was resorted to; this procedure resulted in a quality put-and-take fishery. Several basic concepts pertaining to the development of trout fisheries in tailwaters were conceived after intensive investigation. The fishing pressure and harvest must first be known in order to stock trout at a proper rate and at the proper time to sustain a quality fishery.

Mean depth of capture of the white crappie in horizontal, bottom set gill nets in Arbuckle Reservoir in 1973 was not statistically different from that in this reservoir in 1974, or from that in Eufaula Reservoir (determined by collection in vertical gill nets) in 1968. The white crappie depth distribution was generally similar in these two reservoirs, and there was a seasonal cycle of distribution related primarily to changes in temperature and dissolved oxygen. Lake Arbuckle was acutely stratified by midsummer of both years, Stratification in this reservoir appeared to force white crappie into the thermocline but anoxic conditions excluded them from the hypolimnion. In Eufaula Reservoir, white crappie were distributed deeper when surface temperatures increased but their depth distribution was not limited by anoxic water. White crappie were found nearer the surface in the fall when surface water cooled.

A basic activity of freshwater recreational fisheries management agencies is forecasting societal demand for fisheries resources and producing the necessary supply. Today, potential consumption often exceeds the supply of fisheries of the desired quality. A primary means for enhancing contemporary fisheries management may be to regulate angler consumption. Operations research techniques are well suited for handling the complexities involved with planning multiple action policies for regulating angler consumption. PISCES is a computer simulator of the recreational fisheries management system of Tennessee, but is adaptable for use in any state. The purpose of PISCES is to aid in planning fisheries management decision policies at the macro level. PISCES generates predictions of how fisheries management agency activities will affect angler consumption for a fiscal year.

Barbour County Public Fishing Lake (75 acres) was stocked with approximately 500 channel catfish per acre in combination with the normal stocking rates of largemouth bass, bluegill, and redear sunfish. The lake was supplementally fed on one side only, in addition to receiving a regular fertilization program. At the end of one year of fishing, 305.5 fishermen per acre had harvested 621.8 pounds of fish per acre. Of this total, bluegill comprised 381 pounds per acre. There was no stgnificant difference between the weights of bluegill collected from the fed and non-fed areas. There was a significant difference between the weights of bluegill collected shortly after the feeding program was inititated and bluegill collected 14 months later. Bluegill from Barbour County Public Fishing Lake were significantly heavier for a given length as compared to bluegill from three public lakes.

Golden shiner fry (0.18-0.21 g) were raised in 6O-gallon tanks for a period of six months under constant temperature and photoperiod but varying stocking densities and protein levels in food. The stocking densities and protein levels were 20, 28, and 36 fish per tank, and 28, 33, and 38% protein. All the fish were fed at 5% of body weight. Growth in weight and production were evaJuated in relation to stocking densities and protein levels. It was found that a density of 20 fish/60 gallons (100,000 fry per acre) and feed containing 33% protein were desirable for raising golden shiner.

The sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus). an estuarine fish of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, is suitable for both partial chronic and chronic (egg-lo-egg) bioassays. The fish is easily held at high population densities in the laboratory and. at about 30 C, produces numerous eggs. The average 3o-day survival of the fish from fertile egg to fry is 75%. Generation time for this species is short (3-4 months) and its small adult size (male average standard Iength=48mm) provides for relatively inexpensive bioassays. This killifish's susceptibility to organochlorine toxicants is similar to that of other estuarine fishes tested and thus should produce significant infonnation on the effects of these toxicants on the estuarine community.

Two years after pollution abatement, faunal communities in the North Fork Holston River below Saltville, Virginia. remain in a perturbed condition. The num ber of fish species is increasing at the lower downstream stations, but show little change immediately downstream of Saltville. Two species which occur regularly above Saltville were not taken at any downstream station during this study. The abundance and diversity of aquatic insects at downstream stations are extremely variable. but are generally less below Saltville than they are upstream. Populations of mussels have not been successful in recolonizing downstream areas. Water quality parameters fall within acceptable ranges for healthy aquatic communities, but an analysis of river sediments documents the existence of high mercury concentrations. The relatively slow rate of natural recovery processes can probably be attributed to the continuing input of toxic materials from the abandoned waste lagoons.

A study was conducted to determine the accuracy and validity of age determination methods for largemouth bass. Micropterus salmoides, and channel catfish, lcralurus punctatus, in central Texas farm ponds. Each pond selected for this study had been stocked only once with largemouth bass and/or channel catfish. Ages of fishes collected ranged from one through fouf years of age at the time of collection. Fish ages determined by the aging methods were compared to fish ages established by stocking dates. Overall accuracy of age determinations made by these methods was 94% for largemouth bass and 77% for channel catfish. Accuracy of aging generally decreased as tishes became older. Indefinite annuli and supernumerary marks were found on the scales of the largemouth bass and on the tin spines of the Channel catfish, but a majority of these marks could be correctly identified.

Biological studies in the main channels of the lower Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers below Cairo. Illinois. were summarized and reviewed with regard to their scope, methodology. and salient findings. The study area has received much less attention than the reach above Cairo, but 67 references were found to contain at least some direct mention of lower Mississippi/Atchafalaya River biota. Fishes are the best-known and most extensively studied organisms. although few intensive, standardized studies were found. The plankton community has received the most intensive study, largely through the National Water Quality Network program. Benthic invertebrates, commercial crustaceans, and aufwuchs are the least-known organisms, although certain recent studies have revealed general community/substrate associations.

Canada Geese were released on Rockefeller Refuge in Louisiana in 1960 in hopes of establishing a resident, non-migratory flock. One nest was constructed in 1961; however, the Dumber of nests increased each year and by 1973, 265 nests were located on the refuge. The geese became acclimated to the warmer southern temperatures and adjusted their nesting season accordingly. They tended to nest earlier in the year with succeeding nesting seasons. The earliest nesting date on the refuge was February 19, 1968. Parent geese were allowed to incubate the majority of the nests; however. eggs were confiscated from 187 nests and placed in an artificial incubator in an attempt to increase production. Approximately 48.5 percent of the eggs naturally incubated hatched, whereas, only 26.8 percent of those artificially incubated hatched. The greatest loss of eggs incubated by parent geese was attributed to infertility and embryonic death.

A study was made of the aquatic ecosystem of two national waterfowl refuges in Mississippi todeterrnine if there are significant environmental differences between the two refuges which might be correlated with evident differences in wood duck (Aix sponsa) productivity. Standing crops of seeds and plants used by waterfowl were measured. soil and water quality analyses were made, and phytoplankton concentrations were determined. Various aquatic plant communities were sampled to determine the abundance and species of macroinvertebrates.

During the winter 1972-73, 1,000 Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescemp were captured and color-marked at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Louisiana and 592 at Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Texas to determine the distribution patternsand flock integrity. Over 450 subsequent observations of the marked geese on the wintering grounds showed that Snow Geese move considerable distances during the wintering season; most birds dispersed from the capture sites in an east-west direction. Geese from Sabine NWR were observed over an east-west belt 267 miles wide and the Anahuac geese over a belt 183 miles wide. No significant difference was observed between the movements of geese marked early in the winter and those marked late; also. the mean distances that geese had dispersed after a given period of time were similar for both refuges. Snow Geese did not show strong flock integrity; instead. they frequently moved from one area to another.

A telemetric study was conducted on immature alligators (Alligator mississipiensis) on Rockefeller Refuge from 27 March, 1973 through SMarch, 1974. Thirty alligators, 17 females and 13 males. were captured, tagged. marked for identification, and outfitted with color-eoded neck-collar radio transmitters. Adirectional receiving unit was used to follow their daily movement. The size of the animals ranged from 3'6-1/4" to 5'10-3/4". Minimum home range sizes, daily activity patterns, and habitat preferences were determined for the alligators under investigation. Readings taken during the winter dormancy period indicated that immature alligators were considerably more active during cold periods than were adult alligators.

A telemetric study was conducted on immature alligators (Alligator mississipiensis) on Rockefeller Refuge from 27 March, 1973 through SMarch, 1974. Thirty alligators, 17 females and 13 males. were captured, tagged. marked for identification, and outfitted with color-eoded neck-collar radio transmitters. Adirectional receiving unit was used to follow their daily movement. The size of the animals ranged from 3'6-1/4" to 5'10-3/4". Minimum home range sizes, daily activity patterns, and habitat preferences were determined for the alligators under investigation. Readings taken during the winter dormancy period indicated that immature alligators were considerably more active during cold periods than were adult alligators.