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Alabama
Game and Fish Division
- Natural Reproduction of Striped Bass and Their
Food Habits in The Upper Coosa Drainage
Stephen M. Smith, District
Fisheries Biologist, Alabama Game and Fish, P. O. Box 158,
Eastaboga, AL 36260, (256) 831-6860, e-mail: ssmithd2@@email.com
In Weiss Lake, Alabama, striped bass are feeding
predominately on shad Dorosoma sp. Of 2,699 prey items from
335 striped bass stomachs, 93.4% (2,522) were shad. The numbers of
sport fish that were consumed were negligible. Sport fish were
represented as crappie, Pomoxis sp., and bluegill, Lepomis
machrochirus. There were 6 crappie identified (0.22%) and 5
bluegill (0.18%). There is evidence that Atlantic-strain striped
bass are naturally reproducing in the upper Coosa River and
migrating downriver into Weiss, Neely Henry, Logan Martin, Lay,
and Jordan reservoirs, and probably to the Alabama River. Natural
reproduction could have been occurring as early as 1988. No
correlation
- Lake Eufaula Update
Mike Newman, Fisheries
Supervisor, Ken Weathers, District Fisheries Biologist, P. O. Box
310292, Enterprise, AL 36331-0292, (334) 347-9467, e-mail:
fisheries@entercomp.com
The cyclic nature of largemouth bass in Lake
Eufaula has generally been attributed to the cyclic nature of the
shad, both gizzard and threadfin.
Gizzard and threadfin shad have been included as
target species in spring electrofishing surveys for Lake Eufaula
since 1986. However, this sampling technique did not provide
adequate information to address population trends for YOY shad.
Surface trawl net sampling was initiated the summer of 1995 and
has been incorporated in the standardized sampling regime for Lake
Eufaula. Trawl net samples revealed very low densities of juvenile
threadfin shad in 1997 (0.013 fish/cu, meter), while small gizzard
shad were completely absent. Fall '97 and spring '98
electrofishing indicated very poor growth for young largemouth
bass. However, trawl net sampling during August 1998 found that
juvenile shad numbers had rebounded. Trawl net samples found
concentrations of threadfin shad juveniles at 0.477 fish/cu,
meter, while gizzard shad juveniles were 0.004 fish/cu, meter.
This was the highest density of juvenile shad observed since 1995.
The fall electrofishing in 1998 indicated a very strong year class
of the largemouth bass. Some YOY bass exceeded 10 inches in the
fall sampling. The Eufaula largemouth bass population seems to be
in the upswing once again.
Eufaula Reservoir is a 45,180 acres
hypereutrophic Chattahoochee River impoundment on the Alabama
Georgia border. It has a retention time of 44 days. A 16"
minimum length limit on largemouth bass was implemented in July
1992.
- Seasonal Distribution and Movement of Striped
Bass in Lewis Smith Reservoir, Alabama
Jerry L. Moss, Fisheries Supervisor, Alabama
Game and Fish, P. O. Box 305, Northport, AL 35476, (205) 339-5716,
e-mail jmoss.dbtech.net
Gulf strain of striped bass (STB-G) fingerlings
were introduced into Lewis Smith Reservoir in 1983 to establish a
source of STB-G brood fish for Alabama and other southeastern
states and provide anglers with a high quality sport fishery.
Little is known about their distribution and seasonal movements.
Striped bass typically prefer open water areas of the reservoir
and are generally very difficult to sample using traditional
collection equipment. Movement patterns appear to change during
early spring when fish move into staging or holding areas as water
temperatures approach 60 F. The Gulf race of striped bass has been
proposed as a candidate for special status because of declining
stocks and their unique genetic qualities. Due to its uncertain
status and potential value as a brood fish, we will conduct a
long-term study to monitor the movement and seasonal distribution
of STB-G in Lewis Smith Reservoir.
Objective: To monitor the seasonal distribution
and movement of STB-G in Lewis Smith Reservoir beginning in
FY2000.
Expected Results: Information gathered during
this study will be used by Alabama Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources personnel to help manage STB-G populations in
Lewis Smith Reservoir and provide seasonal distribution and
movement trends that will assist in brood collection efforts.
Approach: During the initial phase of the
project, Striped bass will be captured using modified longlines
similar to those used for brood fish collection work. Fish (10
fish tagged/year, for 3 years) will be measured, weighed, sexed,
and surgically implanted with an ultrasonic tag which will allow
investigators to track movement, determine position and record
water temperature. Fish will be tracked on a biweekly or monthly
schedule depending upon individual movement patterns. Positions
will be stored in GPS memory and downloaded into desktop computers
to plot position on stored electronic maps for accurate and
reliable positioning. The data gathered from this study will be
analyzed and lead to better management of striped bass in Lewis
Smith Reservoir and provide managers with information on seasonal
distribution which will aid in brood fish collection activities
during spring months.
- Bass Length Limit Evaluations
Demopolis Reservoir
Jay Haffner, District Fisheries
Biologist, Alabama Game and Fish, P. O. Box 305, Northport, AL
35476, (205) 339-5716, e-mail jbhaffner@juno.com
Demopolis Reservoir is a 10,00 acres eutrophic
impoundment formed at the junction of the Black Warrior and
Tombigbee rivers in west Alabama. It had a retention time of 3
days. A 356 mm minimum length limit on all black bass was
implemented on October 1, 1995. Based on our electrofishing
surveys, the CPH of preferred-size bass and the percent of bass
> 356 mm in the 1998 collection increased slightly over the
average of 5 years of pre-length limit data. The RSD of quality,
preferred, and memorable-sized fish rose in the 1998 collection,
compared to the average of 5 years of pre-length limit data.
However in the 1998 collection, the CPH of bass _> 300 mm did
not change and the CPH of bass > 381 mm fell slightly compared
to the 1995 collection. RSD values rose substantially for quality,
preferred, and memorable-size fish between 1995 and 1998. The
catch rates of bass by bass anglers have not changed. Wr values
have either rose slightly or remained constant. Bass less than 356
mm are growing slower than they had previously, and their growth
rates are below the state average. Since the length limit was
implemented, bass anglers are weighing in fewer fish at
tournaments, but the average pounds of bass weighed-in by anglers
has only dropped slightly (5.6 %).
Harris Reservoir
Stephen M. Smith, District
Fisheries Biologist, Alabama Game and Fish, P. O. Box 158,
Eastaboga, AL 36260, (256) 831-6860, e-mail ssmithd2@@email.com
Harris Reservoir is a 10,661 acres mesoeutrophic
Tallapoosa River impoundment in east Alabama. It had a retention
time of 92 days. A 13 - 16' slot limit on all black bass was
implemented on October 1, 1993. Harris is a relatively new
reservoir (impounded in 1982). Florida bass were stocked in 1983
and threadfin shad in 1986. In 1984, a 14' minimum length limit on
all black bass was implemented. It was removed in 1986. The bass
population had become crowded. Trophy bass were caught in the
early 1990's (a 16 lbs. 2oz. bass in 1993). Nearby impoundments
had fish consumption advisories, Harris has a protected,
well-forested watershed, boating access improved, big bass were
being caught, and anglers began flocking to Harris.
Bass growth rates were good, Wr values were
poor, small bass were abundant, but few bass >= 300 mm, or
older than age 3, were present in eleclTofishin8 surveys. The
CPI-I of RSD-P bass was lousy. Creel survey information suggested
that bass harvest rates were high and relatively few fish were
being released.
To date, the CPH of bass within the slot has
increased significantly, CPH below the slot have fallen
significantly, but the CHH of fish above the slot has not changed
significantly. Growth has slowed significantly for 2 to 4 year old
bass. Wr values have declined for fish within slot. Angler's catch
rates have remained similar to previous creels. Bass harvest is
.06/hour. The forage base has remained similar to prior
collections.
- Early Life History Of Crappies In Three
Alabama Impoundments
Russell A. Dubuc and Dennis R.
DeVries, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, 203
Swingle Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849-5419, 334/844-9322, FAX
334/844-9208; rdubuc@acesag.auburn.edu, ddevries@acesag.auburn.edu
Black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus and
white crappie P. annularis often experience dramatic
variation in year-class strength, making their management
difficult. We sought to identify factors influencing age-0 crappie
in an effort to better understand their variable recruitment.
Toward this end we quantified adult crappie fecundity, zooplankton
abundance, growth and survival of larval and postlarval crappie,
and weather and hydrologic factors within three lakes of varying
trophic state hypereutrophic Lake Weiss, eutrophic Jones Bluff
Lake, and mesotrophic Lake Martin. Reproductive crappie in Martin
were older, but had lower relative weight (Wr), and lower mean
gonadosomatic index (GSI) values than in the other lakes. In
Weiss, crappie were youngest and shortest, but had the highest GSI
and Wr values. Jones Bluff crappie were longest, but lowest in Wr
and intermediate in age and GSI. While both GSI and fecundity were
positively correlated with lake productivity, larval crappie
density was either unrelated to or inversely related to GSI.
Although collected larvae were of similar age and size, larval
growth and survival both appeared to be positively correlated with
lake productivity. Juvenile crappie in Jones Bluff grew fastest.
These results suggest that recruitment may not be limited by adult
spawning potential and there may exist a bottleneck during crappie
early life stages in less productive lakes. Gear comparisons
indicated that bottom trawling and electrofishing were not viable
methods for sampling YOY crappie in our lakes, and a neuston net,
although effective for capturing age-0 individuals of several
species, was only useful for collecting crappie in shallow areas.
Trap nets remained the most effective gear for estimating age-0
crappie abundances in the fall, and an experimental small mesh
trap net proved effective in capturing smaller fish including
age-0 crappie.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission – Mark Oliver, 151 Hwy 201 N,
Mtn. Home, AR 72653;
Mloliver@agfc.state.ar.us
- Lake Ouachita Creel Survey (Contact Stuart Wooldridge, District Fisheries
Biologist, AGFC, 870-525-8606)
Through a cooperative agreement the AR Game and Fish
Commission and the US Fish & Wildlife Service, angling use and harvest of Lake
Ouachita was evaluated September 1, 1994 through August 31, 1997 by creel survey. The
total cost of the creel survey was $129,172.
A total of 420 aerial counts were made. There 3,478 angler interviews conducted at
fixed access points. Counts and angler interviews were daytime only.
Results: Angler Effort
Mean annual daylight fishing effort for the survey was estimated at 636,814 hours,
120,154 angler days, or 39.3 angler-hours/ha. Mean annual spearfishing effort (7,548
hours) amounted to 1.2 % of total fishing effort. About 76 % of spearfishing effort
occurred during June, July, and August. About 49 % of hook-and-line effort occurred from
March-May. Mean angler-hours per hectare for hook-and-line and spearfishing effort 38.87
and 0.47 respectively. Just over 61 % of total anglers targeted black basses.
Fishing pressure declined during the study from 54.9 hours/ha during the 1st
year, to 36.4 the 2nd year, to 27.6 the 3rd .
Results: Catch
A 13-16 inch slot limit was imposed on LMB’s on Jan. 1, 1994 on Lake
Ouachita.
There is no length limit on spotted bass.
During the survey, anglers released 85 % of their catch. Of the 140,958 LMB's released
annually 53% (74,018) were within the slot. The other 47% (66,940) were released
voluntarily. Spotted bass were released at a rate of 57%: striped bass, 34%; and crappie,
19%. Mean annual catch was 25.246 fish per hectare for surface anglers and 0.163 fish/ha
for speargunners.
Black basses were the most pursued fish, striped bass were second, and crappie were
third. Over 11,000 striped bass averaging 4.77 kg each were harvested annually.
- Modeling 3 Harvest Restrictions on LMB of Lake Hamilton Chris Horton,
Reservoir Fisheries Management Biologist, AGFC, 501-676-6906.
A total of 453 LMB were
collected by electrofishing Lake Hamilton (7,200 acres) in fall, 1998. Otoliths from 215
of these were aged. A length-age key was developed for unaged fish. After all fish were
assigned an age, an average length-at-age and weight-at-age were calculated for the
modeling process.
Constants from the von Bertalanffy growth equation and weight:length (W=aLb)
were estimated using FISHPARM. Estimates of total annual mortality were obtained using a
weighted catch curve. Fishing mortality was estimated from a 1992-93 creel survey
conducted on Lake Hamilton. Total angler harvest (kgs) was divided by total biomass
estimates of LMB > 9" for the year of the survey. Total lake estimates of LMB >
9" was extrapolated form 1992 cove rotenone samples.
MOCPOP was used to model the response of L. Hamilton LMB to the effects of a
13-16" slot; 15" minimum length limit, and no restrictive regulations. The
different harvest restriction models were compared for the given exploitation and natural
mortality estimates available. Recruitment of age 1 was arbitrarily set at a constant 100
fish/year and modeled over a 300-year period to simulate long-term average recruitment.
Results: Age Analysis
Age |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
Mean Length |
9.8" |
12.2" |
13.4" |
14.8" |
15.9 |
15.9 |
18.2 |
Average length-at-age for L. Hamilton LMB showed an average growth rate
to age-2. Following age-2 the growth rate appeared to decline. LMB were not reaching the
MLL of 15" until age-4. The longest fish, 18.7" was 7 years old. An interesting
note is that some age-0 fish were reaching 8", which is exceptionally good growth.
Catch curve analysis revealed a total annual mortality rate of 55%. Creel survey data
estimated and angler exploitation rate of 12%. Conditional fishing mortality and natural
fishing mortality estimates were 16% and 46%, respectively.
The results of the population modeling revealed that harvest restrictions have a
minimal impact on the LMB fishery in L. Hamilton. The 15" MLL had the lowest yield
and catch of the 3 harvest restrictions modeled. No harvest restrictions gave the highest
yield and catch, with the 13-16" slot limit in-between.
- Saugeye Stocking Evaluation: Gillham Lake Drew Wilson, District Fisheries
Biologist, AGFC, 870-777-5580
Approximately 25,000 1 ½" saugeye have been stocked
in Gillham Lake for the last 5 years in May each year in an effort to control/convert
yellow bass. All stocked year-classes have been collected in the lake. There is, however,
no evidence that the saugeye are controlling or even impacting the yellow bass. Saugeye
have also migrated below the dam (draft tube) and are being caught by anglers. Gillham is
a 13,060 acre lake in SW AR.
- Millwood Lake LMB Regulations Drew Wilson, District Fisheries Biologist,
AGFC, 870-777-5580
In response to a continuing decline in adult LMB in Millwood Lake, a
16-inch MLL was imposed in 1991 along with a reduced daily possession limit (from 10 to
3). The decline in bass production has been attributed to sediment deposition within the
lake and the resulting decline in habitat quality. Millwood is difficult to sample
effectively. It is a shallow, stumpy 30,000-acre lake that was impounded in 1967. A 4-foot
drawdown dries up 10,000 acres. However, an annual bass tournament (the Four States) of
anglers familiar with the lake was tracked. In 1998, the tournament was 30 years old.
Before the regulation change, when 40-fish limits were legal, 40-pound stringers were
winning the tournament. Currently, 2-day 12-fish limits of over 40 pounds are being
weighed in. In 1990, anglers weighed-in the equivalent of 14 limits under the current
regulations with 65 teams participating. In 1998, anglers weighed in 7 limits.
- Beaver Lake Handicapped-Accessible Fishing Pier Ralph Fourt, District
Fisheries Biologist, AGFC, 501-631-6005
In 1998, in partnership with the Annual Miller
Big Bass Tournament on Beaver Lake in NW AR, AGFC helped construct an adjustable
handicapped-accessible fishing pier. Beaver Lake is an Ozark COE flood control/hydropower
reservoir with annual fluctuations of about 20 feet. The pier can be moved up and down
along a 300-foot sloping sidewalk/ramp. The pier cost approximately $80,000 to construct
and has been very popular.
- Adjustable Courtesy Dock Program Mark Oliver, District Fisheries
Biologist, AGFC, 870-425-7577.
In partnership with fishing clubs, AGFC has constructed
and installed adjustable courtesy docks on Bull Shoals, Greers Ferry, Norfork, and Table
Rock lakes. These docks are built of channel iron to fit individual boat launch ramps. The
docks are 5 feet wide and 40 feet long. Treated lumber is used for the deck. Tires and
rubber speed bump material are used along the edge to cushion boats. They are designed to
be pushed in or pulled out by a 4-wheel drive vehicle as lake levels change. The docks are
maintained by volunteers. Twenty-five of the docks have been installed in Arkansas and one
in Missouri. They cost $3,500 to $4,000 to construct. The program is very popular but has
consumed COE and AGFC maintenance time during periods of rapidly changing lake levels.
Overall, official volunteers and non-official ones have done an excellent job of adjusting
the docks in a timely manner. None have had to be removed because of negligence.
- AGFC Boat Accesses on COE Reservoirs Mark Oliver
In recent years, AGFC
has constructed 11 public boating access areas on COE reservoirs in Arkansas. Most of
these projects have been constructed in cooperation with county governments.
- Walleye Stocking Evaluation Mark Zurbrick, Fisheries Management Biologist,
MO Dept. of Conservation, 417-256-7161
In 1991, in a cooperative research effort between
MDC and AGFC, approximately 64,000 walleye fingerlings were tagged with coded wire tags
and released into the Missouri headwaters of Norfork Lake. Subsequently, these fish were
sampled annually after they matured. The tagged fish composed about 36% of the 1991
year-class in the lake with most recoveries occurring in the headwaters/river above the
lake and a few from the spawning areas around the dam. In 1997, another 60,000 were tagged
and stocked in the Arkansas portion of the reservoir near the dam spawning area. The same
genetic stock was used. Some of the 1997 fish will have matured this year and a joint
sampling schedule has been prepared. Tag recoveries will help assess dispersal of tagged
fish, percent contribution to the walleye population, and possibly answer questions
regarding genetic predisposition.
South
Carolina Department of Natural Resources - Dick
Christie South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Scott
Lamprecht - South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
LMB Virus
- This virus was detected in the Saluda River
Reservoirs. Occurrence Of stricken individuals in August was
significant enough to have generated several public inquiries.
Collections of 5 moribund individuals were made over several days
in Lake Greenwood. This virus has now been documented in at least
five other southeastern States.
Santee-Cooper
- While hydrilla was brought under control with
grass carp in 1996, sprigs can be found around the system without
much difficulty. During the summer of 1998, ½ acre exclosures
filled up with hydrilla indicating an abundance of viable tubers.
Grass carp are affecting vegetation considered to be very low on
their preference list. A USACOE WES study has demonstrated the
expected drop in growth and condition of the remaining grass Carp
and indicated an increase in annual mortality to 33% (up from 15).
There is no plan to re-stock grass carp this year.
- A fishery for exceptionally large Redear sunfish
has developed at the downstream end of the Diversion Canal,
connecting Lakes Marion and Moultrie. The fishery began after 4 or
5 years of system wide hydrilla infestation and continues on 2
years after hydrilla collapse. Winter stomach analysis indicates
high utilization of Viviparid snails and to a lesser extent
Corbiculla clams. A new state record was set during the spring of
97, again during the summer of 98, and again in November 98. This
most recent State record was also a new world record (5lb, 7.5
oz.). This fish would have been 9 years old this coming spring.
- Tetracycline marked largemouth bass fingerlings
were experimentally stocked in selected areas in response to
public concerns over a decline in the bass population following
hydrilla collapse. Rather than dump stocking the fish at boat
landings, the fingerlings were carried by boat in oxygenated
hauling tanks to what was judged to be appropriate habitat. 1998
was a good year for largemouth bass all Over the system and as you
might expect fall electrofishing samples could show no difference
between stocked and control areas. Mark detection has yet to be
completed. The fastest growing YOY were over 11" in October.
The system experienced exceptionally high springtime water
conditions. * Striped bass recruitment to a winter size of
11-13" was also exceptional high. The catch of these 0+ fish
in winter gillnet samples was twice the previous high and around 8
times the 20 year average. * Experimental white bass stocking
continues, but returns to date have been minimal.
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