Effects of Catch-and-Release Angling on Egg Densities in Largemouth Bass Nests

Authors

Tyler Robinson

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Predation during early life stages of Centrarchidae offspring are a major cause of decreased reproductive success. For five-weeks Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides defend their broods from invaders such as Yellow Perch Perca flavescens and Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus. The focus of this study was to determine if predation upon Largemouth Bass broods increased as removal time from the nest via catch-and-release angling increased. Sampling was conducted on the Whitefish Chain, MN from 7 May - 7 June 2016, where a total of 29 nests were located and sampled. Three treatment groups were used; immediate catch-and-release, three-minute, and a seven- minute hold, along with a control group where no angling was performed. Median egg density and interquartile range (IQR) for each treatment are as follows: Control (8.20, IQR = 3.20 – 8.26), C&R (6.20, IQR = 4.32 – 7.44), 3-Min (1.88, IQR = 0.83 – 10.04), and 7-Min (2.40, IQR = 1.34 – 5.18). The best supported model including treatment group, predation, nest depth and total length, explained 55% of the variation in egg density. Egg densities decreased as total length of Largemouth Bass increased (R2 = 0.17, P = 0.03). Predation appeared to occur heavily when Largemouth Bass nests were in neighboring areas to the nests of Bluegill, and less frequently when another Largemouth Bass was nearby.

Publication Date

2017

Comments

Faculty sponsor: Dr. Andrew Hafs, Department of Biology, Aquatic Biology Program

Recommended Citation

Robinson, Tyler, "Effects of Catch-and-Release Angling on Egg Densities in Largemouth Bass Nests" (2017). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 34.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/34