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Age and Growth of Largemouth Bass in a Thermally Altered Reservoir, as Determined from Otoliths
Author(s) -
Perry Lance G.,
Tranquilli John A.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
north american journal of fisheries management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.587
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1548-8675
pISSN - 0275-5947
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8659(1984)4<321:aagolb>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - micropterus , bass (fish) , otolith , fishery , hatching , biology , population , growing season , zoology , fish <actinopterygii> , environmental science , ecology , demography , sociology
Comparative growth rates of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from heated and ambient areas of Coffeen Lake, Illinois, were estimated by back calculation of lengths at annuli using transverse sections of otoliths and by recovery of marked fish after one growing season. Calculated lengths at otolith annuli were judged to be representative of the population growth, indicating that this technique was a reliable approach to obtaining growth information on largemouth bass from thermally affected environments. Growth of the Coffeen Lake population was more rapid than most other midwest populations. Fish recaptured in heated areas generally exhibited greater annual growth increments than those recaptured in ambient areas. Young largemouth bass (ages 1‐4) from heated areas had significantly greater (P < 0.05) mean lengths than those from ambient areas according to back‐calculated estimates. This was attributed to a longer growing season and earlier hatching time in thermally affected areas.