Premium
White Crappie Summer Movements and Habitat Use in Delaware Reservoir, Ohio
Author(s) -
Markham James L.,
Johnson David L.,
Petering Raymond W.
Publication year - 1991
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 - 10.1577/1548-8675(1991)011<0504:wcsmah>2.3.co;2
Subject(s) - dusk , daytime , home range , geography , habitat , hydrology (agriculture) , environmental science , ecology , zoology , biology , geology , atmospheric sciences , geotechnical engineering
Adult white crappies Pomoxis annularis were radio‐tagged to determine summer movement patterns and habitat preferences in Delaware Reservoir, a 532‐hectare flood control reservoir in central Ohio. Movements of 29 white crappies (271–352 mm total length) increased at dusk, peaked at night, declined at dawn, and remained low throughout the day. Day and night movements averaged 17 and 47 m/h in 1988 and 9 and 28 m/h in 1989, respectively. Movement was significantly greater ( P ≤ 0.05) between 2200 and 0200 hours than it was for all time periods between 0600 and 2000 hours in 1988 and between 0800 and 2200 hours in 1989. Peak movements occurred when measurable light intensity approached zero. Greater movements also occurred during times of high barometric pressure and during times of little change in barometric pressure. Transmitter signal strength, calibrated to estimate fish depth, indicated that white crappies were generally deeper during the day (5.4 m) than at night (4.3 m). Ten high‐use areas were mapped. Features common to all areas included a relatively steep bottom gradient (6–22°) and the presence of structure in the form of tree stumps, logs, and large rocks. The fish were usually located over steep bottom gradients. The median daytime home range was 0.63 hectares in 1988 and 0.49 hectares in 1989; the nighttime home range was 1.25 hectares in 1989, significantly larger ( P = 0.002) than the day home range that year. Day and night movements revolved around a central location. Crappie anglers frequently fish in shallow areas during the day when fish are least active and have relocated in deeper water over steep slopes. Improving summertime angling may require marking favorable white crappie areas to attract fishermen, as well as enhancing available habitat with structures to increase fish densities.