Movements of displaced largemouth bass in two indiana natural lakes

Abstract

Movements of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides that were displaced within and between two inter-connected natural lakes in Indiana were monitored to determine if they would return to their capture locations. Nine largemouth bass were captured by angling and electro fishing at Lake Wawasee and surgically fitted with ultrasonic transmitters. Five bass (experimentals) were then displaced 3.1–8.1 km downstream into Syracuse Lake. For comparison, four bass (controls) were released in Lake Wawasee, two displaced (2.4 and 3.6 km) and two released at their capture sites. Locations of bass were determined over a 15-month period. Only one experimental bass returned to Lake Wawasee and the area where it was captured. One experimental bass was removed from the channel between the lakes by an angler, another bass failed to return and either died or shed its transmitter in Syracuse Lake, and two experimental bass were last located within Syracuse Lake before contact was lost. The two control bass displaced within Lake Wawasee returned to their capture areas, while the two control bass released at their capture sites remained in those vicinities and moved shorter distances than displaced fish. Experimental fish were tracked during 11–348 d, compared to 77–452 d for control fish, possibly reflecting greater survival of the latter. The results of this study should encourage largemouth bass tournament organizers and fishery managers to adopt measures to reduce inter-lake displacement of angler-caught fish. © 2002 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.