Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

1981

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

Abstract

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of five different stocking combinations and differences in climatic and morphological conditions within South Dakota on initial growth and survival of the largemouth bass (Micropertus salmoides). Forage species stocked with bass included gold shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), black bullhead (Ictalurus melas), and bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus). Bass only stocking was also evaluated. First eyar survival values for 16 eastern South Dakota ponds ranged from 1 to 100%, with a mean of 50.2%. Bass exhibited poorest survival when stocked with black bullheads. Analysis of variance indicated no significant difference (P>.05) in first year bass growth due to the different forage options stocked. Differences in first year bass growth were significant due to geographic region of the state stocked, however. First year bass growth rates in 34 ponds ranged from 101.0 to 196.5 mm with a mean of 153.2 mm. Second year growth of bass calculated from fish sampled in September 1980 averaged 275.7 mm for eight southeastern South Dakota ponds. Index of relative weight (Wr) was computed to determine bass condition. Calculated Wr values ranged from 100.1 to 134.6, with an average for 34 ponds of 113.6. No significant differences were observed among quadrats or combinations. Stepwise multiple regression of selected chemical, physical, and biological parameters indicated that the number of growing days, turbidity, presence/absence of fathead minnows, and salinity were important factors influencing first year bass growth in this study.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Largemouth bass
Fish ponds -- South Dakota
Fish stocking -- South Dakota

Description

Includes bibliographical references (pages 42-47)

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

73

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-NC/1.0/

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