managementbrief-stripedbassadventures.docVIP

Management Brief: Striped Bass Predation on Bass and Crappie Prepared by Brett Hobbs- Dist. 8 (Hot Springs) Ralph Fourt Ron Moore- Dist. 1 (Rogers) Striped bass are a open water species preferring the deep portions of our reservoirs. Reservoirs capable of sustaining a healthy striped bass population must have sufficient thermal refuge areas for the striped bass to survive high summer water temperatures. The striped bass also must have access to a plentiful forage base of threadfin and gizzard shad or other closely related species (alewife or herring). Landlocked striped bass have been found to be very sensitive to temperature variations within stocked waters and will sacrifice food requirements to remain in areas with cool water during the summer months (Moss, 2001). Ever since their introduction into inland lakes, striped bass have been suspected of preying directly on popular sportfish. In response to this concern, numerous food habit studies have been conducted in several Southeastern reservoirs. Repeatedly these studies indicate striped bass are extremely unlikely to eat black basses (Miranda, et al. 1998). A nine-year study (Nash, et al. 1987) dealt with the establishment of a striped bass population in Lake Wateree, South Carolina. Largemouth bass growth, abundance, and condition were not detrimentally affected by the striped bass. The largemouth bass length-weight relationship did not change after striped bass were introduced. During a Lake Texoma study (Harper Namminga, 1986) it was determined after establishment of a striped bass population, changes in the abundance of several other species, including black basses and crappies, appeared to be the result of periodic strong year classes of those species. Also, striped bass predation did affect the size distribution of the gizzard shad population but had no apparent influence on native predator or prey species other than shad. Another Lake Texoma analysis of striped bass interaction with black bass