Diel habitat selection of largemouth bass following woody structure installation in Table Rock Lake, Missouri

Abstract

Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède) use of installed habitat structure was evaluated in a large Midwestern USA reservoir to determine whether or not these structures were used in similar proportion to natural habitats. Seventy largemouth bass (>380 mm total length) were surgically implanted with radio transmitters and a subset was relocated monthly during day and night for one year. The top habitat selection models (based on Akaike's information criterion) suggest largemouth bass select 2–4 m depths during night and 4–7 m during day, whereas littoral structure selection was similar across diel periods. Largemouth bass selected boat docks at twice the rate of other structures. Installed woody structure was selected at similar rates to naturally occurring complex woody structure, whereas both were selected at a higher rate than simple woody structure. The results suggest the addition of woody structure may concentrate largemouth bass and mitigate the loss of woody habitat in a large reservoir.

Seasonal selection of habitat by Spotted Bass and Shorthead Redhorse in a regulated river in the Midwest, USA

“…Spotted Bass and Shorthead Redhorse tagged in the Osage River experienced rates of transmitter expulsion and mortality comparable to other studies (Harris et al, 2018; Paukert & Willis, 2004; Quist & Spiegel, 2012; Reid, 2009). Although considered a habitat generalist (Kansas Fishes Committee, 2014), Spotted Bass selected similar habitat characteristics (i.e., water depth, cover) throughout the year.…”

“…We measured depth, mean water column velocity, distance to nearest bank, and presence or absence of submerged cover at each fish location and three randomly selected locations representing available habitat (Harris, Paukert, Bush, Allen, & Siepker, 2018). Available habitat may change quickly on the Osage River due to flow fluctuations; therefore, we measured used and available habitats within an hour of locating each fish.…”

“…We applied Bayesian analysis to discrete choice models to determine seasonal habitat selection of Shorthead Redhorse and Spotted Bass using methods that were similar to resource selection assessments performed in Bonnot et al (2011) and Harris et al (2018). In our study, available habitat was defined as three microhabitat locations measured in proximity to the fish location, which collectively represented a “choice set.” We assumed that the fish had no a priori knowledge of available habitat and, therefore, choice sets contained habitat that an individual could have sampled within an hour of being located and within 100 m of the used location.…”

Use of Natural and Added Cover Types by Game and Nongame Fishes in a Great Plains River

“…The fish are attracted to added wood that has high levels of complexity similar to natural wood (Harris et al. ); thus, adding structures with many interstitial spaces may be especially beneficial in enhancing habitat for small‐bodied fishes. This idea is supported by our finding of much higher densities of small fish in natural versus added wood patches in our study system.…”

“…By contrast, the added wood patches we FISH USE OF NATURAL AND ADDED COVER TYPES sampled were relatively simplistic structures with limited interstitial spaces for small-bodied fishes. The fish are attracted to added wood that has high levels of complexity similar to natural wood (Harris et al 2018); thus, adding structures with many interstitial spaces may be especially beneficial in enhancing habitat for small-bodied fishes. This idea is supported by our finding of much higher densities of small fish in natural versus added wood patches in our study system.…”