Use of external Indicators to Evaluate Stress of Largemouth (Micropterus salmoides) and Smallmouth (M. dolomieu) Bass at Tournaments

Abstract

Abstract:The popularity of catch and release tournaments targeting largemouth (Micropterus salmoides) and smallmouth (M. dolomieu) bass has continued to increase over the past few decades. In 2008, Lake Champlain hosted 95 tournaments, including several large-scale events hosted in Plattsburgh, NY. As in any catch-and-release fishery, released fish exhibit varying amounts and types of stress, potentially generating sub-lethal population-level impacts. Due to the large volume of fish that move through catch and release tournaments, blood chemistry analysis is generally outside of the temporal and financial constraints of tournament organizers. External indicators of stress can be used to determine stress levels in large numbers of fish. We adapted some of these indicators (e.g., wounding, response to stimuli) from research in marine and commercial fisheries to assess fish stress following weigh-in at Plattsburgh-based catch and release tournaments. Additionally, we collected data including fish measurements, lake temperature, fish capture locations, and information on tournament handling practices to determine which external factors influenced fish stress levels. Generalized linear models showed increased likelihood of elevated stress levels as a positive function of ambient lake temperature, fish size, and livewell transport distance. Comparison of results with existing research on bass stress are consistent with our models, indicating that external signs of stress can be used to evaluate black bass stress levels at catch-and-release tournaments.

Black Bass Dispersal Patterns Following Catch‐and‐Release Tournaments on Lake Champlain

“…The best fitting models of posttournament survival indicated that Smallmouth Bass had lower survival rates than Largemouth Bass, which is consistent with noted differences in temperature, oxygen, and transportation tolerances between Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass (Gilliland et al 2002). Smallmouth Bass are more sensitive to rapid fluctuations in temperature than Largemouth Bass; therefore, it is expected that they would experience lower survival following tournaments, given the extreme fluctuations in temperature and oxygen that fish can be exposed to during these events (Siepker et al 2007;Maynard et al 2013).…”

“…Catch-and-release tournaments have the potential to move large numbers of fish that may or may not be able to return to their original home ranges following displacement. A typical catch-and-release tournament involves anglers capturing fish in designated areas of a waterbody and returning them to a central point for scoring (weigh-in), resulting in displacement of individual fish (Wilde 2003) over distances sometimes exceeding 100 km on large (>750 km 2 ) lakes (Maynard et al 2013). The process of angling, transporting, weighing-in, and releasing fish has negative impacts on their health and survival (Gustaveson et al 1991;Gilliland et al 2002;Suski et al 2004) that can be exacerbated at high water temperatures (Gingerich et al 2007; Thompson et al 2008).…”

Unexplained Variation in Movement by Walleye and Sauger after Catch‐and‐Release Angling Tournaments

“…; Maynard et al. ). However, these features of fish and their habitats have not been studied in relation to postrelease movements by Walleyes.…”

“…For example, Smallmouth Bass M. dolomieu disperse farther than Largemouth Bass (Wilde ; Maynard et al. ) and require a shorter recovery period after release (Hanson et al. ).…”

“…Fish size may also influence postrelease behavior; for example, larger fish are more difficult to catch, store, and transport and therefore may experience higher levels of stress (Meals and Miranda ; Maynard et al. ). Larger fish may be more active after CAR in some species (e.g., Klefoth et al.…”