Assessing Black Bass Populations In Five Study Pools Of The Ohio River
Stacy M. Xenakis, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Hebron, OH 43025; (740) 928-7034 Ext226; FAX (740) 928-6039; stacy.xenakis@dnr.state.oh.us
Douglas T. Henley, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Frankfort, KY 40601
Les D. Frankland, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Fairfield, IL 62837
Christopher J. O'Bara, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Parkersburg, WV 26101
Scott A. Schell, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Athens, OH 45701
Tom C. Stefanavage, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Winslow, IN 47598
Angling success for black bass (largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides,
smallmouth bass, M. dolomieu, and spotted bass, M. punctulatus) is historically
variable on the Ohio River. However, reduced catch rates in recent years have
prompted states bordering the Ohio River, the Ohio River Fisheries Management
Team (ORFMT), to cooperatively implement a black bass management plan. As an
initial step, the Ohio Division of Wildlife piloted a study on Belleville Pool
to develop procedures for assessing black bass populations. Fifty-two sites were
sampled annually using shoreline electrofishing. Belleville Pool was
characterized by low densities of largemouth bass (2.0-15.3 fish/hr), smallmouth
bass (2.5-7 fish/hr), and spotted bass (1-9 fish/hr), but with good growth and
condition.
The ORFMT initiated a standardized sampling protocol to assess populations in
four additional study pools (Hannibal Pool, Meldahl Pool, Cannelton Pool, and
Smithland Pool) during 2001-2003. Habitat differences from the upper to the
lower pools of the river, (i.e., temperature, gradient, flow, substrate, and
backwater areas), influence species composition, owing to greater catches of
smallmouth bass in the upper pools, in contrast to greater catches of largemouth
and spotted bass in the lower pools. Growth and condition have remained
consistently high riverwide. Smithland Pool black bass grow as fast as Hannibal
Pool black bass with all three species reaching 12 inches during their third
growing year. Despite stratification of sample sites and substantial sampling
effort, catch-per-effort (cpe) was extremely variable among sites (estimates +56
- 216% (?=0.20) of the means). Age-0 cpe was generally low (0.27 - 30.13
fish/hour) throughout the river, although it varied among pools and across
years. Initial data suggests that lack of quality habitat for reproduction may
limit black bass reproductive success and population size.