White bass population demographics in a northwestern South Dakota reservoir

Abstract

The white bass (Morone chrysops) is an important sport fish species in the upper Midwest. As such, understanding white bass dynamics is critical for managing its populations. Thus, we evaluated population dynamics of white bass in a northwestern South Dakota reservoir and attempted to determine whether bass recruitment patterns were more related to reservoir inflows or spring weather patterns. We found that white bass growth increased from 243 mm for age-2 fish, to 322 mm for age-6 fish, and then to 346 mm at age 9. The total annual mortality rate was 29.7%. In terms of year-class strength, white bass recruitment was erratic. The recruitment pattern was more related to spring weather patterns than reservoir inflow. In comparison, white bass population dynamics in this South Dakota irrigation reservoir were more similar to those of white bass populations in Midwestern glacial lakes than those found in southern US reservoirs.

Environmental factors regulating the recruitment of walleye Sander vitreus and white bass Morone chrysops in irrigation reservoirs

“…In another study, 71% of age-0 white perch died at 2.5°C versus only 11% at 4.0°C, a finding linked to the white perch remaining active but not feeding at 2.5°C, maintaining their basal metabolic rate while reducing their energy intake leading to a net energy deficit (Johnson & Evans 1991). Other abiotic factors have been related to white bass recruitment, including spring precipitation and air temperature in eastern South Dakota glacial lakes (Pope et al 1997), spring air temperature in a north-western South Dakota reservoir (Phelps et al 2011) and spring inflow in Kansas reservoirs (Quist et al 2002;Schultz et al 2002). Other abiotic factors have been related to white bass recruitment, including spring precipitation and air temperature in eastern South Dakota glacial lakes (Pope et al 1997), spring air temperature in a north-western South Dakota reservoir (Phelps et al 2011) and spring inflow in Kansas reservoirs (Quist et al 2002;Schultz et al 2002).…”

“…Size-dependent overwinter mortality was also a factor; smaller white perch (Johnson & Evans 1991) and smaller striped bass Morone saxatilis (Hurst & Conover 1998;Sutton & Ney 2001) died before larger conspecifics of the same cohort. Other abiotic factors have been related to white bass recruitment, including spring precipitation and air temperature in eastern South Dakota glacial lakes (Pope et al 1997), spring air temperature in a north-western South Dakota reservoir (Phelps et al 2011) and spring inflow in Kansas reservoirs (Quist et al 2002;Schultz et al 2002).…”

Factors influencing recruitment of walleye and white bass to three distinct early ontogenetic stages

“…Age-0 walleye growth (and presumably survival) was positively affected by the number of growing-degree days in a nearby reservoir (Uphoff et al 2013). The negative relationship between spring warming rate and age-0 larval white bass abundance was unexpected, given that growth of white bass has been positively correlated to water temperature (Ruelle 1971) or air temperature (Pope et al 1997;Phelps et al 2011). In our systems, it is possible that warmer temperatures allow potential competitors (i.e.…”

“…; Phelps et al. ). In our systems, it is possible that warmer temperatures allow potential competitors (i.e.…”

Population Characteristics of Co-Managed White Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass in Lake McConaughy, Nebraska

“…To our knowledge, age 16 is among the oldest recorded Hybrid Striped Bass, and the abundant 14 year old age class also exceeded the maximum ages of 9 and 11 years reported from Hybrid Striped Bass populations in Midwest and southern waterbodies, respectively (Schultz et al 2013a). White Bass have been observed to age 14 in other populations (Willis et al 2002) but typically exhibit maximum ages below 10 years (Forney and Taylor 1963, Phelps et al 2011, Baker and Lochmann 2012, Ganus et al 2015. Although the mechanism for this increased longevity is not well understood, it is hypothesized that fish seek thermal refuges (Moss 1985, Quist et al 2002 at the greater depths in Lake McConaughy, which could reduce metabolism and mortality.…”