Geology Reports⌕ Search
Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70223407

Movement dynamics of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in a large river-tributary system

Tyler Wagner·Megan K. Schall·Timothy Wertz·Geoffrey D. Smith·Vicki S. Blazer
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède, movement dynamics were investigated in a connected mainstem river-tributary system. Smallmouth bass moved large distances annually ( n = 84 fish, average = 24.6 ± 25.9 km, range = 0.03 to 118 km) and had three peak movement periods (pre-spawn, post-spawn and overwintering). Movement into and out of tributaries was common, but the movement between mainstem river and tributary habitats varied among tagging locations and season. In general, a large proportion of fish that were tagged in tributaries moved out of the tributaries after spawning (22/30 fish). Because of the importance of fish movement patterns on population dynamics, the observed individual variability in movement, quantified using a hierarchical model, and the potential for long-distance movements are important considerations for smallmouth bass conservation and management. In addition, mainstem river-tributary connectivity appears to play an important role for smallmouth bass during key life history events.

Explore related subjects

Fisheries Management and EcologyArticle
90° N90° S · 180° W ← longitude → 180° E
Source-reported bounding extent: 40.8034148344062° to 41.638025739250786° latitude; -78.5302734375° to -76.190185546875° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Tyler Wagner, Megan K. Schall, Timothy Wertz, Geoffrey D. Smith, Vicki S. Blazer. 2019-06-30. Movement dynamics of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in a large river-tributary system. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12369

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2026

Fine-scale factors affecting the abundance and thermal sensitivity of nonnative Brook Trout in coldwater Rocky Mountain streams

The Brook Trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis ) is a globally distributed nonnative species that threatens native salmonids in coldwater streams. Understanding the factors regulating Brook Trout densities in coldwater refugia is critical to effective management, so we investigated (a) fine-scale drivers of Brook Trout abundance and (b) factors affecting their thermal sensitivity in 49 coldwater streams in Idaho. Among the 14 candidate variables evaluated, Brook Trout density was most closely associated with mean August water temperature (dome-shaped response peaking at 11.0°C–11.1°C), wetted width (negative association), gradient (negative association), run habitat (positive association), and substrate size (negative association). Simulations indicated that densities were most sensitive to climate warming in low-velocity habitats, with the largest increases occurring in areas with baseline temperatures of 8.9°C and largest decreases in areas with temperatures of 12.2°C. We discuss our results in the context of Brook Trout behavior, effects on native salmonids, climate warming, and habitat restoration.

Idaho↗
USGS2026

Sex-specific Atlantic salmon upstream passage and fallback at a natural cascade after dam removal

In the Boquet River (NY, USA) a low-head dam set above a ~200-m bedrock cascade was removed in 2015. We used radio-telemetry to assess landlocked Atlantic salmon passage at the remaining cascade (2020, 2022). Across years, 52% of males (13/25) attempted cascade passage whereas females made no discernable attempts (0/11). Attempt probability increased with stream discharge and decreased with fish size, though overall passage success was low (1/36). Shallow depths—likely owing to an artificially widened channel—appear to be limiting passage. Additionally, we transported fish upstream but observed high fallback (72%) that was associated with fish size and energetic status. Following dam removal, this cascade continues to limit upstream passage resulting in increased vulnerability to angling during migratory delay. Overall, we highlight the importance of follow-up studies after dam removal, and that further modifications at this site may be required to improve passage.

New York↗
USGS2026

Using eye lens stable isotopes to identify the rearing origin of fall age-0 walleye ( Sander vitreus )

Isotope values in fish eye lenses may be useful in differentiating rearing origins. We compared eye lens isotopic values of fall fingerling age-0 walleye ( Sander vitreus ) reared in a hatchery pond, a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), and a natural lake. Using 10 fish per rearing source, we delaminated layers from one eye lens per fish to assess temporal changes in carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) and pulverized the whole second eye lens for δ 13 C, δ 15 N, and sulfur (δ 34 S). RAS-reared walleye values exhibited high precision among individuals and were δ 34 S enriched. Pond-reared walleye had lower δ 13 C and δ 15 N core values compared to other rearing sources. For δ 13 C and δ 15 N, values remained consistent among layers for RAS-reared walleye, δ 15 N slightly increased for pond-reared and lake-reared walleye, and δ 13 C increased substantially among subsequent layers in pond-reared walleye. Bayesian 95% ellipses did not overlap among rearing sources. These results demonstrate that eye lens stable isotope analysis may be a useful tool for differentiating hatchery-reared and wild large fingerling walleye, specifically from RAS- and pond-reared sources.

South Dakota↗