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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
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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.

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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.

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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

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