Arkansas River Largemouth Bass Study
Mike Eggleton and Ben Batten

For a variety of reasons, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has become concerned about perceived declines in the abundance of quality-size largemouth bass in the Arkansas River .  To address these concerns, UAPB completed comprehensive stock assessments of largemouth bass populations in the lower 11 pools (500 km) of the Arkansas River during 2004 and 2005.  Otoliths from over 4,300 largemouth bass were read in order to assess population age structure.  Population age structures were skewed towards younger bass in all pools.  Bass up to age 12 were collected, but ages 1-4 comprised 94% of the population.  Catch-curve analysis indicated annual mortality rates averaged 48% over the two years, ranging from 44% to 51%.  Population size structures, expressed as proportional stock densities (PSD), averaged 53 (± SE of 3); RSD_p values averaged 19 (± 2).  Both metrics were within acceptable ranges for largemouth bass populations (PSD 40-70, RSD_p 10-30).  Condition indices suggested above-average condition factors for largemouth bass in nearly all pools.  Growth rates of bass were at or above average for the other southeastern U.S. populations, and above average for Arkansas .  Average lengths at age (mm) were 205, 289, 345, 392, and 427 for ages 1-5.  Results of this study suggest that largemouth bass populations in the lower Arkansas River are good quality with above average growth.

Improved Techniques for Managing Sunshine Bass  Fingerling Production
Steve Lochmann

Fertilized eggs from a single female white bass were crossed with sperm from four different male striped bass and placed individually in 10-ml vials and incubated at 18 ^oC.  Eggs were examined every 6 h until the first eggs hatched, and every 3 h thereafter. Approximately 50 yolk-sac larvae were removed from the vials at hatching and photographed.  Standard lengths of larvae were estimated from the photographs.

We conducted an analysis of covariance using standard length at hatch at the response variable, male as the treatment, and egg stage duration as the covariate.  There were significant differences in size at hatch among males during the first and third weeks (P=0.014 and P=0.020, respectively).  Choice of male only explained 2%-4% of the variability in size at hatch, while egg stage duration explained 29%-63% of the variability in size at hatch.  There were also significant differences in size at 4 d post hatch among males during the first and third weeks (P=0.034 and P=0.002, respectively).  During the first week, the male with the shortest larvae at hatch was also the male with the shortest larvae at 4 d post hatch.   During the third week, the male with the longest larvae at hatch was also the male with the longest larvae at 4 d post hatch.  This suggests that the advantage of larger size at hatch continues at least until yolk sac absorption. 

Influence of Stocked Hatchery-Reared Fingerlings on Wild Largemouth Bass Fingerlings and Productivity of Bass in the Arkansas River .
Steve Lochmann

We conducted an analysis of rotenone data for abundance of age-0 and age-1 largemouth bass from Beaver, Bull Shoals, Chicot, Greers Ferry, Norfork, Ouachita, and Pools 2 & 10 of the Arkansas River . The size of the spawn varied among years and locations. Average (SD) age-0 abundance ranged from 40 (24) fish/ha in Pool 10 to 1126 (2240) fish/ha in Bull Shoals. There was a significant difference (F=5.47, df=224, P<0.0001) in age-0 abundance among locations. Recruitment to age-1 also varied annually and among locations. Average (SD) of age-1 abundance ranged from 31 (30) fish/ha in Pool 2 to 142 (398) fish/ha in Bull Shoals. There was no significant difference (F=1.49, df=224, P=0.1734) in age-1 abundance among locations. We conclude that although the size of the spawn varies among locations, average recruitment to age-1 was not different among the Arkansas locations we examined. Recruitment was no more variable in the Arkansas River than it is in the other Arkansas locations we examined. 

Evaluation of AGFC Family and Community Fishing Program: Catfish Stocking Frequency
Wes Neal, Cliff Hutt, Tom Lang

Recent trends have indicated a slight decline in recreational fishing participation, and under representation of women and minorities among the angling population. These trends, coupled with increased emigration of individuals from rural to urban areas, have prompted many state management agencies to start urban fishing programs.  However, the transportation costs of these programs can be prohibitive because frequent stockings at many locations are required.  To evaluate the potential effects of a reduction in stocking frequency, UAPB conducted creel surveys on six ponds stocked with channel catfish by AGFC. The six ponds received one of two treatments: 1) the AGFC standard of biweekly stocking, or 2) monthly stocking at double the biweekly density.  Results indicated AGFC is not reaching their desired catch rate of 0.5 catfish per hour with either stocking frequency.  In addition, no decline in catch rate or angler satisfaction with reduction in stocking frequency was observed, indicated that stocking frequency can be reduced to monthly at double the biweekly density without adverse effects on fishing quality. 

Evaluation of AGFC Family and Community Fishing Program: Rainbow Trout Stocking
Wes Neal, Cliff Hutt, Tom Lang

Similar to the summertime channel catfish stocking (described above), the transportation costs of winter trout stocking programs can be prohibitive because frequent stockings at many locations are required.  To evaluate the potential effects of a reduction in stocking frequency, UAPB conducted creel surveys on four ponds stocked with rainbow trout by AGFC. The ponds received one of two treatments: 1) the AGFC standard of biweekly stocking, or 2) monthly stocking at double the biweekly density.  Results indicated AGFC is reaching their desired catch rate of 0.5 trout per hour (unlike catfish) with either stocking frequency.  In addition, no decline in catch rate or angler satisfaction with reduction in stocking frequency was observed, indicated that stocking frequency can be reduced to monthly at double the biweekly density without adverse effects on fishing quality. 

Evaluation of AGFC Fishing Derby Program
Wes Neal, Cliff Hutt, Tom Lang

Recruiting new anglers is a concern of fish and game agencies because of declining license sales. Successfully recruiting new anglers depends on reaching them at a young age, as 88% of freshwater anglers began fishing before the age of 20. Fishing derbies are considered to be an effective means of recruitment. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) currently supports fishing derbies by stocking catfish into derby ponds prior to derby events. UAPB is evaluating the Fishing Derby Program (FDP) to determine if derby events increase angling at non-derby locations and if derbies are an effective means of recruiting new anglers. We are sampling a total of 32 derby events, distributed between rural and urban locations, and derby events that are open or closed to the public. This research has found that fishing effort on derby ponds increases after a derby event, and that derbies are effectively recruiting new and lapsed anglers. 

Using Hybrid Striped Bass as a Control for Stunted Prey in Ponds
Wes Neal, Paul Port

Farm ponds require a balance between predator and prey, usually largemouth bass and bluegill, to sustain a quality fishery.  Stunted bluegill populations can arise due to overharvest of largemouth bass, which removes predation and results in resource limitation.  Often, the best solution has been to completely eradicate the fish community and restock the pond.  An alternative to pond reclamation is to stock an additional predator species that has the potential to alter the structure of a stunted prey fish population.  The hybrid striped bass (HSB; white bass Morone chrysops x striped bass M. saxatilis ) has been shown to prefer smaller prey than largemouth bass, and therefore should consume more individual prey, decreasing competition for resources.  However, survival of HSB stocked in Arkansas farm ponds has been unexpectedly low, which was believed to be due to low major ion content (hardness) of farm pond water.  This research is assessing factors that affect post-stocking survival of HSB.  Initial results suggest that acclimation rate, temperature change, and hardness no not independently result in mortality of HSB, but these factors combined with handling stress do reduce survival. This research will continue for one more years, and promises to improve stocking of HSB in Arkansas . 

Improving Growth of Largemouth Bass in Puerto Rico
Wes Neal, Chris Mace, David Behler

Studies of largemouth bass dynamics in Puerto Rico indicate that, unlike their dynamics in temperate reservoirs, most bass do not survive to age 4 and rarely reach sizes considered preferred by anglers.  The extended spawning period with repeat spawning events appears to require energetic shift from growth to reproduction, leading to slow growth and early mortality.  Triploidy, resulting in sterility, offers a management approach to increase growth and survival rates of largemouth bass in Puerto Rico reservoirs.  Sterile triploid bass stocked into Puerto Rico reservoirs could display enhanced growth rates as energetic costs of forgone reproduction should translate into energy for growth, and potentially, increased survival.  However, on-demand spawning of largemouth bass needs to be improved before triploidy as a management tool can be feasible.  The objectives of this study are to further refine on-demand propagation techniques of largemouth bass and improve triploidy induction procedures.  This research is well underway and is scheduled to continue for two more years. 

Developing Hatchery Techniques for Bigmouth Sleeper Production
Wes Neal, Chris Mace, Nate Harris

In recent years, there has been a general trend towards the use of native species in fisheries management.  In Puerto Rico , native species management in reservoirs is hindered by an absence of truly freshwater native species and only a handful of euryhaline species that require open access to the marine environment.  The sole exception is the bigmouth sleeper, for which a landlocked population was recently identified in Carite Reservoir.   Whereas anglers actively target and harvest this species, the bigmouth sleeper presents an opportunity to establish native freshwater fisheries in Puerto Rico .  Since future management of this species will likely be dependent on introductory and supplemental hatchery stocking of reservoirs incapable of supporting self-sustaining bigmouth sleeper populations, hatchery propagation potential must be evaluated and protocols need to be developed. The objectives of this study are to evaluate hatchery production potential of bigmouth sleepers; to establish hatchery protocols for broodstock maintenance, gamete production and fertilization, embryo incubation, and grow-out to fingerling size; determine bigmouth sleeper growth potential; and to produce science-based management recommendations directed at using bigmouth sleepers to enhance sport fishing opportunities.  This research is currently underway and will continue for two more years.