Russell Wright - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Russell Wright

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society

Dams alter many aspects of riverine environments and can have broad effects on aquatic organisms ... more Dams alter many aspects of riverine environments and can have broad effects on aquatic organisms and habitats both upstream and downstream. While dams and the associated reservoirs can provide many services to people (hydropower, recreation, flood control, navigation, etc.), they can negatively affect riverine ecosystems. In particular, hydropeaking dams affect downstream fish habitats by increasing variability in discharge and temperature. To assess the effects of Harris Dam on the Tallapoosa River, AL, operating under an adaptive management plan implemented in 2005, we sampled fish for community and diet analyses from four sites on the river: three in the regulated region downstream of the dam, and one unregulated site upstream. Fish were collected every other month using boat/barge electrofishing. We used Shannon’s H, nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), a multiresponse permutation procedure (MRPP), and indicator species analysis to quantify patterns in fish assemblage stru...

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society

Lake and Reservoir Management, 2017

ABSTRACT Roberts CM, DeVries DR, Wright RA. 2018. Introduced yellow perch in two Southeastern US ... more ABSTRACT Roberts CM, DeVries DR, Wright RA. 2018. Introduced yellow perch in two Southeastern US reservoirs: ecological interactions with resident fishes. Lake Reserv Manage. 34:141—153. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) has been introduced into Southeastern US drainages outside its native range; unfortunately, the effects of these introductions at the edge of their distribution on resident fishes have not been well documented. To determine the potential interactions between introduced yellow perch and resident fishes, we quantified diets of multiple life stages over 2 yr in 2 Alabama reservoirs. Temporal and spatial co-occurrence between larval yellow perch and native fishes was limited, and diet overlap was generally low at all life stages. Juvenile yellow perch were consumed by Micropterus spp. in both lakes during spring, suggesting some potential benefit for native piscivores. We suggest minimal negative effects of yellow perch on native fishes in these Southeastern US systems due to their generalist diet, early spawning period, and cool water temperature requirements. In addition, yellow perch may represent an alternative prey resource for piscivores.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 2021

Impacts of low‐head, run‐of‐the‐river dams on migratory fish movements depend on the structure of... more Impacts of low‐head, run‐of‐the‐river dams on migratory fish movements depend on the structure of the dam, river hydrology, and the ability of fish to navigate the tailrace environment. Here, we present results from a 3‐year movement study in which telemetered Paddlefish Polyodon spathula and Smallmouth Buffalo Ictiobus bubalus were tracked as they approached and sometimes migrated past Claiborne Lock and Dam (CLD), a low‐use low‐head lock‐and‐dam structure on the Alabama River. A spillway portion of the dam is periodically inundated during early spring, dependent on precipitation and releases from the next upstream dam. Our goals were to (1) quantify dam passage rates for both species, (2) assess the importance of factors affecting passage success, and (3) quantify space use patterns in the tailrace. Both species exhibited annual upstream migrations during the study period. Correlation of daily average river position versus the CLD hydrograph showed that movements by both species a...

Estuaries and Coasts, 2017

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 1992

The population dynamics and behavior of an assemblage of fishes in a small bog lake were studied ... more The population dynamics and behavior of an assemblage of fishes in a small bog lake were studied in a succession of whole-lake manipulations of piscivores. Total prey fish biomass declined after the addition of northern pike (Esox lucius). This decline was the result of emigration by cyprinid prey and consumption by northern pike. The emigration response of the cyprinids was dependent on cyprinid density. At high prey fish biomass, a significant portion of the loss in biomass was the result of emigration; this was not the case at low prey fish biomass. The prey fish community shifted from small-bodied soft-rayed species prior to the introduction of northern pike to species with spines or deep bodies after predator stocking. The community response was analyzed at four levels of numerical resolution: absolute, relative, and ranked abundance and presence–absence of prey species. High numerical resolution captured the dynamic short-term population responses to predation and suggests uns...

Grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella, (Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1844) are an effective biological ... more Grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella, (Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1844) are an effective biological control for many aquatic plants, especially submersed macrophytes and macrophytic algae. Despite limited data, grass carp are sometimes promoted as a tool for controlling filamentous algae, including some cyanobacteria, in small impoundments. One important cyanobacterium, Lyngbya wollei (Farlow ex Gomont) comb. nov., is a nuisance species in North America that forms benthic mats and surface scums and can produce multiple intracellular toxins and off-flavor compounds. Current management of Lyngbya calls for approaches similar to those for other nuisance algae, including chemical control using herbicides and biological control using grass carp when herbicides are not practical. Although agency biologists and private consultants recommend stocking grass carp to control filamentous algae, no conclusive empirical data show that grass carp consume Lyngbya. We conducted mesocosm experiments whe...

The American Naturalist, 1992

Parameters of a phosphorus cycling model were estimated for two configurations of a lake ecosyste... more Parameters of a phosphorus cycling model were estimated for two configurations of a lake ecosystem. The piscivore-dominated configuration had one more trophic level than the planktivore-dominated configuration. We derived four main conclusions from analysis of the model. (1) Results support the argument of DeAngelis et al. that turnover rate of a limiting nutrient is directly related to ecosystem resilience. (2) Results support the hypothesis of Pimm and Lawton that longer food chains are less resilient. (3) Inputs of phosphorus to the pelagic system derived from inshore feeding by fishes were a large flux, which is comparable to inputs from physical-chemical fluxes. (4) Algal (seston) standing crops, unlike all other compartments, were less sensitive to phosphorus inputs in the piscivore-dominated system. Consistent with the trophic cascade hypothesis, the piscivore-dominated system had higher herbivore standing crops and lower algal standing crops than the planktivore-dominated system. Changes in trophic structure that derive from trophic cascades can be viewed as changes in the phosphorus cycle driven by fishes.

Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological and Integrative Physiology

Freshwater Biology, 1994

In a series of whole-lake manipulations conducted from 1984 to 1991, planktivorous fishes were al... more In a series of whole-lake manipulations conducted from 1984 to 1991, planktivorous fishes were alternately removed and restocked in a small mesotrophic lake, resulting in dramatic changes in the zooplankton community. 2. Response pattems in the zooplankton community, which include species and size structure, and within-year community variability, were examined. Variation in the zooplankton community in unmanipulated years was much lower than that in manipulated years, regardless of direction of the manipulation (i.e. decreasing or increasing planktivory). 3. The succession of zooplankton spedes abundance was repeated in the second removal of planktivorous fishes. The community shifted from small-bodied cladocerans, copepods and rotifers, through an intermediate state with high abundance of Holopedium, to an assemblage dominated by large-bodied daphnids.

Author Institution: Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal ... more Author Institution: Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Sep 1, 2006

Although critical periods often explain first-year growth and recruitment patterns of young fishe... more Although critical periods often explain first-year growth and recruitment patterns of young fishes, isolated subpopulations in spatially heterogeneous environments can be influenced by distinct factors, preventing critical periods from explaining growth and recruitment for the overall population. When we explored first-year growth and recruitment variability of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) along an upstream–downstream gradient in the Mobile–Tensaw Delta, Alabama, USA, growth was consistently faster at sites closest to or within brackish habitats in 2002 and 2003, despite different abiotic conditions between years. Energetic content of food consumed by faster-growing fish, particularly those furthest downstream, was greater than that for slower-growing fish. Although the timing of the switch to piscivory did not explain growth differences, the degree of piscivory was important. Hatch date had no influence on growth differences and consequently did not affect fall condition, overwinter survival, or age-1 recruitment. Contrary to several studies in freshwater systems at this latitude, first-winter mortality was neither size-selective nor excessive, and largemouth bass continued to grow through the winter. These results demonstrate that early growth can vary substantially among subpopulations in spatially heterogeneous environments and that these differences are not necessarily explained by the same factors thought to be important for freshwater largemouth bass populations.

ABSTRACT Although largemouth bass is typically thought of as a freshwater species, populations oc... more ABSTRACT Although largemouth bass is typically thought of as a freshwater species, populations occur in estuaries throughout the US Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts, often with established fisheries. These coastal populations must deal with the physiological stresses associated with salinity variation, and are generally isolated from inland freshwater populations. We quantified individual and population parameters for largemouth bass in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, Alabama during 2003-2008 in an effort to understand factors important to these coastal populations to facilitate their management. Large individuals were rare and fish condition increased with increasing salinity influence. Growth responses were more complex; faster growth was observed in the brackish, downstream areas for fish <age-2, while growth of older fish was faster in freshwater upstream sites. Using bioenergetics modeling, we demonstrated that a complex combination of spatial variation in water temperature, prey energetic content, and metabolic cost of salinity was responsible. Largemouth bass of all ages moved very little, even when salinity was 15 ppt in downstream areas. These coastal largemouth bass populations face a number of conservation concerns, and their management will require different approaches compared to their inland counterparts, including different goals, expectations, and likely even requiring consideration as unique populations.

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1577 M07 041 1, Jan 8, 2011

ABSTRACT We examined the effects of latitude of origin on the first-year growth and survival of l... more ABSTRACT We examined the effects of latitude of origin on the first-year growth and survival of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. We brought largemouth bass from three latitudinally disparate populations (northern largemouth bass M. s. salmoides from south-central Wisconsin; Florida largemouth bass M. s. floridanus, originally from central Florida but currently stocked throughout Alabama; and native northern largemouth bass from southern Alabama) to a common rearing environment to compare their age-0 growth over two replicate growing seasons. During 1999, the northern subspecies from Wisconsin grew faster than the northern or Florida subspecies from Alabama. However, in 2000 the Florida subspecies grew faster than the age-0 fish from either northern subspecies population. Our results indicate that the effects of prey availability and age-0 density can overwhelm any predisposition for growth based on latitudinal or genetic origin. Given concerns about the genetic consequences of largemouth bass stockings, the lack of any consistent growth advantage in the first year represents an important piece of information to be taken into account when deciding about stocking nonnative subspecies of largemouth bass.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Nov 7, 2012

ABSTRACT Small impoundments or ponds represent important fisheries resources, both recreationally... more ABSTRACT Small impoundments or ponds represent important fisheries resources, both recreationally and economically. These systems are small relative to most large public reservoirs and natural lakes and thus they are more easily manipulated to improve fishing quality. The utility of some pond management techniques in improving fisheries is not well understood. We combined a telephone survey and field sampling to quantify the characteristics and use(s) of private ponds in central Alabama and determine the efficacy of the most often used pond fishery enhancement techniques. The three most common techniques were fertilization (used by 48% of surveyed pond owners), supplemental feeding with pellets (45%), and the stocking of supplemental prey for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (12%; the species most often stocked was threadfin shad Dorosoma petenense). We sampled 66 ponds using boat electrofishing to assess largemouth bass and Lepomis spp. population responses to these management techniques. Fish populations varied greatly within management categories. However, ponds with threadfin shad exhibited overall greater largemouth bass length, length frequency indices (PSD and PSD- P, -M), growth, body condition, and density than ponds without threadfin shad. Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus population characteristics were similar among all ponds using fertilizer and threadfin shad. Of these techniques, we found that fertilization improved bluegill populations and that threadfin shad can improve largemouth bass populations without compromising bluegill size structure and abundance.Received January 26, 2012; accepted August 7, 2012

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Jan 30, 2013

ABSTRACT We investigated whether providing supplemental pellet feed to Bluegills Lepomis macrochi... more ABSTRACT We investigated whether providing supplemental pellet feed to Bluegills Lepomis macrochirus in small impoundments increased their growth and reproductive rates after stocking and whether the supplemental feeding of Bluegills had positive indirect effects on Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides during the initial stocking year. In 2010, we stocked adult Bluegills and Largemouth Bass into nine 0.1-ha ponds; three replicate ponds were each provided with no pelleted food (control), a low ration (1.52 kg·ha−1·d−1), or a high ration (2.68 kg·ha−1·d−1). Supplemental feeding yielded increases in the growth of newly stocked Bluegills, the gonadosomatic index of female Bluegills, and the density of larval Bluegills within 4 months of stocking. In contrast, the sizes of adult and age-0 Largemouth Bass and the density and biomass of age-0 Bluegills during fall were not affected by feeding within the time frame of our study. The results demonstrate that supplemental pellet feeding is useful when the management goal is to increase Bluegill size and reproductive output and that these effects develop soon after stocking. We conclude that supplemental feeding is a beneficial enhancement technique for application to Bluegills in recently stocked impoundments.Received May 13, 2012; accepted November 20, 2012

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society

Dams alter many aspects of riverine environments and can have broad effects on aquatic organisms ... more Dams alter many aspects of riverine environments and can have broad effects on aquatic organisms and habitats both upstream and downstream. While dams and the associated reservoirs can provide many services to people (hydropower, recreation, flood control, navigation, etc.), they can negatively affect riverine ecosystems. In particular, hydropeaking dams affect downstream fish habitats by increasing variability in discharge and temperature. To assess the effects of Harris Dam on the Tallapoosa River, AL, operating under an adaptive management plan implemented in 2005, we sampled fish for community and diet analyses from four sites on the river: three in the regulated region downstream of the dam, and one unregulated site upstream. Fish were collected every other month using boat/barge electrofishing. We used Shannon’s H, nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), a multiresponse permutation procedure (MRPP), and indicator species analysis to quantify patterns in fish assemblage stru...

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society

Lake and Reservoir Management, 2017

ABSTRACT Roberts CM, DeVries DR, Wright RA. 2018. Introduced yellow perch in two Southeastern US ... more ABSTRACT Roberts CM, DeVries DR, Wright RA. 2018. Introduced yellow perch in two Southeastern US reservoirs: ecological interactions with resident fishes. Lake Reserv Manage. 34:141—153. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) has been introduced into Southeastern US drainages outside its native range; unfortunately, the effects of these introductions at the edge of their distribution on resident fishes have not been well documented. To determine the potential interactions between introduced yellow perch and resident fishes, we quantified diets of multiple life stages over 2 yr in 2 Alabama reservoirs. Temporal and spatial co-occurrence between larval yellow perch and native fishes was limited, and diet overlap was generally low at all life stages. Juvenile yellow perch were consumed by Micropterus spp. in both lakes during spring, suggesting some potential benefit for native piscivores. We suggest minimal negative effects of yellow perch on native fishes in these Southeastern US systems due to their generalist diet, early spawning period, and cool water temperature requirements. In addition, yellow perch may represent an alternative prey resource for piscivores.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, 2021

Impacts of low‐head, run‐of‐the‐river dams on migratory fish movements depend on the structure of... more Impacts of low‐head, run‐of‐the‐river dams on migratory fish movements depend on the structure of the dam, river hydrology, and the ability of fish to navigate the tailrace environment. Here, we present results from a 3‐year movement study in which telemetered Paddlefish Polyodon spathula and Smallmouth Buffalo Ictiobus bubalus were tracked as they approached and sometimes migrated past Claiborne Lock and Dam (CLD), a low‐use low‐head lock‐and‐dam structure on the Alabama River. A spillway portion of the dam is periodically inundated during early spring, dependent on precipitation and releases from the next upstream dam. Our goals were to (1) quantify dam passage rates for both species, (2) assess the importance of factors affecting passage success, and (3) quantify space use patterns in the tailrace. Both species exhibited annual upstream migrations during the study period. Correlation of daily average river position versus the CLD hydrograph showed that movements by both species a...

Estuaries and Coasts, 2017

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 1992

The population dynamics and behavior of an assemblage of fishes in a small bog lake were studied ... more The population dynamics and behavior of an assemblage of fishes in a small bog lake were studied in a succession of whole-lake manipulations of piscivores. Total prey fish biomass declined after the addition of northern pike (Esox lucius). This decline was the result of emigration by cyprinid prey and consumption by northern pike. The emigration response of the cyprinids was dependent on cyprinid density. At high prey fish biomass, a significant portion of the loss in biomass was the result of emigration; this was not the case at low prey fish biomass. The prey fish community shifted from small-bodied soft-rayed species prior to the introduction of northern pike to species with spines or deep bodies after predator stocking. The community response was analyzed at four levels of numerical resolution: absolute, relative, and ranked abundance and presence–absence of prey species. High numerical resolution captured the dynamic short-term population responses to predation and suggests uns...

Grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella, (Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1844) are an effective biological ... more Grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella, (Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1844) are an effective biological control for many aquatic plants, especially submersed macrophytes and macrophytic algae. Despite limited data, grass carp are sometimes promoted as a tool for controlling filamentous algae, including some cyanobacteria, in small impoundments. One important cyanobacterium, Lyngbya wollei (Farlow ex Gomont) comb. nov., is a nuisance species in North America that forms benthic mats and surface scums and can produce multiple intracellular toxins and off-flavor compounds. Current management of Lyngbya calls for approaches similar to those for other nuisance algae, including chemical control using herbicides and biological control using grass carp when herbicides are not practical. Although agency biologists and private consultants recommend stocking grass carp to control filamentous algae, no conclusive empirical data show that grass carp consume Lyngbya. We conducted mesocosm experiments whe...

The American Naturalist, 1992

Parameters of a phosphorus cycling model were estimated for two configurations of a lake ecosyste... more Parameters of a phosphorus cycling model were estimated for two configurations of a lake ecosystem. The piscivore-dominated configuration had one more trophic level than the planktivore-dominated configuration. We derived four main conclusions from analysis of the model. (1) Results support the argument of DeAngelis et al. that turnover rate of a limiting nutrient is directly related to ecosystem resilience. (2) Results support the hypothesis of Pimm and Lawton that longer food chains are less resilient. (3) Inputs of phosphorus to the pelagic system derived from inshore feeding by fishes were a large flux, which is comparable to inputs from physical-chemical fluxes. (4) Algal (seston) standing crops, unlike all other compartments, were less sensitive to phosphorus inputs in the piscivore-dominated system. Consistent with the trophic cascade hypothesis, the piscivore-dominated system had higher herbivore standing crops and lower algal standing crops than the planktivore-dominated system. Changes in trophic structure that derive from trophic cascades can be viewed as changes in the phosphorus cycle driven by fishes.

Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological and Integrative Physiology

Freshwater Biology, 1994

In a series of whole-lake manipulations conducted from 1984 to 1991, planktivorous fishes were al... more In a series of whole-lake manipulations conducted from 1984 to 1991, planktivorous fishes were alternately removed and restocked in a small mesotrophic lake, resulting in dramatic changes in the zooplankton community. 2. Response pattems in the zooplankton community, which include species and size structure, and within-year community variability, were examined. Variation in the zooplankton community in unmanipulated years was much lower than that in manipulated years, regardless of direction of the manipulation (i.e. decreasing or increasing planktivory). 3. The succession of zooplankton spedes abundance was repeated in the second removal of planktivorous fishes. The community shifted from small-bodied cladocerans, copepods and rotifers, through an intermediate state with high abundance of Holopedium, to an assemblage dominated by large-bodied daphnids.

Author Institution: Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal ... more Author Institution: Aquatic Ecology Laboratory, Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Sep 1, 2006

Although critical periods often explain first-year growth and recruitment patterns of young fishe... more Although critical periods often explain first-year growth and recruitment patterns of young fishes, isolated subpopulations in spatially heterogeneous environments can be influenced by distinct factors, preventing critical periods from explaining growth and recruitment for the overall population. When we explored first-year growth and recruitment variability of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) along an upstream–downstream gradient in the Mobile–Tensaw Delta, Alabama, USA, growth was consistently faster at sites closest to or within brackish habitats in 2002 and 2003, despite different abiotic conditions between years. Energetic content of food consumed by faster-growing fish, particularly those furthest downstream, was greater than that for slower-growing fish. Although the timing of the switch to piscivory did not explain growth differences, the degree of piscivory was important. Hatch date had no influence on growth differences and consequently did not affect fall condition, overwinter survival, or age-1 recruitment. Contrary to several studies in freshwater systems at this latitude, first-winter mortality was neither size-selective nor excessive, and largemouth bass continued to grow through the winter. These results demonstrate that early growth can vary substantially among subpopulations in spatially heterogeneous environments and that these differences are not necessarily explained by the same factors thought to be important for freshwater largemouth bass populations.

ABSTRACT Although largemouth bass is typically thought of as a freshwater species, populations oc... more ABSTRACT Although largemouth bass is typically thought of as a freshwater species, populations occur in estuaries throughout the US Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts, often with established fisheries. These coastal populations must deal with the physiological stresses associated with salinity variation, and are generally isolated from inland freshwater populations. We quantified individual and population parameters for largemouth bass in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, Alabama during 2003-2008 in an effort to understand factors important to these coastal populations to facilitate their management. Large individuals were rare and fish condition increased with increasing salinity influence. Growth responses were more complex; faster growth was observed in the brackish, downstream areas for fish <age-2, while growth of older fish was faster in freshwater upstream sites. Using bioenergetics modeling, we demonstrated that a complex combination of spatial variation in water temperature, prey energetic content, and metabolic cost of salinity was responsible. Largemouth bass of all ages moved very little, even when salinity was 15 ppt in downstream areas. These coastal largemouth bass populations face a number of conservation concerns, and their management will require different approaches compared to their inland counterparts, including different goals, expectations, and likely even requiring consideration as unique populations.

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1577 M07 041 1, Jan 8, 2011

ABSTRACT We examined the effects of latitude of origin on the first-year growth and survival of l... more ABSTRACT We examined the effects of latitude of origin on the first-year growth and survival of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. We brought largemouth bass from three latitudinally disparate populations (northern largemouth bass M. s. salmoides from south-central Wisconsin; Florida largemouth bass M. s. floridanus, originally from central Florida but currently stocked throughout Alabama; and native northern largemouth bass from southern Alabama) to a common rearing environment to compare their age-0 growth over two replicate growing seasons. During 1999, the northern subspecies from Wisconsin grew faster than the northern or Florida subspecies from Alabama. However, in 2000 the Florida subspecies grew faster than the age-0 fish from either northern subspecies population. Our results indicate that the effects of prey availability and age-0 density can overwhelm any predisposition for growth based on latitudinal or genetic origin. Given concerns about the genetic consequences of largemouth bass stockings, the lack of any consistent growth advantage in the first year represents an important piece of information to be taken into account when deciding about stocking nonnative subspecies of largemouth bass.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Nov 7, 2012

ABSTRACT Small impoundments or ponds represent important fisheries resources, both recreationally... more ABSTRACT Small impoundments or ponds represent important fisheries resources, both recreationally and economically. These systems are small relative to most large public reservoirs and natural lakes and thus they are more easily manipulated to improve fishing quality. The utility of some pond management techniques in improving fisheries is not well understood. We combined a telephone survey and field sampling to quantify the characteristics and use(s) of private ponds in central Alabama and determine the efficacy of the most often used pond fishery enhancement techniques. The three most common techniques were fertilization (used by 48% of surveyed pond owners), supplemental feeding with pellets (45%), and the stocking of supplemental prey for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (12%; the species most often stocked was threadfin shad Dorosoma petenense). We sampled 66 ponds using boat electrofishing to assess largemouth bass and Lepomis spp. population responses to these management techniques. Fish populations varied greatly within management categories. However, ponds with threadfin shad exhibited overall greater largemouth bass length, length frequency indices (PSD and PSD- P, -M), growth, body condition, and density than ponds without threadfin shad. Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus population characteristics were similar among all ponds using fertilizer and threadfin shad. Of these techniques, we found that fertilization improved bluegill populations and that threadfin shad can improve largemouth bass populations without compromising bluegill size structure and abundance.Received January 26, 2012; accepted August 7, 2012

North American Journal of Fisheries Management, Jan 30, 2013

ABSTRACT We investigated whether providing supplemental pellet feed to Bluegills Lepomis macrochi... more ABSTRACT We investigated whether providing supplemental pellet feed to Bluegills Lepomis macrochirus in small impoundments increased their growth and reproductive rates after stocking and whether the supplemental feeding of Bluegills had positive indirect effects on Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides during the initial stocking year. In 2010, we stocked adult Bluegills and Largemouth Bass into nine 0.1-ha ponds; three replicate ponds were each provided with no pelleted food (control), a low ration (1.52 kg·ha−1·d−1), or a high ration (2.68 kg·ha−1·d−1). Supplemental feeding yielded increases in the growth of newly stocked Bluegills, the gonadosomatic index of female Bluegills, and the density of larval Bluegills within 4 months of stocking. In contrast, the sizes of adult and age-0 Largemouth Bass and the density and biomass of age-0 Bluegills during fall were not affected by feeding within the time frame of our study. The results demonstrate that supplemental pellet feeding is useful when the management goal is to increase Bluegill size and reproductive output and that these effects develop soon after stocking. We conclude that supplemental feeding is a beneficial enhancement technique for application to Bluegills in recently stocked impoundments.Received May 13, 2012; accepted November 20, 2012