Effects of Commercial Entanglement Gear on Striped Bass. Part 2: Growth, Food Habits, Maturation, and Distribution of the Striped Bass 'Morone saxatilis' in Watts Bar Reservoir, Tennessee

摘要

A study was conducted on various life history aspects of the striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in Watts Bar Reservoir, Tennessee. Striped bass were collected by gillnetting, electrofishing, and angling, from September 1977 through December 1978. Survivors of every year class stocked since 1971 were collected, and annual growth rates were equal or superior to those reported for other populations. The size attained after the first year of life was strongly related to size at stocking. Most females matured at age IV, and most males matured at age II. Spawning occurred in May and June. Catch rates of these fish increased over time, and sand substrates were preferred.