The age and growth of the largemouth bass 'Micropterus salmoides' (lacepede), in a thermally loaded reservoir

Technical Report · Sun Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1971

OSTI ID:7220742

Busacker, G P

The age and growth of largemouth bass was studied in a thermally loaded 4,500 acre-reservoir. Growth of fish from the Hotwater Arm was compared to that from a Control Arm. Maximum discharge temperature was 37C which elevated the Hotwater Arm 0.5-11.5C above the Control Arm. The reservoir was formed in 1966, clear for 3 years, but became turbid in '69-'70, the time of the study. Heated water had no effect on water quality. Checks formed on the scales in winter and summer which made age and growth analysis difficult. No differences were found between body-scale relationships or condition factors. Heated water had these measurable effects upon the bass: (1) Annulus formation occurred one month earlier; (2) it extended the growing season and annual increment of growth; (3) bass were attracted to heated water and provided an excellent winter fishery. Heated water had no apparent deleterious effects on largemouth bass.

• Research Organization: Missouri Univ., Columbia (USA). School of Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife
• OSTI ID: 7220742
• Report Number(s): PB-264914
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560205* -- Thermal Effects-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL GROWTH
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
FISHES
GROWTH
POLLUTION
SURFACE WATERS
THERMAL POLLUTION
VERTEBRATES
WATER RESERVOIRS