Selected population characteristics of smallmouth bass and rock bass in a three county area of the West Fork of the White River, Indiana from 1991-1994

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Authors
Foy, Joseph P.
Advisor
McComish, Thomas S. (Thomas Sherman), 1938-
Issue Date
2000
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (M.S.)
Department
Department of Biology
Other Identifiers
Abstract

Several population characteristics were calculated for smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieui and rock bass Ambloplites rupestris populations on the west fork of the White River in Randolph, Delaware, and Madison counties, Indiana and were compared to other populations. When compared to streams of similar size in Indiana that were sampled with the same methods, relative abundance (CPUE) of smallmouth bass was average (18.9-35.0 fish/hour) while rock bass were two to ten times more abundant (44.3-53.0 fish/hour). Age analysis and back calculation of length at age were only performed for smallmouth bass. These results indicated strong year classes were cyclical and smallmouth bass growth was above average for Indiana streams, but average for streams of the Midwest. Proportional stock density values were average for smallmouth bass (28-39%) and slightly below average for rock bass (17-33%). Strong weight-length models were also found for both species and relative weight values were optimal.

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