Estimating recruitment of Largemouth Bass to exceptional weights using angler-reported catches

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective Although most facets of Largemouth Bass Micropterus nigricans ecology have been researched, the upper tiers of weight distributions (i.e., ≥3.6 kg; herein, “lunkers”) have received little attention due to the challenges of collecting sufficient sample sizes. Our aim was to estimate Largemouth Bass recruitment to higher weights after reaching 3.6 kg and to identify factors correlated with such recruitment. Methods We used an online database of angler-reported catches to investigate recruitment of Largemouth Bass after reaching lunker size and to identify associated factors. Recruitment was indexed by the slopes of the reversed cumulative counts relative to increasing weights, with gentler negative slopes indicating higher recruitment. The influence of environmental variables on these slopes identified the factors associated with recruitment. Results An average of 20% (minimum = 4%; maximum = 45%) of lunker bass were estimated to recruit after reaching 3.6 kg. When expanded, these estimates revealed that recruitment from 3.6 to 4.5 kg averaged 23.5% and recruitment from 3.6 to 5.9 kg averaged 2.5%. The observed recruitment was positively correlated with the frequency of Florida Bass M. salmoides alleles in the population and was inversely correlated with human population densities in the vicinity of the reservoir and with chlorophyll- a concentrations in the environment. Conclusions Recruitment of Largemouth Bass after reaching 3.6 kg appears to require a nuanced equilibrium enabled by a higher frequency of Florida Bass alleles, a remote location of the fishery, and a reservoir trophic state that balances adequate environmental conditions and food supply.