Evaluation of Habitat Enhancement Structure Use by Spotted Bass

Authors

Stanley L. Proboszcz, United States Geological Survey, Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitFollow
Christopher S. Guy, United States Geological Survey, Montana Cooperative Fishery Research Unit

Date of this Version

12-2006

Document Type

Article

Citation

The Prairie Naturalist (December 2006) 38(4): 223-238

Associate editor for ichthyology: Brian Blackwell

Comments

United States government work

Abstract

Habitat enhancement is a common and effective method used to positively influence fish populations. However, there is a paucity of speciesspecific evaluations of stream habitat enhancement structures for warmwater fishes. We evaluated use of half-log, rootwad enhancement structure, and simulated undercut bank (LUNKERS) by adult and juvenile spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) in natural and experimental streams. Enhancement structures were installed in Otter Creek, Kansas. Adult spotted bass use of natural and enhancement structure was documented weekly during summer and fall of 2001 and 2002 with radiotelemetry. Mean total length (TL) of adult fish was 292 mm (SE = 13 mm). Half-logs were selected positively by adult spotted bass even though availability was low. Habitat use by juvenile spotted bass was evaluated in an experimental stream. Mean TL of juvenile fish was 92 mm (SE = 3 mm). Rootwad enhancement structures were selected negatively and half-logs were selected positively by juvenile spotted bass. Half-logs were used by adult and juvenile spotted bass, not influenced by sedimentation in Otter Creek, and the least expensive to install (US$212/m²). Thus, we recommend half-logs for lotic spotted bass habitat enhancement projects.