Great Plains Natural Science Society
The Prairie Naturalist
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
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.
Included in
Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Fresh Water Studies Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Comments
United States government work