Conservation News

Impacts of angling for nesting Florida bass

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Freshwater fisheries biologists from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the University of Florida (UF) have been studying the impacts of bed fishing on the largemouth bass populations in the Sunshine State.
Freshwater fisheries biologists from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the University of Florida (UF) have been studying the impacts of bed fishing on the largemouth bass populations in the Sunshine State.
Much like the rest of the country, bed fishing is a common tactic used by fishermen in Florida during spawning season, and has been so for a long time. It’s not uncommon for people to have specific baits in mind to catch fish off beds, and some go so far as to modify their bass boats to increase visibility in the shallows.
Much like the rest of the country, bed fishing is a common tactic used by fishermen in Florida during spawning season, and has been so for a long time. It’s not uncommon for people to have specific baits in mind to catch fish off beds, and some go so far as to modify their bass boats to increase visibility in the shallows.
In 2010, FWC put together a long term bass management plan and surveyed freshwater license holders to see what important issues they felt needed to be addressed. Concern about the impacts of bed fishing on bass populations was the second most common response.
In 2010, FWC put together a long term bass management plan and surveyed freshwater license holders to see what important issues they felt needed to be addressed. Concern about the impacts of bed fishing on bass populations was the second most common response.
To address these concerns, a two-part study was designed. The first study focused on understanding what fraction of bass nests are successful in the wild. The success of undisturbed nests was studied alongside nests within the same lakes that were subjected to bed fishing.
To address these concerns, a two-part study was designed. The first study focused on understanding what fraction of bass nests are successful in the wild. The success of undisturbed nests was studied alongside nests within the same lakes that were subjected to bed fishing.
FWC researchers snorkeled three natural lakes and located bass nests, each of which was randomly assigned to one of the three test groups (undisturbed, catch and immediate release, or catch and hold).
FWC researchers snorkeled three natural lakes and located bass nests, each of which was randomly assigned to one of the three test groups (undisturbed, catch and immediate release, or catch and hold).
Here, a male bass (the smaller bass over the nest) tries to entice a ripe female to spawn.
Here, a male bass (the smaller bass over the nest) tries to entice a ripe female to spawn.
In order to ensure the potential impacts were the same across test groups, only nests with eggs (the round blobs amongst the shells) were used for this study.
In order to ensure the potential impacts were the same across test groups, only nests with eggs (the round blobs amongst the shells) were used for this study.
Once nests were documented, each individual nest was tracked to determine if fry (juvenile fish pictured) were found on or near the nest one to five days after initial inspection. Nests were considered successful if swim-up fry were located on the nest as seen in this picture.
Once nests were documented, each individual nest was tracked to determine if fry (juvenile fish pictured) were found on or near the nest one to five days after initial inspection. Nests were considered successful if swim-up fry were located on the nest as seen in this picture.
Results from this study indicated nest success rates were not significantly different between the three test groups. In other words, as many nests that were either fished or never fished failed. Primary causes of failure included eggs being eaten by predators or disease (fungus).
Results from this study indicated nest success rates were not significantly different between the three test groups. In other words, as many nests that were either fished or never fished failed. Primary causes of failure included eggs being eaten by predators or disease (fungus).
A second study was also conducted to see if bed fishing could impact the number of offspring produced, if it influenced the number of parents successfully producing young fish, and again look at individual nest success rates. This experiment was done in a controlled environment at the Florida Bass Conservation Center.
A second study was also conducted to see if bed fishing could impact the number of offspring produced, if it influenced the number of parents successfully producing young fish, and again look at individual nest success rates. This experiment was done in a controlled environment at the Florida Bass Conservation Center.
This part of the study was completed over a two year period, and identical populations of Florida bass were created using 1-acre ponds. Within each experimental year, biologists designated 5 ponds as bed-fished and 4 as controls (never fished). Brush piles and concrete blocks (pictured and in drawing) were added to provide bass habitat.
This part of the study was completed over a two year period, and identical populations of Florida bass were created using 1-acre ponds. Within each experimental year, biologists designated 5 ponds as bed-fished and 4 as controls (never fished). Brush piles and concrete blocks (pictured and in drawing) were added to provide bass habitat.
Researchers simulated a natural fish community by making sure forage and nest predator species were present in numbers and sizes comparable to local area lakes. Each year, ponds were stocked in December, just prior to the start of the spawning season. Grass carp were added to control unwanted aquatic vegetation.
Researchers simulated a natural fish community by making sure forage and nest predator species were present in numbers and sizes comparable to local area lakes. Each year, ponds were stocked in December, just prior to the start of the spawning season. Grass carp were added to control unwanted aquatic vegetation.
Ten sexually mature male and female bass (20 total) were stocked into each individual pond. All fish had fin clips taken for DNA analysis to determine which fish produced what young during the study. Internal tags were also implanted to allow researchers tell which fish had and had not been caught.
Ten sexually mature male and female bass (20 total) were stocked into each individual pond. All fish had fin clips taken for DNA analysis to determine which fish produced what young during the study. Internal tags were also implanted to allow researchers tell which fish had and had not been caught.
Researchers documented the fate all nesting attempts throughout the spawning season by snorkeling each pond every other day over the course of 5 months.
Researchers documented the fate all nesting attempts throughout the spawning season by snorkeling each pond every other day over the course of 5 months.
Similar to study one, individual nests were identified, marked with a float (for tracking purposes), and monitored to check for the production of juvenile bass. A nest was considered successful if fry balls (pictured right) were seen over a nest.
Similar to study one, individual nests were identified, marked with a float (for tracking purposes), and monitored to check for the production of juvenile bass. A nest was considered successful if fry balls (pictured right) were seen over a nest.
During each year, biologists designated five ponds as fished populations. In order to maximize the impacts of bed fishing, every nest detected while snorkeling was fished. If a fish was caught, it was held in an enclosure within the pond for one hour before being released. Fishing occurred throughout the entire spawning season.
During each year, biologists designated five ponds as fished populations. In order to maximize the impacts of bed fishing, every nest detected while snorkeling was fished. If a fish was caught, it was held in an enclosure within the pond for one hour before being released. Fishing occurred throughout the entire spawning season.
Although spawning ended in early May, populations were left alone until October at which point all ponds were drained and all fish were collected and counted. Pictured are biologists collecting juvenile bass, bluegill, and forage fish from catch kettles (concrete structures designed to corral fish as the ponds are drained).
Although spawning ended in early May, populations were left alone until October at which point all ponds were drained and all fish were collected and counted. Pictured are biologists collecting juvenile bass, bluegill, and forage fish from catch kettles (concrete structures designed to corral fish as the ponds are drained).
The fish were separated by species, counted, weighed, and measured. Genetic samples (right) were taken from juvenile bass to determine which adults produced which young.
The fish were separated by species, counted, weighed, and measured. Genetic samples (right) were taken from juvenile bass to determine which adults produced which young.
Here you can see the difference in size range of bass hatched early and late during the same spawning season.
Here you can see the difference in size range of bass hatched early and late during the same spawning season.
Although overall nest success rates were slightly lower in fished ponds relative to unfished populations, there were no statistically significant differences. In fact, in Year 1, fished ponds actually had higher nest success rates, whereas in Year 2, unfished populations had higher nest success.
Although overall nest success rates were slightly lower in fished ponds relative to unfished populations, there were no statistically significant differences. In fact, in Year 1, fished ponds actually had higher nest success rates, whereas in Year 2, unfished populations had higher nest success.
Out of 106 nests located in fished populations, biologists were able to catch fish from 54%. Of the nests from which guarding bass were captured, 40% were still successful. This is despite having the adult held away from the nest for one hour.
Out of 106 nests located in fished populations, biologists were able to catch fish from 54%. Of the nests from which guarding bass were captured, 40% were still successful. This is despite having the adult held away from the nest for one hour.
This graph displays the number of juveniles produced per pond population. The number of offspring varied considerably within fished ponds and within unfished ponds, and differences between groups were minor (not statistically significant). The dotted lines are average values using combined data from both years.
This graph displays the number of juveniles produced per pond population. The number of offspring varied considerably within fished ponds and within unfished ponds, and differences between groups were minor (not statistically significant). The dotted lines are average values using combined data from both years.
Using results from genetic analysis, there were no differences observed in the number of adults that produced offspring in fished versus unfished ponds.
Using results from genetic analysis, there were no differences observed in the number of adults that produced offspring in fished versus unfished ponds.
In addition to testing to see how many adults contributed to reproduction using genetics, the number of juveniles produced per adult was also measured. Biologists recorded no significant difference in the number of juveniles produced per parent between fished and unfished ponds.
In addition to testing to see how many adults contributed to reproduction using genetics, the number of juveniles produced per adult was also measured. Biologists recorded no significant difference in the number of juveniles produced per parent between fished and unfished ponds.
Lastly, combining results from data on catches and genetics, the number of offspring produced per male compared to number of times that fish was captured revealed no major impact. Fish that were captured produced equal amounts in relation to fish that were never captured. Dots represent average values. No pattern was evident for female bass either.
Lastly, combining results from data on catches and genetics, the number of offspring produced per male compared to number of times that fish was captured revealed no major impact. Fish that were captured produced equal amounts in relation to fish that were never captured. Dots represent average values. No pattern was evident for female bass either.
Researchers concluded that bed fishing in Florida does not appear to have negative impacts on offspring production or parental contribution in experimental bass populations. Florida bass are known to be less aggressive than bass in northern waters, meaning Florida bass may be harder to catch while guarding their nest. Also, Florida bass can spawn multiple times per year, meaning a nest lost due to fishing does not mean they cannot reproduce again later in the year.
Researchers concluded that bed fishing in Florida does not appear to have negative impacts on offspring production or parental contribution in experimental bass populations. Florida bass are known to be less aggressive than bass in northern waters, meaning Florida bass may be harder to catch while guarding their nest. Also, Florida bass can spawn multiple times per year, meaning a nest lost due to fishing does not mean they cannot reproduce again later in the year.
A few states in the northern U.S. and some Canadian provinces have special regulations during the spawning season to protect bass populations. Water bodies in the southeast U.S., and Florida in particular, are very different from those in northern states. FWC researchers do not see a need for a special spawning season regulations in Florida given the results of this study.
A few states in the northern U.S. and some Canadian provinces have special regulations during the spawning season to protect bass populations. Water bodies in the southeast U.S., and Florida in particular, are very different from those in northern states. FWC researchers do not see a need for a special spawning season regulations in Florida given the results of this study.
So what does this research mean for your local bass fishery? Don’t expect to see declines in juvenile bass production as a result of bed fishing efforts if you live or fish in an area like Florida.
So what does this research mean for your local bass fishery? Don’t expect to see declines in juvenile bass production as a result of bed fishing efforts if you live or fish in an area like Florida.

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