Evaluation of the largemouth bass population in Lake Mattamuskeet and its associated canals

AN EVALUATION OF THE LARGEMOUTH BASS POPULATION IN LAKE MATTAMUSKEET AND ITS ASSOCIATED CANALS, Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Project F-108 Report Type: Survey Kathryn M. Potoka Jeremy W. McCargo North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Inland Fisheries Division Raleigh 2016 Keywords: Largemouth Bass, Lake Mattamuskeet, boat electrofishing, CPUE, stocking, parentage-based tagging 2014-2015 This project was funded under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program utilizing state fishing license money and federal grant funds derived from federal excise taxes on fishing tackle and other fishing related expenditures. Funds from the Sport Fish Restoration Program are used for fisheries management and research, aquatic education, and boating access facilities. The program is administered cooperatively by the N.C Wildlife Resources Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Abstract.— Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides were sampled along shoreline transects in Lake Mattamuskeet and canal sites on Jarvis Canal, Main Canal, and Rose Bay Canal with boat electrofishing in spring and fall 2014 and spring 2015. A total of 277 Largemouth Bass were collected from the main lake and canals in spring 2014. In spring 2015, a total of 156 Largemouth Bass were collected in main lake and canal sites. The relative abundance of Largemouth Bass was relatively stable across the survey period, with exception of a decline in abundance in Jarvis Canal. Mean relative abundance of Largemouth Bass > 200mm in the east lake, Jarvis Canal, and Main Canal was higher than Rose Bay canal. The majority of Largemouth Bass collected were of quality- and preferred-length with relative weight of 96 (n= 35 quality-length) and 95 (n=55 preferred- length). Parentage-based tagging evaluations of the 2014 Largemouth Bass stockings revealed 5 of 65 juvenile Largemouth Bass fin clipped in fall 2014 were of hatchery origin (8%). Thus, the majority of juvenile Largemouth Bass (92%) were likely naturally produced at Lake Mattamuskeet in 2014. Low water conditions that limit access to shoreline habitats in the main lake, coupled with the decline in submerged aquatic habitat in the main lake may influence Largemouth Bass reproduction and recruitment at Lake Mattamuskeet. Future efforts should focus on assessing the extent of possible year class failures and the relationship with water quality and lake levels in the main lake and canals. Specific recommendations for habitat improvements to enhance Largemouth Bass populations at Lake Mattamuskeet are also provided. 1