Activity and Distribution of Northern and Florida Largemouth Bass in a Texas Impoundment

ABSTRACT

Three northern and two Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides salmoides and M. s. floridanus) were “tracked” via ultrasonic telemetry in a 2-ha Texas impoundment for a 3-h period at each of three times of the day, on three occasions during spring-summer 1982. Florida largemouth bass had a higher mean swimming speed than northern largemouth bass (4.41 cm/sec versus 3.75 cm/sec, respectively). Florida largemouth bass were more active at dawn: northern largemouth bass activity peaked in the afternoon. Mean Swimming speed was least in midsummer. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, water clarity, forage distribution, and especially cover also influenced bass behavior.