Factors Affecting Foraging Patterns of Juvenile Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) in Vegetated Habitats of a Wisconsin Lake

ABSTRACT

We collected behavioral data of juvenile bluegill in vegetated habitats with underwater videography in a Wisconsin lake to gain a better understanding of how juvenile bluegill foraging patterns are influenced by environmental and/or biotic variables characteristic of vegetated habitats. Relationships among foraging patterns and invertebrate density, aquatic plant stem densities, water quality, water depth, and light were determined. Three plant species (Potamogeton illinoensis, P. robbimii and Ceratophyllum demersum), as well as invertebrate density, water temperature, and percent of light transfer in the water column were associated with foraging duration of blued. We suggest these data are useful in determining the habitat required for enhancement of bluegill populations and recruitment of young fishes.