Effects of Pond Volume Manipulation on Production of Fingerling Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides

Abstract

Hatchery ponds were manipulated by timing of filling to increase the efficiency of production of fingerling largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides. The effects on pond productivity of fertilizing with chicken manure versus plant meals (consisting of equal parts by weight of cottonseed meal, alfalfa meal, and wheat shorts) were also examined. When ponds were filled in stages, more favorable water temperatures for largemouth bass were achieved, and desirable dissolved oxygen concentrations were maintained. Chlorophyll a levels and plankton community respiration rates were higher in ponds that were fertilized with the plant meals than in ponds fertilized with chicken manure (25% dry matter). Secchi disk visibility was relatively greater in chicken manure ponds than in ponds fertilized with the plant meals; however all differences were not significant. Zooplankton densities were comparable among treatments. Filling ponds in stages had no significant effects on chlorophyll a, plankton community respiration rate, Secchi disk visibility, or zooplankton abundance and population dynamics. Daily production of largemouth bass was greater in ponds filled in stages and fertilized with plant meals than in other treatment ponds. Yield was highest in stage-filled ponds fertilized with plant meals and lowest in full ponds fertilized with chicken manure. Filling ponds in stages reduced the fertilizer cost per kilogram of largemouth bass by 50% in ponds fertilized with plant meals and by 65% in manure-fertilized ponds.