Post-Release Survival and Behavior of Adult Shoal Bass in the Flint River, Georgia

Abstract

We conducted a telemetry study of Shoal Bass Micropterus cataractae in the lower Flint River, Georgia, during 2010. Our objectives were to (1) characterize Shoal Bass migration from communal spawning habitats and (2) evaluate the effects of translocation on survival of adult Shoal Bass and determine its value as a viable restoration and management tool. Twenty-seven adult Shoal Bass (TL ≥305 mm) were fitted with hydroacoustic tags. Thirteen fish (control group) were released at the site of capture, and the remaining 14 individuals were transported 75 river kilometers (rkm) downstream prior to release (translocated group). Telemetry data suggested that spawning congregations are composed of fish from local (<3 rkm) and distant (>3 rkm) home ranges. Initially, within 14 d, translocated fish remained near their release site significantly longer than control fish remained at the original capture site. After 90 d at large, the distance that control Shoal Bass dispersed from the release site was similar to distances dispersed by the translocated group, 1.6–23.0 rkm and 2.6–28.6 rkm, respectively. After 90 d, translocated Shoal Bass had not returned to the same river reach that was occupied by control fish. No sex-specific differences were found between groups. Postrelease survival after 90 d was 92% for both translocated and control groups. Telemetry results indicated that Shoal Bass in the Flint River undergo substantial migrations to spawning habitats. Stockpiling of Shoal Bass from live-release tournaments may occur in the short term, and relocation away from home ranges may occur in the long term, thus affecting adult Shoal Bass distribution. The high survival rates and the eventual dispersal of most translocated fish observed in this study suggest Shoal Bass can cope with translocation.

Received February 24, 2012; accepted May 15, 2013

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research was funded through the Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration Act. We gratefully acknowledge the personnel of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Management Section for support and assistance. Thanks to John Kilpatrick, Dean “Road Buzzard” Barber, and Rob Weller for the countless hours spent shuttling trucks up and down the river. Special thanks to Todd Braswell for the volunteered time spent in the field.