Out-of-Season Spawning Method for Florida Largemouth Bass to Produce Advanced-Sized Fingerlings by Early Spring

Abstract

The objective of this research was to establish a production-scale “out-of-season” (OS) spawning protocol yielding Florida Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides floridanus swim-up fry in a 3- to 4-week period in the fall. The OS photothermal manipulation began each year on approximately June 18 and was completed by September 20. The intent was to simulate winter to spring temperatures and day length over a 90-d period to naturally induce gonad development without the use of hormones. Adult bass were stocked at a 1:1 or 2:3 male-to-female sex ratio and spawned in late September through mid-October. Total numbers of spawns collected for 2009, 2010, and 2011 were 193, 205, and 199, representing an average 1.4, 2.0, and 1.0 spawns per female, respectively. Spawning duration required to achieve production numbers were 26, 31, and 23 d, respectively. Off-season spawning was accomplished without photothermal manipulation in December 2008–January 2009, but cold pond temperatures resulted in 10% survival. The OS spawning technique allows for biannual production seasons from the same broodstock population and the production of large numbers of 100-mm bass by March. Increased production, spawning latency, broodstock behavior, hatchery efficiency, and temporal limitations are discussed.

Received March 26, 2013; accepted July 8, 2013

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors would like to acknowledge all the regional FWC staff for their assistance in collecting broodfish. We also want to express our gratitude to hatchery staff members Joshua Sakmar, Justin Elkins, Rick Thompson, and Dewayne Thomas for all the long hours and hard work they provided. Finally, we would like to thank Paul Cardeilhac, Kelly Winningham, Juan Martinez, and two anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments on the manuscript.