Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Changes in Diet and Food Consumption of Largemouth Bass Following Large-scale Hydrilla Reduction in Lake Seminole, Georgia

  • Primary Research Paper
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides Lacepède growth (in length) increased an average of 14% and bioenergetics modeling predicted a 38% increase in total annual food consumption following a large-scale reduction of hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata L.f. Royle in Spring Creek, a 2,343-ha embayment of Lake Seminole, Georgia. Coverage of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) declined from 76% to 22% in 1 year due to a drip-delivery fluridone treatment. In contrast, largemouth bass growth only increased an average of 4% and bioenegetics modeling predicted a 13% increase in total food consumption over the same time period in the Chattahoochee River embyament, where SAV coverage naturally declined from 26% to 15%. Diets were collected from a total of 4,409 largemouth bass over a 2.5-year period in the two embayments; the primary diet item (by weight) for largemouth bass in both embayments was sunfish (mostly Lepomis spp.). Diets before and after SAV reduction were generally similar for fish greater than stock-size (≥203 mm) in the Spring Creek arm; however, fewer invertebrates were consumed after SAV reduction. Low diet similarity was observed in smaller fish, caused by a decline in consumption of grass shrimp and sunfishes and an increase in use of damselflies, shiners Notropis spp., and topminnows Fundulus spp. after SAV reduction. Diets were similar between the same time periods for all sizes of fish in the Chattahoochee River arm. These results agreed with many laboratory results describing the effects of aquatic plant density on largemouth bass food consumption and growth, and demonstrated that increased predation efficiency resulting from decreased plant abundance was likely a stronger factor determining growth rates than any potential diet shift that may occur as a result in vegetation decline.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • S. M. Adams R. B. McLean M. M. Huffman (1982) ArticleTitleStructuring of a predator population through temperature-mediated effects on prey availability Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 39 1175–1184

    Google Scholar 

  • O. Anderson (1984) ArticleTitleOptimal foraging by largemouth bass in structured environments Ecology 65 851–861

    Google Scholar 

  • R. O. Anderson R. M. Neumann (1996) Length, weight, and associated structural indices B. R. Murphy D. W. Willis (Eds) Fisheries Techniques EditionNumber2 American Fisheries Society Bethesda, MD 447–482

    Google Scholar 

  • P. W. Bettoli M. J. Maceina R. L. Noble R. K. Betsill (1992) ArticleTitlePiscivory in largemouth bass as a function of aquatic vegetation abundance North American Journal of Fisheries Management 12 509–516 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8675(1992)012<0509:PILBAA>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. W. Bettoli M. J. Maceina R. L. Noble R. K. Betsill (1993) ArticleTitleResponse of a reservoir fish community to aquatic vegetation removal North American Journal of Fisheries Management 13 110–124 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8675(1993)013<0110:ROARFC>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. W. Bettoli J. E. Morris R. L. Noble (1991) ArticleTitleChanges in the abundance of two atherinid species after aquatic vegetation removal Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 120 90–97 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8659(1991)120<0090:CITAOT>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S. J. Brown M. J. Maceina (2002) ArticleTitleThe influence of disparate levels of submersed aquatic vegetation on largemouth bass population characteristics in a Georgia reservoir Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 40 28–35

    Google Scholar 

  • R. L. Cailteux W. F. Porak S. Crawford L. L. Connor (1998) ArticleTitleDifferences in largemouth bass food habits and growth in vegetated and unvegetated north-central Florida lakes Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Southeastern Associated Fish and Wildlife Agencies 50 IssueID1996 201–211

    Google Scholar 

  • K. D. Carlander (1969) Handbook of Freshwater Fishery Biology NumberInSeries1 Iowa State University Press Ames, IA

    Google Scholar 

  • K. D. Carlander (1977a) Handbook of Freshwater Fishery Biology NumberInSeries2 Iowa State University Press Ames, IA

    Google Scholar 

  • K. D. Carlander (1997b) Handbook of Freshwater Fishery Biology NumberInSeries3 Iowa State University Press Ames, IA

    Google Scholar 

  • D. G. Cloutman D. C. Jackson (2003) ArticleTitleA comparison of randomized intervention analysis and two-factor analysis of variance for analysis of angler effort in a floodplain river fishery Fisheries Management and Ecology 10 173–177 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2400.2003.00330.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D. E. Colle J. V. Shireman (1980) ArticleTitleCoefficients of condition for largemouth bass, bluegill, and redear sunfish in hydrilla-infested lakes Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 109 521–531 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8659(1980)109<521:COCFLB>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. D. Dibble S. L. Harrel (1997) ArticleTitleLargemouth bass diets in two aquatic plant communities Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 35 74–78

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Dionne C. L. Folt (1991) ArticleTitleAn experimental analysis of␣macrophyte growth forms as fish foraging habitat Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 48 123–131

    Google Scholar 

  • A. M. Fox W. T. Haller G. D. Shiling (1994) ArticleTitleUse of fluridone for hydrilla management in the Withlacoochee River, Florida Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 32 47–55

    Google Scholar 

  • V. Gotceitas P. Colgan (1987) ArticleTitleSelection between Densities of Artificial Vegetation by Young Bluegills Avoiding Predation Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 116 40–49 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8659(1987)116<40:SBDOAV>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • V. Gotceitas P. Colgan (1989) ArticleTitlePredator foraging success and habitat complexity – quantitative test of the threshold hypothesis Oecologia 80 IssueID2 158–166

    Google Scholar 

  • C. S. Guy D. W. Willis (1990) ArticleTitleStructural relationships of largemouth bass and bluegill populations in South Dakota ponds North American Journal of Fisheries Management 10 338–343 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8675(1990)010<0338:SROLBA>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C. S. Guy D. W. Willis (1995) ArticleTitlePopulation characteristics of black crappies in South Dakota waters: A case for ecosystem management North American Journal of Fisheries Management 15 754–765 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8675(1995)015<0754:PCOBCI>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. C. Hanson T. B. Johnson D. E. Schindler J. F. Kitchell (1997) Bioenergetics model 3.0 for Windows, WISCU-T-97–001 University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, Technical Report Madison, WI

    Google Scholar 

  • J. W. Hayse T. E. Wissing (1996) ArticleTitleEffects of stem density of artificial vegetation on abundance and growth of age-0 bluegills and predation by largemouth bass Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 125 422–433 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8659(1996)125<0422:EOSDOA>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • B. J. Irwin (2001) Manipulating gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum populations to manage for their sport fish predators: Potential of selective poisoning and predatory control. M. S. Thesis Auburn University Auburn, AL

    Google Scholar 

  • H. Liao C. L. Pierce D. H. Wahl J. B. Rasmussen W. C. Leggett (1995) ArticleTitleRelative Weight (Wr) as a field assessment tool: Relationships with growth, prey biomass, and environmental conditions Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 124 387–400 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8659(1995)124<0387:RWWRAA>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. J. Maceina (1988) ArticleTitleA simple grinding procedure for sectioning otoliths North American Journal of Fisheries Management 8 141–143

    Google Scholar 

  • M. J. Maceina (1996) ArticleTitleLargemouth bass abundance and aquatic vegetation in Florida lakes: An alternative interpretation Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 34 43–47

    Google Scholar 

  • M. J. Maceina B. R. Murphy (1989) ArticleTitleFlorida, northern, and hybrid largemouth bass feeding characteristics in Aquilla Lake, Texas Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Southeastern Associated Fish and Wildlife Agencies 42 IssueID1988 112–119

    Google Scholar 

  • L. E. Miranda R. J. Muncy (1990) ArticleTitleBioenergetic values of shads and sunfishes as prey for largemouth bass Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Southeastern Associated Fish and Wildlife Agencies 43 IssueID1989 153–163

    Google Scholar 

  • L. E. Miranda L. L. Pugh (1997) ArticleTitleRelationship between vegetation coverage and abundance, size, and diet of juvenile largemouth bass during winter North American Journal of Fisheries Management 17 601–610 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8675(1997)017<0601:RBVCAA>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D. J. Moxley F. H. Langford (1983) ArticleTitleBeneficial effects of hydrilla on two eutrophic lakes in central Florida Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Southeastern Associated Fish and Wildlife Agencies 36 IssueID1982 280–286

    Google Scholar 

  • D. L. Parrish T. D. Forsythe T. J. Timmons (1986) ArticleTitleGrowth and condition comparisons of white crappie in two similar large reservoirs Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science 61 IssueID4 92–95

    Google Scholar 

  • R. M. Peterman (1990) ArticleTitleStatistical power analysis can improve fisheries research and management Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 47 2–15

    Google Scholar 

  • K. L. Pope M. L. Brown W. G. Duffy P. H. Michaletz (2001) ArticleTitleA caloric-based evaluation of diet indices for largemouth bass Environmental Biology of Fishes 61 329–339 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1011096819147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S. A. Pothoven B. Vondracek D. L. Pereira (1999) ArticleTitleEffects of vegetation removal on bluegill and largemouth bass in two Minnesota lakes North American Journal of Fisheries Management 19 748–757 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8675(1999)019<0748:EOVROB>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. A. Rice J. E. Breck S. M. Bartlell J. F. Kitchell (1983) ArticleTitleEvaluating the constraints of temperature, activity, and consumption on growth of largemouth bass Environmental Biology of Fishes 9 263–275 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00692375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. A. Rice P. A. Cochran (1984) ArticleTitleIndependent evaluation of a bioenergetics model for largemouth bass Ecology 65 732–739

    Google Scholar 

  • L. P. Rozas W. E. Odum (1988) ArticleTitleOccupation of submersed aquatic vegetation by fishes: testing roles of food and refuge Oecologia 77 101–106 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00380932

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • S. M. Sammons (2004) Effects of a drip-delivery fluridone treatment on largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides activity patterns and populations characteristics in the spring creek embayment of Lake Seminole, Georgia. Ph.D. dissertation Auburn University Auburn, AL

    Google Scholar 

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameSAS Institute Inc (2000) SAS system for linear models. Release 8.1 Carry NC

    Google Scholar 

  • J. F. Savino R. A. Stein (1982) ArticleTitlePredator–prey interaction between largemouth bass and bluegills as influenced by simulated, submersed vegetation Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 121 255–266

    Google Scholar 

  • J. F. Savino R. A. Stein (1989) ArticleTitleBehavioral interactions between fish predators and their prey-effects of plant density Animal Behavior 37 311–321 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0003-3472(89)90120-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • T. W. Schoener (1970) ArticleTitleNonsynchronous spatial overlap of lizards in patchy habitats Ecology 51 408–417

    Google Scholar 

  • H. L. Schramm SuffixJr. A. V. Zale (1985) ArticleTitleEffects of cover and prey size on preferences of juvenile largemouth bass for blue tilapias and bluegills in tanks Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 114 725–731 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8659(1985)114<725:EOCAPS>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. E. IV. Slaughter (2002) The effects of latitude on largemouth bass growth potential: implications of countergradient variation and possible effects on current bioenergetics models. M.S. Thesis Auburn University Auburn, AL

    Google Scholar 

  • G. L. Summers (1981) ArticleTitleFood of adult largemouth bass in a small impoundment with dense aquatic vegetation Proceedings of the Annual Conference of Southeastern Associated Fish and Wildlife Agencies 34 IssueID1980 130–136

    Google Scholar 

  • J. M. L. Unmuth M. J. Hansen T. D. Pellet (1999) ArticleTitleEffects of mechanical harvesting of Eurasian watermilfoil on largemouth bass and bluegill populations in Fish Lake, Wisconsin North American Journal of Fisheries Management 19 1089–1098 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8675(1999)019<1089:EOMHOE>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District (USACE). 1998. Lake Seminole, FL-GA-AL hydrilla action plan. Final Supplement to the Master Plan and Final Supplement to the Environmental Impact Statement

  • R. D. Valley M. T. Bremigan (2002) ArticleTitleEffects of macrophyte bed architecture on largemouth bass foraging: Implications of exotic macrophyte invasions Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 131 234–244 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8659(2002)131<0234:EOMBAO>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. J. Avyle ParticleVan Den J. E. Roussel (1980) ArticleTitleEvaluation of a simple method for removing food items from live black bass Progressive Fish-Culturist 42 222–223

    Google Scholar 

  • L. Bertalanffy Particlevon (1938) ArticleTitleA quantitative theory of organic growth Human Biology 10 181–213

    Google Scholar 

  • R. K. Wallace SuffixJr (1981) ArticleTitleAn assessment of diet-overlap indices Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 110 72–76 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8659(1981)110<72:AAODI>2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. E. Werner D. J. Hall (1988) ArticleTitleOntogenetic habitat shifts of bluegill - the foraging rate predation risk tradeoff Ecology 69 1352–1366

    Google Scholar 

  • G. W. Whitledge R. S. Hayward (1997) ArticleTitleLaboratory evaluation of a bioenergetics model for largemouth bass at two temperatures and feeding levels Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 126 1030–1035 Occurrence Handle10.1577/1548-8659(1997)126<1030:LEOABM>2.3.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. J. Wiley R. W. Gordon S. W. Waite T. Powless (1984) ArticleTitleThe relationship between aquatic macrophytes and sport fish production in Illinois ponds: A simple model North American Journal of Fisheries Management 4 111–119

    Google Scholar 

  • W. B. Wrenn D. R. Lowery M. J. Maceina W. C. Reeves (1996) ArticleTitleLargemouth bass and aquatic plant abundance in Guntersville Reservoir, Alabama American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 16 382–392

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Fisheries, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA

    Steve M. Sammons & Michael J. Maceina

Authors
  1. Steve M. Sammons
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michael J. Maceina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Steve M. Sammons.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sammons, S.M., Maceina, M.J. Changes in Diet and Food Consumption of Largemouth Bass Following Large-scale Hydrilla Reduction in Lake Seminole, Georgia. Hydrobiologia 560, 109–120 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-1163-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-1163-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation