SREL Reprint #0431
Reproductive
Cycles of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) in a Cooling
Reservoir
David
H. Bennett and J. Whitfield Gibbons
Abstract
Annual reproduction cycles of largemouth bass (Micropterus
salmoides) collected in the heated area of a 1120-hectarc reservoir
receiving thermal effluent were similar to cycles from bass collected in
unheated waters during 1969 and 1970. Average
maximum monthly temperatures at the heated area exceeded those in unheated
waters by greater than 10 C for the 2 years.
Few monthly differences in gonosomatic indices were found between heated
and unheated areas. Earlier attainment of maximum gonadal size and the presence
of significantly larger juvenile bass at the heated area suggested that
reproduction might be accelerated by thermal discharge.
However, gonadal condition indicated that the reproductive period started
in March and continued through April in both areas.
Reproduction may have been advanced in some heated area bass, although
this was not obvious from overall changes in the reproductive cycles of bass
from unheated areas.
Keywords: Par Pond Reservoir System
SREL Reprint #0431
Bennett, D.H. and J.W. Gibbons. 1975. Reproductive cycles of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in a cooling
reservoir. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 104:77-82.
