Factors Influencing Largemouth Bass Recruitment: Implications for the Illinois Management and Stocking Program Annual Progress Report July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010

The goal of this study is to develop management strategies that maximize growth, recruitment, and harvest of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides in Illinois impoundments. Largemouth bass are frequently stocked in many Illinois impoundments to compensate for variable recruitment. Even so, the long-term contribution of stocked fish to recruitment and harvest of natural bass populations is unknown and we are addressing these questions. In addition, information on the importance of rearing technique, size of stocked fish, forage base, cover, resident predators, physical-chemical conditions, and stocking stress in determining largemouth bass stocking success is needed to optimize use of hatchery produced fish. Because stocking is only one of several management options for this species, it is critical that additional information on factors limiting recruitment processes be identified.Division of Fisheries, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Federal Aid Project F-135-R-12unpublishednot peer reviewe