Mj. Maceina et Wc. Reeves, RELATIONS BETWEEN SUBMERSED MACROPHYTE ABUNDANCE AND LARGEMOUTH BASS TOURNAMENT SUCCESS ON 2 TENNESSEE-RIVER IMPOUNDMENTS, Journal of aquatic plant management, 34, 1996, pp. 33-38
During an eight-year period from 1986 to 1993, submersed macrophyte co
verage ranged from 7 to 28% on Lake Guntersville and 2 to 14% on Wheel
er Lake. Using black bass (Micropterus spp.) fishing tournaments data
from these two mainstream impoundments of the Tennessee River, catch r
ates of primarily largemouth bass (M. salmoides Lacepde) were generall
y greater when macrophyte cover was highest. However, average weight o
f fish caught was lowest during peak macrophyte coverage, but no diffe
rences in weight-per-hour of fish caught were evident. The amount of e
ffort to catch a memorable-size (greater than or equal to 2.27 kg) lar
gemouth bass varied inversely with macrophyte abundance. Mie hypothesi
zed that angling vulnerability of these larger fish likely declined du
e to the refuge provided by plant cover. With the exception of catch r
ates of memorable-size fish, fluctuating plant coverage had minimal im
pact oil tournament success as winnings are based on total weight of f
ish caught rather than the number caught.