SEASONAL AND SIZE-RELATED FOOD-HABITS OF LARGEMOUTH BASS IN 2 CONNECTICUT LAKES

Stomach contents of 425 largemouth bass were identified and quantified using the Relative Importance (RI) index over three seasons (spring, summer, and fall) from Lake Lillinonah and Pickerel Lake, Connecticut. In Lake Lillinonah during spring, aquatic insects had the highest RI, followed by crayfish and fish (primarily white perch). During summer and fall, the RI of aquatic insects decreased, the RI of crayfish rema ined consistent, and the RI of fish approximately doubled. Fish (prima rily bluegill) was the most important diet item of largemouth bass fro m Pickerel Lake during all seasons. Aquatic insects were the second mo st important diet item during spring and summer. In Lake Lillinonah an d Pickerel Lake, the RT of aquatic insects decreased and the RI of fis h increased with increasing fish length; aquatic insects were most imp ortant in largemouth bass less than 300 mm. In contrast to Lake Lillin onah where the RI of crayfish and fish were of equal importance in lar gemouth bass greater than or equal to 380 mm, largemouth bass greater than or equal to 380 mm in Pickerel Lake fed almost exclusively on fis h. Our results suggest that food habits of largemouth depend on the ty pe of lake system and the dominant prey types. In Connecticut lakes th at lack suitable littoral areas and associated panfish species, largem outh bass may rely on pelagic fishes and crayfish as food sources.