Gl. Robel et Wl. Fisher, Bioenergetics estimate of the effects of stocking density on hatchery production of smallmouth bass fingerlings, N AM J AQUA, 61(1), 1999, pp. 1-7
Production of and consumption by hatchery-reared fingerling (age-0) smallmo
uth bass Micropterus dolomieu at various simulated stocking densities were
estimated with a bioenergetics model. Fish growth rates and pond water temp
eratures during the 1996 growing season at two hatcheries in Oklahoma were
used in the model. Fish growth and simulated consumption and production dif
fered greatly between the two hatcheries, probably because of differences i
n pond fertilization and mortality rates. Our results suggest that appropri
ate stocking density depends largely on prey availability as affected by po
nd fertilization and on fingerling mortality rates. The bioenergetics model
provided a useful tool for estimating production at various stocking densi
ty rates. However, verification of physiological parameters for age-0 fish
of hatchery-reared species is needed.