Biotelemetry of white bass in a South Dakota glacial lake

Biotelemetry was used to track daily and monthly distributions of white bas s (Morone chrysops) in Lake Poinsett, a South Dakota glacial lake. Ultrason ic transmitters were implanted into 30 adult white bass (332-450 mm, total length) during May 1997. White bass distribution was monitored from June to October 1997, January and February 1998, and April and May 1998. Distribut ions were quantified using depth and distance from shore at fish location. Fish distance from shore was significantly different among dates and diel p eriods (P<0.05), and the interaction term was also significant. White bass in Lake Poinsett were offshore during the summer and winter. During the spr ing and fall, white bass were near shore in shallow waters, which may be re lated to spawning and feeding activities. White bass tended to be nearer th e shore during the evening crepuscular period across seasons. Significant ( P less than or equal to 0.05) but weak (r less than or equal to 0.50) corre lations were found between white bass distance from shore and environmental parameters. Temperature, cloud cover, precipitation, and moon phase were s ignificant contributors to multiple regression models, but no model explain ed more than 26% of the white bass distribution.