AUTHORS: Jason Uden, South Dakota State University; Peter Nester, South Dakota State University; Benjamin Schall, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks; Dave Lucchesi, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
ABSTRACT: Recently, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP) has placed increased emphasis on the development and maintenance of community fisheries to help recruit, retain, and reactivate anglers. One management objective is maintaining high catch rates of popular sportfish, accomplished through frequent stockings of catchable-size fish. However, little is known about the natural recruitment of these species within these community fishing ponds. The objective of this study was to determine if Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides), Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), and Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) were successfully reproducing in two community fishing ponds.
Seines were used to collect Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie at Lake Ole, Harrisburg, South Dakota, and Tea City Park Pond, Tea, South Dakota. Four 20-meter sampling areas were selected at each pond. A 25-foot seine was pulled along the predetermined length and brought to shore. The captured fish were sorted, measured, and brought to the lab. For each sampling event, otoliths were collected from three fish per 1-inch increment for Bluegill from 1-6 inches, Black Crappie from 1-6 inches, and Largemouth Bass from 1-8 inches. In the laboratory, otoliths were extracted, and a compound microscope was used for observation. Ages were assigned by two SDGFP fisheries management interns and a full-time fisheries biologist. Average ages were taken when discrepancies between our observations were found.
Otoliths were collected from 114 fish, ranging from age zero to five. Assigned ages for Largemouth Bass ranged from 0 to 1, Black Crappie from 2 to 3, and Bluegill from 0 to 5. Our results suggest positive natural reproduction rates of these species in the two ponds studied. Additionally, natural recruitment may play a larger role in maintaining community pond fisheries than anticipated.
