Population Characteristics of Largemouth Bass Associated with Changes in Abundance of Submersed Aquatic Vegetation in Lake Seminole, Georgia

Population characteristics of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides L.) including growth, body condition (relative weight), survival, and egg production were examined in relation to abundance of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) coverage (primarily hydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata L.f. Royle]) in three embayments of Lake Seminole, GA, and compared to a previous study conducted in 1998. Hydrilla in the Spring Creek arm was reduced by a drip-delivery fluridone (1-methyl-3-phenyl-5-[3- (trifluoromethyl) phenyl]-4(1H)-pyridinone) system beginning in May 2000; total SAV coverage declined from 76% to 22% between 2000 and 2001. In contrast, SAV in the Flint River arm increased slightly from 1997 to 2000 (32% to 40%) then declined again in 2001 (28%). Plant coverage in the Chattahoochee River arm remained similar between 1997 and 2000 (26%) and declined in 2001 (15%). Following hydrilla reduction in Spring Creek, relative weight increased 3% to 7% between 1998 and 2003 for two of four length groups of largemouth bass. In the other two reservoir arms relative weight either declined or remained the same between the time periods. Growth of age 1-3 largemouth bass was higher in Spring Creek than in the other embayments and time to reach 305 mm and 406 mm decreased by 17% and 33%, respectively, between 1998 and 2003.