Interrelationships among bluegill demographics, predator and competitor abundances and impoundment characteristics

• Main Author: Paul H. Michaletz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2020-11-01
• Series: Journal of Freshwater Ecology
• Subjects: size structure; sexual maturity; total annual mortality; common carp; largemouth bass; gizzard shad; total phosphorus
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02705060.2020.1853623

Bluegills Lepomis macrochirus R. provide popular sport fisheries but the quality of these fisheries has declined across much of their range. Factors that may influence bluegill demographics were examined in 18 Midwestern (USA) impoundments which contained largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides L., the main apex predator, as well as varying abundances of gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum L. and common carp Cyprinus carpio L., which can negatively influence the quality of bluegill populations. Regression models revealed that the relative abundance (catch-per-unit-effort [CPUE], number per hour of electrofishing) of bluegill was positively associated with largemouth bass CPUE and total phosphorous concentration. The total lengths (TL) and ages of the largest and oldest bluegills were negatively associated with common carp CPUE and total annual mortality of bluegills, and positively associated with the TL and age of bluegills when 50% were sexually mature and largemouth bass CPUE. Total annual mortality negatively influenced the TL and age at sexual maturity. Bluegills matured at larger sizes and older ages in impoundments with clearer water. This study revealed the strong influence of mortality on size and age structure and the onset of sexual maturity of bluegill, and the negative influence of common carp on these populations. Management strategies to improve bluegill populations should involve reducing bluegill mortality and common carp populations.