Evaluation of a shoreline rotenone application to control Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides recruitment in small impoundments

Abstract

Control of Largemouth Bass recruitment would benefit small impoundment recreational fisheries by reducing largemouth population density, which could improve growth rates, body condition, and size structure. I evaluated the efficacy of shoreline rotenone application of the piscicide rotenone to target age-0 Largemouth Bass and reduce Largemouth Bass recruitment in small impoundments. I tested for the effects of shoreline rotenone application on Largemouth Bass and Bluegill density, growth, size structure, and body condition in 20 Alabama small impoundments. Following treatment, Largemouth Bass densities declined, body condition increased, and mean age-1 length increased, whereas Bluegill population indicators were unaffected. My study suggests that shoreline rotenone application may be a useful approach for reducing Largemouth Bass densities in small impoundments, but more study is needed to better assess the effects of impoundment surface area and treatment frequency and duration on the utility of the approach.