Good Read about the stocking of the Florida strain bass

[1nova]

Dunk, read kevin Hoover's research paper, it has all the details on the how and whys. If the FL-strain were stocked in densities great enough to provide F1 that are larger than current natives, then subsequent backcrossing would result in all future bass actuallyhaving less genetic.potential than if the populations wasn't messed with.

 

[tripletdad]

I emailed mike joley and this was his reply.


I am glad to hear you have interest in the largemouth bass fishery at
Chickamauga Reservoir. Your email refers to the status of the Florida
bass stocking program and related updates. I will be happy to give you
some information in those regards.
First, we started the Florida largemouth bass stocking program in the
year 2000 on Chickamauga Reservoir. We have continued to stock Florida
largemouth bass every year since then. We try to stock around 200,000 of
these fingerlings annually. We have conducted genetic testing over this
period of time frame and continue to do so as recently as last spring.
The results of this most recent test have still not been completed by
the contracted organization. Earlier tests did show the presence of
Florida largemouth bass but at a very low rate. Thus, the verdict on the
overall success of this program has still not been determined. For the
last few years we have collected fish for genetic analysis every other
year. I would like to point out that the most accurate way of knowing if
largemouth bass are of the Florida strain versus the native Northern
strain is through genetic testing, not observation.
Currently, Chickamauga Reservoir is experiencing great fishing
opportunities in relation to largemouth bass, as well as other species.
In my opinion, there are several factors that have merged at the same
time that have promoted this current status. In no particular order;
1)the 15” minimum length limit for largemouth bass has assured
protection for large year classes of fish until they reach this 15” size
2) in the year 2003 there was a large spring flood event that was very
conducive for a large spawn of fish which subsequently has had a
positive influence on future year classes of fish 3) according to TVA
surveys, aquatic vegetation on Chickamauga is at a higher density than
it has been for several years with many different species of plants,
this is very good fish habitat 4) the stocking of Florida largemouth
bass.
In addition to genetic testing we conduct bi-annual spring
electrofishing surveys on Chickamauga Reservoir for all black bass
species. From this data, we learn about population densities, size
structure, conditions, etc.
I hope and trust you will find this information useful. Best regards in
your fishing endeavors!


Mike Jolley
TWRA Region 3 Reservoir Fisheries Manager

 

[nwright]

Carl Guffey - 4/20/2011 6:32 AM



<font face="georgia,palatino" size="2">Yes, there were fish stocked into Chickamauga Lake. But when TWRA went back to sample the only thing they found were bluegill,catfish,drum, and black bass filled to the brim with fingerlings. The fingerlings were released into waters with very little available habitat and they basically became fish food for the predators. All of the bass were marked for easy identification and no fish have been found with this ID or genetic DNA.</font></p>

<font face="Georgia" size="2">The quality fish being caught currently on Chickamauga are Northern strain that have had the availability of cover and high amounts of forage. The current record for largemouth bass in Tennessee is a little over 14 lbs. If the Florida strain stockings had done any good on the lake, we would have seen fish into the 16 to 18 lb. range in 10 years. Especially with the available forage base.</font></p>

Mr. Jolley doen't subscribe to your theory. See #4 below.

Currently, Chickamauga Reservoir is experiencing great fishing
opportunities in relation to largemouth bass, as well as other species.
In my opinion, there are several factors that have merged at the same
time that have promoted this current status. In no particular order;
1)the 15” minimum length limit for largemouth bass has assured
protection for large year classes of fish until they reach this 15” size
2) in the year 2003 there was a large spring flood event that was very
conducive for a large spawn of fish which subsequently has had a
positive influence on future year classes of fish 3) according to TVA
surveys, aquatic vegetation on Chickamauga is at a higher density than
it has been for several years with many different species of plants,
this is very good fish habitat 4) the stocking of Florida largemouth
bass.

They obviously think some survive because they continue to stock them!

Even in the hey-day of aquatic vegatation on Chickmauga the quality of bass caught was nowhere near what it is now.