Bluegill population demographics as related to abiotic and biotic factors in Florida lakes
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Abstract
Research on Bluegills, Lepomis macrochirus R., is abundant but typically focuses on water bodies with similar environmental conditions. We assessed Bluegill density, relative abundance (catch per unit effort [CPUE] by electrofishing), growth, and size structure in 60 lakes with wide-ranging surface areas (2–12,412 ha), trophic states (oligotrophic–hypereutrophic), and macrophyte abundances (0.3–100 percent of lake volume inhabited [PVI]) across Florida, USA. Bluegill density and CPUE increased with lake productivity and decreased with macrophyte abundance. Bluegill growth increased with lake productivity and CPUE of stock-length Florida Bass, Micropterus floridanus L., a Bluegill predator. Bluegill size structure increased with lake productivity and decreased with Bluegill density. Results indicate that Bluegill fisheries with abundant individuals of quality size (≥150 mm) require productive (>25 μg/L chlorophyll-a concentration) lakes with moderate to high macrophyte coverage (PVI 50–100), abundant stock-length Florida Bass (>40 fish/h of electrofishing), and Bluegill densities <300 fish/ha. This study provides an approach to predict Bluegill population demographics based on abiotic and biotic factors, establish fisheries management expectations, and develop regional and lake-specific management tools.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Bluegill population demographics as related to abiotic and biotic factors in Florida lakes |
| Series title | Fishes |
| DOI | 10.3390/fishes8020100 |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 2023 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | MDPI |
| Contributing office(s) | Coop Res Unit Atlanta |
| Description | 100, 19 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |