Food habits of nonnative Smallmouth Bass in Coeur d’Alene Lake, Idaho

Northwest Science
By: , and 

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Abstract

Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) has been widely introduced beyond its native distribution where interactions with other organisms are largely unknown. We examined the food habits of Smallmouth Bass in Coeur d'Alene Lake, Idaho. Smallmouth Bass were sampled monthly from March 2012 to May 2013 using short duration (1–2 hr sets) gill netting and electrofishing. In total, food habits were evaluated from 904 Smallmouth Bass varying in total length from 39 to 492 mm using gastric lavage. Diet composition varied by season and age. Smallmouth Bass less than 100 mm had diets dominated by invertebrates, particularly Ephemeroptera, Odonata, and Diptera. Fishes were increasingly important in the diet of Smallmouth Bass longer than 100 mm. Interestingly, crayfish (Decapoda) were virtually absent in Smallmouth Bass stomachs; only eight Smallmouth Bass had crayfish in their diet. Native vertebrates were also rare in Smallmouth Bass diets. Rather, kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka), a nonnative species, was generally the most commonly consumed fish prey item (present in 5–15% of Smallmouth Bass across seasons). Kokanee contributed the highest percentage of total energy (approximately 45% of all energy) of any prey item. Results of this study suggest that native fishes of conservation concern are a minor component of Smallmouth Bass diets and that kokanee is important in meeting the energy demands of nonnative Smallmouth Bass. Further research on the distribution and abundance of crayfish in the system and on the population-level effects of Smallmouth Bass predation on kokanee would be insightful and help guide management actions in Coeur d'Alene Lake and similar systems in western North America.

Suggested Citation

Quist, M., Walrath, J.D., Firehammer, J.A., 2025, Food habits of nonnative Smallmouth Bass in Coeur d’Alene Lake, Idaho: Northwest Science, v. 98, no. 2, p. 99-115, https://doi.org/10.3955/046.098.0202.

ISSN: 2161-9859 (online)

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Food habits of nonnative Smallmouth Bass in Coeur d’Alene Lake, Idaho
Series title Northwest Science
DOI 10.3955/046.098.0202
Volume 98
Issue 2
Publication Date August 28, 2025
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher BioOne
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Seattle
Description 17 p.
First page 99
Last page 115
Country United States
State Idaho
Other Geospatial Coeur d'Alene Lake
Additional publication details