Late summer and early fall Fisheries Management Division biologists head out to sample the year class strength and survival of the June spawn of black bass in lakes. This annual index of mostly largemouth bass young, smallmouth bass young in some lakes, through time provides insight into environmental and weather related events which influence survival of young bass. The sample is also a projection of the contribution of that year's natural reproduction to the enjoyment of bass anglers some 4 years down the line when a year class will then be about 12 inches in length. While lake environments are relatively stable, as opposed to storm event flows on streams and rivers, any given year's survival numbers are enhanced by stable water levels and increasing water temperatures through the critical late spring and early summer. Year class numbers are reduced by sudden drops in water temperatures during cool rainy periods during these critical early life stages of these young fish.
Fisheries Technician Dave Kristine geared up to sample on a foggy fall morning
Young of the year largemouth bass approximately 1.5 inches in length
I'm just a little largemouth bass of three inches and weigh under an ounce born in June but I have dreams of being 22 inches long and weighing 6 pounds in 7 or 8 years like my big brother being held by Fisheries Technician John Frederick below
-- Area 7
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