Population Dynamics of Largemouth Bass in Lucchetti Reservoir, Puerto Rico

Abstract

Juvenile largemouth bass C annually. Water level increase could be used to stimulate largemouth bass spawning in systems where water temperature is suitable. CPUE of age-1 largemouth bass was positively correlated with water levels of the previous year and negatively correlated with water level fluctuations. The effect of these hydrological variables on largemouth bass recruitment appeared to be exponential rather than linear. Age-1 largemouth bass comprise the majority of the fishable stock in Lucchetti Reservoir, and the stock is typically below carrying capacity. Thus, the potential exists to adopt a water level management plan during the spawning period of largemouth bass to ensure successful largemouth bass recruitment into the next year's fishable stock.