Do Angler Handling Practices Influence the Short-Term Post-Release Behaviour of Black Bass?

Black bass (Micropterus spp.) are a popular group of sportfish in North America, caught year-round, providing economic benefits to local communities. Anglers often release Black bass due to seasonal regulations, tournament regulations or because of personal conservation ethic, with the expectation that released fish will survive the angling interaction. Biologgers were used to analyse the short-term post-release behaviour of Black bass that were angled and released during different seasons of the year. Black bass exposed to sub-freezing windchill temperatures during ice fishing had reduced skin temperatures and increased locomotory activity. The type of weigh-in format influenced the water temperature and depth selected during the short-term post-release period, while also influencing locomotory activity of Black bass. Fish held in livewells demonstrated increased locomotory activity and selected shallower and warmer waters relative to controls. These findings will help to inform the development of best practices for catch and release.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• LaRochelle, Luc

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2022 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, research, scholarship, and teaching. Theses may only be shared by linking to Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be used without proper attribution to the author. No part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2021-14919

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/42505