MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS A KEY TO FISH MANAGEMENT
In Part 1 of our fish growth discussion, we summarized the basics of fish growth. We explained how being cold-blooded meant that most north-temperate fish species exhibit most of their growth when the water is warm, and that winter tends to be a non-growth period. We talked about how biologists age fish, the problems (errors) associated with trying to age older fish, and funding constraints which frequently preclude a good understanding of the “top end” of fish growth curves in most lakes and rivers. Finally, we touched on factors that can influence fish growth such as latitude, food availability and energetic costs of food acquisition and predator avoidance.
PART TWO-POPULATION DENSITY
In Part 2, we used Travel Manitoba’s Master Angler dataset for walleye in Crowduck Lake to delve into a real-world example of density dependant growth, explaining why Master Angler catches declined precipitously after peaking in the late 1990s.
In summary, the large walleye population that developed in Crowduck after stocking and the implementation of catch and release regulations quickly consumed the bulk of the available forage. Shortly thereafter the fish in the lake began exhibiting moderated growth which precluded walleye from attaining trophy size before they succumbed to natural mortality.
PART THREE-SMALLMOUTH BASS AND THE ROLE WE CAN PLAY IN FISH MANAGEMENT
Smallmouth Bass: local perceptions
In Manitoba, smallmouth bass are predominantly regarded as a sport fish. Undoubtedly, they are a fun species to catch – they are acrobatic, will hit top-water lures and put up a good fight on light tackle. Lakes with good numbers of 18 – 20” ‘smallies’ draw hardcore local anglers (e.g. tournament anglers) and tourists alike.
Manitoba has quite a few lakes that are currently producing good numbers of large smallmouth, but I (and other biologists) question for how much longer that will persist unless harvest pressure on smallmouth bass increases. Increases?
Yep, you read that right. Much like the Crowduck Lake Walleye situation, we are getting to the point where there are so many smallmouth bass relative to the amount of forage in small to mid-sized lakes that reduced growth rates (and eventually reduced top-end size production) seems likely.
CHANGING THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT SMALLMOUTH MANAGEMENT
My perception on smallmouth bass management has changed drastically over the past fifteen years. When I was going through university (aspiring to be a fisheries biologist but lacking both analytical skills and real-world experience), I used to place the species on a pedestal. I considered smallmouth bass to be a grade above walleye in the context of sportfishing quality, and a species that we needed to do everything we could to protect because Manitoba populations were frail. A few examples of my old perceptions:
- I believed that catch-and-release should always be practiced for smallmouth bass, even on lakes were a limit was allowed. Yeah, they might be tasty, but they were more valuable as a sportfish.
- It used to make me angry that anglers in Manitoba could target smallmouth while the fish were protecting fry on their nests in June.
- I blindly accepted (i.e. without examining the scientific basis) that targeting smallmouth during winter was a no-no, as catching them during this period was reputed to result in a death-sentence.
It was a conversation with astute fisheries biologist (recently retired from Manitoba Fisheries Branch) and Hooked magazine contributor Ken Kansas that began to change my perceptions regarding smallmouth bass management and angling practices.
BASS VERSUS WALLEYE
The focus of our conversation was Bass vs. Walleye; Ken explained about apparent competition between smallmouth bass (which are not native to Manitoba waters) and walleye for available forage. Essentially, in some lakes, smallmouth seemed to be slowly over-taking walleye as the dominant species. Ken’s thinking was that they were out-competing walleye for food and living space. This was surprising to me, but I really did not care at the time because reduced walleye abundance seemed like a good trade-off for abundant trophy smallmouth.
Most of the lakes I fished 15 years ago had lots of walleye, and fewer smallmouth bass. Or maybe I was just a poor bass fisherman!
DECLINING WALLEYE POPULATIONS
I have learned a lot since then, and without a doubt, many lakes in Nopiming Provincial Park today that were once “Walleye lakes” are now “Bass lakes”. Shoe Lake is one well-known example, where walleye type-methods (jigging, bottom bouncers and spinners, Tail-dancers) now typically yield more smallmouth than the target species. So Ken’s observations/predictions proved correct.
If you are a bass angler, lots of bass probably sounds like a good thing. However, in addition to out-competing walleye, what has played out over the past 15 years is even more concerning given that the value of smallmouth bass is primarily in relation to trophy fish. Now the production of Master Angler sized fish in the two lakes stocked in the 1980s appears to have declined significantly.
THE RISE AND FALL:TOOTH LAKE
Tooth Lake in Nopiming Provincial Park was stocked with smallmouth bass during 1981, ’82 and ‘83. During the late-1990s and early-2000s, it was likely one of the best smallmouth bass lakes in the Province. Catch and release (no-kill) angling regulations applied. From 1993 – 2004, an average of 69 (range: 39 – 112) Master Angler smallmouth were registered annually. When you examine the quantities of Master Anglers registered over time, keep in mind that Tooth Lake is difficult to access. Basically, you require a 4×4 truck or a quad and a small boat/trailer that you do not mind beating up on the turkey trail in.
I was fortunate in terms equipment breakdowns accessing Tooth Lake (most of my trips were from a canoe that we portaged in), but I know many anglers that had to deal with flat tires on the Nopiming road, or even busted leaf-springs or trailer axles on the trail into Tooth Lake. Still, the smallmouth fishing was so good, it was worth it for those “in the know” to make the effort.
WORD OF MOUTH ONLY
It is worth mentioning that social media did not exist during the heyday, and there were many more secrets in the angling community. As such, many anglers were likely unaware of Tooth Lake’s potential. Point being that if access to Tooth Lake was easier, and more people knew about it, I think it would be fair to say that the quantities of Master Anglers registered during the late-1990s and early-2000s would have been much higher. It really was a phenomenal fishery.
By 2004, the numbers of Master Angler smallmouth bass registered from Tooth Lake declined rapidly. Much like the Crowduck Lake walleye situation (Part 2 of our growth discussion), too many bass and not enough forage to go around is the logical explanation for the decline.
SOLVING THE PUZZLE
In the context of confounding variables, it should be acknowledged that a reduction in angling pressure (less anglers fishing could result in less Master Anglers being registered) on Tooth Lake in recent years is conceivable. Other lakes in which smallmouth became well-established during the 1990s (i.e. a decade after Tooth Lake) may have significantly more appeal to trophy hunters today because a) they are trending well in terms of trophy potential and b) many of them offer easier boat access.
Still, anecdotal evidence from several friends that still periodically fish Tooth Lake gives me the confidence to state that trophy potential for smallmouth bass is a far cry from what it was 15 – 25 years ago.
REMOVAL OF NO KILL REGULATIONS
No-kill regulations were removed in 2015 and a limit is currently allowed (Conservation License: 2 fish; Regular License: 4 fish; only one may exceed 40 cm), but I wonder how many smallmouth bass are actually being harvested from Tooth Lake. Deep-rooted perceptions are hard to change and keeping smallmouth bass for the table is not something that most anglers I know even consider. As such, the timeline for “recovery” of the Tooth Lake trophy smallmouth fishery must be considered uncertain.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF DELINE: HORSESHOE LAKE
I know less about Horseshoe Lake so I will keep this short. It was stocked with smallmouth bass in 1984. Master Angler trends look rather similar to those of Tooth Lake, although in recent years there looks to have been a slight rebound in terms of trophy fish registered. No-kill regulations were also removed in 2015 for Horseshoe Lake.
PREVENTING STUNDING: INCREASED HARVEST
It is now clear that smallmouth bass are well-suited to Manitoba lakes and rivers. Initial concerns about their ability to sustain population growth and assumed sensitivity to fishing pressure have proven unfounded. Many lakes continue to exhibit a positive trajectory in terms of trophy smallmouth catches, but remember that it takes years (probably a decade) for the effects of reduced growth rates (due to density dependence) to become apparent to anglers, whose primary gauge tends to be top-end size.
However, given what both Tooth Lake and Horseshoe Lake records reveal, it is high time for anglers to start harvesting smallmouth bass in Manitoba’s lakes and rivers!
An on a related note, hardcore trophy hunters and tournament anglers should not be shaming (as I used to do 15 years ago) those that harvest mid-sized smallmouth bass. Rather, they should be thanking those who do harvest for helping sustain high rates of growth within populations that are otherwise likely to exhibit stunting and reduced fishery quality in the foreseeable future.
NOTES FROM THE BIOLOGIST AND HARDCORE ANGLER
Did you know smallmouth bass are not native to Manitoba waters?
Their presence is the result of government stocking, illegal transfers, and post-establishment redistribution among connected waterbodies in various watersheds. The construction of railroads in the 1800s facilitated the earliest stocking initiatives of smallmouth bass, but introductions in areas further from the railroads (e.g. in Nopiming Provincial park) did not occur until the 1980s or 1990s
Did you know smallmouth bass make great table fare?
Fillet smaller fish (12 – 14” are ideal) like you would fillet a walleye (they have the same bone structure), coat in your usual batter, and fry in hot oil or lard. I find them particularly good when taken from cold water (in late fall or through the ice) – you will be hard pressed to tell the difference between smallmouth and walleye! As always, practise selective harvest – let the big fish go!