Ohio River Black Bass

2002 Status Report

Largemouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Spotted Bass

Ohio River Fisheries Management Team

 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Ohio River Fisheries Management Team continued to monitor and manage Ohio River
black bass populations, habitats, and fisheries through a coordinated sampling effort in 2002.
Results provide a river-wide perspective of these important sport fishes. Key activities and
findings include the following:

♦ SAMPLING. ORFMT states are collectively monitoring black bass populations in five
study pools throughout the Ohio River.

♦ SPECIES COMPOSITION. Habitat is better suited for smallmouth bass in the upper Ohio
River, while downstream areas are better suited for spotted and largemouth bass.

♦ ABUNDANCE. Smallmouth bass catch rates are greater in the upper river, whereas
spotted and largemouth bass catch rates are greater in the lower river. These trends are
more apparent in 2002.

♦ GROWTH. Growth is similar among pools in 2001 and 2002. Smithland Pool black bass
grow as fast as Hannibal Pool black bass. Ohio River black bass continue to grow fast,
reaching 12 inches or greater in three growing seasons.

♦ REPRODUCTION. Results suggest that reproduction and survival of young fish spawned
in 2001 was greater that those spawned in 2000.

♦ CONDITION. Health of Ohio River black bass is similar to last year. Fish are in excellent
condition, indicating that a good supply of food is available.

♦ TOURNAMENT RESULTS. Tournament catch rates (number of 12 inch bass caught per
hour of fishing) tended to increase from lower to upper portions of the river.

♦ STOCKING. WVDNR stocked largemouth bass in 2002. Results from this pilot study are
pending, update will be available in 2003.

♦ HABITAT MONITORING. ODNR continues pilot study to evaluate the effects of varying
flows and temperatures on reproduction and survival in the Belleville Pool. Results are
still preliminary and will be reported on more fully in future reports.

♦ HABITAT IMPROVEMENT. KDFWR initiated development of a pilot project to evaluate

artificial structure on spawning in the Meldahl Pool.

♦ PARTNERSHIPS. The ORFMT has participated in several meetings with the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers to discuss Ohio River issues related to access, dredging, and
navigation.

♦ CREEL SURVEY. Tailwater surveys were initiated in Fall

2001. Summaries of angler catch rates, harvest, and effort
are pending, update will be available in 2003. .

♦ ACCESS. The ORFMT states continue to add and renovate

access sites throughout the Ohio River to increase fishing opportunities.
 INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass) are important Ohio River sport
fishes. They provide boat- and shore-fishing opportunities from all areas of the river,
making bass fishing an important recreational activity on the river and a valued source
of revenue for the regional economy.

Historically, annual angling success for black bass on the Ohio River has been vari-
able. These fluctuations are likely due to changes in water temperature, water level,
and availability of food. To better manage this fishery, the states bordering the Ohio
River have been working collectively to identify the factors which regulate reproduction
and survival.

The border states formed the Ohio River

Fisheries Management Team (ORFMT;
Figure 1) in 1990 in response to a U.S. PA
Supreme Court ruling on multi-state IL
ownership of the river. Since that time, IN OH
the ORFMT has pursued cooperative
interstate fisheries management WV
throughout the river. KY

In the Fall of 2001, the ORFMT began Figure 1. Ohio River Fisheries Management Team states.
monitoring black bass populations
river-wide. A summary of these activities is provided in this ORFMT update. Data are
compared with largemouth bass averages from Ohio River monitoring in 2001.

ACHIEVEMENTS, 2002

♦ Monitored black bass populations in five pools to deter-

mine population quality.
♦ Monitored temperature and water level fluctuations in
Belleville Pool to evaluate their effects on reproduction.
♦ Conducted angler surveys in eight tailwaters to evaluate
sizes and numbers of fish caught.
♦ Summarized tournament data reporting to monitor bass
populations.
♦ Continued evaluation of largemouth bass stocking in
Belleville Pool.
♦ Met with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to improve fishing
opportunities.
♦ Presented project updates to bass angling organizations.
STUDY AREA

PA
1
IL IN OH
STUDY POOLS
2
1 - Hannibal

N 2 - Belleville
4 3
5 WV 3 - Meldahl

Ohio River KY 4 - Cannelton

5 - Smithland

Figure 2. Study pool locations.

Black bass were sampled with shoreline electrofishing from the five
study pools in Fall 2002 (Figure 2). Bass were identified, measured,
weighed, and aged.
• Abundance was estimated by catch per effort of all sizes of bass.
• Average length at each age was determined to estimate growth.
• Bass health was examined by relating lengths and weights of
individual fish to estimate body condition.
• Reproductive success was determined by relative percentage of
age 1 fish present in electrofishing samples.
• Results were compared with 2001 data.
SPECIES COMPOSITION

PA
IL IN OH

Belleville Hannibal
Cannelton
WV Largemouth
N Smallmouth
Smithland Spotted
Meldahl
KY

Figure 3. Composition of black bass species from the mouth to the headwaters of the Ohio River.

Habitat changes from the headwaters to the mouth of the Ohio River.
These changes, including temperature, gradient, flow, substrate, and
backwater areas influence species composition. Habitat in the upper
Ohio River is more suitable for smallmouth bass; whereas, downstream
habitat is better suited for spotted bass.
 ABUNDANCE
100
80
2001 Largemouth
Smallmouth
60 Spotted

30

20
Total Catch / Hour of Electrofishing

10

100
80
2002

60

30

20

10

0
Hannibal Belleville Meldahl Cannelton Smithland
Figure 4. Ohio River black bass catch rates per hour of electrofishing
from each of the five study pools, 2001-2002.

Standardized sampling began in 2001. Largemouth and

spotted bass catch rates are seemingly random in the
first year of sampling; however, catch rates in 2002 are
directly related to upstream and downstream habitat.
Smallmouth bass catch rates are higher in the upper
river pools, whereas spotted bass and largemouth bass
catch rates are higher in the lower river pools.
 GROWTH

12 Inches by age 2!
L a rg e m o u th
14
2001
12
2002
10

S m a llm o u th
14

12
Length (inches)

10

8 Legal Size
6

S p o tte d
14

12

10

0
0 1 2 3 4

Age
Figure 5. Average lengths at age of Ohio River black bass.

Length-at-age data were combined for all of the study pools because there were no
differences in growth among pools in 2001 and 2002. Smithland Pool black bass grow
as fast as Hannibal Pool black bass. All three species reach 12 inches during their third
growing year, indicating that the fishery is made up of fast-growing fish ages 2 and older.
 Reproduction
6
Upper 2001
5
2002
Total Catch per Hour of Electrofishing (Age 1)

6
Lower
5

0
Largemouth Smallmouth Spotted
Figure 6. Ohio River catch rates per hour of electrofishing of age-1 black bass from the upper (Hannibal
and Belleville Pool) and lower (Meldahl, Cannelton, and Smithland Pools) study pools, 2001-2002.

Small fish grow to become large fish. In an

effort to predict numbers of fish entering the
fishery, we are monitoring numbers of young
fish. Based on our length-at-age data, these
fish will enter the fishery within the next two
years.

Pools with similar habitat were grouped into

an upper region (Hannibal and Belleville
Pools) and a lower region (Meldahl,
Cannelton, and Smithland Pools) to improve
sampling accuracy.

Results suggest that reproduction and

survival of young fish spawned in 2001 was
greater than those spawned in 2000.
 CONDITION

Body condition is a measure of fish

health. Condition in 2002 is similar to that
in 2001. Ohio River black bass are in
good to excellent condition, indicating that
there is a good supply of food available.

2001
2002
EXCELLENT

GREAT

GOOD

FAIR

Largemouth Smallmouth Spotted

Figure 7. Condition of Ohio River black bass from all pools combined, 2001 and 2002.

Excellent Condition Fair Condition

 TOURNAMENT RESULTS

In 1999, the ORFMT began collecting 1

standardized black bass tournament data
2
river-wide. This allowed states to 3
evaluate the success of competitive 4
angling and track populations.
Lock and Dam
Results are reported as the number of
hours it took to catch a 12-inch
largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, or River Sections
spotted bass. Species composition is not 1. New Cumberland Pool - Hannibal Pool
uniform throughout the 981-mile length of
2. Willow Island Pool - Racine Pool
the Ohio River. To allow for a river-wide
3. R.C. Byrd Pool - Markland Pool
evaluation, the Ohio River was divided
4. McAlpine Pool - Smithland Pool
into four sections.
Figure 8. Ohio River sections used for analyzing black bass
tournament data.

Tournament hours needed to catch a

12 inch black bass increased from
the upper to the lower portion of the
river. Catch rates for the entire river
spiked in 2001 due to the differences
in section 2 catch rates. These rates
returned to levels of previous years
in 2002 which decreased the overall
river results. This spike may be at-
tributed to a higher number of fish in
the 1999 year class.

Table 1. Ohio River black bass tournament results for each river section, 1999 - 2002.

Hours to Catch a 12-inch Black Bass

(Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass)

Location 1999 2000 2001 2002

Ohio River 4.2 4.5 7.1 5.6
Section 1 3.8 3.6 6.7 5.3
Section 2 3.6 5.3 8.3 4.0
Section 3 3.7 5.9 7.1 8.3
Section 4 6.7 5.9 7.1 7.7
 HABITAT

Artificial spawning habitat has been added to

systems to increase nesting success of black
bass where lack of habitat is limiting repro-
duction. Kentucky Department of Fish and
Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) will be examin-
ing the affects of artificial spawning structures
(Figure 10) on largemouth bass production in
the Meldahl Pool, Ohio River (Figure 11). Figure 10. Photograph of artificial spawning
structure.
Artificial nesting structures will be placed in
two study embayments, Big Snag Creek and
Bracken Creek during early March 2004
(Figure 12). Electrofishing surveys will be
conducted during the spring and fall of each
year to monitor populations. Results will be
compared with data from two control embay-
ments, Big Locust Creek and Big Turtle
Creek (Figure 12). Data obtained from this
study will be used to determine if spawning
habitat is limiting production in the Meldahl
Pool, Ohio River.

Initial testing of structures will began in

spring 2003 at the KDFWR Frankfort Office
lake and the Pfeiffer Fish Hatchery.
Figure 11. Photograph of artificial spawning
structure in use at a Kentucky hatchery pond.

Meldahl Pool

N
Big Snag Creek
Big Locust Creek

Bracken Creek
Big Turtle Creek

5 0 5 10 Miles

Study Embayments
Figure 12. Study embayment locations. Treatment Embayments
 PARTNERSHIP WITH USACE
The ORFMT has participated in several meetings with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE) to discuss Ohio River issues related to access, dredging, and navigation.

• The USACE owns property surrounding each lock and dam project. ORFMT states
are working cooperatively with USACE project leaders to improve access at each site.
• The ORFMT prioritized embayments where siltation is impacting access and fish habi-
tat. While USACE operations impact these areas, budgetary constraints limit their
ability to dredge non-essential locations (embayments). Cost to dredge an average
sized embayment would be approximately $161,000.00.
• The USACE is funding a large-scale study (Ohio River Mainstem System Study,
ORMSS) to investigate the impacts of lock expansion on the resource. The ORFMT
continues to be actively involved with this project, designing a river-wide
angler survey, a tagging study to assess fish movement,
and assessing habitat through university
partnerships.

ANGLER SURVEYS

1
2
3
6 5
4
7 Tailwaters
8
1. New Cumberland 6. Markland
9
2. Pike Island 7. McAlpine
3. Willow Island 8. Uniontown
Figure 13. Tailwater creel locations. 4. R.C. Byrd 9. Smithland
5. Greenup

Tailwater angler surveys were initiated in Fall 2001.

These surveys are general fisheries surveys
associated with the ORMSS funded by the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers.

Summaries of angler catch rates, angler harvest,

and angler effort will be available in Fall 2003 and
included in the 2003 Sportsman’s Report.
 ACCESS
Table 2. Ohio River access improvements and additions.

STATE IMPROVEMENTS NEW RAMPS

West Handicapped access being added at the

Virginia Williamstown, WV ramp (Belleville Pool);
Other improvements have been
discussed for a R.C. Byrd Pool site.
Ohio ODNR grants were awarded to fund five
boat ramp renovations and one ramp
dredging.
Kentucky Routine maintenance conducted
throughout the year.
•Plans for a ramp at river-mile 241.2
(R.C. Byrd Pool) submitted.
Surveys and construction pending.
•ODNR grants were awarded to fund
4 new ramp projects.
Transfer of COE ramps to KDFWR is
pending.

Indiana Routine maintenance conducted Engineering design conducted for

throughout the year. new ramp at Falls of the Ohio State
Park (River Mile 606.0).
Illinois Routine maintenance conducted Boat ramp and dock at Fort Massic
throughout the year. State Park (near Metropolis, IL)
 SUMMARY

• Catch rates in 2002 are directly related to upstream and downstream habitat.
Smallmouth bass catch rates are higher in the upper river pools while spotted bass
and largemouth bass catch rates are higher in the lower river pools.

• Growth was similar among pools in 2001 and 2002. Smithland Pool black bass
grow as fast as Hannibal Pool black bass. All three species reach 12 inches by
their third growing year.

• Catch rates of age-1 black bass suggest that survival of young fish spawned in
2001 was greater than those spawned in 2000.

• Ohio River black bass are in excellent condition, indicating that a good supply of
food is available.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES: 2003

• Sample black bass in the five study pools of
the Ohio River.

• Monitor and analyze water monitoring data

from the Belleville Pool.

• Develop pilot study to examine the influence

of artificial spawning structures on black bass
populations.

• Summarize results of largemouth bass stocking in

Belleville and Hannibal Pools.

• Summarize 2002 tournament data.

• Partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

• Summarize results from ORMSS angler survey.

• Report university findings on ORMSS fish habitat

use study.

• Report tagging results associated with ORMSS

fish passage study.