Can Smallmouths Weather the Storm?
by Lisa Denlinger
Ohio Sea Grant


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As the smallmouth bass continues its prominence as a key sport fish in Lake Erie waters, fishery managers have recognized that in order to ensure future populations, they must identify factors that influence the species’ spawning season. Ohio Sea Grant recently had the opportunity to assist a team of researchers funded by the Ohio Division of Wildlife at Stone Laboratory on Lake Erie. Led by Dr. Roy Stein, Dr. Elizabeth Marschall, and Geoffrey Steinhart of The Ohio State University, the team explored the most common dangers faced by young smallmouth bass.

"Several factors threaten the survival of young smallmouth bass," states Geoff Steinhart, the project’s research associate. "Adequate parental care is crucial for the young along with a parent’s ability to ward off the round goby. However, our research has found that the biggest dangers to the young fish are storms," continues Steinhart.

Adult male smallmouth bass guard their nests for approximately ......

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