Factors related to mortality of black bass caught during small club tournaments in Connecticut

Factors related to the initial and delayed mortality of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and smallmouth bass M. dolomieu were determined at small club tournaments held at two Connecticut lakes during April-October of 2001-2002. Organizational characteristics of tournaments, environmental conditions, and initial mortality data were collected from 58 tournaments at Mansfield Hollow Reservoir and 41 tournaments at Gardner Lake. Delayed mortality at 72 h was also determined for 29 tournaments at Mansfield Hollow Reservoir and 25 tournaments at Gardner Lake. In total, 3,290 largemouth bass and 1,035 smallmouth bass were observed for initial mortality; 1,784 largemouth bass and 647 smallmouth bass were observed for 72-h delayed mortality. Initial and delayed mortality rates were 2.2% and 1.0% for largemouth bass and 4.8% and 2.8% for smallmouth bass. Logistic regression indicated that initial mortality was significantly greater (P < 0.0001) for smallmouth bass than for largemouth bass, and that initial mortality was positively related to water temperature (P < 0.0001), total handling time (P < 0.0001), and fishing-day length (P = 0.0357). Delayed mortality was positively related to water temperature (P < 0.0001), and there was a significant species X lake interaction (P = 0.0152). Initial mortality began to increase sharply at water temperatures greater than 25degreesC. Delayed mortality showed differential responses to water temperature depending on the species and lake. Our results suggest that tournament-associated mortality may be reduced by limiting tournament activity during the hottest months and by increasing the efficiency of weigh-in procedures at small club tournaments.