Great Lakes Fishery Commission

Updated 2024-11-08 16:05:15

Lake Huron -> 6.0 Centrarchid (Bass and Sunfish) -> Smallmouth Bass Biomass

6.1.1 Smallmouth Bass Survey Catch Rates and Percent Composition

Canadian Waters - In Georgian Bay, North Channel, and the Main Basin, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass and other Centrachids Biomass Per Unit Effort (kg of fish/net/night) and Percentage of Total Biomass were variable during the current reporting period (OMNR, Upper Great Lakes Management Unit, unpublished data) and were similar to levels observed during the previous reporting period of 2011-2017 (Fielder et al. 2020). Catch results from several survey types (only Smallmouth Bass End of Spring Trap Netting (ESTN) presented in this summary) provide similar indications of Centrarchid abundance with Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass being more prominent in Georgian Bay compared to the North Channel and other Centrarchids found in similar abundance in all three basins in Ontario waters. Centrarchids, especially Smallmouth Bass, remain a prominent species in most nearshore habitats in Ontario waters. Again, can we say anthing about recreationally "attractive" catch rates from creel or angler diary?  Not sure we need a figure but some text might be good.

Figure 1. Smallmouth Bass catch rates from Early Spring Trap Netting Surveys in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. No survey was conducted in 2006, 2011, 2020, and 2021.

Figure 2. Percent of total catch comprised of smallmouth bass from Early Spring Trap Netting Surveys in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. No survey was conducted in 2006, 2011, 2020, or 2021.