Reproduction of the Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieui) in a Small Ozark Stream

In 1962, reproduction of the smallmouth bass was studied in Little Saline Creek, a small stream in the Missouri Ozarks. Two distinct nesting periods occurred. The first began 26 April and was completed by 31 May; the second began about 5 June and was completed in the first week of July. Many male bass brought off a brood of fry in each nesting period. Eggs hatched in about three days, and fry dispersed from nests 10 to 15 days after spawning. Counts of eggs on five nests ranged from 1,092 to 4,235, averaging 2,517. Counts of fry on four nests ranged from 1,651 to 3,952, averaging 2,363. Estimated egg mortality in 17 nests ranged from zero to 44.7%, averaging 5.9%. Nest failures were about 18% during the first nesting period, 11% during the second. About 80,300 fry were produced on nests in one mile of stream. Dipterous larvae were the first food of bass fry and were the most important food of fry less than 15 mm S. L.; fishes were the most important food of larger fry. Survival of young of the first nesting period from the time they dispersed until early September was about 0.15%.