Validation of Otoliths for Estimating Ages of Largemouth Bass to 16 Years

The use of transverse sections of sagittal otoliths has been validated for estimating the ages of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides to age 5. However, previous research has indicated that the accuracy of this method is low for fish older than age 5. We used known-age fish of ages 0–16 to confirm that the use of otoliths is valid for estimating the ages of older largemouth bass. The estimated ages were correct for 97% of the fish. We concluded that past difficulties with using otoliths were more likely the result of preparation and reader error than of the structures depicting incorrect ages. The preparation method used in this study was simpler and faster than conventional methods of preparing thin sections and therefore should yield results that are more consistent.