The dynamics of crappie populations in southwestern reservoirs are not well documented. In order for managers to enhance a crappie fishery, they need to understand the factors that control populations. I examined potential limiting factors for black crappie in 4 sequential reservoirs on the Salt River, Arizona. Only in Roosevelt Reservoir, the uppermost reservoir, were crappie relatively abundant. I identified 3 possible limiting factors. Apache, Canyon, and Saguaro reservoirs lacked sufficient spawning substrates. All 4 reservoirs lacked sufficient cover. Finally, the lower 3 reservoirs are less productive during the fall according to chlorophyll a levels than Roosevelt Reservoir. Low productivity may have resulted in fewer zooplankton and possibly a limited forage base for juvenile crappie. Options such as spawning platforms, artificial cover, fertilization, and stocking are discussed as ways to improve the crappie fishery in these reservoirs.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/278628 |
| Date | January 1997 |
| Creators | Horton, Christopher Michael, 1973- |
| Contributors | Maughan, O. Eugene |
| Publisher | The University of Arizona. |
| Source Sets | University of Arizona |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text, Thesis-Reproduction (electronic) |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. |
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