The Effects of Bed Fishing on Florida Bass Recruitment

Bed fishing is the act of targeting bass while they are on spawning beds and more vulnerable to angling. While studies in other areas of the United States have focused on the effects of bed fishing, little research has assessed the effects of bed fishing on Florida Bass. We sought to determine the effects of bed fishing on recruitment of Florida Bass. The study was completed in 2015 on a private 12 ha lake in north central Florida. Prior to the spawning season, nighttime electrofishing was used to collect genetics from adults. Snorkel surveys were conducted to monitor the location and bed success. Spawning beds were fished 3 hrs/ha/week, comparable effort to other lakes in Florida. Fish were kept on board in live wells to simulate tournament angling and culled for the five largest individuals. Tissue samples were collected from all angled fish and from fry post spawning to determine spawning contribution. As the premier inland recreational fish in Florida, quantifying the effects of bed fishing to recruitment, spawning contribution, and nest success is critical to assess potential population level impacts.