Growth and Condition of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus nigricans) and Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) in a Minnesota, USA, Lake with Separate Dredged and Non-Dredged Basins

The objective of this study was to assess the growth rates and general body condition of two common game fishes (largemouth bass Micropterus nigricans and bluegill Lepomis macrochirus) in a productive midwestern USA lake, Lake Winona, 20+ years after one of its two separate basins was partially dredged. We also used historical lake survey data spanning 19 years before and 15 years after dredging to assess the pre- and post-dredging growth of these species. Dredging was expected to improve the growth rates and conditions (relative weights) of both species due to post-dredging changes to lake habitats (more open water and reduced macrophyte beds) and the fish community structure in the dredged basin. Both species displayed significantly faster growth in the dredged basin, with the bluegill by age 3 and the bass by age 6. The mean relative weights of both species were significantly higher in the non-dredged basin (bass were in good condition: 106% versus 100%; bluegill were in fair condition: 84% versus 80%), although both bluegill and largemouth bass exhibited significant declines in relative weight with increasing lengths in the non-dredged basin. The growth rates for largemouth bass have declined from historical levels, especially in the non-dredged basin, whereas bluegill growth rates have remained stable or improved, especially in the dredged basin. Overall, largemouth bass and bluegill growth rates and relative weights are responding to differences in habitat and fish communities between dredged and non-dredged basins, indicating that the two lake basins are isolated enough from one another to allow for separate biological responses to occur in each.