Spawning Ecology of the Largemouth Bass (Micropterus nigricans) in the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario
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Authors
Papaiz, Victor
Date
2025-10-16
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Largemouth bass , Spawning ecology , Bay of Quinte , Lake Ontario , Acoustic telemetry , VEMCO Positioning System , Spatial ecology , Fisheries management , Cumulative degree days
Alternative Title
Abstract
Largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans) are widespread nearshore predators that play a key role in shaping aquatic community structure across much of North America. Their ecological importance, coupled with their status as one of the continent’s most valuable sport fish species, underscores the need to understand the factors that influence their reproductive success. Despite extensive research, gaps remain in our understanding of their spawning dynamics in large freshwater systems, such as the Bay of Quinte, an embayment of Lake Ontario. This study used fine-scale acoustic telemetry, water temperature data, and field observations to investigate the spawning behaviour and spatial ecology of largemouth bass in the Bay of Quinte during 2023 and 2024. Water temperature data revealed year-specific trends, while the cumulative degree days at which spawning began and completed were similar between years, indicating that differences in the rate of temperature accumulation influenced the timing and duration of spawning activities. Both telemetry and snorkelling methodologies were effective for independently characterizing the spawning period, and their combined use improved estimates of spawning onset and completion by compensating for methodological limitations inherent to each approach. Sex-specific differences in space use and activity during spawning emphasized the need to account for sex in behavioural studies. Additionally, later-spawning individuals had higher nest success. This research demonstrates the value of integrating telemetry and environmental data to improve understanding of largemouth bass spawning in large, dynamic systems, such as the Bay of Quinte.