Feeding habits and growth of young-of-the-year largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) near its northern limit, Nogies Creek, Ontario
Two hundred and twenty-three young-of-the-year (YOY) largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from Nogies Creek, Ontario, grew from 15 to 110 mm total length (TL) over June 1 to October 26, 1977. Growth was rapid through June and July but diminished after August 1. Growth increments formed a single stanza pattern closely fitting the von-Bertalanffy model, Lt = 85.8[1 − e−0.34(t−0.26)] and paralleling seasonal water temperatures.The summer condition index was lower for Nogies Creek YOY bass than populations reported from the United States. This was attributed in part to a shorter, cooler growing–feeding season, and some differences in diet.The most numerous food items were Cladocera. Amphipoda, Ephemeroptera, Chironomidae, and Teleostei, in order, were all of lesser importance. Cladocera, however, did not constitute as much total bulk in the diet as Ephemeroptera and Amphipoda. YOY bass selected the same variety, but larger prey, as they grew in size. Above average (length) YOY bass fed on larger food organisms than did their smaller cohorts for each month.