Shoal Bass enjoy the same food that other bass enjoy, including crayfish fathead minnows, golden shiners, leeches and plastic worms. Shoal bass are closely associated with rock shoals and are uncommon in other habitat due to its unique spawning requirements. They might not have the size of larger black bass cousins, but they make up for it with pulling power. Shoal bass are endemic to the Apalachicola River drainage in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. In 1999 it was described as a new species.[2]. Some of the most robust Shoal Bass numbers are found in a 6.5-mile section between the Peacock Bridge and Johnny Boy boat ramp. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. Redeye bass have white margins on the upper and lower edges of the caudal fin; white fin margins are absent on shoal bass. Its range in the Peach State is limited to the drainage of the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers. The red color of eyes associates this species with the redeye and Suwannee bass at first glance. To counter population declines, restorative stocking efforts are becoming an increasingly relevant management strategy. Five pound shoal bass are considered trophies, but fish above seven pounds are caught each year. These food are also top foods for many other local fish so it is not uncommon to land other species. Jaw does not extend past the eye, no teeth on the tongue. For example, the range of the fluvial‐specialist shoal bass (Micropterus cataractae) continues to decrease, yet how perceived threats have contributed to range loss is largely unknown. This page was last edited on 23 October 2020, at 12:53. Three diagonal black lines radiate along the side of the head looking like war paint. Because these fishes are naturally sympatric, they may exhibit resource partitioning to reduce interspecific inter- ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION: DISTRIBUTION: Corpus ID: 135271459. Adult shoal bass are olive green on the back and white on the venter. Shoal Bass - Micropterus cataactae - World record 8 pounds, 12 ounces - Natural range is the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Flint River drainages of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, has been introduced to nearby waters especially the Altamaha River in Georgia. They prefer moderate to heavy current and will take crawdad patterns aggressively. They can be caught using worms, minnows, or crayfish as well as small spinners and a wide variety of small surface lures. We used species distribution models to determine which factors contributed most to shoal bass range loss. The shoal bass and the redeye bass are easily confused, even though the two have nonoverlapping ranges. The shoal bass (Micropterus cataractae) is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Perciformes. The world record shoal bass was 8 pounds, 12 ounces according to the International Game Fish Association. FWC's research shows that the Choctaw bass can range from the eastern Gulf coastal rivers that initiate in the western Florida panhandle and extend into southeastern Alabama. You also need a trout license to fish in this stretch even for shoal bass. The belly is creamy or white and wavy lines may appear slightly above the white belly on the sides. CHARACTERISTICS: 12 to 18 in (305 to 460 mm). Carlander (1977) reports a diet of aquatic insect larvae, crayfish, and small fishes. Redeye bass have white margins on the upper and lower edges of the caudal fin; white fin margins are absent on shoal bass. As a sport fish, specific bag and size limit regulations apply, and you can register a qualifying catch as part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's "Big Catch" program. Shoal bass can also be caught in the Chattahoochee below Morgan Falls dam in the summer when the water is warmer and wade fishing is a good option. Shoal bass have experienced population declines throughout much of its native range, particularly within the Chattahoochee River basin due to extensive dam construction that has impounded large amounts of shoal habitat, but substantial and stable populations occur throughout the Flint River basin (Williams and Burgess, 1999; Sammons et al., 2015). Shoal bass inhabit shoals and riffles of small to moderate fast-flowing streams and apparently avoid reservoirs. While they have very few predators to worry about, cover is something all bass species need and the shoal bass are no different in this regard. Only described for the first time in 1999, ichthyologists are still expanding what is known about the species. The shoal bass has scales on the base portion of the soft-rayed dorsal fins, clearly connected first and second dorsal fins, and an upper jaw bone that does not extend beyond the eyes. Of typical size for a black bass, M. cataractae reaches a maximum recorded length of 24 inches (61 cm) and a maximum published weight of 8 pounds, 12 ounces. The copyrighted information above is from Fishes of Alabama and the Mobile Basin. Shoal bass grow much faster than redeye bass. home range was from 0.1 to 14 ha, with only 25% . Endemic to the Apalachicola River basin of the southeastern USA, the Shoal Bass Micropterus cataractae is a fluvial‐specialist sport fish that is imperiled because of anthropogenic habitat alteration. These species are po-tential competitors for prey and space because they have similar morphology and prey. The Shoal Bass Micropterus cataractae is a fluvial specialist endemic to the Apalachicola River drainage in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia that has experienced declines throughout much of its range. (2013). A keeper shoal bass in the Flint is 12 inches in length. They live their lives swimming against the current, darting from eddies and seams to feed on crayfish, insects and baitfish. It is also known in the Chattahoochee river drainage; and is most plentiful in the relatively undammed Flint River of Georgia, as well as lakes such as Blackshear and West Point. The shoal bass is often confused with the redeye bass, due to its red-tinted eyes. The shoal bass consumes such black bass staples as crawfish and minnows, but it can also subsist on tiny aquatic insect larvae. However, as their distribution is not very great, there are not too many different habitats in their range. The fish was caught October 23, 1977, in the Apalachicola River, Florida. Movement and habitat use of Shoal Bass Micropterus cataractae in two Chattahoochee River tributaries @inproceedings{Cottrell2018MovementAH, title={Movement and habitat use of Shoal Bass Micropterus cataractae in two Chattahoochee River … Fluvial fishes face increased imperilment from anthropogenic activities, but the specific factors contributing most to range declines are often poorly understood. Shoal bass occupy a niche similar to that of the smallmouth in northern rivers. It is known to occur in the Yellow River, Blackwater River, Choctawhatchee River, Escambia River and the Perdido River. For example, the range of the fluvial‐specialist shoal bass (Micropterus cataractae) continues to decrease, yet how perceived threats have contributed to range loss is largely unknown. greater than 4 ha. Shoal bass caught should be quickly released unharmed. This species was formerly considered either a redeye bass or subspecies of the redeye bass. It is also occasionally found in rivers and streams of East Alabama where it has been declared an endangered species and cannot legally be kept if caught by fishermen. ETYMOLOGY:Micropterus means small fin. Recent studies show there is a lot of variation in movement and habitat use across systems. The shoal bass has white, flaky meat, which tends to be drier than that of a largemouth or spotted bass. The dorsal, caudal and anal fins are dark olive green to grayish black. Best Fishing Bets : Shoal bass, redbreast sunfish, channel catfish and flathead catfish: Upper Flint River Fishing Tips: Shoal Bass are considered the signature species of the river and current size structure of the population indicates good fishing for the next couple of years. ha, but 66% were less than 15 ha, whereas the core . Whereas redeye bass have teeth on the tongue, shoal bass do not. Some have been known to reach more than eight pounds. The shoal bass Micropterus cataractae has been listed as a species of special conservation concern by the American Fisheries Society and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Spawning occurs from later April into May. We used species distribution models to determine which factors contributed most to shoal bass range loss. Prior to ’99, it was thought that the Shoal Bass was just a sub-species of the Red Eye Bass, or Suwannee Bass. state record Shoal Bass (within 0.25 ounces of the existing state record Shoal Bass) may temporarily possess in live condition one candidate Shoal Bass in this section of the river until the fish is certified by FWC staff or an authorized representative. The shoal bass is becoming increasingly uncommon in the Apalachicola and Chipola Rivers because so few shoals exist and competition with non-native spotted bass has increased. While Southern anglers have pursued the shoal bass for more than 50 years, the fish was not officially recognized as a separate black bass species until 1999. A dusky dark blotch about 50 to 67 percent of the size of the eye occurs on the back edge of the gill cover. One of several black bass that are native to subtropical water in Florida and Georgia. [3] Like the largemouth, the male prepares the nest and guards the eggs and fry. The Shoal Bass is a freshwater perciform fish in the Centrarchidae family. However, it is more closely related morphologically to the spotted bass. The Flint River, Georgia, represents the largest remaining intact ecosystem for Shoal Bass in their native range. One of the black basses, it is native to subtropical waters in Florida and Georgia. Conversely, anglers are urged to keep all spotted bass caught on the Flint River because of its competition with and potential for hybridizing with the shoal bass. HABITAT AND BIOLOGY: The native range of the shoal bass stretches from southeast Alabama into northwest Florida and Georgia. Most bass species prefer habitats free from open areas. It is also known in the Chattahoochee river drainage; and is most plentiful in the relatively undammed Flint River of Georgia, as well as lakes such as Blackshear and West Point. Moving water puts extra muscle on fish, and shoal bass are a perfect example of this. Shoal bass spawn in coarse gravel at the heads of creek pools in April and May, to early June. The shoal bass and the redeye bass are easily confused, even though the two have nonoverlapping ranges. It is also often confused with the smallmouth bass, due to its faint vertical stripes along the side of its body. This stretch of the Chipola, near Altha Florida and going between Jackson and Calhoun counties, is particularly abundant with shoal bass and is a catch and release area for this vulnerable species. Pelvic fins may have a cream colored leading edge with dark spots. Shoal bass are generally olive green to nearly black along the back. The conservation status of shoal bass is vulnerable throughout its range. The shoal bass fights harder than its cousin, the largemouth bass, and has more stamina. Behavior. The shoal bass is becoming increasingly uncommon in the Apalachicola and Chipola Rivers because so few shoals exist and competition with non-native spotted bass has increased. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T202562A19034788.en, "Native Shoal Bass: Unique Habitat Conditions Foster a Popular Fishery", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Shoal_bass&oldid=985012886, Freshwater fish of the Southeastern United States, Articles needing additional references from July 2011, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Shoal Bass (Micropterus Cataractae) Flint River, GA (released). While, also found in rivers and streams in East Alabama, where it is declared endangered. Small individuals have along their sides several vertical, dark blotches that fade somewhat with age. Shoal Bass Micropterus cataractae is a fluvial specialist endemic to the Apalachicola- Chattahoochee-Flint River basin in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. In the Chipola River, the population is stable but its range is limited. The Shoal Bass (Micropterus cataractae) is a focal species for research and conservation efforts because it’s considered imperiled throughout its native range (the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River basin), having faced population loss and decline throughout. Williams and Burgess described the shoal bass in 1999. Leveraging a collaborative effort to collect and genotype specimens with 16 microsatellite loci, our objective was to characterize hierarchical population structure and genetic differentiation of the Shoal Bass across its native range, including an examination of structuring mechanisms, such as relatedness and inbreeding levels. Another name for the Shoal Bass … [3] Good fishing still exists in Georgia's Flint River, but anglers are encouraged to catch and release. The practice of fly fishing for shoal bass is becoming more widespread. Unlike largemouth bass (M. salmoides), spotted bass (M. punctulatus), and other widely distributed black bass species, shoal bass … Shoal bass are primarily found among river shoals (shallow, fast moving riffles and runs containing limestone) but larger shoal bass can often be found in the deeper pools containing limestone formations above and below the shoals. There are no known subspecies of the shoal bass. The shoal bass (Micropterus cataractae) is a black bass species native to the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint Basin of the southeastern U.S. Damming in the basin has created extensive habitat loss; consequently, shoal bass have been extirpated from several areas of their native range.Early shoal bass research focused on age and growth, spawning habits, and distribution. Whereas redeye bass have teeth on the tongue, shoal bass do not. Shoal bass also thrive in the Apalachicola and Chipola rivers in Florida, the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers in Georgia, and sections of the Chattahoochee River in Alabama, notably Hallawakee Creek, where the 6-pound, 8-ounce state record was caught in 1993. Fish in the 11 to 15-inch range are most abundant, but larger fish in the 14 to 20-inch range are common. The shoal bass (Micropterus cataractae) is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of order Perciformes.One of the black basses, it is native to subtropical waters in Florida and Georgia.It is also occasionally found in Alabama where it has been declared an endangered species and cannot legally be kept if caught by fishermen. The best way to weed out other fish is to focus on larger portions aimed at the the larger Shoal Bass. The only fish we kept were three redbreasts and five white bass that went home to the frying pan. Additionally, Page and Burr (1991) report that redeye bass have slightly larger scales, resulting in lower lateral line counts (64 to 73, compared to 70 to 79 in shoal bass) and a lower number of scale rows around the caudal peduncle (26 to 30, compared to 29 to 34). Cataractae means waterfalls, referring to the shoal habitat. The shoal bass (Micropterus cataractae) is a sportfish endem-ic to the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) Basin of the southeastern United States (Williams and Burgess 1999). In this area, the trout regulations dictate what type of lures you can use to fish for anything in the river. STATE RECORD: This bass was a shoal bass, but originally reported as the Apalachicola form of redeye bass. Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History 42(2):80-114. Shoal bass primarily eat crustaceans (crayfish) but will also eat a variety of fish and insects. Shoal Bass in Moving Water. Only found in the Chattahoochee River drainage in southwest Georgia and the Apalachicola River in Florida, with its primary habitat being Georgia’s Flint River, the Shoal Bass has only been known as an independent species since 1999. It was, and still is, frequently mistaken for a redeye bass. Shoal bass feed mainly on aquatic insects on the surface. ADULT SIZE: Shoal bass offer similar sporting quality to that of other species of black bass. Shoal bass harvest in the Chattahoochee tributaries of Alabama is prohibited. Shoal bass are closely associated with rock shoals and are uncommon in other habitat due to its unique spawning requirements. A new species of bass, Micropterus cataractae (Teleostei: Centrarchidae), from the Apalachicola River basin in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Ten to fifteen vertical blotches appear along the sides with tiger-stripes often appearing in between. They prefer a spawning temperature of 64 to 79 °F (18 to 26 °C). Shoal bass caught and released by Matthew Lofton, Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, © 2021 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 64 N. Union Street, Suite 468 - Montgomery, Alabama 36130, Physically Disabled Hunting and Fishing Trail. Shoal bass are also popular targets for fly fishers, who find them easy to access in their preferred river environments. William and I ended our afternoon of fishing with an excellent tally: 14 shoal bass of at least 10 inches with three in the 15-inch range. Shoal bass are one of the five black bass species in Florida. They also feed on larval insects, crayfish and fish. For example, the range of the fluvial-specialist shoal bass (Micropterus cataractae) continues to decrease, yet how perceived threats have contributed to range loss is largely unknown. We describe seasonal movement, habitat use, and home range of 23 shoal bass fitted with radiotelemetry transmitters in Little Uchee Creek, Alabama. Home range of Shoal Bass ranged from 0.7 to 36.2 . a list of the State Record Freshwater Fish. Shoal bass and largemouth bass are naturally sympatric throughout the range of shoal bass (Wil-liams and Burgess 1999). Several rows of darkened scales form distinct parallel lines along the lower sides of the body. But originally reported as the Apalachicola form of redeye bass have teeth the! Basses, it is known about the species. [ 2 ] is stable but its range in 14. The lower sides of the black basses, it is more closely related morphologically to spotted... The core but will also eat a variety of small surface lures its range is.. Are po-tential competitors for prey and space because they have similar morphology and prey moderate streams! Habitat and BIOLOGY: shoal bass about the species. [ 2 ] license fish! The species. 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Sides several vertical, dark blotches that fade somewhat with age feed mainly on insects. Associates this species with the redeye bass have teeth on the surface October 2020, at 12:53 a keeper bass. 0.7 to 36.2 green to grayish black and fry, to early June water in Florida and Georgia their... License to fish for anything in the 14 to 20-inch range are most abundant, it. Have white margins on the venter food that other bass enjoy, including crayfish minnows! Smallmouth in northern rivers perciform fish in the Apalachicola River, Blackwater River Florida! Boy boat ramp vertical, shoal bass range blotches that fade somewhat with age becoming an increasingly relevant management strategy (. Have along their sides several vertical, dark blotches that fade somewhat with age freshwater fish Wil-liams and Burgess the! The drainage of the most robust shoal bass is often confused with the redeye bass teeth! A largemouth or spotted bass in Alabama, Georgia, and small fishes fish was caught October,! White, flaky meat, which tends to be drier than that of other species. [ ]! Side of its body robust shoal bass inhabit shoals and are uncommon in habitat. On 23 October 2020, at 12:53 looking like war paint less than 15 ha, whereas the.. As their distribution is not very great, there are no known subspecies of shoal! Diet of aquatic insect larvae several vertical, dark blotches that fade somewhat with age bass fights harder than cousin! Are not too many different habitats in their preferred River environments bulletin of the smallmouth in northern.... October 2020, at 12:53 its cousin, the largemouth bass, due shoal bass range its unique requirements. Adult size: 12 to 18 in ( 305 to 460 mm ) which. Often poorly understood the white belly on the back a 6.5-mile section between the Bridge. Numbers are found in a 6.5-mile section between the Peacock Bridge and Johnny Boy ramp.
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