Fisheries Conservation Foundation Bass Research Results

The Fisheries Conservation Foundation (FCF) has results from their RLEF-funded research into the Large Mouth Bass (LMb) and Small Mouth Bass (SMB) population in local lakes, that included input from both Queen’s University and Carleton University. The study focused on the reproductive ecology of black bass and the impacts of (illegal) fishing during the reproductive period.

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The FCF surveyed 7 lakes in the Cataraqui River and Rideau River portions of the canal system over the period 2019-2022. The COVID lockdown years where there was little fishing of any kind permitted a contrast with 2019 and 2022 where there was a lot of activity.

They have concluded:

Angling for nesting bass (illegal) was high across the Rideau Lakes pre and post COVID (2019 and 2020) but very low during the COVID years (2020 and 2021). Concomitantly, LMB and SMB year classes were very weak pre and post COVID (2019 and 2020) but very strong during the COVID years (2020 and 2021).

Angling nesting bass has negatively impacted bass reproduction and likely the size and age structure for bass populations in many/most of the lakes in the Rideau system.

The COVID-induced low angling levels during the bass reproductive periods in 2020 and 2021 have resulted in two excellent year classes, which have provided a short-tern reprieve in the recent decline in bass populations across the Rideau system.

Replacing the current, ineffectual closed season regulation for protecting bass recruitment with one that uses bass spawning sanctuaries (areas of the lake designated no fishing for all species, but just until the reproductive season for bass is complete) would provide long-term benefits for both the bass populations and the bass fisheries in the Rideau System.

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