Belvidere City Pond East

Largemouth Bass

Improving

A total of 83 Largemouth Bass were collected ranging from 40 – 518 mm (1.6 – 20.4 inches), with 54 of those fish greater than Stock size (7.9 inches). This survey met the minimum required number of Stock size fish (n = 20) to accurately quantify population demographics as set forth in the Lake Management Plan (LMP). Both the PSD and RSD-14 fell outside of their respective target ranges. A lower RSD-14 value and a higher PSD value could indicate a growth bottleneck due to an overabundance of Stock and Quality-sized Largemouth Bass, which likely limits forage availability and/or overabundant vegetation making foraging difficult. Body condition seems to corroborate this, with relative weight values right at the 90th percentile. It’s possible that larger fish are present but were difficult to collect due to vegetation coverage, water clarity and water depth.

Bluegill

Improving

A total of 61 Bluegills were collected ranging from 30 – 184 mm (1.2 – 7.2 inches), with 24 greater than Stock size (3.1 inches). This survey did not meet the minimum required number of Stock size fish (n = 30) to quantify population demographics as set forth in the Lake Management Plan (LMP). However, I believe 24 fish larger than Stock size sufficient to continue with the analysis. Both the PSD and RSD-7 fell outside of their respective target ranges. A lower RSD-7 value and a higher PSD could indicate a growth bottleneck due to an overabundance of Stock and Quality-sized Bluegill which limits forage availability and/or overabundant vegetation making predation on Bluegills difficult. Body condition seems to corroborate this, with relative weight values below the 90th percentile. It’s possible that larger Bluegill are present but were difficult to collect due to vegetation coverage, water clarity and water depth.