Shoal Bass Nesting and Associated Habitat in the Chipola River, Florida

Shoal Bass Micropterus cataractae is a black bass species endemic to limited sections within the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint River systems in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The restricted range of this species has resulted in a paucity of life history information, especially regarding reproductive ecology and nesting habitat requirements. The objectives of this study were to describe and document Shoal Bass nesting, associated habitat, and nest-specific environmental variables in the Chipola River, Florida, a tributary of the Apalachicola River. Through the use of radiotelemetry and visual observation, 89 nests were located and used to quantify macrohabitat selection or use. Shoal Bass nesting was documented from mid-April to mid-May during 2011 and 2012. Average nest depth was 102 cm (SE = 3.2), and the average water temperature was 22.6 degrees C (SE = 0.2). Available macrohabitat for the Chipola River was quantified using side-scan sonar and classified into four substrate types: bedrock, boulder, rocky fine, and sand-gravel. More than 80% of all nests were in either boulder (17% availability) or rocky fine (27% availability) macrohabitats. Determining Shoal Bass nesting habitats and associated parameters will provide managers with the knowledge needed for future habitat protection and enhancement in the Chipola River, Florida.