Conservation | Chasing Black Bass Diversity

Introduction

I grew up with a fishing pole in hand and plenty of lakes and ponds within a walk or short drive. Raised in northwest Georgia, my father would take me fishing for sunfish (locally, we call them “bream”), crappie, and bass. Fishing became our evening ritual after my dad returned home from work, and I will always be grateful for those times we spent together. As I grew older, I set my sights on catching trophy bass, but it wasn’t until my high school years that a neighbor told me about the Redeye Bass which could be caught in a nearby creek. Soon, a different type of water beckoned me. Flowing waters, and the unique species of bass that inhabit them, sparked a life-long passion of fishing and set me on a path to my current career as a fisheries scientist and university professor.

Early on, I struggled to expand my knowledge of the different black bass species and how to fish for them. At that time, kayak fishing for river bass was in its infancy, and there were only a few internet forums that discussed fishing for bass in streams. In this article, I hope to expand on the stillrelatively scarce resources available to anglers. In presenting a crash-course on black bass diversity, detailing the different species currently recognized by scientists, their native distributions, and information on their habitat use and diets, I hope to inspire appreciation for the diversity among the genus Micropterus—the black basses—and the wonderfully dynamic, scenic waters they inhabit.

Diversity and Distribution

In 1881 Dr. James Henshall’s “The Book of the Black Bass” concluded there were but two types of black bass: the Largemouth Bass and the Smallmouth Bass. Today, we know that Dr. Henshall’s view was a bit too simplistic, but scientists are yet to agree on the exact number of distinct species within the genus. This is partly because scientists are continuing to apply more advanced genetic methods that can uncover previously-hidden diversity. As new genetic lineages are uncovered, a great deal of scientific effort and review is required before a new species is given formal recognition. For those reasons, the number of formally described species remains in flux. All that aside, the peer-reviewed scientific literature recognizes an astounding 19 unique “forms” of black bass (Table 1), and there may be more forms introduced in the near future!

Black bass diversity mirrors freshwater fish species diversity in general, with the highest variety concentrated within streams and rivers of the southeastern United States. A few of the more well-known species, including the Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Spotted Bass, have relatively-wide native distributions and tend to occur in both rivers and lakes. However, most of the black bass forms are considered endemic. Endemic black basses are limited to just one, or a few, river drainages, and tend to rely on flowing waters for reproduction or other aspects of their lifecycle. These riverine endemic forms function as important top-predators in the ecosystems they inhabit while also displaying incredible ecological diversity.

Habitat and Diet

The black basses endemic to southern rivers inhabit a wide array of habitat types. A few species, like the Alabama Bass, have been able to adapt to dammed waterways and are able to live in impoundments just as well as in flowing waters. However, many others are unable to adapt to impounded waterways, and therefore, are only found in uninterrupted reaches of flowing water. A group of species colloquially called the “Redeye Bass species complex” tends to inhabit the smaller headwater streams (often swimming alongside stocked trout) that are typified by fast-moving, rocky bottoms with cool waters and copious shading from forested canopies overhead. Moving east-to-west across northern Georgia and Alabama, one could encounter seven species—Bartram’s, Altamaha, Chattahoochee, Tallapoosa, Redeye (aka “Coosa”), Cahaba, and Warrior basses—by simply traversing the headwaters of each major river basin divide. Other species tend to live in medium-sized streams to large rivers of upland areas, including the Shoal Bass, Guadalupe, Neosho Smallmouth, and Ouachita Smallmouth basses. The Suwannee and Choctaw basses are confined to coastal plain rivers along southern Alabama, southern Georgia and the Florida panhandle. This region includes an interesting mix of blackwater streams and springs that contribute crystal-clear groundwater into stream channels. Within each of these types of stream environments, the fly fisher will find that each species has unique microhabitat preferences which vary seasonally. Additionally, some riverine species such as the Shoal Bass have been known to undertake long-distance migrations to reach particular habitats for spawning in the spring.

Diets are also quite variable across the riverine endemic forms, but are probably best described as opportunistic. Black bass diets include aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, crayfish, and smaller-bodied fish. Some species have slightly more specialized diets; for example, the Suwannee Bass feeds primarily upon crayfish. Within a given species, there are often noticeable shifts in diet as fish grow larger and their energetic requirements increase. Most large black bass will opportunistically prey on other fish, such as minnows, madtoms, darters, and shads. There can also be important seasonal shifts in diet which can vary regionally, even within a given form or species. For anglers targeting black bass in rivers, the tried-and-true “matching the hatch” strategy certainly applies.

Conservation Challenges

The black basses are part of the biological heritage of the southeastern U.S., yet the conservation outlook for many of these forms is worrisome. Although these bass are considered popular sport fish, they face many of the same conservation challenges as the lesser-known, non-game fish species in the region. Principal among the threats include habitat alteration and loss resulting from poor land-use practices which increase siltation, alter hydrology regimes, increase pollutant levels and decrease water availability. Habitat fragmentation is also a major concern because dams and poorlydesigned road crossings can limit gene flow among neighboring populations and prevent natural re-colonization following local extirpation.

One of the most pertinent challenges to the conservation of black bass diversity is the introduction of black bass outside of their respective native ranges. In nature, several species of black bass may co-occur naturally—in these instances, the species have evolved reproductive isolation mechanisms that limit hybridization with their naturally occurring counterparts. However, when a non-native black bass species is introduced outside its native range, widespread hybridization is common. This is worrisome for several reasons. First, the non-natives can begin to outnumber, hybridize, and completely “swamp out” the native species—to the point of extinction. This is actively happening to native Smallmouth Bass fisheries across the southeastern U.S. because misguided fishermen have illegally introduced Alabama Bass into systems where they do not naturally occur. Native Bartram’s Bass, Chattahoochee Bass, and Altamaha Bass are also being hybridized at alarming rates as Alabama Bass have invaded entire river systems after being stocked into impoundments. Even if the native species is not completely replaced by a non-native, hybridization among black bass is typically followed by introgression—the transfer of genetic material from the non-native species into the genome of the native. Nonnative genes entering a native gene pool can result in native populations that are less-fit to their natural environment.

An already present but increasinglytroublesome conservation concern is global climate change. Projected changes in the southern U.S. include increased severity and longevity of droughts, as well as increased maximum temperatures. These projected climate changes alone will create difficulties in conserving endemic riverine black bass. However, climate changes will also act as a “threat multiplier,” in other words, they will likely amplify the threats of habitat alteration, pollution, and fragmentation that already exist within our watersheds. The expected impacts of climate change on black bass is poorly known at this time, but one might expect that species will be negatively impacted by changes to hydrology (e.g., spawning success each year). Additionally, species that live along coastal areas may lose some habitat to sea level rise as saltwater encroaches on formerly freshwater habitats.

Fly Fishing for Native Black Bass

Fly fishing for native black bass is about the pursuit of gorgeous native fish within their domestic waters. These experiences are truly immersive, with wonderful scenery around every new bend in the stream. Akin to Fly Fisher International’s policies towards the protection of fish and their habitats, taking only memories is the best bet for enjoying these resources.

When fishing for riverine black bass species, reading the water is key. Although some of these bass forms occupy areas of surprisingly fast-flowing waters, they will usually position themselves behind current breaks to pick off prey items as they drift downstream. Finding pockets of deeper water will usually hold larger fish, especially during the summer months. Popular fly selections include surface poppers, crayfish imitations, hellgrammite patterns, sculpin patterns, Clouser minnows and game changers. Having a selection of flies that allows you to adequately cover different depths and speeds of water is a wise strategy on every outing. Once you determine the microhabitats the fish appear to be relating to on a given day, you can choose your tactics to target those fish.

Accessing many of the streams that hold native bass populations is not always easy. The terrain is often unforgiving, with sharp elevation changes, slick rocks and anklerolling boulders—not to mention high humidity and a proliferation of insects during the warmer days of the fishing season. Safety should be of utmost priority, especially if wading or floating treacherous or remote stream reaches. Another important consideration is access permissions and landowner rights. Always obtain proper landowner permissions before hiking, wading or floating streams, and follow state regulations for harvest and gear restrictions. It is my belief that more landowners would allow access to streams if these places were not constantly abused and littered by others, so remember to clean up after yourself and try to leave places in better shape than how you found them. On a related note, sharing fishing locations online or to the general public is ill-advised, particularly on smaller waterways where bass populations may be vulnerable to increased fishing pressure or harvest.

I only have room for a quick primer in this article, but there are plenty of resources that can help the fly fisher target native black bass. One of the best resources available is the book “Fly Fishing for Redeye Bass: An Adventure Across Southern Waters,” by Matthew R. Lewis. The American Fisheries Society’s Black Bass Conservation Committee maintains a social media outreach page full of helpful tidbits on black bass diversity and conservation and many state agencies (e.g., the Georgia Department of Natural Resources) hold “Bass Slam” competitions and curate information for each native species in their state. Other fishing companies and organizations sponsor their own versions of a “Bass Slam,” including Fly Fisher International’s Basscatch Project. If you are looking for an additional jumpstart in an unfamiliar area, many fly shops, outfitters and guide services have been springing forth in recent years to help anglers target regionally-unique bass species.

Closing Thoughts

As taxonomists continue to refine our understanding of black bass diversity, there is a growing body of anglers (both fly and conventional) who have embraced the pursuit of native bass within their native waters. With increased public awareness of these regionally-unique and ecologicallyimportant fish, we can strengthen our collective voice to secure the longterm conservation of these unique species. Fly fishers should express support for sound management and conservation actions that are informed by science. Further, fly fishers should support Riverkeepers and similar organizations that keep watch over our waterways and protect the health of our streams. We can all help the endemic riverine black basses by informing others of the dangers of illegally transplanting bass into new systems.

Basscatch Project

The Basscatch Project is part of an effort by FFI to express the value of species diversity in fisheries and the importance of conserving their individual habitats. The Basscatch Project is intended to aid in the conservation of black bass by encouraging fly fishers to collect memories of the different black bass they catch and released. Those FFI members who successfully catch four or more species of bass will receive recognition of their accomplishment.

Ben Roussel | Baton Rouge, LA 1st and 2nd award on 12/3/21

FFI Conservation Award

I invite you to take an adventure of your own in these southern streams to chase black bass diversity, and to become a voice for the stewardship of these unique resources. I hope to see you on the water!

Andrew T Taylor

James M. Long

Timothy W. Birdsong

Michael S. Allen

Michael D. Tringali

Brandon L. Barthel

The FFI Conservation Award recognizes the outstanding contributions individuals, groups, or organizations have made to the conservation of our fisheries resources. In this issue, we recognize a group of individuals who have made an impact on the black bass species.

Fishery management practices for Black Bass are continuing to advance based on the research and publications by Andrew T. Taylor (Oklahoma State University, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management), James M. Long (Oklahoma State University, Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management), Timothy W. Birdsong (Texas Parks & Wildlife), Michael S. Allen (University of Florida, Dept. of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences), Michael D. Tringali (Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute) and Brandon L. Barthel (Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institute).

Their work has contributed to expanding the descriptions of distinct bass species from eight in 2013 to as many as 19 species in 2021. The identification of genetic differences has contributed to revised management plans and protection of the genetic diversity of each species. The prominent efforts of this group of researchers have greatly contributed to the knowledge of native black bass, their habitats, and conservation needs. This will continue to provide scientific data that can enable protection of recreational opportunities and enjoyment associated with these warmwater species in their respective native environments.

FFI congratulates these researchers on their groundbreaking work and presents them with the 2021 FFI Conservation Award.

Dr. Andrew T. Taylor

Dr. Andrew T. Taylor is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. He earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in fisheries management from the University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. in fisheries and aquatic ecology from Oklahoma State University. You can learn more about his research at http://andrewtaylor.fish or by following his social media outreach efforts on Facebook (https://facebook. com/AFS.black.bass) and Twitter (@TaylorFishLab1).