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Invasive Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus Dolomieu): History, Impacts, and Control

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Invasive Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus Dolomieu): History, Impacts, and Control Management of Biological Invasions (2013) Volume 4, Issue 3: 191–206 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2013.4.3.02 Open Access © 2013 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2013 REABIC Review Invasive smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu): history, impacts, and control Grace L. Loppnow1*, Kris Vascotto2 and Paul A. Venturelli1 1 135 Skok Hall, 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108, USA 2 Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, 190 Cherry Street, Chapleau, ON P0M 1K0, Canada E-mail: [email protected] (GLL), [email protected] (KV), [email protected] (PAV) *Corresponding author Received: 16 February 2013 / Accepted: 30 July 2013 / Published online: 2 September 2013 Handling editor: Kathleen Beyer Abstract In this review, we (i) describe smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu Lacepède, 1802) invasions past, present, and future; (ii) summarize the impact that this species can have on native communities; and (iii) describe and discuss various options for control. M. dolomieu are invasive throughout much of the United States, southern portions of Canada, and in countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Historically, this species spread via stocking programs intended to improve sport fisheries. Currently, their spread is facilitated by anglers and global climate change. Models predict that M. dolomieu will continue to spread with consequences for native prey fish, sport fish, and food webs through predation, competition, and hybridization. Effective control methods are necessary to mitigate these impacts. Options for M. dolomieu control include biological control, chemical control, environmental manipulation, and physical removal. However, our review of the literature suggests that only a handful of the possible control options have been explored (usually in isolation and with limited success), and that there is a clear need for focused research and informed management. For example, our elasticity analysis of published M. dolomieu matrix population models suggests that M. dolomieu control will be most effective when it targets eggs, larvae, and juveniles. We recommend targeting these life stages by using nest failure as part of an adaptive and integrated pest management approaches that incorporate existing and emerging technologies. However, we also emphasize that M. dolomieu control, where necessary and possible, is more likely to take the form of suppression rather than permanent eradication. Therefore, we also recommend efforts to prevent M. dolomieu (re)introduction. Key words: largemouth bass; black bass; invasive species; fisheries management; integrated pest management; climate change effective means of control. M. dolomieu are Introduction invasive across much of the United States, southern portions of Canada, and in 9 other countries The smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu throughout the world (Fuller and Cannister 2011; Lacepède, 1802) is a cool-warm water centrarchid Lyons 2011; Iguchi et al. 2004a). As with many (Brown et al. 2009; Shuter et al. 1980, 1989) and invasive fishes, the spread of M. dolomieu beyond a popular sport fish among anglers. M. dolomieu its native range has been facilitated by intentional are littoral predators, generally consuming small and accidental stocking and climate-mediated prey fish and crayfish (Vander Zanden et al. 1999). habitat expansion (Jackson 2002; Rahel and Olden During the spring, male M. dolomieu build and 2008). Invasive M. dolomieu reduce native small- guard nests in the shallows of lakes and streams bodied fish abundance and diversity through (Ridgway et al. 1991). M. dolomieu are native to predation, outcompete other piscivorous game fish, freshwater systems in 23 states in the east- and indirectly change planktonic and benthic central United States (Rahel 2000; Fuller and communities (Jackson 2002). To date, most attempts Cannister 2011) and the southern portions of two to control invasive M. dolomieu have either Canadian provinces (Scott and Crossman 1973). produced undesirable results (e.g., Zipkin et al. Outside of its native range, M. dolomieu is an 2008) or proven prohibitively labor-intensive invasive species for which there is currently no (e.g., Tyus and Saunders 2000). 191 G.L. Loppnow et al. Here, we review the literature on invasive 1976). Some jurisdictions even enacted laws to M. dolomieu and consider various options for protect these non-natives (Cambray 2003; Hey control or eradication. Where M. dolomieu litera- 1926). Enthusiasm for non-native stocking was ture is lacking, we draw from the literature on eventually tempered by changing attitudes and a invasive largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides better understanding of the impacts of non-native Lacepède, 1802), a sister species with a similar fishes. Stocking non-native fish to provide angling life history. First, we summarize the history of opportunities lost momentum after a final surge M. dolomieu invasions and review research that in the 1950s (Crossman 1991) and by the 1980s predicts M. dolomieu spread with climate change. most authorized introductions were into systems We then summarize the impacts that invasive M. that had already been invaded (e.g. Rahel 2004; dolomieu have on native species and food webs. Carey et al. 2011). Finally, we outline various options for controlling or Intentional and unintentional introductions by eradicating invasive species and describe their anglers have been and continue to be major drivers relevance to M. dolomieu in light of life history behind the spread of M. dolomieu (Jackson and previous control attempts. 2002). Unintentional introductions of non-native fishes commonly result from bait bucket transfers (Litvak and Madrak 1993). The most Smallmouth bass invasions: Past, present, and comprehensive analysis to date (Drake 2011) future suggests that bait bucket transfers in Ontario are responsible for as many as 20 introduction events Movement of M. dolomieu beyond their native of M. dolomieu per system per year into waterbodies range began primarily through intentional th outside of their current range. Intentional stocking by fisheries managers during the 19 introductions occur because M. dolomieu are a century. The prevailing attitude in fisheries and popular sport fish. Bass are responsible for wildlife management during this period was that millions of angler fishing days per year in the nature should be controlled and improved upon. Pacific Northwest (Carey et al. 2011), and 77.8% Additionally, recreational fishing was just of competitive fishing events in North America’s beginning to come into its own during this era. inland waters (Schramm et al. 1991). Both casual Books aimed at outdoorsmen promoted bass and competitive angling are important sources of fishing (e.g. Henshall 1889 and 1903) which was revenue and development for many communities becoming a popular sport. Consequently, (Chen et al. 2003). Bass fishing has such a positive managers believed that introducing M. dolomieu image that the negative effects of bass introduction would prove beneficial. The building enthusiasm usually go ignored. As early as the late 19th for bass fishing led to a wealth of research on century, citizens recognized that introduced M. bass spawning and rearing (Bower 1897; Cushman dolomieu alter fish assemblages (Warner 2005), 1917; Lydell 1902; Ripple 1908) allowing hatcheries but the general public has remained apathetic to produce M. dolomieu for stocking throughout towards the spread of M. dolomieu (Jackson North America. For example, M. dolomieu were 2002). Anglers continue to intentionally introduce introduced to California in 1874 to improve sport M. dolomieu to create more fishing opportunities fisheries (Moyle 1976). Similarly, from 1868 to for bass, without knowing or acknowledging the 1881 the Maine Commissioners of Fisheries not potential impacts. only authorized M. dolomieu introductions in 51 Recently, the spread and establishment of water bodies, but also encouraged indiscriminate M. dolomieu has also been facilitated by global introduction by the public (Warner 2005). In the climate change. The establishment of M. dolomieu early 20th century, managers introduced M. dolomieu into lakes in Ontario, Alberta and is dependent on temperature because their range Manitoba, and even into a national park in is limited by the severity of overwintering stress Saskatchewan (Rawson 1945). Unfortunately, in coldwater lakes (Shuter et al. 1980; Shuter et fisheries managers in the 19th and early 20th al. 1989; Jackson et al. 2001). Suitable habitat century knew little about both the importance of for M. dolomieu is expanding because of warming native fishes and the threats that non-native of lakes and streams attributed to global climate fishes such as M. dolomieu could pose to change. Climate change can also facilitate the biodiversity. Indeed, non-native fishes were often spread of M. dolomieu to uninvaded systems introduced to control certain “undesirable” native through flooding associated with an increase in species and enrich biodiversity (Hey 1926; Moyle extreme weather events (Rahel and Olden 2008). 192 Invasive smallmouth bass review Figure 1. The invasion status of smallmouth bass worldwide. Data are from Table 1, where “introduced” has been interpreted to mean that an invasive population has established. See Fuller and Cannister 2011 and Brown et al. 2009 for details on native and invasive ranges within the United States and Canada, respectively. Flooding has contributed to the spread of at least much of the United States, southern portions of two other
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