Factors influencing growth and survival of striped bass juveniles in Cherokee Reservoir, Tennessee

Food habits, growth, and survival of two year classes of young-of-year striped bass (Morone saxatilis) stocked in Cherokee Reservoir were examined from July 1983 to June 1985. Of 82,022 striped bass stocked in 1983, 360 were recaptured. These exhibited excellent growth, reaching 27.4 cm by December of their first year. Of 118,216 striped bass stocked in 1984, 97 were recaptured. These exhibited poor growth, reaching 12.7 cm by December of their first year. Differences between the two years can be attributed to forage availability and abundance of competitors. Also examined were four previous years of data. These data also indicated that forage availability and abundance of competitors are controlling factors in the production of strong year classes of young-of-year striped bass.