SEAFWA 2016

AUTHORS: Bryant R. Bowen, Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Eric Peatman, Auburn University; Scott Robinson, Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Tim Bonvechio, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

ABSTRACT: Black bass are the most sought after sport fishes in the country. Many state fisheries agencies, including Georgia, consider black bass management a high priority. Largemouth bass are the most common native black bass species found throughout Georgia’s lakes, ponds and rivers. Anglers in the state spend more days fishing for largemouth bass than any other freshwater species, and Georgia consistently produces some of the heaviest largemouth bass in the country. A 17.6-pound largemouth bass was caught in 2015 from Georgia waters that weighed more than the current state records of 46 other states. Using allozymes, Phillip et. al 1983 described an intergrade zone between two subspecies; Florida bass Micropterus floridanus and largemouth bass M. salmoides, in Georgia waters where many of these large bass are produced. In this study, we are using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP’s) to resolve the genetic population structure and current levels of introgression among populations of largemouth bass, Florida bass, and their interspecific hybrids from lakes and rivers across the state. Determining these genetic population characteristics using the latest and most sensitive technology will inform future management efforts for largemouth bass to protect the genetic integrity of our diverse populations and ensure the highest quality bass fisheries for our anglers.