Age Assessment of White Bass from Otoliths, Dorsal Spines and Scales

Otoliths, dorsal spines, and scales of 85 white bass collected in1987 from a pre-spawning group were used forage assessment. Agreement between spine and otolith ages were 78.3%, between scale and otolith ages was 68.2%. Unlike spine ages, percent agreement of scale ages with otolith ages decreased from small to large fish. Length-frequency analysis in conjunction with ages assessed by the three calcified structures showed that dorsal spines and scales underestimated white bass ages compared to the otoliths. Clarity of the otolith annuli, even of the older fish, makes them a reliable source for white bass age assessment

Age and Growth of Redear Sunfish Lepomis microlophus (Gunthur), from Bob Kidd Lake

Total lengths (62-285mm) and body scales from 75 redear sunfish collected by electroshocking from Bob Kidd Lake during October and November 1985 were used for this study. The length-frequency distribution yielded five age groups, however, the body scale analysis revealed eight age groups. The total length scale radius relationship was estimated as, TL = 17.98 + 0.92 Sr . Lengths attained at earlier ages were estimated by the Fraser-Lee method and the Bertlanffy growth model was fitted to the lengths for ages five through ten, and the resulting equation, L₁ = 295 [1 - exp — 0.29 (t - 1.83)], estimated lengths similar to the back- calculated lengths (r = 0.98)