I reworded the draft (see below) to reflect the correction from esshop that SMB do not "need" specialized spawning structure. In response to Bill's concern with having a "decent amount of data" for a research article, I agree, but in my field, there are journals that accept short communications and opinion pieces which can simply cite previously published papers, book chapters, and even personal communication. An opinion piece like the one that I am suggesting (and which I have experience with) can point out the lack of data supporting the assertion that SMB do not thrive in warm ponds devoid of competing predators like LMB and BG. I think a couple illustrations of spawning structures along with rip-rap areas for crayfish might spruce it up a bit; so would some fish pics showing success. Such papers can actually be cited pretty widely. In terms of cost, I started my SMB population in a 1 acre pond with a total of 20 fish (10 per year in 2 consecutive years), and am now at the point where I need to remove fish to prevent stunting. I will write a sentence or two speculating on why the SMB/pond myth likely developed. This text could follow the section on outdated recommendations. Also, thanks to Bill for the references to some existing publications. These would be good citations! That is why we really need an expert as senior author, even if I act as the principle technical writer.
Edited text is as follows:
"Smallmouth bass in small ponds: misunderstood and maligned
Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) can thrive and spawn in Midwestern ponds with fairly warm water if the more commonly recommended largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) are excluded. Counter to the outdated official recommendations from some universities and government agencies, smallmouth bass do not require cold water, but rather are outcompeted by these more commonly stocked species in small warm-water ponds. Like channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)(also commonly recommended for small ponds), smallmouth bass benefit from specialized spawning structures, although smallmouth bass spawn in simple rock or masonry spawning structures, rather than the cavity spawning structures required for channel catfish.
Here we provide examples of outdated recommendations against stocking smallmouth bass in Midwestern ponds, provide updated recommendations for successful use of smallmouth bass in ponds, and document the successful stocking of smallmouth bass in small warm-water ponds."
Last edited by RAH; 12/17/22 06:13 AM.
