Energy Partitioning in Largemouth Bass under Conditions of Seasonally Fluctuating Prey Availability
As the title of the reference states the abundance of prey is important.
Notwithstanding any other factors that may drive the use of energy by Largemouth Bass, excess of consumption above what is required to fuel growth (of bones, muscles, scales, fins, organs, etc.) will be stored as lipids for later use. This can happen during any season, but it requires consumption above what is required to fuel growth. In warmer water, LMB require more consumption to fuel growth (because in warmer water their potential for gain is greater) and so it takes more consumption in warmer water to have consumed enough to store lipids.
As temperatures cool, they require less for growth (because in cooler water their potential for gain is lower) and so it is easier to consume the excess they can store as lipids.
This works to the advantage of fish. Winter is a dearth in the production of new prey and so consumable prey diminishes to minimums over winter. Investigating just the maintenance (no winter growth) needs of LMB over the 6 coolest months in Rothberg Ohio, this equated to 30% of the yearly maintenance. They still eat when they can and rely on stored lipids (even muscle if need be) to maintain metabolism during winter.
