Abstract
Abstract The objective of this investigation was to compare instantaneous growth rates (G) of age-1 through -4 smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieui to flow (Q) in the Maquoketa River, Iowa. The study site was below an inactive hydroelectric dam. Instantaneous growth rates varied primarily as a function of body size. Residual variation in growth had a clear unimodal distribution with respect to Q for age-1 fish. The relationship between G and Q was best described by logarithmic transformation of the deviations of Q from optimum flow. Nonlinear regression techniques were used to estimate optimal values of Q; the optimum was 10 m 3/s for age-1 fish. No clear relationships were evident for older age-classes (2-4) examined individually. We suspect that deleterious effects on the invertebrate prey (primarily aquatic insects) of young smallmouth bass is the best explanation for negative effects on growth when flow deviates from optimal values. Larger (and older) smallmouth bass have a more varied diet and large...
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