Nest-site fidelity in a centrarchid fish, the smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui)

Abstract

Individual nesting male smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) in Lake Opeongo, Ontario, were followed for 11 years to determine the degree of nest-site fidelity from one year to the next. Only data from males nesting for the first and second time in consecutive years were included. The data indicate that 21.4% of all first-time nesting males returned to nest the following year. Nesting males rarely skipped a year after their 1st year of nesting. There was a strong tendency for males to return close (<20 m) to their previous year's nest site. Approximately 81 % renested within 200 m of their previous nest site, while the remainder nested between 200 and 1200 m from their previous nest site. This is the first report of nest-site fidelity for individual fish and is similar to published accounts of nest fidelity in birds.