Species Composition and Biomass of Fish in Selected Coves in Beaver Lake, Arkansas, during the First 18 Years of Impoundment (1963-1980)

Abstract

Abstract Fish samples were collected annually with rotenone in coves in Beaver Lake, Arkansas, to (1) detect changes in species composition, relative abundance, and standing crops, (2) explore interactions between important groups of species and their physical environment, and (3) describe trends in the total fish population in the reservoir during the first 18 years of impoundment. Fish recovered after treatment of coves with rotenone indicated that the number of species decreased after impoundment. Twelve species showed a general increase in abundance during the period, six species decreased, and three species disappeared-yellow bullhead (Ictalurus natalis), black bullhead (Ictalurus melas), and mooneye (Hiodon tergisus). Of five species introduced into the lake-striped bass (Moroue saxatilis), bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus), smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus), blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), and threadfin shad (Dorosoma peteneuse)- only threadfin shad made a major contribution to the tot...