Forage species

[Shaun Solomon]

I am trying to get a feel for the local bass fishing, and other than going as often as I can, I think a good way to do that is to do a little talking to folks.

I am curious what baitfish species predominate locally. I am in Corvallis, if that changes anything. I know there are shad, but those are anadromous, right? Are there shiners? Smelt? Gobies? Do bass chow on pikeminnows? I know that there are a lot of species of minnows in local waters, I am really only interested in the species that might represent a significant portion of the finfish population in a given body of water.

I know there are bluegill, perch, and trout.

Also, there are two native crawfish species, but both seem to prefer moving water. There are four invasives, including my beloved red swamp crawfish (I am originally from South East Texas, and they fed me those things before I could walk!) I have not seen many crawfish in the few places I have been yet, so does anyone know locations with higher densities of crawfish? I absolutely L-O-V-E to fish a jig.

Cheers all.

SS

 

[Jdangler xD]

Im in albany. We should do some bass fishing and exchange some
ideas and what we know about the area. I'm looking
for a solid fishing partner here. I know
a lot about the area but I'm new here

 

[Billamicasr]

Hi Shaun,
I posed pretty much the same question to the ODFW (Oregon Dept Fish & Wildlife) fisheries biologist about a couple of lakes I like to fish near Cottage Grove. I asked if there was an online database which would tell me what certain specials used on a continual basis to sustain themselves. The first answer back came from a biologist who copied my question to a warm water species biologist. I asked and received an okay to reference the contact information of these biologists.

It might serve you to contact Gary Galovich (second response below) to see if he can supply you with information. It could take a couple of weeks for him to get back to you as you'll read below.

It would be nice to see a database of forage species. That said there are so many bodies of water, it would be difficult to create. My intention for the information is to use it on album pages of my Website in the "Destinations" section to let folks know what is in the waters we fish. I mention this because if you get information on the bodies of water you use, post it or PM me so I can spread the word...


SECOND ODFW RESPONSE:
Bill –
My apologies for the slow response, but I’ve been out in the field quite a bit.
Like Jeff, I’m not aware of a single source that would provide the detailed information for all Oregon waters that you’re looking for. He has referred you to a good site for info on the Willamette Basin reservoirs. I also sample these and other waters across the state for warmwater fish, but have not done dietary or predator-prey studies on each. However, we can make some assumptions about forage based on the other species available.

For example, at both Cottage Grove and Dorena the list of other fish species includes bluegill, crappie, bullhead catfish, and native fish such as cutthroat trout, largescale sucker, and sculpin. Dorena – but not Cottage Grove – also has yellow perch. We also stock these and many other waters with hatchery rainbow trout, which can be preyed on by the larger predators such as bass. Also, species such as bass will be cannibalistic.

In terms of amphibians, several species of frogs can be present, though in areas with habitats that are or have been disturbed or are heavily used by the public the non-native bullfrog is most common. As for invertebrates, the species list of aquatic insects, zooplankton, etc. can get pretty lengthy, but in terms of larger invertebrates it is primarily the native signal crayfish. However, there are a number of waters where non-native crayfish including red swamp and ringed crayfish have been illegally introduced so even this list is getting more complicated.

In general, the bass and other non-native predators tend to be more opportunistic than the larger trout and aside from the aquatic insects will have a more diverse prey base. Also, the fish communities tend to be more diverse in the waters where they are found.

Gary Galovich
Warmwater Fish Biologist
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

 

[Modest_Man]

Peamouth
Chiselmouth
Northern Pikeminnow
Redside Shiner
Sculpins (prickly and reticulate)

Are the main species we found in bass on the Willamette.

Shad and the introduced amur goby stay below the falls on the Willamette and there aren't smelt runs in the Willamette.

 

[Stonefish]

I'd think sticklebacks would be on the menu when present.
i've caught a number of other species with them in their stomach contents. I'd think bass would chow on them as well.
SF

 

[Shaun Solomon]

Thanks for the responses gents. Thank you VERY much to Bill. I was starting to get that feeling. It makes for an interesting dynamic, I would think. Traditional baitfish driven patterns that come on strong in the fall in the midwest and south are right out the window I guess. There are benefits and drawbacks to that. The bass are still bass, but the bass fishing is going to represent a SIGNIFICANT departure from the seasonal cycles I have come to learn and understand fishing the last twenty years in Colorado.

Cheers all.