Comparison of several techniques for mobility and activity estimates of smallmouth bass in lentic environments

Mean daily mobility estimates for smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu from mark-recapture (47.5 ± 12.5 m) were less than from conventional telemetry (77. ± 10.6 m). The relationship developed in a respirometer between the activity transmitter and swimming speed (r²=0.99, P<0.001, n=6) when applied to field activity data estimated mean daily movement at 27 408 ± 4085 m, i.e. > 100 times mark/recapture or telemetry estimates. Using these estimates in the activity parameter of a bioenergetics model resulted in different model outputs. These results highlight the potential underestimates in activity associated with using traditional mark-recapture and locational telemetry and reaffirm that fish expend a significant portion of their activity budgets undertaking localized movements.