Effects of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) on North American fishes

Macrophytes serve as habitat to many fish species. The establishment of Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM; Myriophyllum spicatum) can change the macrophyte community of a waterbody, leading to a cascade of abiotic and biotic alterations that ultimately change fish communities and demographics. Given the po...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of aquatic plant management 2024-01, Vol.62 (2), p.38-47
Main Authors: Kusnierz, Paul C, Tholl, Timothy D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquatic plants
Bass
Demographics
Fish
Fisheries
Fisheries management
Fishery management
Fishing
Freshwater fishes
Invasive fish
Invasive species
Lakes
Macrophytes
Managers
Micropterus salmoides
Myriophyllum spicatum
Perca flavescens
Pomoxis annularis
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Water quality
Whitefish
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Summary:Macrophytes serve as habitat to many fish species. The establishment of Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM; Myriophyllum spicatum) can change the macrophyte community of a waterbody, leading to a cascade of abiotic and biotic alterations that ultimately change fish communities and demographics. Given the potential negative effects of EWM, we reviewed the literature to describe the effects of EWM on fishes in North America and sought to provide fisheries managers with a summary of these effects. Overall, EWM may have a positive effect on black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens), whereas it appears to have a negative effect on largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), and white crappie (Pomoxis annularis). Although largemouth bass and bluegill are relatively well represented in the literature, there is a general lack of information on the effects of EWM on other fish species. In addition, studies are typically limited to the upper midwestern portion of the United States and in lakes or reservoirs. The table presented in this paper provides fisheries managers with a quick way to understand the potential effects of EWM on species of concern as well as an understanding of the current state of the literature. Addressing existing gaps in the literature would be helpful to fisheries managers concerned about an EWM invasion or dealing with established EWM.
ISSN:0146-6623