Invasion
Invasion Description
1st Record: Phillips Pond, Dedham/ME/Kennebec River basin (1868 Warren 2005)
Geographic Extent
ME/Kennebec River basin (1868-1877, Warren 2005); ME/tidal Kennebec River and Merrymeeting Bay (Kennebec River Council 1996)
Vectors
| Level | Vector |
|---|---|
| Probable | Fisheries Intentional |
Regional Impacts
| Ecological Impact | Predation | |
| Predation - Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) is one of the major piscivorous species in nontidal tributaries and in upper reaches of major East Coast estuaries, including the Connecticut River. In New England rivers, it is considered a major predator of Atlantic Salmon juveniles (Salmo salar) (US Fish and Wildlife Service 1999). | ||
| Economic Impact | Fisheries | |
| Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides ) is a highly prized sport fish in Gulf of Maine rivers, including the Merrimack, Kennebec, Penobscot, and others (Everhart 1966; Hartel et al. 1996). Its negative fisheries impacts on Atlantic drainage fish communities and fisheries have not been well studied. Effects on freshwater fishes are probably small, because most of the native freshwater species coincide with Micropterus dolomieu in other parts of their range. However, interactions with anadromous fishes such as American Shad (Alosa sapidissima, Alewives (A. pseudoharengus) and Atlantic Salmon (em>Salmo salar). Smallmouth Bass is considered to be a major predator on Atlantic Salmon (US Fish and Wildlife Service 1999). | ||