Fish also seek to escape extreme temperatures by staying in water of a more preferred temperature. Fisheries biologists have learned that, during the summer, striped bass will sacrifice other needs in order to satisfy their need for cool water. In the 1960's and early 1970's, many states jumped on the bandwagon promoting the stocking of striped bass. Well known for its tremendous fighting qualities and tackle busting ability, the striped bass, is a fantastic sport fish.
Striped bass can feed on large gizzard shad, which few other predators can utilize efficiently.
Additionally, competition with other sport fish, such as the largemouth bass, is limited as research indicates stripers feed almost exclusively on shad and live primarily in open waters. Unfortunately, studies in several southern states indicate that stripers, particularly those larger than ten pounds, may suffer from thermal stress, which may cause lethargic behavior, poor feeding habits, weight loss, bacterial and fungal infections, and even death to the fish. On occasion, large striped bass have died in reservoirs throughout the Southeast, including Lake Martin in Alabama. Landlocked striped bass were found to be very sensitive to temperature variations within stocked waters and will sacrifice food requirements to remain in areas with cool water. These cool water areas are usually produced from the waters of flooded springs or are found in cooler layers of water deep within the reservoir.