Selection of sites for egg deposition and spawning dynamics in the waccamaw darter

We provided 93 experimental spawning covers for the waccamaw darter. We grouped the covers (3 sizes of slate and one of concave tile) in three arrangements at six Lake Waccamaw locations to separate the variables of water depth, distance from shore, cover density and cover type. Tag returns of marked males suggest low fidelity for nest sites. Egg production under the 3 different sizes of slate was not significantly different. Egg production under the tile was significantly less than that under the slates. Egg production was significantly higher off the undeveloped southeastern shore in 2 m of water and lowest at the shallowest location with the highest experimental cover density. The number of eggs in nest is positively correlated with male size. We conclude that medium size slate covers placed in a linear arrangement in 2 m of water on a mixed sand bottom result in the highest egg production for the waccamaw darter.