Restoring Fish Habitat with Native Aquatic Plants in Arcadia Reservoir, Oklahoma

Eugene R. Gilliland
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Fishery Research Laboratory, 500 E. Constellation Norman, OK 73072; (V) 405-325-7288; (F) 405-325-7631; (E) ggillokla@aol.com

R. Michael Smart
USAE Waterways Experiment Station, Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility, Route 3, Box 446, Lewisville, TX 75056

Aquatic vegetation was introduced into Arcadia Reservoir, Oklahoma in 1997 and 1998 to restore fish habitat. Twenty-two species of plants and several herbivore exclosures were evaluated. Obstacles included common carp, red-ear turtles and terrestrial herbivores which prevented plant expansion and beavers, muskrats and floating debris which damaged exclosures. Indoor production of plant propagules was unsuccessful due to inadequacies in light, temperature, and substrate. Fluctuating reservoir water levels caused problems in 1997 and a drought in 1998 exposed 90% of the vegetated plots. Recovery by several species provides hope that these techniques will, in time, prove successful in establishing mixed native plant communities and enhance recruitment of sport fish.