Kentucky
Cave Run Lake Vegetation Survey
Contact: Neal Jackson neal.jackson@ky.gov
On 29 June – 03 July Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Fisheries Division sampled Cave Run Lake (Bath, Menifee, Morgan and Rowan Counties; Northeastern Fishery District) for aquatic vegetation. The sampling was done with the intentions of monitoring for aquatic nuisance species and gaining knowledge on the types, densities and distribution of vegetation within the lake. Procedures were modified from the USGS Long Term Resources Monitoring Program (LTRMP) aquatic vegetation sampling protocol (Yin, et al. 2000) to include 90 stratified random sampling points. The stratification used was based off of trophic conditions of the lake, (upper: eutrophic, middle: mesotrophic and lower: oligotrophic) and 30 sites within each section were sampled. In addition to basic information (water depth, water temperature, clarity and substrate type) data was collected on the types and densities of submersed and emergent vegetation as well as algae on all sites sampled.
Of the 90 sites picked only 89 were sampled (29 in the lower, 30 in both the middle and upper) of those 89 sites 49% had some form of submersed aquatic vegetation, 37% had no vegetation, 10% had emergent vegetation and 9% had algae. Both the lower and middle sections of the lake were dominated by sites with submersed aquatic vegetation (72% and 63%, respectively), while the upper section was dominated by unvegatated sites (63%). A total of 25 total different plant species were observed; of these only 4 were submersed aquatic vegetation, 2 were algae and the remaining were forms of emergent vegetation. Overall the most frequent vegetation type was unvegatated sites followed by curly pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) and eursian water milfoil (Myirophyllum spicatum). Eurasian watermilfoil was the only invasive species found in our sampling.
Currently, there are plans in place to continue monitoring of the plant community for aquatic nuisance species on Cave Run Lake as well as Grayson Lake (Carter and Elliott Counties; Northeastern Fishery District) in 2010. The invasive species hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) was observed in routine sampling of black bass in Grayson Lake and the monitoring of vegetation in that lake this year will allow for documentation of the expansion of this species through out the lake.
Yin, Y., J.S. Winkelman and H.A. Langrehr. 2000. Long Term Resource Monitoring Program procedures: Aquatic vegetation monitoring. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin. April 2000. LTRMP 95-P002-7. 8 pp. + Appendixes A-C.
Mississippi
Promoting Crappie Recruitment in Northwest Mississippi Reservoirs
Contact: Dr. Steve Miranda, SMiranda@CFR.MsState.Edu; Dr. Glen Parsons, bygrp@olemiss.edu; Larry Pugh, larry.pugh@mdwfp.state.ms.us
Crappies are a major fisheries component in the four large flood control reservoirs of northwest Mississippi. Objectives of this research are to determine habitat used for spawning by adult crappie in the reservoirs, and whether they migrate into natural backwaters and manmade sub-impoundments to spawn; estimate relative abundance of age-0 crappies in sloughs, oxbow lakes, subimpoundments, and other key backwater habitats in the reservoirs; chart habitat distribution in the reservoirs and connect with reservoir bathymetry to assess changes in suitable habitat availability for crappie spawning, juvenile development in relation to water level, and potential for maximizing survival of stocked crappie; and link watershed models, reservoir hydraulic models, and downstream flood control models to explore flexibility in the reservoir operational rule curves that would allow crappie-friendly adjustments to water levels.
An Experimental Demonstration to Determine Best Management Practices for Invasive Plant Control and Restoration of the Sport Fishery in Mississippi Delta Lakes
Contact: Dr. Eric Dibble, edibble@CFR.MsState.Edu; Larry Pugh, larry.pugh@mdwfp.state.m.sus
The goal of this research is to develop best management practices regarding chemical and biological aquatic plant control methods to restore habitat and facilitate fishery management goals in Mississippi Delta lakes. Specific objectives are to compare two control methods (grass carp and herbicides) for invasive/nuisance aquatic plants; determine potential influences of the two plant control methods on fish populations and habitat, water quality and public use; and to develop best management practices for aquatic plant control relative to Delta oxbow lakes fishery management.
Bay Springs Reservoir Black Bass Tournament Dispersal Evaluation
Contact: Jason Olive, jasono@mdwfp.state.ms.us
Bay Springs is a 6,700-acre COE reservoir, where most tournaments are held out of the same boat ramp in one tributary of the lake. Our study will involve tagging black bass that have been weighed-in in local tournaments, and recording recaptures by anglers. The goal of the study is to determine the magnitude of dispersal of fish from the weigh-in site.
Creel survey to assess the paddlefish fishery on Lower Sardis Lake, Sardis Reservoir
Contact: Keith Meals, kmeals@olemiss.edu
Non-grabbling anglers have voiced complaints to MDWFP that handgrabbling anglers are taking a disproportionate share of catfish, particularly large catfish, from the Sardis Lower Lake, a spillway and 400 ac borrow pit below Sardis Reservoir. Creel surveys will be conducted one weekday and one weekend day per week during the 10 week handgrabbling season. Both Lower Lake (boat – complete trips) and spillway anglers (bank – incomplete trips) will be interviewed. Data on catch, effort, harvest, target species, and other metrics will be calculated separately, and then combined to give an overall picture of the fishery.
Trawl sampling for young of the year crappie at Ross Barnett Reservoir
Contact: Larry Bull, labull10@bellsouth.net
Biologists with the MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks are attempting to determine if a 16-foot midwater trawl is an effective gear for sampling young of the year crappie in Ross Barnett Reservoir, MS. Trawl sampling is being completed during August in areas of the reservoir that are >15 feet deep. In conjunction with trawl sampling, angler harvested crappie are being aged in the spring. Catch rates of young of the year crappie will be compared to angler catch rates of the same year class at ages 2-4 to determine if a correlation exists.
North Carolina
Excavator Salvage Operation, Lake Norman, North Carolina
Contact: Michael Abney michael.abney@duke-energy.com
Oklahoma
Hybrid Striped Bass Stocking
Kurt Kuklinski, kkuklinski@odwc.state.ok.us
A five-year study evaluating the stocking and retention of two hybrid striped bass crosses (Morone saxatilis female x M chrysops male, and M chrysops female x M saxatilis male) was completed on a high flow-through reservoir (Kaw Lake). Results indicate equal retention and emigration between hybrid crosses. Common cross hybrid mean length at age was significantly greater than reciprocal hybrid mean length for ages 1 to 5. For more information contact Kurt: 405-325-7288
Striped Bass Recruitment in Lake Texoma
Kurt Kuklinski, kkuklinski@odwc.state.ok.us
This nine-year project was just completed. Results revealed variable annual shad populations (gizzard and threadfin), variable striped bass year-classes which were somewhat related to river flows, and the ability to detect the natal spawning river of individual age-0 striped bass using otolith microchemistry. For more information contact Kurt: 405-325-7288
Paddlefish Movements in Lake Texoma
Chas Patterson, cpatterson@odwc.state.ok.us
A multi-year movement tracking study of re-introduced paddlefish in Lake Texoma was recently completed. Ultrasonic telemetry tagged individuals were tracked throughout the year to determine ranges and spawning movements. For more information contact Chas: 405-325-7288
Sauger Stocking in 2 Reservoirs
Josh Johnston, johnston_odwc@hotmail.com
This project is mid-way through a 5-year evaluation of sauger stocking in 2 Arkansas River reservoirs. Oxytetracycline-marked sauger will be used to evaluate contribution to broodstock on the Arkansas River Navigation System. For more information contact Josh: 918-683-1031
Bass Electrofishing Evaluation
Chas Patterson, cpatterson@odwc.state.ok.us
The first year of this 4-year study has been completed. ODWC standardized sampling methods for spring electrofishing of largemouth bass are being evaluated in depth. Randomization of sample sites, duration of samples, and other methodology is being evaluated. Results from 2009 sampling are available. For more information contact Chas: 405-325-7288
Fall Gillnet Sampling Evaluation
Ryan Ryswyk, ryan_ryswyk@hotmail.com
Year one of this 3-year evaluation study has been completed. This study is evaluating ODWC fall gillnet standardized sampling. Netting catch between old 200-foot gillnets is being compared to new 80-foot gillnets (as recommended in the new AFS Standardized Sampling Book). Random versus fixed sites is also included in the evaluation. For more information contact Ryan: 580-529-2889
Florida LMB Stocking Evaluation
Cliff Sager, csager@simplynet.net
ODWC stocking of Florida LMB is being evaluated. The first year of a 3-year study evaluating the stocking of OTC marked Florida LMB at various rates has been completed. Results are being analyzed. For more information contact Cliff: 580-924-4087
Stocking ODWC Lakes with Growout Channel Catfish
Chas Patterson, cpatterson@odwc.state.ok.us
The stocking of small ODWC-owned lakes with growout channel catfish is being evaluated in order to provide an optimal product to licensed anglers. Various stocking rates are being evaluated along with angler satisfaction via angler surveys. This is the first year of this 5-year study. For more information contact Chas: 405-325-7288
ODWC Lake Record Program
Greg Summers, gsummers@odwc.state.ok.us
ODWC implemented a lake record program in 2008 as a service to anglers, and as a way to generate interest in angling. The program supports local lake record keepers (usually commercial bait shops or stores) by providing equipment needed to document large fish being caught from their lake. An online application system and online lake record database is maintained by ODWC. For more information contact Greg: 405-325-7288
