Region Two Warmwater Fishing Opportunities for 2007-08

	What’s new in Region Two: An update on our activities and fishing opportunities for May and June
	Updated results from our largemouth bass diet study

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's warmwater game fish enhancement program began in 1997 at the request of fishing organizations interested in bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, perch, and catfish in Washington. The enabling legislation authorized WDFW to fund the program through a $5 fishing license surcharge. Today the enhancement funds come from a share of the freshwater fishing license dollars at a reduced rate.

The Warmwater Gamefish Enhancement Program's goal is to increase opportunities to fish for and catch warmwater game fish. To do so, the program is conducting fish community assessment surveys in select lakes and identifying management strategies to improve the quality of fishing. Cooperative groups and volunteers are used whenever possible, to involve and educate the public, minimize costs and gain the greatest return for the investment.

This document provides anglers with a summary of Regional lakes where warmwater fish are managed, and links to more detailed reports. It is important to remember that lakes are biological systems and fish communities change over time. We will provide the best information we have at the time of publication.

Region Two Warmwater Team

Marc Petersen and Mike Schmuck are the Region Two warmwater fish biologists. Their duties include:

• Conducting fisheries assessments of regional warmwater lakes.
  • Collect biological data on warmwater species found in these lakes.
• Conduct Fall Walleye Index Netting (FWIN) surveys on major walleye lakes within Region Two (Banks, Moses Lake, Potholes Res.). These FWIN surveys allow us to monitor walleye populations over time and make timely management decisions. Our FWIN reports can be found here.
• Capture brood-stock for hatchery production or transplant in other warmwater lakes, and relocate warmwater fish from lakes where these fish are un-wanted into lakes where these fish are needed.
• Develop creel surveys designed to determine angler effort and harvest on local warmwater lakes.
• Write published reports that summarize data collected during surveys.
• Research aspects of warmwater fisheries either considered unique to Washington or otherwise unknown to biologists as a whole.
• Assist other regional warmwater teams with surveys when time permits.

Since 1997, our team has surveyed most of the warmwater lakes in Region Two. Our reports can be found online and downloaded in a printable format.

Marc and Mike can be reached at the Region Two office: 1550 Alder Street NW Ephrata, WA 98823 (509) 754-4624.

Warmwater Team Activities for May 2007

• In mid-May we traveled to Whitestone Lake (Okanogan County) where we removed ~ 2,000 small bluegill, which were stocked in Moses Lake. Whitestone Lake is infested with small bluegill and will likely need active management to reduce this population.

• During April we focused our creel survey efforts on the walleye fishery in Moses Lake. Most harvest occurred at the Alder Street fill; however; harvest was below what we anticipated. We estimated there were ~2800 trips made, with about 225 walleye harvested. Approximately 1,008 yellow perch were harvested (mostly small fish). The average size of the walleye harvested was 22 inches, with most fish at least 18 inches.

• In May we estimated that 3,443 fish were harvested on Moses Lake, and 909 on Potholes Reservoir. The majority (71-85%) of the fish harvested were walleye; however, smallmouth, black crappie and yellow perch were also found in the creel. The average size of the walleye harvested on Moses Lake were 18.5 inches, while smallmouth averaged 13 inches. On Potholes Reservoir walleye harvested averaged 17 inches, while smallmouth averaged 12 inches. Most black crappie harvest on Moses Lake occurred while anglers were chasing walleye. Black crappie averaged 12-13 inches, and most were harvested near the north end of the lake.

• Our largemouth bass diet study is in full swing. Please remember to leave tags in fish and release ALL bass caught.

Prospects for Region Two Warmwater Lakes

Alkali Lake (Grant County)

Alkali Lake is part of the Sun Lakes chain located in Grant County approximately 9 miles north of Soap Lake, Washington. Alkali Lake has a surface area of 293 acres, a mean depth of 8.4 ft. Water drains from Blue Lake into Alkali Lake via Blue Creek. Water discharges, seasonally, from the south end of Alkali Lake through permeable rock-fill under Highway 17 into Lake Lenore. Alkali Lake is known for inconsistent fisheries and frequent fish kills. We are currently investigating the cause of these fish kills and hope to be able to manage around them. At this time anglers can find largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch and black crappie in Alkali Lake. Most of these fish are relatively small; however, some large fish were collected during our Fall 2005 survey. Our report can be found here. UPDATE: Anglers are catching good size bluegill and a few yellow perch. Early this spring ~ 50,000 fingerling rainbow trout were stocked and should be of harvestable size in 2008.

Banks Lake (Grant County)

Banks Lake is located between Coulee City and Electric City along Highway 17. Banks Lake is an irrigation impoundment, has a surface area of 26,887 acres, and a mean depth of 46 ft. Banks Lake was once known as the state’s premier walleye fishery; however, recently smallmouth bass have become a much more abundant and popular gamefish in this lake. Anglers will also find excellent perch fishing along the jetties on the south end, near the north end west of Steamboat Rock, and seasonally in the shallow bays of the northeast side of the reservoir. Other gamefish found in Banks Lake include crappie, bluegill, bullheads and channel catfish. Deepwater fish species found in Banks Lake include burbot (also known as freshwater ling) and lake whitefish. Rainbow trout and kokanee are stocked annually. Banks Lake has a dedicated research team that is investigating limiting factors associated with the Banks Lake fishery. Banks Lake is also surveyed each fall using gill nets to determine walleye abundance.

Evergreen Reservoir (Grant County)

Evergreen Reservoir lies within the Quincy Wildlife Area in Grant County, Washington, approximately 8 miles southwest of Quincy, Washington. Evergreen Reservoir has a surface area of 247 acres and a mean depth of 19 ft. Evergreen Reservoir was surveyed in Spring 2005. Fishes collected, in order of abundance included, bluegill, largemouth bass, yellow perch, and black crappie. There are also walleye and smallmouth bass in Evergreen Reservoir but these species are in low abundance. Evergreen Reservoir is a regional tiger muskie lake; however, very few of these fish were found during this survey and tiger muskie are stocked in low abundance. This report can be found here. In 2007, we will begin and in-depth examination of crappie recruitment and survival.

Hutchinson—Shiner Lakes (Adams County)

Hutchinson and Shiner lakes are located approximately four miles west of Othello, WA. These lakes are part of the Seep Lakes chain that originates south of Potholes Reservoir. Hutchinson and Shiner lakes, combined, have a surface area of 83 acres, and a mean depth of 11.5 ft. Water drains from Shiner Lake into Hutchinson Lake via a small channel approximately 150 ft. long. These lakes are managed for largemouth bass and bluegill. Anglers can also catch black crappie and yellow perch. We encourage anglers to keep as many yellow perch as possible since we would like to remove them from these lakes. Largemouth bass was the most abundant species collected followed by bluegill, and anglers should find excellent fishing in 2007. We surveyed these lakes in fall 2004 and this report can be found here.

Lower Goose Lake (Grant County)

Lower Goose Lake lies among the seep lakes in Grant County approximately 9 miles northwest Othello, Washington, and approximately 3.5 miles south of Potholes Reservoir. Lower Goose Lake has a surface area of 50 acres, and a mean depth of 25 ft. Lower Goose Lake was surveyed in 1999 and large numbers of fish were collected. Gamefish collected (in order of abundance) included: yellow perch, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, walleye, rainbow trout and channel catfish.

Moses Lake (Grant County)

Moses Lake is a perhaps the best walleye fishery in the state of Washington and likely holds the new state record. In 2004, a 19 pound female was collected and released near Alder Street! New regulations on Moses Lake allow anglers to retain eight walleye with a minimum size of 12 inches with one fish allowed over 22 inches. Results from our FWIN surveys suggest a very dense population of walleye exist in Moses Lake and anglers should put this fishery at the top of their list. In 2007, you will likely see a member of our team continuing our creel survey implemented to evaluate regulation changes in effect for walleye (see above) and smallmouth bass (Min. size 12 inches, max size 17 inches; not more than one fish over 14 inches; daily limit 10 fish). These regulations were put in place to reduce smallmouth bass and walleye populations which should help panfish (primarily crappie) populations recover. Results of our 2006 CREEL SURVEY can be found in Appendix A. Largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie and rainbow trout are also popular gamefish found in Moses Lake; however black crappie are not as abundant as they once were. Our FWIN report can be found here.

Palmer Lake (Okanogan County)

Palmer Lake is located approximately 5 miles north of Loomis, WA . The lake has a surface area of 2,110 acres, and a mean depth of 51 feet. We surveyed Palmer Lake in the fall of 2005. Smallmouth bass was the most abundant species collected and fish up to 18 inches were collected. We also collected largemouth bass (one fish measured 22 inches!), black crappie, bluegill and yellow perch. This lake offers an excellent angling experience due to both the fish in the lake and the beautiful scenery surrounding the lake. Our 2005, report can be found here.

Potholes Reservoir (O’ Sullivan Reservoir) (Grant County)

Potholes Reservoir is one of the most popular fishing destinations in Region Two. It is a 28,200 acre reservoir in Grant County, Washington, formed by the construction of O’Sullivan Dam across the Crab Creek Valley in 1949. We conducted a standard warmwater survey on Potholes Reservoir in 2000; however, and are planning another for spring 2007. Numerous warmwater gamefish are found in Potholes; however yellow perch, walleye, smallmouth and largemouth bass are the most popular species. Largemouth bass are common in the north end of the reservoir in the ”sand dunes” area, while smallmouth bass are more frequently found near the face of O’ Sullivan Dam along the rocky, rip-rap shoreline. Potholes is another of our regional FWIN waters. Our data have shown a slight decline in walleye; however, they remain abundant and this reservoir remains a dynamite walleye fishery. Other gamefish found in Potholes include bluegill, black crappie, channel catfish, rainbow trout and bullhead. In 2006, you are likely to see a member of our team conducting a creel survey. Potholes will be managed under the same walleye and smallmouth regulations that took effect on Moses Lake in spring 2006. In 2007, we are continuing a creel survey in order to determine the impact of this regulation change and to determine angler effort on Potholes Reservoir. Our FWIN report can be found here.

Red Rock Lake (Grant County)

Red Rock Lake is approximately 3 miles southeast of Royal City, Washington. Water levels in Red Rock Lake fluctuate a great deal during the spring and summer which makes boat access difficult. Our last survey of Red Rock Lake occurred in spring 2005. Yellow perch was the most abundant species collected followed by largemouth bass. Other gamefish found in Red Rock Lake include black crappie, bluegill, and brown bullhead. Tiger muskie have been stocked in Red Rock Lake; however, none were collected during this survey, and this lake no longer receives tiger muskie. There are a few very large bass in Red Rock Lake. One fish collected was eight pounds! Our report can be found online here.

Roses Lake (Chelan County)

Roses Lake is located approximately one mile northeast of Lake Chelan and 1 mile north of Manson, Washington. The lake is 131 acres, and a maximum depth of approximately 30 feet. Roses Lake is managed as a winter trout fishery as well as a warmwater fishery. We surveyed Roses Lake in the fall of 2004. During that survey largemouth bass was the most abundant species collected followed by yellow perch and bluegill. There are also channel catfish in Roses Lake – some of which are very large. The band of bulrush and cattail surrounding Roses Lake holds many large bass. Anglers should focus on these areas as they provide excellent cover for both bass and the small prey fish that bass prey upon. Our report can be found online here.

Sprague Lake (Adams/Lincoln Counties)

Sprague Lake is located in eastern Washington approximately 3 miles southwest of Sprague, Washington. The lake has a surface area of 1800 acres, a mean depth of 11.5 ft., and is approximately 6 miles in length. Sprague Lake is a top walleye fishery and densities of walleye in this lake rival those of Potholes Reservoir and Moses Lake. A new walleye regulation will be in place on Sprague Lake in 2006. Anglers can retain eight walleye, minimum size 12 inches, no more than one fish over 22 inches. We encourage anglers to retain their daily limit of walleye. Over-abundance of walleye in this lake have created problems for prey fish species. Largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill and yellow perch are also found in Sprague Lake; however, this lake is best known for the walleye fishery. We surveyed Sprague Lake in 2003 and our report can be found online here. Sprague Lake is another of our FWIN waters. The Region One Warmwater Team conducts annual FWIN gill net surveys of Sprague Lake. These reports can be found on-line here.

Figure 1. Catfish spawning barrel in approximately 3 feet of water of Stan Coffin Lake.

Stan Coffin Lake (Grant County)

Stan Coffin Lake is located in the Quincy Wildlife Area. This lake has a surface area of approximately 40.9 acres and is approximately 20 feet at its deepest point. Stan Coffin Lake is the only catch-and-release largemouth bass fishery in the state. Since 2003, we have stocked nearly 1,200 adult largemouth bass in SC Lake in order to reduce yellow perch and pumpkinseed abundance. Anglers will notice many largemouth bass in Stan Coffin Lake are tagged near their dorsal fin with red plastic tags: PLEASE leave the tags in the fish. These tags are used to monitor growth of individual fish in the lake. Bluegill in Stan Coffin Lake should be larger than those found in other Regional waters due to predation on small fish. Other gamefish found in Stan Coffin Lake include channel catfish, yellow perch and pumpkinseed.

Anglers are encouraged to keep all yellow perch and pumpkinseed since these species are undesirable in this lake. Preliminary results of our diet study can be found in appendix A. In 2006 we also placed several catfish spawning barrels in Stan Coffin Lake. Currently we don’t feel that catfish have suitable spawning habitat; these barrels should fill that need. PLEASE DO NOT DISTURB the barrels. In 2007, we will continue our diet study and begin analyzing diets in our new lab.

Upper Goose Lake (Grant County)

Upper Goose Lake lies among the seep lakes in Grant County approximately 10 miles northwest of Othello, Washington, and approximately 3 miles south of Potholes Reservoir. Upper Goose Lake has a surface area of 130.5 acres, and a mean depth of 46 ft. We haven’t surveyed Upper Goose Lake since 2000; however, during that survey we collected (in order of abundance) largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, walleye, yellow perch and bluegill. Anglers are encouraged to contact us and report their success.

Washburn Island Pond (Okanogan County)

Washburn Island Pond is located approximately 5 miles southeast of Brewster, Washington. The pond, which is primarily used by hunters and fishermen, has a surface area of approximately 140 acres, a maximum depth of 21 feet, and a volume of 1140 acre-ft. Washburn Island Pond is another of our largemouth bass—bluegill fisheries. We surveyed WIP in fall 2001. Bluegill was the most abundant species collected followed by largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, black crappie, brown bullhead and channel catfish. Bluegill are over-populated in WIP so anglers are unlikely to find many large fish. In 2005, we removed a few hundred bluegill from WIP for transplant into a pond in the north Potholes Reserve. Black crappie seen during this removal were large and many were found near the outlet at the south end of the lake.

Whitestone Lake (Okanogan County)

Whitestone Lake is located in the Okanogan River drainage approximately 5.7 miles northwest of Tonasket, Washington. The lake has a surface area of 173 acres, and a maximum depth of 25 feet. During 2005, we collected 2,000 small bluegill from Whitestone Lake for transplant into a pond in the north Potholes Reserve. We feel that Whitestone Lake has too many small bluegill. Bluegill will prey on largemouth bass eggs and high densities of bluegill can negatively impact largemouth bass. We will be removing bluegill from Whitestone and also stocking largemouth bass into the lake in order to reduce abundance and increase average size of bluegill. Our 2006 survey showed results similar to that seen in 2000. Bluegill are still most abundant and large bass dominate that population. Very few small bass were collected during this survey.

Regional Warmwater Activities for the 2007 Field Season

• Creel surveys (and subsequent data analyses) occupy much of our time during the spring and summer. These surveys focus on Moses Lake and Potholes Res.

• We continue to visit Stan Coffin Lake approximately every two-weeks in order to determine diets of largemouth bass in relation to prey abundance.

• October is our FWIN month. Regional FWIN waters include Banks Lake, Moses Lake, and Potholes Reservoir. These gill net surveys help us develop long-term data sets for important walleye waters.

• Our late fall and winter activities include analyzing data, scales, and writing reports that are published and available on our web site.

Appendix A

Preliminary Results from our 2006-7 bass diet study on Stan Coffin Lake.

Figure 2. Number of largemouth bass examined for the presence of food items and proportion of bass with fish diets. Sampling was conducted from May—October 2006 and March—June 2007. The majority of bass collected were 11—15 inches, yet larger bass (those > 15 inches) had a higher proportion of fish in their diet.