Craig Johnson, the District Fisheries Biologist at El Dorado, has agreed to monitor this site and answer questions, as time allows, to what is happening on our lakes. WELCOME CRAIG!!!! <*)}}}><
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Craig Johnson, the District Fisheries Biologist at El Dorado, has agreed to monitor this site and answer questions, as time allows, to what is happening on our lakes. WELCOME CRAIG!!!! <*)}}}><
Glad to have you on the site!
Good Deal.
Craig I have a question or two. I am sure the sampling numbers will be coming out shortly giving us the 2010 forecasts. But I am impatient. What lakes do you see on the rise for crappie in 2010. Also how is Douglas State Lake north of Baldwin doing in terms of fish growth etc.
Welcome Craig
Welcome,
Q #1. Is Hillsdale Res scheduled to get wipers? If not Why? Thanks...
wlcome
Hello Craig. Perry has a HUGE problem. Are we going to see a fish kill due to the shad being too big for the crappie to eat? This time of year we see fish full of shad. Not so on perry.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chadku
Chadku,
Fall test netting is just wrapping up around Kansas and most of the fish bios are still working on entering their fish catch data so I don't have access to all the most up to date data for Kansas crappie yet. As you mentioned, the 2010 Fishing Forecast will be coming out soon and it will have population info for all popular Kansas sportfish. I still have a lot of data to enter otherwise I would give you a run down of my lakes!
I called Richard Sanders and asked him your question about Douglas SFL. He said overall the lake is in good condition but it will need a couple more years before the crappie population offers good angling opportunities. The channel catfish population sustained heavy pressure and as a result density decreased (but remains good) and many of the larger cats were harvested by anglers. The lake has good numbers of panfish (bluegill, redear sunfish, and greensunfish) with some larger fish available. The bass population is improving and currently there are high numbers of fish but most are still small. Black crappie were stocked in the Fall '08 and it will take a few more years for the crappie to reach sizes of interest to anglers.
Sabertooth Crappie,Quote:
Originally Posted by Sabertooth Crappie
I spoke with Kirk Tjelmeland about the Perry crappie and shad. He said that Perry's gizzard shad spawn was quite early this year which resulted in the much larger than desired sizes of shad during most of the year. It is unlikely that there will be a crappie fish kill due to the larger than normal shad, but this scenario doesn't provide prime growing conditions for crappie (or white bass or other sportifsh) as there is less forage available to the smaller predators. There may be some thin fish come spring time but they will recover quickly when forage returns.
Thanks Craig. Really appreciate your willingness to help out and answer our questions.
No problem Chadku, I'll answer if I can!
Thank's Craig!!
Springhill Duckman,Quote:
Originally Posted by Springhill Duckman
I checked with Andy Jansen, KDWP fisheries biologist for Hillsdale, to get the answers to your questions. Wiper stockings are not currently requested for Hillsdale Reservoir and there are no current plans for wiper introductions in the near future. Why no wiper stockings? Hillsdale currently (and historically) has a rather well balanced sportfishery and produces productive fisheries for crappie, white bass, and walleye all of which that can rely heavily on gizzard shad for good growth rates. This "balance" has allowed the Hillsdale gizzard shad population to be productive while also exhibiting shad sizes that are able to be used by the sportfish. Some lakes do not have dense enough predator populations to effectively utilize available shad and the shad length distributions get "out of whack". If not enough gizzard shad are preyed upon by predators, then too many shad grow in to large sizes. When the shad get "too big" they have outgrown their usefulness as a prey item to sportfish and basically these LARGE shad just take up valuable space that could be occupied by smaller shad which could be eaten by sportfish. Hillsdale has not seen the problems associated with the stockpiling of large shad as the shad population gets good predation pressure from the sportfishery. Wipers are sometimes used to add MORE predation pressure on the gizzard shad population to cause a change in gizzard shad length distributions. The increased predation results in FEWER large shad and MORE small shad which is beneficial to young of the year sportfish as well as adult sportfish. Ideally, a sportfishery would use a high percentage of the young of the year gizzard shad population EVERY year leaving a few to grow in to adult shad which will be the spawners to produce the following year's shad spawn. Sometimes the old saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies in fish management too! Kansas lakes are always changing, especially as they age, so one of these days wipers may be a good option at Hillsdale. But currently, wiper are not in the management plan at Hillsdale.
Wow! Great Answer on the Hillsdale Lake question. Not the one I wanted to hear, but glad to know the real deal.
Thanks! :)
Craig,
Not really in your area, but maybe you could find an answer for us. With all of the updates at the state park at Melvern new cabins, new main office, and the new boat docks why can't we get a fish cleaning station?
thanks
Al
Craig, I noticed several freshly cut cedar trees laying on the ground as we drove by El Dorado and noticed the same thing when we came by Hillsdale. Is there any projects underway to place more brush in these lakes?
Al,Quote:
Originally Posted by haugboss
When I was at Hillsdale, I worked for years to get a fish cleaning station and as far as I know there still isn't one there (maybe there is!!). There were several issues that affected the success of the cleaning station project. Location of a fish cleaning station can be an issue as water and electrical service must be present. There is also the "waste" issue to be addressed whether it is to be a septic tank which requires pump-out or tapping in to the sewer system and lift stations to properly dispose of the fish waste. At times, the best location for a fish cleaning station makes the project cost prohibitive as gaining water and electrical service and waste disposal can be quite expensive. Fish cleaning stations can also require very high amounts of maintenance which make them less attractive to property managers.
When I worked at Eisenhower State Park in the early 90's there were fish cleaning tables on each of the east and west boat ramp docks. Pitcher pumps provide water for clean up after the fish cleaning and these worked very well for anglers. After checking with the park manager, I've been told that tables and pumps are still present for anglers to use to clean their fish. Currently there are no plans for a fish cleaning station at the Eisenhower State Park.
HV,Quote:
Originally Posted by HairyVetch
The freshly cut cedar trees you saw at El Dorado were a result of woody vegetation invasion control efforts by the Wildlife Area Manager. I would guess that the same thing is going on at Hillsdale.
I put brush in to my lakes as I have time every winter and with the abundance of already cut cedars laying around it will be much easier to get more trees in El Dorado this winter. I have some VERY dedicated anglers helping me put trees in the lake here at El Dorado and we have really added to the cover in a number of coves.
So yes, brush pile construction continues at El Dorado.
Thanks Craig
The ones on the docks do not have water or electricity, and metal surface dulls a blade pretty quickly. Is there any reason they can't put them at the dump station up on the hill like Banner Creek? Water and a hole for sewer is already there and wouldn't take much to get power as close as the new admin. building is. Again I know this isn't your battle but thanks for your insite.
Al
Al,Quote:
Originally Posted by haugboss
I cannot accurately answer questions as specific as this as I don't work for the Parks Division. You and I could probably play "what-if" until the crappie spawn! To get the information you desire, I would suggest calling Eisenhower State Park and talking to the Park Manager. He will have the knowledge of facilities developement plans, budgets, and project priority rankings to answer your questions better than I. The Eisenhower State Park phone number is 785-528-4102.
I hope this helps get your questions answered.
Thanks.
Craig is the effort and any funds spent on controlling zebra mussels wasted ? I mean its a matter of time right? Perry, Eldorado, Cheney, Marion, and now Wilson. We're gonna have to learn to live with them so whats the short on how they'll affect fishing in our lakes in say 5 years? thanks
No kidding on the horse muscles, that really worries me. I don't know how it will affect brush piles in 15 ft of water. Can you even jig in them anymore without cutting your Power Pro or will the crappie use them when they are full of shells from muscles.
The worst part is it's only a matter of hours before Hillsdale has them, that lake gets more traffic than any a lake 1/2 it's size should. I have a little pond just down the street from my house in my neighborhood and we drain the livewell when we get home. I hate the smell that fish scum makes in a closed livewell after a short while, but when I drain my well it runs down the road about 40 yards into the storm drain into the pond 50 yards from there. You can't tell me the water doesn't make it to the pond and that thing will be full if I don't watch my use and there is only one person to blame if that happens. :mad: Sucks when you have to drain a full livewell 4 times a week. :D
Go Dart,Quote:
Originally Posted by go dart
The efforts and money spent on zebra mussels are not a waste. The longer a water body remains zebra mussel free, the less the environmental and economical impact. The fewer infested waters we have means there are fewer places for lake users to "pick up" zebra mussels which lessens the chances of another new infestation. The control practices that are recommended for zebra mussels also stop the spread of many other aquatic nuisance species that can damage our lakes and fisheries.
It is still very disappointing the number of people that fail to follow the recommended control practices to prevent the spread. Clean, Drain, and Dry is pretty simple! Moving lake water from one drainage to another is one of the biggest problems but one of the easiest for a person to avoid. Before you leave the lake, PULL THE PLUG!
You've asked the million dollar question...What will it be like in 5 years? I could rattle on about what has happened at El Dorado during the first five years but each lake will probably react slightly differently. As zebra mussels densely colonize shorelines (and ANYTHING else in the water) line abrasion from the sharp shells will cause many break offs and lost fish. Habitat for fish degrades as brush, rock, and other hiding areas can become completely "clogged" with zebra mussels. Competition increases for forage fish and larval sportfish as the filter feeding of the zebra mussels removes plankton from the water column. Now El Dorado will also be dealing with white perch in addition to the zebra mussels. Yes, we do still have fish at El Dorado but these fish will be facing many more challenges than they had to before the invasion of the zebra mussels and white perch.
In case you all haven't heard yet, zebra mussels were discovered in Milford Reservoir earlier this week. You can go to
ZEBRA MUSSELS SPREAD TO MILFORD RESERVOIR / KDWP Info / KDWP - KDWP for more info.
thanks Craig. Sad. Clearly the spread is due to fisherman/boaters who care little if any about keeping our lakes clear of these invaders. Now with so many lakes polluted with em the drainage will also serve to spread the "bad news". Its encouraging to see your attitude about slowing the spread and I know many of us will remember that.
Is there rules to follow when putting brush in lakes. Was thinking about sinking some in Marion but I do not want to get into trouble. Any advise on this would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
bluewater,Quote:
Originally Posted by bluewater
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ultimately controls where and what can be put in to the federal reservoirs in Kansas. Your best bet would be to call and check with the Marion USACE Office. The number is 620-382-2101.
Craig,
When does KDWP publish the 2010 Kansas Fishing Forcast?
I'm anxious to see how my favorite fishing holes rank this year.
Thanks
Tim
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishingtim
Tim,
The 2010 Fishing Forecast should be out within the next couple of weeks. The data has been compiled and the biologists are adding their ratings and double checking the numbers. We are using a new system to organize the numbers for all of the lakes sampled in 2009 and it has saved a lot of time. So if all goes well, the 2010 forecast will be available earlier in the year than previous forecasts.
Keep checking the KDWP website (Fishing / KDWP - KDWP) as the online 2010 Fishing Forecast will be available before the printed versions.
Thanks for the info.
I like that KDWP makes there lake sampling information available to the Kansas anglers. I haven't seen any others states that provide this type of fishing forcast. Thought they could be out there, just haven't ran across them for the out-of-state lakes I occasionally fish.
Here's a VIDEO on the 2010 Fishing Forecast.
The 2010 Forecast has not been posted on the KDWP website but should be up soon.
Cool!!
Question for Craig,
When a fish dies in a lake instead of by fillet knife, what determines if the fish will sink to the bottom of the lake or float to the top and wash up to shore? You always see a fish or two dead up along the shoreline, but alot more fish just have to die from old age than the one or two dead ones you see. My best guess was that the fish that die naturally sink to the bottom and never are seen but the fish that die from sickness end up along the shore line blotted.
This came up talking to a buddy about the twenty some pound bass in California "Dottie" that was found on the shoreline a year or so ago. And the white bass fish kill that Cheney or Marion had several years back where fish were scattered on the shoreline.
This is great.Thanks Craig for giving your time to the public like this..I have a question about a microscopic invader called Daphnia lumholtzi, I became aware of it by a guy named Dzialowski. In his speech he talked about how it is being found in kansas more frequently and how it gets into a fishes mouth and can actually chokeon them. I was wondering if this little guy is something we need to be woried about in our reservoirs and rivers and if so what can be done to prevent/eradicate it?
fishingtim,Quote:
Originally Posted by fishingtim
Some diseases do cause a fish to "float" at the top of the water as the disease can effect the air bladder of the fish, but not all diseased fish will float and not all fish that die of natural causes will sink.
A big factor in this float/sink question is the temperature, both of the air and the water. At warmer temperatures, decomposition occurs more quickly and will cause a fish carcass to bloat up and come to the service where they are visible. At cold temperatures, decomposition takes place much more slowly and not enough gases may be produced to float the fish to the surface. This is seen in winter roadkills vs. summer roadkills. A roadkill deer will bloat up in a matter of hours in summer but will take days in winter.
Scavengers must also be taken in to consideration as they can clean up dead fish very quickly. Even if they scavengers cannot eat the fish whole, they may make a hole in the skin of the fish which releases the gases floating the fish and the fish will sink. In the summer time fish decompose VERY rapidly and a 5 to 10lb fish is reduced to "soup" in a matter of days.
Easy meals don't last long in the fish world. Sick or dying individuals are picked off quickly by fish or other predators/scavengers. Large scale fish kills produce many easily seen dead individuals, but there are also large numbers that are not easily seen.
cannon14,Quote:
Originally Posted by cannon14
Yes it is something to be concerned about and the KDWP message of CLEAN DRAIN DRY will prevent the spread of the exotic waterflea and other aquatic nuisance species (ANS). Like most ANS, once they find their way in to a water body it is very difficult (usually impossible) to eradicate them.
Here's some info taken from the KDWP ANS Plan.
The following ANS species are considered of special concern in Kansas; bighead carp, black carp, exotic waterflea, New Zealand mudsnail, round goby, rudd, ruffe, rusty crayfish, silver carp, spiny waterflea, white perch, and zebra mussel. Currently, the zebra mussel, white perch, bighead carp, silver carp, black carp, and New Zealand mudsnail are considered priority species.
Exotic waterflea Daphnia lumholtzi. Native to Africa, Australia, and India, this species was first discovered in 1990 in Texas. It has since been found in several Midwestern states including Kansas. Analyses of pre-invasion zooplankton communities indicate that D. lumholtzi may be invading reservoirs in which native Daphnia species are rare. While the long-term effects of the invasion of D. lumholtzi are unknown, it has the potential to dominate late summer zooplankton communities in eastern Kansas reservoirs (Dzialowski et al. 2000). The presence of D. lumholtzi in some Kansas reservoirs indicates a need to monitor invaded reservoirs to document the range expansion and determine the long-term implications of the introduction of this invader.
There are several several waterfleas causing problems throughout North America: Spiny waterflea (Bythotrephes longimanus) fishhook waterflea (Cercopagis pengoi) and exotic waterflea D. lumholtzi. All of these are transported in lake water which reinforces the importance of following the CLEAN DRAIN DRY recommendation.
Several of you are probably familiar with the spiny waterflea and the impact it has had on the Great Lakes. These critters gather in such large numbers on fishing lines that they can actually foul the line and reduce catch rates.
For more info on the exotic waterflea, click HERE.
Craig, Thanks for your reply about the dead fish. Sound like the circle of life takes care of the fish pretty well.
So a follow on question. If I have the option I will usually clean the fish I keep at the lake to "keep the mess at the lake", then just throw the fish bones in the lake for catfish or crawfish to eat the left overs and finish decomposing.
Is this the best thing to do with the carcass or should they just be thrown in a dumpster?
fishingtim,Quote:
Originally Posted by fishingtim
Most State Parks, Corps Parks, and users of these areas would prefer that no fish parts are placed in the dumpsters. As everyone knows, fish get RIPE very quickly and no one likes the smell of rotting fish!! Dumpsters are not a good place for fish parts.
Some lakes have fish cleaning stations located off of the water and these keep fish wastes confined and the stink is minimized through the use of holding tanks/sewer systems. Depending on the lake you are at, dropping your fish parts off at the cleaning station may be an option.
Other lakes have more primitive fish cleaning stations which consist of a board and pitcher pump mounted on the boat dock. Fish heads, guts, and skin go back in to the lake under the dock which also minimized the mess and smell. Fish and turtles quickly clean up the fish parts left at these cleaning stations.
If done correctly, putting the left overs from your days catch in the lake will not cause any problems. If you have caught your 50/day limit of crappie and you dump a bushel basket full of heads and guts on the shore right next to the boat ramp, there will be problems!! I have seen cleaned (filleted) catfish bobbing next to ramps or shorelines that still have the abdominal cavity and air bladder intact which causes them to float and rot and stink and cause a nuisance to any one in the area. These fish carcasses should have been taken away or at least had the air bladders punctured so the carcasses would sink. Deeper water is also necessary to dispose of the fish leftovers-- no one wants to see a mess of fish on the bottom in 2 feet of water right off a ramp or campsite.
If you do clean fish at home, put all the heads/guts in a plastic bag and freeze them. Then when trash day rolls around, throw them in the trash. Stink will be minimized and your trash man won't be mad!
We have many different lakes in Kansas and some are run by City, County, or other entity. You may be ahead by asking staff at the lake you are at that what their preferred method of fish disposal is as regulations can vary.
I agree it's pretty discusting to see and or smell rotting fish around the lake shore.
I typically clean my fish at home and freeze the carcas like you recommended. The only problems is getting my wife to agree to let me put a bag of dead fish right next to our food and remembering to throw them out on trash day, but she sees the benefit of no smell. As long as I don't end up having fish head soup for dinner. haha.
Question Craig:
I have a question that intrigues me. General overview;
a) When I keep crappie for the knife, I pack them in layers on ice in a cooler. In the winter, I use the snow. I usually fish till dark and when I get home, unloading the boat and getting to the LazyBoy are top priorities.
b) I clean the fish in the morning with a fresh pot of joe. Fish are always just fine and there is no question up to this point.
c) Dec, Jan and now Feb, I notice a distinct variation in the white vs black crappie that I handle in the morning. The cooler usually has a mix ratio of about 5 whites to 1 black. I'm usually cleaning 14-20 crappie so there are always a few blacks in the bunch. The white crappie are quite firm but not frozen in the moring while the blacks are limp as though they just came out of the water.
d) This the case in every single instance. I have kept enough coolers of fish that the probability that the blacks didn't get "iced" quite the same is not a factor. When I say enough, I'm saying that since December, I have had probably 20, if not more coolers of fish to clean in the morning.
My interest is that there has to be a biological variation in the species that causes this specific difference. Have you ever heard of this? Do you have any idea as to the biological answer to this quandry? It is absolutely not a random chance occurance as I have been interested in this question going through far too many coolers of crappie.
If you don't have any ideas about this question, can you send along an email of an AFS (American Fisheries Society) member either at the state or national level that can help with the question.
Thanks
Welcome
Very informative inputs on subject, hobby,lots of us enjoy
Loooking forward to more commments