Freshwater Fishery Management Objective- Discuss the lake habitat to include basic fishery...
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Transcript of Freshwater Fishery Management Objective- Discuss the lake habitat to include basic fishery...
Freshwater Fishery Management
Objective- Discuss the lake habitat to include basic fishery management techniques
The Lake Habitat
Farm Ponds
Good way to supply habitat for fish
Main uses: Livestock watering Irrigation Fish production Wildlife Recreation Fire protection
USDA says that the ideal size for a family farm pond is <2 acres
Management of the Farm Pond
Techniques depend on whether a new pond is being built or an old one is being renovated Built/new: concerned with care and development Existing/old: concerned with correcting existing
problems
Artificial Ponds
Embankment Ponds
Water is held or impounded by an embankment or dam across a watercourse
Should be a minimum of 6 feet deep
Excavated Ponds
Made by digging a pit below surrounding ground level
Built primarily in nearly level areas
Selecting & Maintaining a Pond Watershed
The area that drains into a pond Should be surrounded by a permanent vegetation buffer
strip
Dam & Spillway Should be covered with a fast growing grass No trees or shrubs should be planted on dams because roots
can weaken it Spillway should be 4 feet or more below top of dam and
have vegetation growing on it
Pond Basin The area to be flooded Cover crops should be planted before it is flooded
Pond Banks-should be protected from washing rain
Pond Development
Many ponds are developed for wildlife, recreation, and fish production
Trees and shrubs should be planted around the pond to act as a windbreak and provide wildlife cover, food and nesting
Safety equipment should be present for the recreational activities of fishing, boating and swimming
Stock pond with the right kind and numbers of fish
Using the Pond for Production
Ponds can be used as a production site if properly managed
It is very important to monitor and maintain water quality
Fisheries Management
Management is necessary to ensure survival of the pond or reservoir for long periods of time
Management Procedures Vegetation Control Fish Sampling Population Removal and Adjustments Fertilization Techniques Fishing Regulations Water Quality
Vegetation Control
Provides food, shelter, oxygen, and spawning & nesting habitat
Cools surface water and stabilizes bottom sediments
Excessive vegetation can harm fish and inhibit recreation
Ways to control aquatic plant population:1. Watershed improvement- keep soil & nutrients on the land
and out of the water
2. Water level management- involves changing the level of the water to expose plants to adverse conditions
3. Biological control- using some other living organism to control aquatic plants
4. Chemical control- using herbicides on weed-infested waters
Fish Sampling
Need to keep track of what species are in the water and how well they are growing
Methods include… Nets Spot poisoning Boat shocker Angling
Population Removal and Adjustment
Ponds can become over populated with undesirable species (suckers, shad, crappies)
1. Drain pond and trap all fish in nets, keep the desired fish to restock and destroy undesirable fish (not recommended for reservoirs)
2. Poison entire lake or pond
Fertilization Techniques
Fertilizing ponds to increase fish production is more common in Southern States
Annual fertilization program: Apply 8-10 treatments of
commercial fertilizer
Causes increase production of plankton which is food for fish
Can cause problems like excessive growth of vegetation
Fishing Regulations
Regulations exist controlling the fish taken from public waters
Based on size of fish or number of fish
Idea: Provide the ideal environment for the fish
Water Quality
Good water quality is essential for fish production
Fish grow best if temperature is >65 degrees F
Oxygen must be in water for fish to survive
pH of water is best for fish at 6.5-9
Must keep muddy water under control. Fish are stunted if they grow in water with a bad siltation problem.
What kind of fish are present in NC freshwater? Objective- Differentiate among freshwater fish common to NC