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