Survey Method

All streams are sampled according to WDNR

wadeable streams monitoring protocols. The Emmons Creek is on a 3 year rotation schedule with two sites identified for the segment of stream in Waupaca County.

All sampling stations are electrofished with either a

towed barge shocker (pictured below) or backpack shocker.

Sampling distance is at least 35 times the mean

stream width or a minimum of 330 ft.(100 meters).

All trout and other gamefish are measured for length

and examined for fin-clips.

In at least one stream segment (if multiple stations

are being sampled) all fish species are collected and counted for calculation of an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI).

Metrics used to describe trout populations include

average length, catch per unit effort (CPUE) and length frequency distribution.

2016 Stream Survey Report

EMMONS CREEK

Rotation (WBIC 261300)

Waupaca County

Prepared by Joe Dax

Metric Descriptions

Catch per unit effort (CPUE) is an indirect method of measuring fish population

relative abundance. For all trout surveys we typically quantify CPUE by the number and size of trout captured per mile of stream. CPUE indexes are compared to statewide streams by percentile (PCTL). For example, if a CPUE is in the 90th percentile, it is higher than 90% of the other CPUEs in the state. CPUE percentiles can also be used to categorize trout abundance by 33rd (low density), 66th (moderate), 90th (high), and 95th (very high) benchmarks.

Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) is a rating of environmental quality based on fish

assemblage. Scores of 90-100 would indicate excellent quality while scores less than 30 would indicate poor quality. Our analysis utilizes the IBI for Wisconsin coldwater streams (max. daily mean water temp. usually <22°C). A coolwater stream IBI may also be reported when applicable.

Length frequency distribution is a graphical representation of the percentage of

fish captured by half or one inch size intervals.

Introduction and Objectives Emmons Creek is a Class I trout stream consisting of 2.3 miles of trout water. It originates in Portage

County and flows east-northeast into the Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes. Fishing access consists of public stream bank ownership/easement and 3 road crossings. Objectives of the rotational surveys are to determine spe-cies composition, relative abundance, and size structure for trout and other gamefish present.

Regulations: Category: Green Size Limit: Any length Daily Bag Limit: 5 (in total)

Elliot Hoffman - Fisheries Technician

Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources

647 Lakeland Rd.

Shawano WI 54166

Phone: 715-526-4231

E-mail: elliot.hoffman@wisconsin.gov

W ISCONSIN DNR CONTACT INFO .

Survey Information

Station Survey Date Station Length

Temperature (Fo )

MSW GPS (Start/Finish) Gear Dippers IBI

Rural Rd. 08/08/2016 560 ft 56 16.0 ft 44.31539, -89.19302 44.31474, -89.19398

Tow-Barge Shocker 3 Yes

West Rd. 08/08/2016 455 ft 58 13.0 ft 44.30771, -89.20382 44.30761, -89.20535

Tow-Barge Shocker 3 No

Page 1

Survey

Locations

West Rd.

Rural Rd.

Summary

The Emmons Creek brown trout density overall was at high levels with 6+ inch in the 97th percentile.

Larger sized brown trout were at higher density with 15+ inch trout in the 80th percentile, on the lower portions of Emmons Creek.

Young of year (YOY) and yearling density were at high levels.

The fish assemblage sampled in the Emmons Creek indicated good overall environmental quality.

Smaller sized brown trout have increased since the last surveys done in 2010 and 2013. Larger sized brown trout have remained relatively

stable since the last surveys.

Species Community and IBI

Species Sampled Total IBI Score Integrity Rating

Blue Gill 1

70 GOOD Brown Trout 98

Mottled Sculpin 24

White Sucker 4

2016 Stream Survey Report - continued

EMMONS CREEK

Rotation (WBIC 261300) Page 2

Size and Abundance (CPUE) Metrics

Station Species Total Num-ber Sampled

Average Length (inches)

Length Range

(inches)

CPUE (No. per Mile)

Total CPUE (PCTL)

YOY CPUE

>6" CPUE (PCTL)

>8" CPUE (PCTL)

>10" CPUE

>12" CPUE (PCTL)

>15” CPUE (PCTL)

Rural Rd. Brown 98 7.3 (3.0-15.5) 924 (82nd) 9 745

(92nd) 245

(83rd) 47

(63rd) 9 (50th) 9 (80th)

West Rd. Brown 148 6.8 (2.5-12.5) 1717 (93rd) 419 1244 (97th)

441 (91st)

140 (84th)

12 (55th) -

Mottled sculpin (pictured above) is a small nongame species commonly found in coldwater streams. Similar to trout, they require colder tempera-tures, are considered thermally intolerant and their presence can be indica-tive of healthier environmental quality.

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Length Interval (Inches)

Brown Trout Length DistributionN=246