Thread: Ask the Biologist

Capt. Ya been listing to Mike S. way too much :D:D:D He needs ta git his boat outa de shop and start lookin fur dem schools out on the deep chanels. I have fished lakes in Okieland dat has had MONSTER line sides fur years & dey still producin lot of crappies, as is Pomona. <*)}}}><

Originally Posted by Captain Dan

Craig, I have had a slip at Clinton lake and have noticed a decrease in the number of shad on the lake.
I am in agreement with a lot of other fishermen that fish Clinton regularly that since the wipers have been added to Clinton it has had a negative effect on the crappie population. Up until last year I would see schools of shad in the coves but have not seen the shad this last year.
Is it possible that the wipers are eating too many shad and/or small crappie?

Dan,

Since Clinton Reservoir is not one of the lakes I manage, I contacted Richard Sanders who is the KDWP District Fisheries Biologist there. Richard put together the following synopsis on shad numbers in relation to predator species over the last seven years. I think you will find Richard's response most informative. See below.

Craig,

I stocked wipers from 2003-2006, as you know a good population developed. Stockings were discontinued because Clinton's wiper catch rate goal was met. Wipers will be restocked when our sample catch rate declines below the goal catch rate. Young of the year (YOY) gizzard shad seine catches (20 Swingle arcs) ranged from 336-11507/year, with an average of 3604/year from 2003-2009. During the 7 previous years (i.e. prior to wiper introduction) gizzard shad YOY catches in 20 Swingle arcs had a range of 340-7494/year, with an average of 2246/year. Although variation within this data is great, more YOY shad have been caught after wipers were stocked than before, granted one year (2005) was really high. Note seining did not occur in 2010 due to high water levels. Instead 1585 total YOY shad were shocked at 20 stations that were sampled for a duration of 6 minutes/station. In addition these shad were about 10 mm smaller than normal, so it should bode well for predaceous fish utilizing this prey source. Adult shad number have declined over the years. Adult shad total annual GN catches ranged from 59-180 and averaged 123 during 2003-2009. Whereas, during the 7 years prior to the initial wiper stocking, adult shad catches ranged from 102-284 and averaged 175. Wiper have been singled out as a species responsible for whatever is perceived as wrong with a fishery by some. It is true wiper are an aggressive gizzard shad predator. It is also true that most predaceous fish feed on gizzard shad. If our sample catches are indicative of densities, then other species play a large role in feeding on shad. For example, during 2010 netting survey total stock catches were as follows: wiper=35, white bass = 263, white crappie = 505 (frame), black crappie = 28 (frame), channel catfish = 123, walleye = 9, sauger = 7. So, I do not think that one can point to wiper as having a negative impact on crappie other than recognizing that it competes with crappie for shad just as every other predator listed does. If densities of wiper were exceedingly high it is possible that gizzard shad density could be depressed and cause prey problems for sportfish, but not at the density currently present at Clinton.

Richard

Captain Dan............power up your vessel and turn on your electronics. Head to the Wakarusa arm, from the pump house to the west State ramp (north side). Zig zag back and forth the river channel. When you cruise this area, watch your electronics. No, the electronics have not suddenly gone kaput. Your moniter is not zapped. The reason your screen is black is because those are shad.

I have never seen such a density of shad on Clinton.

MULTI-YEAR YOUTH LICENSES OFFER BARGAIN YEARS

New youth hunting and/or fishing licenses available Dec. 15
PRATT — Beginning Dec. 15, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) will offer a resident multi-year youth hunting and/or fishing license, providing convenience and saving money for young hunters and anglers. The new youth licenses will be available for resident youth age 16 through 20. After purchasing the multi-year license, no hunting or fishing license will have to be purchased until the person turns age 21. The one-time purchase, multi-year youth fishing or hunting license is $40. A one-time purchase multi-year youth fishing/hunting combination license is $70.
KDWP Secretary Mike Hayden believes the new youth license will encourage young hunters and anglers — and their parents — to get outside and enjoy what Kansas has to offer. “Hunting or fishing with a son or daughter is a wonderful way to build memories and spend time together as these skills are passed from generation-to-generation,” Hayden said.
All resident hunters and anglers age 16-64 must purchase an annual hunting, fishing, or combination license, so the new multi-year license is a great bargain. The cost of an annual resident hunting or fishing license is $20.50. The annual resident combination license is $38.50. Resident youth will save $62.50 if they purchase the multi-year fishing or hunting license when they turn 16. A 16-year-old will save $122.50 if they buy the multi-year combination license.
In addition to these licenses, all 2011 licenses and permits go on sale Dec. 15 and are valid for the remainder of 2010 and all of 2011. Online license and permit sales are available at the KDWP website, - KDWP, under “License/Permits” at the top of the home page. Licenses and permits may also be purchased over-the-counter at sporting-good stores.

KDWP BIOLOGISTS USE TECHNOLOGY TO PREDICT FISHING PROSPECTS

Fall fish sampling data used for 2011 Kansas Fishing Forecast, stocking requests
PRATT — To monitor the health of fisheries and help anglers find the best places to fish, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) fisheries biologists spend most of each fall sampling lakes throughout the state. In addition, the agency raises and stocks millions of fish throughout the state annually, providing anglers with special opportunities to catch a wide variety of species. Sampling lakes is the best way to determine population health and stocking needs, and fall is the best time to sample fish because it’s the end of the growing season.

Although KDWP biologists can't sample every lake in the state every year, periodic sampling results are assembled to show trends and multi-year averages for some lakes. This information is posted online with the KDWP Fishing Forecast, available on the KDWP website (- KDWP) in January and published in the March/April issue of Kansas Wildlife & Parks magazine. The forecast and lake data are valuable tools that can help anglers decide where to fish.

Across the state, 18 district fisheries biologists are responsible for 26 large reservoirs, 40 state fishing lakes, and more than 230 community lakes. KDWP biologists have completed the 2010 sampling and are in the process of compiling results. This data will be used for next year's stocking requests, recommendations for future length and creel limit regulations, other management recommendations, as well as the annual Fishing Forecast.

In September, fisheries biologists may use electroshocking for bass, and in October and November, gill-nets and trap nets are used to sample all sportfish. The nets are pulled onto a boat and the fish removed. Biologists then count, weigh, and measure each fish and record this information, taking care to get the fish back in the water quickly. Netting results are recorded on waterproof paper or a laptop computer.

With a laptop, biologists can enter data on the water, then enter it directly into the department's Aquatic Data Analysis System (ADAS) when they get back to the office, eliminating paperwork. ADAS also allows biologists to enter paper-recorded testing data into the system through a desktop computer. They can then compare results with past years' data, which lets them know the population dynamics of the lake tested and make management decisions, from stocking plans to length and creel limits.

Biologists also use Fisheries Analysis and Simulation Tools (FAST) software program, developed in conjunction with 20 other states. This computer application allows the field biologist to use data from the ADAS system and separate age and growth testing to predict what would happen if certain length or creel limits were imposed on a given lake. Tools such as this allow biologists to better manage fish populations and enhance angling opportunities.

Now that sampling is complete, anglers across Kansas can look forward to the 2011 Kansas Fishing Forecast, which will be available on the KDWP website, - KDWP, in early 2011.

This video mentions slightly different price savings with the purchase of the multi-year youth license than was listed in the news release posted a few posts up. Current cost for a youth hunter/angler to purchase an annual hunt-fish combo license is $38.50. The new multi-year license is good for 6 years and costs $72.50. So $38.50 * 6 years = $231.00, $231.00 - $72.50 = $158.50 in savings with the purchase of the youth multi-year license vs. purchase of annual combo hunt-fish license during each of the 6 years.

A 19-year old could also save money by purchasing the youth multi-year license by getting three years out of the license but still paying less than than the cost of two annual combo hunt-fish licenses.

Happy (and safe!) New Year to everyone!!

It is great to see that this thread has exceeded 20,000 views. Hopefully we can add another 20,000 in 2011.

Tight Lines!

Thanks Craig for all the info. you've given us crappie comers, it's much appreciated, have a great New Year!