Thread: Ask the Biologist

craig i sent you a secret private message.

Originally Posted by Craig Johnson

Big Mo,

The COE lakes that have a temp gauge usually have the equipment located at the dam in the tower. I'll double check with Tj to see if this is true for Perry.

Big Mo,

Tj, Perry Fisheries Biologist, confirmed that the thermometer at Perry Reservoir is located at the tower on the dam.

Originally Posted by Tucker

Hey Craig
Thanks for all the info you provide to this site. I have a question about Chase SFL. I grew up in Strong City and like to get down there often to take my dad out fishing. The last couple years all the crappie I can seem to catch are in the 7-9" range. I was wondering if I can look forward to seeing bigger fish this year?
I was asked to volunteer for a kids fishing derby the first weekend in June. Are you going to be attending. Hopefully get a chance to meet you.
Thanks

Tucker,

2009 and 2010 crappie samples at Chase State Fishing Lake showed increased percentages of crappie in the 8 to 10-inch range so you have been catching 'shorts' because that is mainly what has been available at the lake. 2006 through 2008 the lake had higher percentages of 10 to 12-inch and anglers did well catching these larger crappie. Since the larger crappie have left the population, some time will be needed to allow the smaller crappie to grow in to the larger sizes. We should see an increase in larger crappie during 2011 as last year's abundant 8 to 10-inch fish grow.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the fishing derby this year as I had a prior commitment that weekend. Last year's event was a great time! It was so well received by all that attended that it may well become an annual event! Everyone had a great time and the prizes given away to the participating anglers were fantastic.

Originally Posted by kscatman

craig i sent you a secret private message.

Got it!

Craig,
I fish Woodson State Lake a lot, we used to catch some walleye there. I was told that a couple of years ago that Woodson had the Large Mouth Bass Virus. We haven't been able to catch any walleye since about that time. Does LMBV affect walleye and if so is there any plans to re-stock the lake with walleye? Thanks

Sir, have a question; still awaiting the monsoon to relent to get back to adding more cover to CJ here in Ohio. Was told that crappie fry and juvenile fish don`t use cover at all, anytime of the year and neither do yellow perch. Obviously, am not an "expert' by any means, but am fairly certain perch spawn on cover, and have caught dozens thru the ice on/ very near cover, and have read very young perch are open water fish, is the same true for very young/ juvenile crappies? Realize seasons, forage and depth has a lot to do with it, fish won`t stay on cover if there`s no prey present...would think very young/ juvenile crappies would use cover. (Got $20 riding on this 1...)

Originally Posted by sah

Craig,
I fish Woodson State Lake a lot, we used to catch some walleye there. I was told that a couple of years ago that Woodson had the Large Mouth Bass Virus. We haven't been able to catch any walleye since about that time. Does LMBV affect walleye and if so is there any plans to re-stock the lake with walleye? Thanks

sah,

I sent your questions to Leonard Jirak KDWP fisheries biologist for Woodson State Fishing Lake. His response is below.
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As far as we know LMBV does not affect walleye. There are still some larger walleye in the lake. Sampling this spring showed several dozen mature fish on the dam spawning. I have requested some 8-10 inch walleye to restock the lake from our hatcheries. They have not been available. So I will be requesting fingerlings in the future. They will not be very successful in a lake with a high population of crappie like Woodson.


Thanks


Leonard

Craig,
Thanks for your efforts in answering our questions. It is greatly appreciated.