Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 12

photo-the PFBC's Division of Habitat Management
photo-Darl Black

High School. The United
States Army Corps of
Engineers furnished
heavy equipment while
park staff and volunteers
constructed spider-hump
structures, rock-rubble
humps, post stump
clusters and rock star
structures. Underwater
piping was installed to
a central oxygenating
fountain spray and
multiple gurglers.
In 2015, Kraynak's
Spider-hump structures combine rock-rubble humps and wood connectors. This photograph was
Nursery provided
taken when the habitat improvements were nearly completed.
spent evergreen trees to
submerge into the area
between the Casino Ballroom and the road atop the dam.
dam/structure through which water exits into Thornton
Such evergreen trees help produce algae and provide food for
Run. Significant federal funding was appropriated for that
aquatic life as well as shade and hiding places for young fish.
purpose. Buhl Park management and related resource
Visitors to Lake Julia will notice turtle basking platforms
agencies opted to concurrently conduct major habitat
constructed from wood. These platforms provide safe places
improvements. Its maximum depth is about 11 feet, near
for turtles to bask away from human disturbance.
the outlet structure. The drawdown took place in 2012, to
less than 4 feet. In 2012 and 2013, not only were habitat
structures built, but fish populations were also restocked.
Lake Julia fishery today
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission's (PFBC's)
When water levels were reestablished in 2013, the
Division of Habitat Management coordinated with Buhl
PFBC stocked warmwater species including Bluegills and
Park personnel to assemble numerous partners. Fifth graders Largemouth Bass, which are now self-sustaining through
from Farrell and Sharon schools built 16 porcupine crib
natural reproduction. Commission biologists conducted
structures that were placed on the lake bed with assistance
follow-up night electrofishing surveys, which revealed
from Shenango River Watchers and students from Farrell
more species that either survived the drawdown or were
stocked by others. Lake Julia now contains low quantities of
Black Crappies, Yellow Perch, Gizzard Shad, Smallmouth
Bass, Pumpkinseeds, Green Sunfish, and Yellow Bullheads.
Channel Catfish fingerlings have been stocked into Lake
Julia for the past 5 years, and there are annual stockings of
Rainbow Trout before and during trout season. In 2019,
the PFBC stocked Bluntnose Minnows to boost the forage
base and augment the reproducing Gizzard Shad, juvenile
Bluegills, and Pumpkinseeds.
Area Fisheries Biologist Tim Wilson's territory
includes Lake Julia, where electrofishing surveys targeted
Largemouth Bass. "The Largemouth Bass is holding
steady in abundance, yielding an electrofishing catch rate
of 122 bass per hour in 2018 and 137 bass per hour in
2019. We saw an increase in larger bass from 2018 to 2019.
Only 5% of our catch in 2018 was over 12 inches in length,
but that improved to 21% being at least 12 inches long in
2019. In 2019, most of the legal Largemouth Bass were
12- to 14-inches with the largest bass captured measuring
15 inches. Anglers report larger ones than we saw during
sampling. We expect the expansion of the Gizzard Shad will
likely lead to larger and faster growing bass over the next
few years," said Wilson.
Wilson continued, "The panfish fishery is almost
Sara Faylo, South Carolina, caught this Bluegill while fishing at
Lake Julia with her grandfather, Ed Faylo, Mercer County.
exclusively Bluegills and Pumpkinseeds. They are both

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * March/April 2020

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020

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