Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020 - 53

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The PFBC uses a general template or
stocking strategy to establish warmwater/
coolwater fish populations in refilled
lakes. This stocking strategy has worked
well in Pennsylvania restored lakes.
Typically, fingerling Largemouth Bass
and minnow species are stocked in the
first year, prior to panfish species. If
Bluegill and Largemouth Bass fingerlings
are stocked in the same year, the lake
will often result in a stunted Bluegill
population and/or a bass population that
does not spawn successfully. To prevent
this from happening, Largemouth Bass
fingerlings are stocked one year ahead
of Bluegill fingerlings. Minnow species
provide an immediate food source for
gamefish. In addition to warmwater/
coolwater fish, hatchery trout are stocked
after the lake is refilled if the lake was
stocked with hatchery trout in the past.
Over the next several years, fingerling
Largemouth Bass and minnow species
are stocked along with panfish species
such as Bluegills, crappies, and other
gamefish. After 3 or 4 years of repeated
In addition to warmwater/coolwater fish, hatchery trout are stocked after the lake stockings, PFBC Division of Fisheries
is refilled.
Management biologists will conduct an
initial survey to determine the status
as lake size, water depth, and physical habitat also help define
of the fish populations in the lake. If need be, the stocking
fish populations in lakes. For example, a shallow lake that has
strategy can be adjusted going forward. A complete survey
little to no cool water with adequate dissolved oxygen during
of gamefish populations at the lake will be conducted after 5
the summer months would not be suitable for coolwater
years of the stocking.
species such as Walleye.
One of the main objectives for stocking in newly refilled
Fishing regulations
lakes is to reestablish formerly self-sustained fish populations.
The PFBC will implement special fishing regulations on
Fortunately, we can look back in time to see what fish species
the fish populations in newly refilled lakes to protect the
did well in the lakes prior to being drained. PFBC Division
developing populations. All fish species except trout if they are
of Fisheries Management biologists routinely conduct fish
stocked in the lake will be catch and release with no harvest.
surveys on lakes. During these surveys, biologists collected
It is unlawful to take, kill, or possess any fish, except trout. All
fish population data on gamefish relative abundance, size
fish caught other than trout must be immediately returned
structure, age, growth, and mortality. Fish species that had
unharmed. This special regulation will remain in effect until
good populations prior to the lake being drained will most
the PFBC determines that allowing harvest of protected fish
likely do well after the lake is refilled. Information regarding
species will not harm populations based on the survey data
angler catch and harvest can be gathered from several
mentioned above.
sources. If an angler creel survey was conducted at the lake,
angler catch and harvest data would be available to evaluate
Fish populations and fishing
fish populations. Feedback from Waterways Conservation
Most often when lakes are refilled, the lakes go through
Officers and anglers also provide valuable information about
a
significant
boom period, commonly referred to as "New
the fish populations in the lake prior to being drained.
Lake
Effect".
Nutrients that were trapped in the lake bottom
PFBC Bureau of Hatcheries plays an important role in
are
released
into
the water and are used by aquatic organisms.
creating these new and improved fisheries. Most of the
The lake's food web from plankton to fish experience a rapid
warmwater/coolwater fish produced at the PFBC's State
increase in growth rates and population size. The peak or
Fish Hatcheries for stocking refilled reservoirs are fingerling
best fishing will occur after a minimum of 5 to 8 years. Fish
or yearling fish. To ensure that refilled lakes receive the
populations will need to reproduce and develop multiple year
fish requested, the highest priority for state fish hatchery
classes through the initial years.
produced fish is given to newly refilled lake stockings.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * July/August 2020

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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2020

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