FISHERIES DIVISION MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT December 2009

Transcription

1 1 FISHERIES DIVISION MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT December 2009 FISHERIES MANAGEMENT East Central Region: Answered phone calls and s regarding deer tags, hunting licenses and waterfowl requirements. Assisted walk-in customers with license applications. Conducted HAACP on boat and netting equipment. Performed maintenance and repair on region equipment and buildings. Completed monthly reports and narratives. Updated draft of annual performance report with monthly activities. Met with T and M Gravel owner to discuss trespass rights for upcoming stream restoration work. Conducted staff meeting and safety meetings. Assist lake management with hatchery renovations. Completed SSP gillnetting on Tenkiller Reservoir. Edited SSP data and forwarded to OFRL for analysis. Read LMB and crappie otoliths and sent age data to OFRL. Continued with draft of a management plan for the lower Illinois River trout stream. Began draft of Stilwell City Lake SSP report. Constructed spider block fish attractors for Sallisaw City Lake. Continued with data regarding the 2009 sauger research project data. Began work on the sauger project presentation for OKAFS meeting. Continued with weekly trout stockings in lower Illinois River. Draft and mail letters to cooperators regarding expiration of useful life of projects. Draft letter supporting reimbursement of Muskogee Port Authority for the final invoice for the Three Forks Project. Attended a meeting in OKC regarding town hall meetings. Conducted a town hall meeting in Muskogee. Assisted central region with loading concrete blocks for Central Region habitat projects. Solicit businesses for donations supporting AFS fundraising activities. (J. Burroughs) Northeast Region: HACCP boats and equipment after each lake sampled. Update and maintain HACCP logs and equipment logs. Attended public Town Hall meeting in Jenks. Looked for illegal paddlefish netters at Ft. Gibson Lake. Interviewed for Game Warden job in OKC. Worked on office PMPs. Prepared weekly and monthly time reports. Prepared monthly p-card reports. Procured a new locator for new paddlefish netting boat. Maintained Jenks office. Reviewed F- 63-D-4 final report. Prepared justifications for requested items in FY 2011 budget. Attended staff meeting to discuss netting and end of year paperwork and projects. Assessed Bird Creek for potential impacts of future planned development. Prepared for paddlefish netting at Porter office. Processed invoices. Assisted public with questions and pre-registration for hunters education classes. Supervisor s meeting in Oklahoma City. Read otoliths on crappie from Copan, Grand, Hudson, and Ft. Gibson reservoirs and entered data. Netted paddlefish on Grand Lake for population assessment. Updated LMP for Heyburn Lake. Netted paddlefish at Oologah Lake with US Fish and Wildlife Service. Entered Fall SSP data. Provided technical assistance to private pond owner on pond management and fish stocking. Filled out final report on City of Jenks Veterans Pond fishing access project. Conducted boater access inspections at Lake Hudson. Contacted refrigeration dealers and truck rental companies about refrigerated egg hauling trailer, corresponded with realtor and AG s office regarding land acquisition. Prepared vendor payee forms, non collusion and requisitions for land or FLIR purchases. Maintained paddlefish boat and got bid on deck alteration. Drafted letter of recommendation for RPC worker. Worked on 2010 RPC worker needs and schedule. Worked on RPC processor contract, new bar code system bids and continued to correspond with caviar buyers and OSU about HACCP plan. Conducted general patrol at Sailboat bridge and Gray s Ranch, checked fishermen on Spring River, conducted boat patrol and surveillance at Ft Gibson Lake. Took calls on regulations and mountain lion sighting. Responded to deer stranded on ice call. Referred calls to local wardens. Conducted paddlefish gillnetting at Grand Lake. Took fish to Wyandotte Schools aquarium. (B. Gordon) Southeast Region: Assisted walk-ins and answered phones at the Higgins office. Monthly paperwork and bills were completed and submitted. Weekly staff meetings were conducted. SER budget status was reviewed and Schedule of Funded Projects/Federal Grant documentation submitted to Division Chiefs. Updated contact information and photos were submitted to headquarters for employee directory. New computers were picked up from headquarters, installed, and documents transferred. Old computers were delivered to IT staff. Water quality monitoring software and GIS software were installed on new computers. Lake record keeper media was picked up from the OFRL and distributed to Pine Creek, Hugo, and Broken Bow Lake record keepers. Lawn mower maintenance supplies were procured and oil changed on mower. The Higgins office and shop was maintained and grounds kept. Sampling equipment was maintained. HACCP was conducted on sampling equipment/gear and logs were updated per use. HACCP logs were submitted to division office for review. Sampling data from Wister trap netting, Sardis gillnetting and Broken Bow gillnetting was entered, proofed and submitted to OFRL for analysis. Preparation of Wister management plan continued. Public hearing/town hall agenda meeting was attended and fisheries portion of agenda presented at McAlester town hall meeting. GIS committee meeting was attended. Fish division supervisor meeting was attended. Otoliths from Wister crappie and Sardis largemouth bass were aged and data sent to OFRL for analysis. Draft of 2010 fishing regulations was reviewed. Cable for YSI equipment was measured and marked incrementally to provide depth information. Wister EA and status of OWRB/PVIA project was discussed with Wister WMA Biologist and Environmental Biologist. Quarterly safety meeting entitled Prescribed Burning was conducted. Radio numbers were acquired for supervisor and technician. Verified funding recommendations for Higgins pond grant with Aquatic Education Coordinator. Reviewed historical and recent sampling activities and began development of 2010 sampling schedule. Robbers Cave trout stocking dates and times were discussed with respective producers and stocking schedule updates provided to I & E staff. Discussed department signage opportunities on ODWC lakes with division chief and began preparing respective maps. An article entitled Status of the Mussel Fauna of the Poteau River and Implications for Commercial Harvest was reviewed. Graphs representing the Wister Lake 2009 elevation history and recent dissolved oxygen profile were created. Sampling was conducted on Broken Bow Lake by gillnetting. Pond management assistance was provided multiple land owners. Fish toxic samples were collected from Broken Bow Lake. All fish toxic samples were delivered to DEQ headquarters along with corresponding data. Trout were stocked at Robbers Cave S.P. ANS sign post material was procured. ANS signs were placed at: Wayne Wallace, Carlton Lake, Wilburton City Lake, Carl Albert Lake, Nanih Waiya, McAlester City Lake, Hugo Lake, Broken Bow Lake, Schooler, and Clayton Lake. Buoys for B.A.S.S. spider block fish attractors were acquired from OFRL. Vehicles were maintained. Technician completed 17 hrs reserve warden ride-along. Biologist and Supervisor completed online CLEET mental health training courses: Stalking Suspects and Their Victim & Death Notification. (D. Groom) Streams Program: Coordinated bi-weekly and mitigation trout stockings at the lower Mountain Fork River with Crystal Lake Fisheries

2 and DSFH staff. Conducted bi-weekly and mitigation stockings of rainbow trout at the lower Mountain Fork River. Constructed temporary vehicle crossing at LMFR to improve stocking access. Provided outreach to anglers seeking information on stream fishing. Submitted news release to I&E Division regarding supplemental trout stockings at the LMFR. Continued coordinating the 2010 joint meeting of the Oklahoma and Arkansas Chapters of the American Fisheries Society. Coordinated ARRA-Green Project Reserve streams restoration initiative with OCC including; 1) development of contractual agreement; 2) discussion of administrative logistics; and 3) development of prioritization scheme for site selection. Met with chiefs and discussed streams program goals, objectives and structuring. Drafted plans and solicited bids for renovation of maintenance shop at Caddo. Held meetings with streams management staff to coordinate upcoming activities, future directions and to clarify staff responsibilities. Continued administering the Commercial Fishing Program. Completed HACCP and equipment maintenance logs. Continued review of literature pertaining to restoration of degraded streams and habitat requirements. Processed claims and updated streams management program budget and inventory. Cleaned and maintained office, grounds and equipment at streams management facilities in Caddo. Processed private trout introduction request for Falls Creek. Discussed management of the lower Mountain Fork River trout fishery with constituents and cooperating agencies. Worked with trout angler groups to secure cooperative matching funds. Worked to resolve data collection issue at LMFR USGS gage. Performed visual habitat assessment of LMFR. Continued consultation with Loginetics, Mobley Engineering and Gantzer Water Resources Engineering concerning use of bubble diffusers in Broken Bow Reservoir to cool the lower Mountain Fork River tailrace. Continued preparing for instream habitat enhancements at the Simp and Helen Watts Management Unit section of the lower Illinois River including: 1) consultation with professional engineer; 2) geomorphic survey; 3) hydrologic analysis; 4) development of hold harmless agreement for T&M Sand and Gravel; and; 5) discussing project implementation, construction timeline and associated flow needs with USACE and SWPA staff. Continued preparing for flood damage repairs at Lost Creek including ongoing consultation with engineer regarding design improvements. Performed visual assessment of degraded reaches of Blue River. Provided technical guidance regarding potential mitigation resources and techniques. Continued assisting OBS staff with documenting the presence and spread of Didymosphenia geminata (i.e., didymo) at the lower Mountain Fork River. Maintenance was performed on state vehicles. Completed ride-along with game wardens Luman and Wingo in partial fulfillment of annual reserve officer requirements. (J. Vincent South Central Region: Assisted with trout stocking at Blue River PH&F Area. Reviewed and updated information on the Department web site. Evaluated Sardis LMB otoliths for OTC mark. Maintained region equipment and office. Reviewed shop building renovation plans. Made progress towards completion of Lake Texoma management plan. Discussed golden algae issues with Dr. Hambright and planned for coming bloom season. Discussed lake records program with area vendor and collected paperwork on new fish entries. Attended and presented information at the annual ODWC/TPWD meeting relative to Lake Texoma issues. Attended pre public meeting and Fish Division meetings in OKC. Discussed Lake Texoma fishery with fishing guides. Discussed Lake Texoma tailwater issues with COE. Regional staff meetings. Attended office staff meeting. Aged LMB and crappie otoliths from 2009 sampling. Entered SSP data and reviewed analyses. Updated SSP tables. Delivered 2 DEQ fish and data sheets for tissue analysis. Discussed and reviewed plans for pending Atoka boating access project. Prepared SHPO letter. Vehicle maintenance (new battery installed). Attended HRDS course in Norman. Hosted District 4 Public Meeting in Ada. Installed new sign at BRPFHA. (M. Mauck) Southwest Region: Set five trap nets for crappie at Fort Cobb and caught >100 fish in four days. Entered data from gillnet sampling with new and old nets at Waurika, Kaw, Canton, Thunderbird and Tom Steed lakes. Otoliths were read from crappie, saugeye and hybrids from Fort Cobb, Waurika, and Steed, and good growth was found for all. Length-at-ages were exceptional for crappie at Cobb, and for all species at Waurika. Older fish were noted at Tom Steed. Worked on Fort Cobb 5-year management plan and scheduled public hearing for same in January. Collected several fish species at Lake Ellsworth for DEQ toxics testing. All sampling gear and boats were cleaned with HACCP guidelines. Continued work with SCR Supervisor and design engineer on the Atoka Lake boating access project. Worked with DCS on statewide dock bid package and bids were opened on Dec. 1st. Successful bidder award is pending review of submittals and plans. Held quarterly staff planning meeting. Met with agencies to consult on 15-year management plan at Wichita Mts. Refuge. Attended premeeting in OKC and public meetings on fisheries issues in Clinton and Lawton, where few fisheries-related issues were discussed. Checked trout caught by anglers at Quartz Mt. and all were well above specified minimum length. Biologist attended HRDS course, and presentation on paddlefish movements in the Lake Texoma watershed. Equipment and vehicles were maintained and the office was cleaned. Audited Federal Aid expenditures and submitted budget estimate for next fiscal year. (L. Cofer) Central Region: Prepared new schedule of funded projects for grant. Processed invoices, submitted monthly reports, travel claims, and p- card paperwork. Cleaned offices and shops. Updated equipment use records and mileage logs. Attended OFRL staff meeting. Prepared management plan for Boulevard pond in Edmond in accordance with CTHFP MOU. Coding of OFRL library materials continued. Prepared OCPR employee time sheet match spreadsheet for Federal Aid Section. Attended regulations meeting in Central office then attended town hall meetings in McAlester, Ada and Oklahoma City. Standardized Sampling Procedures (SSP) items and Division aquatic plant program. Participated in ODWC Marketing Committee meeting and gave status report on CTHFP marketing project. Renewed ODAFF Pesticide Applicator License for OFRL. Entered lake record bass from Okmulgee Lake and striped bass hybrid from Eufaula. Prepared new fish habitat site location maps for Longmire, Weleetka, Wewoka, Beggs, Tecumseh, Wes Watkins, and Meeker lakes for Arch Survey, SHPO, Section 7 and NEPA compliance documents. Took Shawnee Twin Lakes fish to ODEQ for mercury testing. Gill netted Wetumka and Sportsman Lakes. Continued preparation of Konawa and Purcell Lake Management Plans. Took old netting boat to Blue Wave for engine removal and installation on new boat. Proofed, copied and filed fall sampling data and delivered copies to OFRL for data entry and analysis from Wetumka, Sportsman, Arcadia, Hefner, Thunderbird, Crystal Lake, Route 66 Pond A, Edwards Park and Zoo Lake. Began aging crappie otoliths from 2009 fall sampling. Set up public meeting on Eufaula Lake Management Plan for January Ran trap nets at Lake Thunderbird for crappie population evaluation and age and growth study. Sampled over 200 crappie ranging from the Age 0 to Age 8. The largest fish weighed just under 2 pounds. Talked to Seminole Power Plant staff (Lake Konawa) about stockpiling spider blocks for upcoming habitat work. Transported 50 stake buckets

3 from H.B. Parsons Fish Hatchery to OFRL for use in CTHFP pond in Norman. Provided technical information to 12 stakeholders regarding fish sampling methods, aquatic plant identification, crappie and catfish angling, farm pond management, and fish stocking. Continued discussions with Edmond on fishing dock installation requirements and specifications. Provided a tour of the Oklahoma River wetlands ponds for Tulsa District Corps of Engineers personnel who have been tasked with writing an operations manual for the ponds. Visited with Tulsa fishing tackle industry representatives regarding programs to support and expand fishing opportunities. Checked files in Federal Aid office for info on several projects to confirm construction dates and contact information. Sent letters to cooperators regarding 16 projects that have met or exceeded their 20-year useful life, to clear our records and relieve the cooperators of further maintenance or repair responsibility. Gave info on Eufaula crappie to outdoor writer and provided a local radio interview on regional fishing opportunities. Distributed new banners and dry-erase boards to regional offices. Picked up habitat buoys at OFRL for NFWF spiderblock project. Began calling schools to set up spiderblock construction, picked up blocks at Porter office, and took supplies to Crowder and Latta schools. Updated NFWF grant match spreadsheet. Talked to SC Regional Supervisor about using FFA Chapters at schools to construct spider block. Cleaned netting gear after sampling Wetumka, Sportsman s and Thunderbird lakes and updated HACCP logs and sent copies to ANS Coordinator. Prepared for and conducted interviews for OFRL fish technician position. Had new ODWC emblems put on one pickup and performed routine maintenance and repair on all vehicles. Regional SSP data cleansing and analysis is being performed as data arrives at OFRL. Updates to SSP SAS programs have been completed, including completion of the fall sampling age and growth analysis program and an updated version of the SSP analysis programs which prints analysis results in English units of measure (inches and pounds). Age-0 walleye were sampled at Lake Hefner to determine if night electrofishing could be used to collect fish for a research project. The catch rate of age-0 walleye was 55 fish per hour in 8 units of effort. Age-0 walleye averaged 11 inches in length. Data entry of raw SSP fall data continues as it arrives at OFRL. Usage of equipment and HACCP logs were completed. Library coding is ongoing. Population ecology classes were attended. Data entry of tournament reports and OFRL library material is ongoing. OFRL staff and planning meeting was attended. Winterization and routine maintenance of boats began. Preparations continue in order to upgrade to new versions of SAS and Dataflux software. Technical assistance was provided to two private pond owners. Fish attractor sites on the Digital Fish and Wildlife Atlas (IMS) are being updated with lat/long coordinates provide by regional field staff. A meeting was scheduled with the Okla Biological Survey, The OU Biological Station and ODWC to evaluate the possibility of a project to monitor zebra mussels on Lake Texoma. A GIS Committee meeting was attended. SDAFS duties as the scholarship award chair for the Reservoir Committee Jenkins Scholarship were performed and correspondence with student applicants was completed. (G. Gilliland) Environmental Program: Eight (8) letters were sent responding to requests for environmental impact assessments or reviews on various projects including construction, cellular communication towers, drilling, pipelines and 404 permit applications. All of the reviews responded to potential environmental impacts that could affect species of greatest conservation need. Participated in regularly scheduled Tar Creek Trustee Council activities. Investigated fish kill in Skeleton Creek adjacent to Enid WWTP. Participated in conference call with Attorney General s office, Department of Justice, and BNFS legal council 3 regarding Open Record Act and FOIA request for Tar Creek site. Assisted in document production for BNSF Open Records Act request. Travel to Atlanta to attend SEAFWA Reptile and Amphibian Regulatory Summit. Assisted SC region with trap netting on Lake Thunderbird. Revised and mailed new import/export permits to applicants. Mailed 2010 minnow dealer and turtle harvester renewal license applications. Edited ANS brochure and included in mailings. Edited and finished triploid grass carp letter and included in mailings to aquaculture producers. Assisted in wildlife diversity presentation at the Sand Springs Rotary Club. Reviewed various scientific collectors permit applications. Met with USFWS in Lonoke, AR for triploid grass carp inspection experience. Finalized artwork for ANS tailgate wraps and sent to graphics company. Attended Tar Creek Trustee Council meeting in Tulsa, OK. Created excel spreadsheet log for import/export permit holders. (W. Ray/C Tackett) Northwest Region: Assisted with trash pickup at Lake American Horse with Lake Maintenance and Sixth District Law Enforcement personnel. Inspected damage to American Horse Dam construction with Assistant Chief, Lake Maintenance and new engineers. Coordinated with Sixth District Captain, Rick Cagle, on Lake Elmer draining. Lake Elmer is now completely drained except for some standing puddles. Visited with Northwest Region Wildlife Supervisor and ordered two new signs for Lake Chambers. Attended a meeting at Central Office to discuss upcoming town hall meetings. A town hall meeting was held in Enid on December 7 th with Law Enforcement and Game Division. Otoliths from 2009 fall gill net samples are being read. Certified the first lake record for Foss Lake; a five pound, eight ounce walleye. Started summarizing information for 2009 PMPs. Made plans for feeding birds at Byron Watchable Wildlife Area for winter bird count. Continue to review 2010 fish regulations for ways to streamline. Read comments on paddlefish and Expo. Provided technical assistance to two pond owners. (J. Stahl) North Central Region: Fall fish sampling was completed during this reporting period. Trap net sampling was completed on Lake McMurtry with gear cleaned by HACCP protocols to prevent spreading ANS in area lakes. Trap nets were repaired. Prepared boats and equipment for winter storage. All gill net and trap net data was entered, proofed and corrected before sending to OFRL by specified deadlines for computation. White crappie, hybrid striped bass and walleye otoliths collected from area lakes were aged. Striped bass heads were picked up from a hybrid striped bass fishing guide from Sooner Lake. Otoliths were removed and aged. Personnel presented the Kaw Lake Management Plan to the Kaw Lake Association Board. Writing was initiated on the Skiatook Lake Management Plan. Bass tournament report cards from Sooner Lake were reviewed and sent to OFRL. A final review of the 2010 Fishing Guide was completed before sending to the printer for publication. Personnel picked up Habitat Buoys and attended a Town Hall/Public Hearing meeting. Assisted with two trout stockings at Lake Pawhuska. Completed trout stocking forms for January through March, 2009 and sent to Byron for reporting purposes. Assisted with a radio interview on a Bartlesville Fishing Show and answered questions from listeners. Completed F79D3 estimated project costs and ed to Federal Aide personnel. Regional personnel performed maintenance on offices, shop, vehicles, equipment and grounds during reporting period. Invoices were processed and phone calls during hunting season were addressed, drop in customers were taken care of and all routine office duties were completed by deadlines. (B. Wentroth) Lake Maintenance: Met with engineer at American Horse lake.

4 Lowered level of water in the lake to relieve pressure on the dam. Technician rebuilt the gate at Arcadia. Crew picked up trash at Lakes: Elmer, Burtschi and American Horse. Supervisor attended HRDS class for two days. Crew transported equipment to Byron Hatchery and spent two weeks cleaning out silt in the bottom of basin. Leftover sale items were loaded out. Replaced the batteries in the freightliner and the red dump truck. All buildings, grounds and vehicles were serviced as scheduled or as needed. (T. Waters) 4 FISH HATCHERIES J. A. Manning Hatchery: Performed routine maintenance to equipment and vehicles as scheduled or needed. Sent feed and fertilizer request to Hatchery Supervisor. Sent HAALP logs to Assistant Chief. Met with City of Lawton on tree removal above water lines. Went to Norman and picked up pumps from Fisheries Research Lab. Researched pressure washers and placed order for a new one. Took new turn-in-truck to Lawton and had new tires and front end work done on truck. Took 97 Ford to dealership for recall repairs. Hatchery Manager assisted Wildlife Division with Technician interviews in Oklahoma City. Manager and Assistant Manager attended HRDS class at Rose State. Made repairs to heater in crew room. Reviewed specifications for new pond gates. Met with Hatchery Supervisor and completed residence inspection for Attended Managers Meeting. Technician assisted the Wildlife Division staff with elk hunt on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Replaced battery in Wildlife Division truck and attempted to re-set alarm system. Pulled bottle rack from hatchery truck and installed seats and tarp for elk hunt. Took John Deere gator to Chickasha for repairs. Constructed new gates for pig traps on hatchery grounds. Secretary assisted Wildlife Division with a mailing in renewal of falconry licenses. Secretary also assisted Fisheries Regional staff with data compilation for 2009 gill netting at Lakes Thunderbird and Kaw. (T. Wright) Durant Hatchery: DH staff continued hauling 9 rainbow trout weekly from the Greers Ferry NFH for stocking into the Blue River PF&HA. DH staff also began stockpiling extra loads of 9 rainbow trout from the Greers Ferry NFH in Durant State Fish Hatchery raceways for future Blue River stockings. Stockpiled trout held in DH raceways were maintained and the raceways cleaned weekly. DH staff hauled 11 rainbow trout from the Norfork NFH to the Mountain Fork River. Hatchery Section Supervisor visited the Durant State Fish Hatchery for house inspections and also reviewed the hatchery training plan and data collection spreadsheet to be used in 2010 with the DH staff. The Hatchery Manager and Crew Leader attended a Hatchery Manager s meeting held at the J.A. Manning Hatchery. DH staff completed installing the raceway enclosure to protect fish being held in the harvest basin from avian predators. Fire ant mounds were treated during this reporting period. Forage availability in Florida lmb brooder and future brooder ponds was evaluated using a minnow trap. All Florida lmb brooder, future brooder, and channel catfish fingerling ponds were treated. All fish species were fed regularly as weather and water temperatures permitted. Repairs to distribution trucks, tractors, pumps, and equipment were made during this reporting period. DH staff deterred cormorants, herons, and egrets from culture ponds. Gravel was spread on sections of hatchery roads and graded, and grounds were mowed and maintained, as weather permitted. Hatchery tours were given to 10 people during this reporting period, and many walk-in visitors and customers were assisted as well. The shop and office were cleaned weekly and as needed. (G. Schomer II) Byron Hatchery: This month at the Byron State Fish Hatchery fish culture duties completed were limited to feeding trout and monitoring water levels in the ponds. Maintenance activities completed this month include cleaning the metal and wood shop, repairing the well casing feeding residences 1 and 4, repairing roads and dikes around pond 3, and changing oil in pickups and checking antifreeze levels in equipment. An inflatable water line plug was installed to stop water flow into reservoir 3. Work was started on removal of silt and top soil in reservoir 3 by the ODWC Lake Maintenance Crew and a silt fence was trenched in and installed on the south side of reservoir 3. Other maintenance activities completed include repair of mirrors on pickup, repair of agitators, submitting water samples for testing, and hauling unused pesticides to unwanted pesticide disposal program site. Administrative activities completed this month work on several requisitions and forms, and staff took pesticide applicator license tests. Hatchery supervisor made trips to Durant and Holdenville to inspect hatchery and houses as well as discuss hatchery issues. Supervisor held a managers meeting at Manning hatchery and met with assistant chief for evaluation of progress report. Hatchery staff also assisted Northwest Region with trout check in at Roman Nose State Park and Wildlife Division with management of the watchable wildlife area. (S. Spade) Holdenville Hatchery: Various fish were sampled and feeding rates were adjusted accordingly. Water quality parameters were monitored in culture ponds. Hatchery reservoir water level and pumps were monitored. Distributed 4,740 rainbow trout from Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery to the Illinois River. Distributed 2,364 rainbow trout form Norfork National Fish Hatchery to the Mountain Fork River. Hatchery Manager and Assist Manager started preparing the 2009 annual production report. Ponds were mowed, disked and graded for up coming culture season. Hatchery roads were graded and maintained. Hatchery grounds were mowed and maintained though out the month. Hatchery manager attended managers meeting at the J. A. Manning Fish Hatchery. Hatchery Supervisor conducted annual housing inspection on the manager s residence. Hatchery Chemical building was cleaned up and inventoried. Clearing of brush from South harvest ditch was initiated. Repairs were made to ponds, nets, seine and screens where needed. Shop and vehicle storage buildings were cleaned as needed. Repairs and maintenance to buildings, equipment and hatchery grounds were made as needed. (J. Davenport) FISHERIES RESEARCH Black Bass Distribution, Abundance and Management in Eastern Oklahoma Streams: Preparation of the Final Report continued. (OSU Coop) Texoma Striped Bass Study: The final report for the Texoma striped bass project is being written. Statistical analysis of fall shad netting data continues. All report tables and analyses are being updated with 2009 data. Water level and river flow data will be included in the analysis to determine the effects of flow on striped bass and forage production in each river arm of the lake. (G. Summers) Kaw Hybrid Striped Bass Study: The final report for the Kaw Lake hybrid striped bass project is being completed. Otolith analysis has been completed on all 2009 specimens. Once again, common cross hybrids and reciprocal hybrids appeared in lake and tailwater sampling in equal proportions (50/50). A presentation summarizing the project results is being prepared for the 2010 SDAFS Spring Meeting in Asheville, NC. Data and results from the project were also shared with regional personnel and the Oklahoma Striped Bass Association at a recent meeting. (G. summers)

5 Blue Catfish Telemetry Study: MS thesis writing was completed and successfully defended. Work began on the final report. (G. Summers) Paddlefish Telemetry Study: MS thesis writing and revisions were completed and successfully defended. Thesis will be incorporated in final report. (G. Summers) Arkansas River Striped Bass Evaluation: Data analysis for year one of the Arkansas River striped bass evaluation project continues. All age and growth data have been compiled and statistical analyses are ongoing, including mean length at age and mortality rate calculations. Creel survey data have been entered and analysis is ongoing. A presentation is being prepared for the upcoming OKAFS joint Chapter Meeting with the Arkansas AFS members. The presentation will summarize year one of the project and cover the objectives of years two and three of the project. (G. Summers) Golden Algae Management Measures: The lake monitoring program and sample analyses continued. Characterization of golden algal toxins continued, including large-scale (25 L x 5) culturing of golden algae for production of toxins to be extracted and used in characterization of the various toxins (in collaboration with the Natural Products Laboratory at OU). All toxicity bioassays with golden algal cultures were completed relating to the effects of salinity and N:P ratios. A manuscript is being prepared with these data. Formal analysis of qpcr method for detecting and quantifying golden algae was completed. A new manuscript detailing this work is in preparation. Analyses of winter mesocosm experiment on effects of dilution (rain event simulation) were completed. Data were presented at the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry meeting in New Orleans. The first outdoor tank experiment investigating the roles of community diversity and propagule pressure in the invasion success of golden algae was begun and will continue through mid December. A manuscript was submitted to the journal Toxicon describing preliminary identification and characterization of several golden algal toxins. A second manuscript was submitted to Toxicon (as a letter to the Editor) detailing problems with a published analysis (by Baylor, TAMU, and UT-Arlington researchers) of golden algae toxins and toxicity. Consultations continued with West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and Pennsylvania DEP, and EPA region 3 regarding golden algae in their district. A manuscript was submitted to the journal Harmful Algae detailing the Lake Texoma monitoring program and results. (G. Summers) Lake Record Program: The final report was completed. (G. Summers) GIS Help Desk: The final report was completed. (G. Summers) Digital Atlas of Oklahoma Fishes: The annual performance report was prepared. Work was initiated on the final report. Tweaking of the web service continues. (G. Summers) 5