FISHERIES DIVISION MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT May 2010

Transcription

1 1 FISHERIES DIVISION MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT May 2010 FISHERIES RESEARCH Effectiveness of Stocking 7-inch Channel Catfish to Reservoir Fisheries: Preparations for May sampling were concluded, and hoopnets were pre-tested. Living streams, large tanks equipped with a recirculating system, were erected to conduct a study on the effectiveness of marking channel catfish through immersion using oxytetracycline-343. (OSU Coop) Post-hooking mortality of blue catfish caught by jug fishing: Construction of jug-fishing rigs continued. A technician was hired for spring sampling. Preliminary sampling to select field sites was conducted. We anticipate collecting the first field samples during the beginning of May. (OSU Coop) Economic Impact of the cold-water fishery in the Lower Mountain Fork River: Creel surveys by the ODWC are ongoing. Follow-up phone surveys for travel cost data collection began and will continue until complete. (OSU Coop)) Arkansas River Striped Bass Evaluation: PIT tagging of striped bass along the Arkansas River system is ongoing. To date, 95 striped bass have been implanted with PIT tags at all sampling locations. Stripers are also being marked with Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) tags which will allow OFRL staff to calculate PIT tag loss in striped bass. Several elastomer tagged fish were sent to the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks to determine the tag retention of elastomer marker. More tagging is scheduled throughout the spring and summer. (G. Electrofishing Evaluation: Sampling on Wes Watkins, Dripping Springs, and Arcadia were completed. Entering of data has begun. (G. Grow-out catfish stocking: Vendors were identified and contacted for supplies. Dahlgren was monitored to determine if recently applied herbicide killed aquatic vegetation at sample sites allowing hoop nets to be used. (G. Walleye stocking evaluation: OFRL staff has used OTC chemicals to mark walleye fingerlings for Spavinaw and Fort Supply Lakes (about 19,000 fish per lake). The marking and stocking process has been successful to date with negligible initial mortality of stocked walleye. Some of the marked walleye were retained at the OFRL plant rearing cells to determine the efficacy of the OTC marks on the otolith. (G. Golden Algae Management Measures: The lake monitoring program and sample analyses continued. Characterization of golden algal toxins continued in collaboration with the Natural Products Laboratory at OU. Preparation of a manuscript continued on the toxicity bioassays with golden algal cultures relating to the effects of salinity and N:P ratios. Preparation of manuscript continued detailing the qpcr protocol for quantifying golden algae, including development of new method for creating standard curves for the 16S rrna ITS 2 sequence copy number. The study of golden algae phylogeny continued using the ITS 1 region of the 16S rrna gene in effort to discover the relationships between the various strains of golden algae isolated from different locations. Data analysis and manuscript preparation of a collaborative study (with T. Patton and students, SOSU) continued regarding fish assemblage recovery in Lebanon Pool following a golden algae fish kill. A study began on toxicity of extracted golden algae toxins on copepods and other Lake Texoma zooplankton, including life history effects in daphniid zooplankton. Consultations continued with West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection regarding golden algae in their district. Initial cloning and sample preparation continued on an ongoing study of microbial diversity in golden algae bloom and non-bloom sites in Lake Texoma (in collaboration with D. Caron, Univ. Southern Cal. and B. Roe, OU Genome Center). A series of experiments has begun examining effects of salinity and N:P availabilities on golden algae growth rates. Secondary funding support (NSF-Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant) was received for PhD student (Zamor) to examine various factors relating to golden algae invasion success in reservoirs. (G. FISHERIES MANAGEMENT: East Central Region: Performed routine office business including answering phone calls and visiting with walk-in customers regarding trout stockings, licensing issues, length limits, and various other questions. Reviewed data collected from largemouth bass to prepare for upcoming rules and regulation meeting in Holdenville. Performed routine maintenance on Northeast Office buildings, equipment and grounds. Completed monthly and mid-month reports. Conducted monthly staff meetings. Certified a new lake record hybrid striper from Choteau/Newt Graham. Contacted lake vendors to discuss any problems and to instruct them on photograph backgrounds. Readied office and grounds for a COE compliance inspection and met them to conduct the inspection. Delivered fishing regulations to a local marina. Conducted SSP sampling on Tenkiller and Webbers Falls Reservoirs. Removed otoliths from collected largemouth bass from Tenkiller. Provided technical assistance to a farm pond owner regarding vegetation control, and stocking rates. Discussed the boating access grant project and allowable projects with multiple potential cooperators including Roland, Fort Gibson, and 2 marina operators. Continued with weekly trout stocking on lower Illinois River and assisted with stocking one load of large trout from Crystal Lakes hatchery. Completed the annual ( ) trout stocking schedule for the lower Illinois River. Assisted hatchery personnel with the stocking of channel catfish for an upcoming fishing clinic at Gentry Creek. Assisted COE and others with the Gentry Creek Clinic for approximately th graders. Conducted a fishing clinic for Muskogee 4 th graders at the NEO Bridge Pond. Delivered education materials to local elementary school. Provided information to the Tulsa World regarding new lake record. Provided pictures to I&E for an upcoming fishing campaign flier. Marked sauger fingerlings at Byron with OTC and stocked these fingerlings into RS Kerr Reservoir. Investigated reported fish kill on the Canadian River North of Stigler. A release from the city sewer plant appears to be the cause of a few thousand dead buffalo. An estimate of the number of fish killed was made and forwarded to the appropriate personnel. Region staff attended the Wildlife Resource Professional Workshops. (J. Burroughs) Northeast Region: Continued operating Paddlefish Research and Processing Center. Began breakdown and cleanup of Paddlefish Research and Processing Center. Conducted routine maintenance and repairs to state vehicles. PCard training. Prepared weekly and monthly time reports. Maintained Jenks office. Completed weekly and monthly timesheets, vehicle logs, and P-card paperwork. Repaired

2 and maintained boats for sampling. Organized Keystone and Oologah Reservoir files. Conducted spring SSP electro fishing on Hudson, Heyburn, Bixhoma, Grand, Fort Gibson, and Copan Reservoirs and entered data. Pulled and read largemouth bass otoliths from fish collected on Grand and Bixhoma Reservoirs. Talked with private land owners to discuss fish stocking and aquatic vegetation control options for private ponds. Prepared comments for GRDA dredging proposal. Did interview for Tulsa World on STB collection. Did interview for NPR out of Norman, OK. Collected brood stock striped bass from Arkansas River for state fish hatchery. Assisted with Striped bass spawning at fish hatchery. Collected brood stock for USGS Lab in Wisconsin. (B. Gordon) Southeast Region: Assisted walk-ins and answered phones at the Higgins office. Monthly paperwork and bills were completed and submitted. The office and grounds were maintained. Electrofishing boat was taken in on two occasions for engine/lower unit repairs. White crappie was investigated as possible state record/certified as lake record for Wister Lake. Coordinated with I & E and vendor regarding design and construction of new department lakes signs. HACCP was conducted as needed/required. HACCP and equipment logs were maintained. Upcoming bass tournaments on SER waters were researched. Invoices for Hugo WMA and Wister WMA Wallop Breaux agreements were reviewed and submitted for payment. Maintenance/management plans for SER Department Lakes were drafted and submitted to Assistant Chief for review. Reviewed current pond management book and provided comments for update. Wister WMA management plan was reviewed. Updated FY11 utility requisitions were completed and submitted. Historic Sardis water sales documents were reviewed. Upcoming meetings were discussed with local water rights group board member. Beaver dam in county crossing at Lake Nanih Waiya was removed. SER met with crappie tournament director regarding tournament on Pine Creek and provided an aerator for weigh-in. Smallmouth buffalo was investigated as possible state record. Flathead catfish was certified as a lake record for Sardis. Two walleye were certified as lake records for Sardis. An additional lake record keeper for Wister was setup. Supervisor attended p-card training course. Current regulations for SER waters were reviewed and new proposals submitted to Assistant Chief for review. LMB otoliths were aged; data was compiled and sent to OFRL for analysis. All spring SSP data was compiled and submitted to OFRL for analysis. FLMB committee was attended. Integrity of spillway at Lake Schooler was assessed. Water quality data from Wister Lake was downloaded from instrument and compiled. USFWS 2011 leopard darter survey dates were reviewed. Water quality monitoring was conducted on Wister Lake. Water quality data was sampled at two sites on Sardis Lake. Clayton Lake was sampled by electrofishing. Spadder dock was harvested from Nanih Waiya and provided to NWR for culture. Herbicide was applied to fishing access areas on Nanih Waiya, Schooler, and Ozzie Cobb Lake to control excessive vegetation. Effect of herbicide was monitored. Two habitat buoys were recovered from Clayton Lake. Technical assistance was provided to two anglers regarding lamprey s and fish identification of a striped shiner. One private landowner was assisted with bowfin identification. DEQ fish toxic samples from McAlester City Lake were collected. SER staff attended FLMB research coordination meeting. Sardis Lake was sampled for marked age-1 FLMB. ANS signs were posted at Spiro City Lake and Hugo Lake. Additional signs were acquired from ANS biologist Biologist attended Wildlife Resource Professional class at Byron State F.H. (D. Groom) Streams Program: Assisted SCR with harvest of threadfin shad from 2 Konawa Lake for supplemental stocking of Lake Texoma. Coordinated and conducted bi-weekly, mitigation and surplus trout stockings at the lower Mountain Fork River with Crystal Lake Fisheries and hatchery staff. Provided outreach to anglers seeking information on stream fishing. Held meetings with streams management staff to coordinate upcoming activities, future directions and to clarify staff responsibilities. Processed claims and updated streams management program budget and inventory. Cleaned and maintained office, grounds and equipment at streams management facilities in Caddo. Provided presentation to Leadership Oklahoma entitled, Lower Mountain Fork River; An Applied Management Partnership. Provided tour of Lost Creek for Leadership Oklahoma Class of Coordinated LMFR trout fishery stakeholder meeting. 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. Continued working with vendors on reconstruction of trail bridges in Spillway Creek. Processed private trout introduction requests. Completed hiring process for interns. Conducted angler surveys for 2010 LMFR socioeconomic study. 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 in-stream habitat enhancements at the Simp and Helen Watts Management Unit section of the lower Illinois River including consultation with professional engineers regarding implementation of access and design plans. Assisted OCC with development of streams restoration prioritization scheme. Provided technical guidance to LMFR Foundation regarding restoration of base flows, via cleanout of debris from low-level outlets, at the re-regulation dam. Continued assisting OBS staff with documenting the presence and spread of Didymosphenia geminata (i.e., didymo) at the lower Mountain Fork River. Two new colonies were identified in April. Maintenance was performed on state vehicles. Completed HACCP and equipment maintenance logs. (J. Vincent) South Central Region: Collected threadfin shad at Konawa Lake and relocated to Texoma, Murray, and Arbuckle. Assisted with Big 5 fishing clinic. Attended Natural Resources Day in Madill and gave fish ID presentations to 4 th grade classes. Reviewed and updated information on the Department web site. Assisted I&E with photo shoot logistics on Lake Murray. Assisted with statewide news release regarding threadfin shad stocking at Lake Texoma. Provided interview to local TV news regarding white bass kill at Murray Lake. Provided interview to local TV news regarding threadfin shad stocking at Lake Texoma. Provided interviews regarding Lake Texoma zebra mussels in conjunction with the TPWD media blitz. Gave presentation to local special interest group concerning zebra mussel issues at Lake Texoma. Provided radio interview to the Hook and Hunt Radio Show. Electrofished bass on Sardis Reservoir for bass research project. Performed test run for bass research stocking. Planned, prepared, and hosted coordination meeting in preparation for 2010 FLMB research stocking activities. Held meetings with regional staff to coordinate upcoming activities, future directions and to clarify staff responsibilities. Maintained region equipment and office. Replaced generator on EF boat. Reviewed edits to Lake Texoma Management Plan. Entered SSP data and submitted to OFRL for analysis. Investigated white bass fish kill at Lake Murray. Provided information to AFS Striped bass technical committee. Entered lake records entries and discussed program with vendors. Reviewed Lake Texoma reallocation study. Provided comments on 404 application in Murray County. Attended local citizens water rally Oklahomans for Responsible Water Policy. Reviewed RRCCP restudy scope of work. Attended Lake Texoma Advisory Committee

3 meeting. Attended Tishomingo NWR CCP planning meeting. Maintained roads, firebreaks, fencing and camping sites at BRPFHA. Visited with area users regarding fishing and hunting activities. Reviewed and provided comments regarding angler marketing campaign and BRPFHA post cards. Electrofished for saugeye on Jean Neustadt Lake. Performed SSP surveys on Durant Lake, Mountain Lake and Lake Texoma. SSP data entry, management, and submission to OFRL for pending analysis. Updated habitat maps for region lakes. Discussed proposed BA development projects with partners. Provided on-site fisheries population survey for Coal County landowner. Provided technical assistance via telephone to numerous regional landowners. Attended Time Management HRDS training. Attended 100 th Meridian/ANS meeting at Lake Texoma. Maintenance to state trucks. (M. Mauck) Southwest Region: Completed spring electrofishing season with average catch rate at Elk City, above-average bass catch rate from Comanche Lake, and below-average numbers from Ellsworth and Waurika. Biologist continued work with gillnet data from Waurika, Tom Steed, and other lakes, and prepared for presentation of data to supervisors. Worked on shocker and Blue Wave. Worked display at NRCS Outdoor Classroom at WMWR for approx th graders. Held fishing clinic for Elgin middle school gifted and talented group of 20 kids. Verified new lake records for two largemouth bass at Fort Cobb (8.8 and 10.6 lb), and crappie at Fort Cobb (2.5 lbs). Collected fish for aquarium displays. Worked with I&E on news story for Outdoor Oklahoma on Fort Cobb angling opportunities and brush pile project. Inspected boating access projects at Vanderwork, Rocky, Altus-Lugert and Hall. Worked with cooperators at Fort Cobb to upgrade boating access areas with new paint, curb blocks and signs. Continued work on statewide Boating and Fishing Access agreement. Talked with CR supervisor and marine dealer in Chickasha regarding prospective BFA projects. Installed additional no-wake buoys at two coves in Fort Cobb for anglers using brush piles. Maintained barge. Checked conditions at Altus City Lake. Checked anglers at Altus-Lugert, Rocky, new Steed fishing dock, Lawtonka and Fort Cobb. Maintained buildings and grounds. Biologist attended WRP classes. Staff worked paddlefish season in Miami. Prepared for OWRB water town hall meeting. Submitted fisheries rule change proposals to CO on bass length and creel limits. (L. Cofer) Central Region: Processed invoices, submitted monthly reports, travel claims, and p-card paperwork. Cleaned offices and shops. Updated equipment use records and mileage logs and ordered supplies. Processed Holdenville summer intern paperwork. Took juvenile paddlefish caught in Coal Creek of Lake Eufaula to Tishomingo NFH to have it checked for coded wire tag, no tag found. Called Holdenville office internet provider and fixed problems with e- mail service. Took new Blue Wave boat to Seminole for drain repair. Repaired seat and modified motor controls in Blue Wave boat. Attended monthly OFRL staff meeting. Approved a new State record flathead catfish from El Reno City Lake (78 lbs. 8 ounces) and checked possible record flathead catfish from the North Canadian River near Wetumka (only 64 lbs.) and a common carp from Lake Thunderbird that turned out to be a 45 pound grass carp. OFRL personnel replaced several missing planks on the fishing pier at Dahlgen Lake. Attended Oklahoma City Game & Fish Commission to provide input on the proposed closing of the H.B. Parsons Fish Hatchery. Threadfin shad broodstock were electrofished at Konawa with assistance of SCR personnel and then transported to Texoma and Arbuckle by hatchery personnel Threadfin were also collected and stocked in Eufaula and Thunderbird lakes. Sprayed creeping water 3 primrose with herbicide (Renovate) at CTHFP pond in Moore. Performed maintenance on aeration system and started unit. Made repairs to electrofishing boat, replaced tries on electrofishing boat trailer. Completed spring SSP electrofishing survey and continued creel survey on Eufaula Lake. Completed Konawa and Purcell Lake Management Plans. Continued the creel survey at Lake Thunderbird. Electrofishing surveys were performed at Longmire, Lindsay and Maysville City Lakes. Edited SSP raw data and submitted to OFRL Data Analyst. Inspected plant cages at Lake Thunderbird. Several cages need mending and Closed Area buoys need replacing or adjusting. Submitted scope of work proposal to Bureau of Reclamation for gravel shoal construction project at Lake Thunderbird. OFRL plant growing cells were weeded, filled with fresh water and mowed. Electrofished flood control pond in Seminole County. Set up blue catfish collection on Eufaula Lake with Stuart Woods of Connors State College. Provided technical information to 19 stake holders regarding farm pond stocking, catfish angling activity and strategies, crappie angling activity, algae and weed control, locating fish producers, clearing muddy ponds, fish parasites, turtle control and planting aquatic vegetation for waterfowl. Called Wewoka, and Weleetka about new habitat projects on their lakes. Built 4 new spider block sites on Weleetka Lake. Assisted with stocking AREP catfish at Mustang, Edmond, Norman and Choctaw sites for upcoming fishing clinics and derbies. Filed stocking reports. Also assisted with stocking of walleye fry at H.B. Parsons Fish Hatchery nursery ponds. Checked and photographed boat ramp problem at Graves Creek Ramp on Eufaula Lake and began arrangements for repair. Prepared fishing tackle for upcoming events. Assisted AREP Coordinator with a fishing clinic and derby at Shawnee Twin Lakes and NE Lions Park in Norman. Held eight clinics in conjunction with NRCS Outdoor Classrooms at Okmulgee, Okemah, Purcell, Pauls Valley and Washington for 830 students from area schools. Collected fish for school presentation by Holdenville hatchery manager. Prepared and gave presentation on Okmulgee and Dripping Springs Lakes at Bass Flyfishing clinic at Dripping Springs State Park. Gave Fishes of Oklahoma presentation to 7 th and 8 th grade ag classes at Moss school. Put out 250 spider blocks built from the NFWF grant by Canadian and Indianola schools at four new sites around Arrowhead State Park on Eufaula Lake. Collected time sheets for NFWF spider block work from some of the participating schools. Picked up NFWF spiders at Moss, Stonewall, and Latta schools and stored at Konawa Lake. Took ANS literature to Arrowhead and Lake Eufaula State Parks. Followed HACCP protocol for all equipment and gear after use. HACCP and equipment use logs were updated. Performed routine maintenance to department truck. A presentation covering the results to-date of the electrofishing evaluation study is being prepared for discussion at an upcoming biologist meeting. Discussion will cover unit of effort length and variability of data. Regional updates to SSP analysis programs are ongoing. Spring 2010 SSP data is being edited and readied for analysis. Usage of equipment and HACCP logs were completed. Library coding is ongoing. A blue catfish manuscript covering the inception of the new 30 inch length limit is being prepared for inclusion in the AFS Symposium Book: Catfish Staff worked at the Paddlefish Research and Processing Center. LMB otoliths were taken from Wes Watkins and Dripping Springs and were read. LMB tissue samples were collected at Wes Watkins and Dripping Springs for Florida bass genetics testing. Staff assisted the Law Enforcement Division with removing their boat from tornado wreckage at Thunderbird. Technical assistance was provided to 12 private pond owners and two ponds surveys were performed. Fish attractor sites on the Digital Fish and Wildlife Atlas (IMS) continue to be updated with lat/long coordinates provide by regional field staff. Two candidates

4 were interviewed for a new assistant unit leader at the OSUCFWRU. Work continues on the 2010 RBFF lapsed angler marketing campaign. This year s campaign is focusing on evaluating the success of using specific marketing messages and imagery to four specific geographic areas in Oklahoma. Models for predicting lapsed anglers for 2010 were prepared. The first mail piece was designed, prepared and mailed. Design was initiated on the second mail piece. (G. Gilliland) Environmental Program: Coordinated with SE Region to draft comment letter on USACE 404 permit for Dolese mine and impacts on species of greatest conservation need. Attended USACE HEAT computer training for developing a Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP) model. Assisted OSU with paddlefish tissue collection for contaminant analysis. Participated in Oklahoma Clean Lakes and Watershed Association Annual Meeting. Investigated a fish kill in NW Oklahoma City from a sewage discharge. Coordinated with City of Oklahoma City and ODEQ to develop a fish kill claim. Attended GIS Committee Meeting. Drafted and sent out SWG award letters and notification letters for grants submitted under the 2009 SWG RFP. Drafted article for The Wildside e-newsletter. Reviewed and selected Sec 6 projects for submission to USFWS. Attended Wildlife Resource Professional Training at Byron State Fish Hatchery. Answered questions from the public on mussel harvest, snake identification, and reptile nuisance control. Provided state ANS update for the Mississippi River Basin Panel. Reviewed QZAP plan for western states. Coordinated Arkansas River shiner sampling with USFWS. Attended the MRBP conference in Nashville, TN. Printed 20,000 Zap the Zebra brochures. Attended 100th Meridian South Central Basins Team meeting at Lake Texoma and provided state ANS update. Attended Zebra Mussel Inspection and Decontamination Training in Tulsa, OK. Coordinated zebra mussel veliger sampling efforts with USFWS. Attended the Grand Lake Watershed Conference. Wrote lilliput article for the Wild Side Newsletter. Reviewed and issued numerous import/export permits, scientific collector's permits, commercial minnow dealers licenses and turtle harvester licenses. (W. Ray/C. Tackett) Northwest Region: SSP electrofishing survey was conducted on Lake American Horse and Lake Vincent was electrofished to evaluate the status of the largemouth bass and forage populations. Gambusia were collected and stocked at Drummond Flats and the Byron Watchable Wildlife Area. Coppernose bluegill were collected and stocked at Crystal Beach (Woodward). Conducted one fishing clinic and assisted on two outdoor classrooms. Tagged fish for Walleye Rodeo and assisted with Great Salt Plains Birding and Crystal Festival. Spider block article was given to local newspaper and spider blocks were installed at Lake Canton. The spider blocks are already producing catches of crappie and largemouth bass. Spadderdock (yellow corn lily) was successfully transplanted into a nursery pond. A dock was delivered from Lake Thunderbird to the Byron Hatchery for modifications into a fishing dock for Lake Vincent. Regional supervisor and Fisheries technician worked at the Paddlefish Research and Processing Center. Work has started on the 2010 Wildlife Expo. Technical assistance was given to four pond owners. (J. Stahl) North Central Region: Spring electrofishing was completed on lakes Shidler, Birch, Pawnee, Bartlesville City and Carl Blackwell. Electrofishing sample was initiated on Sooner Lake. Raw data from samples were entered on electronic databases and ed to OFRL for analysis. Fishing regulations were reviewed and comments on ways to streamline were ed to supervisor. Two staff meetings were conducted to discuss upcoming projects and prioritize activities 4 for two week periods. Personnel attended Wildlife Professional Training at Byron Hatchery. Staff attended two HRDS training classes. Approved several Lake Record Fish applications in various lakes across the region. Traveled to Little Rock, Arkansas for SARP Steering Committee meeting. Provided interview on Kaw Lake Blue catfish population to sports writer from the Wichita Eagle newspaper. Personnel presented program on possible, aquatic vegetation project, to the Skiatook Lake Association and discussed donations from club. Contacted boater bringing an infected boat lift from Lake Meade, NV to Skiatook Lake. Found Quagga Mussels attached to parts of the lift that were not decontaminated. Discussed decontamination methods with owner. Photographed and collected Quagga mussel samples for displays. Zebra mussels were documented in Skiatook Lake in large numbers by divers from USACE in deep water. A zebra mussel was identified that was collected by an angler from Lake Ponca for the first evidence of their presence. More sampling by staff is planned for the near future to evaluate their abundance. Staff prepared 40 rods and reels for fishing clinics in region. Aquatic education materials were delivered to Stillwater and Noble County Game Warden for distribution prior to clinics. Removed algae mats from the Marland Mansion Pond prior to a fishing clinic. Conducted Mothers Day Fishing Clinic at the Marland Mansion Pond, for the sixth grade classes from Ponca City elementary schools at Lake Ponca Park, and the 4 th grade classes from Perkins school at Boomer Lake in Stillwater. Picked up the Fishing Simulator from the Jenks Office and used it at the Kaw Lake EXPO two day event at Camp McFadden. Regional personnel provided technical assistance to six private pond owners during this reporting period. One pond visit was made to identify aquatic vegetation in private pond for treatment recommendations. Boating access discussions were made in preparation for the Sooner Lake OG&E dock project application. Routine grounds and office duties were performed and equipment was maintained and repaired as needed. An erosion control project was completed on the new Stall in the compound of the North Central Facility. (B. Wentroth) Lake Maintenance: Removed top soil in three ponds at Manning Hatchery. Placed clay liners in two ponds. Due to rains the project has been slow. Lake Burtschi was mowed and trash picked up. The 06 Chevrolet pickup was taken in for body work after hitting a deer. All vehicles, equipment, buildings and grounds were maintained as scheduled or as needed. (T. Waters) FISH HATCHERIES J.A. Manning Hatchery: Performed routine maintenance to equipment and vehicles as scheduled or needed. Assisted Lake Maintenance crew with pond repair project. Made repairs to big dozer. Mowed and ran weed eater around hatchery grounds. Hatchery Manager met with the Supervisor of Hatcheries to discuss fish production and to troubleshoot problems. Fertilized Walleye and Saugeye ponds weekly with inorganic and organic fertilizers to achieve plankton growth. Sprayed channel catfish ponds with copper sulfate to help control algae. Seined bass fry from spawning ponds and placed fry into two nursery ponds. Harvested one walleye pond and two saugeye ponds and stocked fish in area lakes. Coordinated efforts with Fisheries Research Lab on marking and stocking walleye. Walleye were transported to Spavinaw lake by lab personnel and to Fort Supply and Kaw by hatchery staff. Hatchery staff assisted the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and the NRCS with a four day event at the refuge. The event teaches natural resources conservation to over 900 fourth grade students from across Comanche county. Hatchery Manager met with DEQ inspector to do annual effluent inspections at the hatchery. Received 14 tons of catfish feed and placed into feed room. Performed weekly plankton counts and

5 monitored water quality daily. Technician attended purchase card training in OKC. Temporary secretary worked on farm pond fish notification card. Secretary also assisted Wildlife Division with numerous projects during this reporting period. (T. Wright) Durant Hatchery: DH staff visited the Booker Fowler State Fish Hatchery in Louisiana to observe indoor Flmb raceway spawning techniques and hauled back approximately 595,000 Flmb fry for use in 1.50 production at the DH. All Flmb spawning ponds were monitored closely every day. DH staff regularly checked Flmb spawning activities and looked for schools of fry to monitor their growth and abundance. Flmb fingerlings were sampled for size and body condition. Spawning mats in the raceways were checked daily for Flmb spawns. Three very small spawns were found during the reporting period before mats were removed due to lack of spawning activity. DH staff attended a Bass Committee meeting at the DH to discuss the upcoming research stockings of Flmb into Sardis and Arbuckle. Plankton samples and other pond data were taken regularly for the Flmb, goldfish and koi ponds. The goldfish and koi were also sampled periodically to monitor growth and body condition, and supplemental fertilization was added, as needed. Saugeye ponds were sampled weekly and supplemental fertilization added as needed. Saugeye fingerling ponds were harvested, and all fingerlings stocked into Lake Thunderbird. Hybrid sunfish were provided for the Big 5 Fishing Clinic. Fathead minnows were provided to the Tishomingo NFH for their use. DH staff assisted SCR personnel with hauling threadfin shad from Lake Konawa to Lake Murray, Arbuckle and Texoma. DH staff built a fry trap for use in Flmb and minnow ponds. DH staff assisted at the Byron Hatchery for 4 days to help with striped bass spawning and other hatchery activities. One coppernose bluegill broodstock pond was harvested and forage stockpiled for future use and the brooders put into a holding pond. Fresh feed was received to replace molding wet feed received earlier last month. All fish species were fed as weather and water temperatures permitted. Hatchery grounds were mowed, weed-eated, and fence lines sprayed. Repairs to distribution trucks, tanks, tractors, and equipment were made during this reporting period. DH staff deterred cormorants, herons, and egrets from culture ponds. Gravel was spread on hatchery roads to fix pot holes, muddy spots, and also to maintain them. No hatchery tours were scheduled, but many walkin visitors were assisted and information was distributed and provided during this reporting period. The shop and office were cleaned weekly and as needed. (Gordon Schomer II) spawning to conduct a study on the toxicity of iodine treatments on striped bass eggs. The ODWC collected, staged, and sent them 8 female and 5 male striped bass. Several million fry were shipped this month. Other activities include grounds maintenance, building maintenance, performing routine maintenance on vehicles and equipment as needed, and cleaning offices, shops, and the fish house. Several concrete pads and anchors were poured with left over concrete from the construction crew. Administrative activities include monitoring the construction contractor and subcontractor, teaching striped bass spawning procedures to staff from Durant, Colorado Division of Wildlife, and the USGS Lacrosse Lab, and taught the Wildlife Professional Class hatchery culture techniques. Hatchery supervisor gave a Farm Pond Fish presentation at the Alfalfa County Pond Management Workshop, and gave an interview to the Tulsa World news reporter. Supervisor also made a site visit to Manning and coordinated fish production and stockings as well as monitored hatchery managers via phone and correspondence. Also the staff met with Seepage Control, Inc about applying pond sealant. Six tours were given this month to school groups. (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. Hatchery staff deterred herons, egrets, cormorants and river otters from culture ponds. Six ponds were prepared and stocked with 600,000 hybrid striped bass fry. Northern bass fry were seined out of spawning pond and stocked into rearing ponds. Four ponds of saugeye fingerlings were harvested and stocked into public waters. Hatchery personnel assisted the Central Region office with the collection and distribution of threadfin shad from Konawa Lake to Eufaula Lake. Hatchery crew participated in an outdoor class room at the Holdenville City Park. The hatchery manager conducted one hatchery educational tour, with approximately 24 children in attendance. Coordinated and distributed the stocking of 14 aquatic educational ponds for clinics. Ponds were mowed, disked and graded for up coming culture season. Hatchery roads were graded and maintained. Hatchery grounds were maintained though out the month. 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) Byron Hatchery: Fish culture activities completed this month primarily consisted of walleye and hybrid striped bass production. Walleye eggs were received, incubated, hatched and stocked into Oklahoma waters. Three trips were made to Zink s Dam to collect striped bass brood fish. The fish were sexed, eggs checked and staged, given hormone shots and brought back to Byron. At Byron, the fish were staged again, spawned, and the eggs incubated until they hatched. The fry were held and fed until they reached the age to ship them. In ,537,500 eggs were fertilized from which 8,815,483 hybrid striped bass hatched for a hatch rate of 35.9%. In the walleye, sauger, and saugeye ponds water quality was monitored, fish and plankton sampled weekly, ponds fertilized when conditions deemed it necessary, and then the sauger pond was harvested this month. Hybrid striped bass ponds were set, fertilized, filled and stocked with fish. Some ponds were sprayed for weed control. Fish were also collected from several ponds to be screened by the fish health team from the USFWS at Dexter Fish Health Lab. The fish were prepared and sampled for viral and bacterial sampling. The staff also assisted the US Geological Survey lab at Lacrosse, WI with striped bass 5