Freshwater Fishing News

Fish health surveys conducted by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) revealed the presence of largemouth bass virus (LMBV) in four West Virginia lakes.

Surveys performed during the summer and early fall of 2011 were focused on monitoring overall fish health in water bodies where WVDNR staff collects broodstock for hatchery production. Several species of fish were collected from 10 water bodies and samples were sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Lamar Fish Health Laboratory for analysis.

Virology and bacteriology results were negative for targeted pathogens except for LMBV at East Lynn (Wayne County), North Bend (Ritchie County), Stonewall Jackson (Lewis County), and Sutton (Braxton County) lakes. Fish health surveys also were conducted at Mount Storm (Grant County) and Moncove (Monroe County) lakes and Little Kanawha (Wood County), Monongahela (Monongalia County), Tygart (Barbour County), and New (Summers County) rivers.

“Largemouth bass virus is a common pathogen found primarily in southern United States largemouth bass populations, but has been expanding throughout North America,” said Chris O’Bara, WVDNR fisheries research biologist. “LMBV has not been linked to any human health concerns but, as always, fish should be properly prepared prior to eating.”

Largemouth bass populations infected with LMBV have experienced summer die-offs, depressed growth, and less than optimal health condition. LMBV is more problematic during summertime and elevated stressful conditions. The spread of LMBV has been linked to increased stress, fish to fish contact , and movement of fish and water between water bodies.

To minimize the spread of LMBV and all fish pathogens, WVDNR encourages anglers not to transfer any live fish or water between water bodies, handle all fish with care prior to release, reduce stressful conditions especially during warm water months, and properly clean and maintain all boats, live wells, and tackle.

WVDNR staff will continue to monitor fish health statewide and expand the survey into several new water bodies in 2012, according to O’Bara.  Results of the 2011 survey, as well as future surveys, will be provided on the DNR website at www.wvdnr.gov.

source:  West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

The Lake Erie Committee, a binational board of fishery managers from Michigan, New York, Ohio, Ontario, and Pennsylvania, recommended a 2012 total allowable catch (TAC) of 3.487 million walleye and 13.637 million pounds of yellow perch.

Harvest levels for 2012 represent an increase in allowable walleye and yellow perch catch over last year, reflecting updated stock assessment results. Supporting the decision was a series of biological assessments and analyses conducted and analyzed jointly by Canadian and American fishery agencies.

The committee also engaged commercial and recreational stakeholders in a new and enhanced committee structure—called the Lake Erie Percid Management Advisory Group (LEPMAG)—to heighten awareness of stakeholder fishery objectives, to gain consensus about decisions, and to improve the process for binational dialogue among all interested parties.

The committee sought to maintain TACs at levels consistent with Lake Erie’s biological conditions while providing commercial and recreational fishers with some level of stability, as indicated in LEPMAG discussions. Although the TAC was increased for 2012, the committee expressed concerned about environmental conditions in Lake Erie and potential impacts on fisheries in future years.

Walleye

The Lake Erie Committee recommended a binational TAC for walleye in 2012 of 3.487 million fish, compared to the TAC of 2.919 million fish in 2011. Actual walleye harvest in 2011 was approximately 1.69 million fish, or 58% of the TAC.

The Walleye Task Group, a consortium of scientists and field biologists from Ontario and the Great Lakes states, reported that walleye recruitment in recent years has not been strong. Fish from the strong 2007 and the exceptional 2003 year classes remain the major contributors to the fishery.

The 2012 recommended TAC is based on updated walleye abundance estimates from the Walleye Task Group. The increased TAC recommendation for 2012 reflects the committee’s consensus that walleye harvest is being managed at a sustainable rate for fisheries lakewide.

The TAC is recommended by the Lake Erie Committee and is allocated to Ohio, Michigan and Ontario by an area-based sharing formula of walleye habitat within each jurisdiction in the western and central basins of the lake.

Under a 2012 TAC of 3.487 million fish, Ohio will be entitled to 1.782 million fish, Ontario 1.502 million fish, and Michigan 0.203 million fish. The walleye fisheries of eastern Lake Erie remain outside the quota management area and harvest limits in that area are established separately by Ontario, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Yellow Perch

Based on the estimated abundance of yellow perch stocks in the lake, the Lake Erie Committee recommended a 2012 TAC of 13.637 million pounds, an increase from last year’s allocation of 12.651 million pounds. As the committee considered the yellow perch TAC, it noted that stocks generally appear to be healthier as one moves west to east across Lake Erie, consistent with environmental conditions (such as nutrient loads) of recent years.

Fisheries were afforded the highest allowable catches where stocks were the healthiest. The committee also noted that continued weak year classes will likely result in lower-than-average yellow perch allocations in the future.

The five jurisdictions on the lake divide the lakewide allocation of yellow perch based on allocation formulas by management unit. For 2012, Ontario’s allocation is 6.701 million pounds, Ohio’s allocation is 5.349 million pounds, and Michigan’s allocation is 0.164 million pounds. New York and Pennsylvania will receive 0.259 million pounds and 1.163 million pounds, respectively. In 2011, actual lakewide yellow perch harvest was 9.620 million pounds or 76% of the TAC.

source: Lake Erie Committee

Fisheries biologists from Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries biologists expect good walleye fishing in Deep Creek Lake for the 2012 fishing season.

According to DNR, walleye are the most abundant game fish species in Deep Creek Lake. Regulations for the 2012 walleye season include a 5-fish daily creel limit and a 15-inch minimum size limit. In Maryland, walleye can be caught in the Youghiogheny River Reservoir, Jennings Randolph Lake, Savage River Reservoir, Potomac River and Liberty Reservoir.

The walleye is the largest member of the perch family. Trophy class walleye may reach lengths of 30 inches or more and weigh more than 10 pounds. The walleye’s name originates from its opaque-looking eyes. Their large, reflective eyes allow walleye to locate shiners, perch, crayfish, and other prey in low light.

In Maryland lakes and reservoirs, anglers typically use jigs and minnow-type lures for catching walleye around rock piles and along the edges of weed beds. In deeper areas, night crawlers, live minnows, or other baits are effective when slowly drifted along the bottom.

Recreational anglers who register a walleye measuring 26 inches or longer at any of the more than 60 Maryland Angler Award Centers across the State will receive free admission and a chance to win prizes at the 2012 Maryland Fishing Challenge Grand Finale.

source: MD DNR

In February, 2012, a fisherman caught a monster catfish while trotlining in South Carolina’s Lake Moultrie (part of the Santee Cooper reservoir system). Weighing 136 pounds, 6 ounces and 56 inches in length, it is the largest blue catfish ever caught in the lake. Had the fish been caught by rod and reel, it would have broken the state record of 109 pounds, 4 ounces, which has stood for over 20 years.

Blue catfish were introduced in Santee Cooper reservoir in 1965. The species has since become a major component of the reservoir’s annual fish production and is considered a trophy fish by anglers. South Carolina classifies blue catfish as a non-game fish, which means they may taken by any legal method of harvest, including rod and reel, trotlines, fish traps, bush hooks, and bow fishing.

source:  South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

It is now unlawful in several Mid Atlantic states to harvest or possess river herring, a popular baitfish, without a valid receipt from a state or jurisdiction where harvest is permitted.

The term river herring is collectively applied to two species of fish, the alewife (Alosa aestivalis), and blueback herring (Alosa psuedoharengus).

River herring from Maine to Florida are managed cooperatively by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).

The new state regulations are necessary to comply with Amendment 2 of the ASMFC Fisheries Management Plan for Shad and River Herring (FMP). Amendment 2 requires the closing of the recreational and commercial harvest of migratory river herring in the waters of states that do not have ASMFC approved river herring sustainable management plans. States with open river herring fisheries include New York, Maine, New Hampshire, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Traditionally, recreational anglers target river herring during their spring spawning runs. Although river herring are rarely harvested for the table, they are highly valued as bait for striped bass and other species.

In addition to anadromous river herring stocks, landlocked populations exist in several states. Because landlocked and anadromous herring are indistinguishable in the field, some states have enacted regulations that also restrict the possession and transport of landlocked herring.

More Information

River Herring Moratorium in Effect in Maryland