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Fisheries Surveys Turn Up Some Surprises By Ben Nugent and Matt Carpenter, fisheries biologists
When we started working on the aquatic section of New Hampshire's Wildlife Action Plan in November of 2005, we were struck by the lack of information available on most of the fish species in the state. Faced with assessing the status of some of these species, including the American brook lamprey, banded sunfish, bridle shiner, redfin pickerel, round whitefish, and swamp darter, we realized that we would need to conduct a lot of field surveys.
Fortunately, in the late 1930s, the NH Fish and Game Department conducted biological surveys with detailed records of fish species at locations throughout the state. Using this survey as our guide, we have spent the last two summers checking the status of these lesser-known fish species. In the process, we have learned about some great fishing opportunities that we would not have otherwise discovered. Here are some highlights:
The writers with giant lake trout from Newfound Lake.
While sampling for round whitefish in Newfound Lake, we captured a high number of lake trout in great condition, including 3 lake trout over 10 pounds, one of which was 22 pounds and 41 inches long.
The Taylor River impoundment contains some giant largemouth bass and crappie. You would not expect such large fish to be in this unassuming little waterbody. It's the small ponded area that you can see in Hampton, on the west side of Interstate 95 and south of the Hampton tolls.
Heads Pond in Hooksett has some huge panfish: pumpkinseeds and bluegills the size of dinner plates and plenty of healthy yellow perch exceeding 12 inches.
We don't usually associate wild brook trout with southeastern New Hampshire. That is why we were so surprised at the number of wild brook trout and hatchery holdovers that we found in the Oyster River, in Lee, during our surveys for American brook lamprey.
Several of the tributaries that flow through the Franklin Falls Army Corps Flood Control Area into the Pemigewasset River are also full of wild trout. The property is open to the public and the streams are easily accessible, but still provide a sense of remoteness.
Crystal Lake in Eaton is a beautiful, clear lake with ample populations of both small and largemouth bass. It's a great spot for swimming and fishing.
Trout Pond in Freedom provides a remote pond experience that can be accessed with a four-wheel drive vehicle. Make sure you have a good map.
Recognize these two species from our travels? That's a round whitefish above, and a tiny bridle shiner below. If we don't work to halt the decline in bridle shiner populations, who knows what the impacts on the ecosystems could be?
The north end of Pawtuckaway Lake in Nottingham has a convenient public boat launch and it is loaded with warmwater species. Largemouth bass and black crappie grow very large here.
The oxbows and small ponds adjacent to the Merrimack River are extremely productive habitats. For quantity and variety of fish (bass, sunfish, perch, carp, hornpout, and American eel, just to name a few), they are hard to beat.
The lower Branch River in Milton is a beautiful paddle with undeveloped shorelines and a slow current conducive to fishing. Churchill Brook (Brookfield), which flows into the Branch River, is full of trout.
So far, our results have shown that the native fish species of New Hampshire are doing relatively well, considering that freshwater fish are among the most endangered taxa (groups of species) in the world. One thing we have discovered is that bridle shiners seem to have disappeared from a number of waterbodies. A similar trend has been noted in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. The reasons for this decline are unclear, but loss of aquatic vegetation from shoreline development and herbicide application; "nutrient loading" from failed septic systems and fertilizers; and untimely water level drawdowns may all play a role. Some might question the value of focusing on something as small as a minnow or a darter. These small species can act as "canaries in the coal mine" that may foretell a threat to the ecosystem as a whole. Taking steps to ensure the survival of all our native fish species will help ensure fishing opportunities for generations to come.
Intermediate Fly-Fishing Workshop for Women
Spread the word -- Fish and Game is offering women a chance to build their fly-fishing skills while enjoying a beautiful New Hampshire weekend getaway. This intermediate fly-fishing workshop for women will be September 28 - 30 at Purity Spring Resort in Madison, N.H. Some fly-fishing experience is required. Click here for information and a print-and-mail application, or call (603) 271-3212.
The Dirt on "Rock Snot"
As you have been reading in this report, a aquatic nuisance algae known commonly as "didymo" or "rock snot" has recently invaded the northern reaches of the Connecticut River, marking the first official report of Didymosphenia geminata in the northeastern U.S.
Anglers and boaters need to be extra-aware that didymo is on the move and easily spread by even just one cell of the alga breaking off and drifting downstream in infested reaches. It is very easily spread by waders, fishing gear and other gear that touches the bottoms of streams in infested areas, so it is critical to check and clean your fishing gear to prevent the spread of didymo and protect New Hampshire's waters.
If you see didymo in New Hampshire, contact Amy Smagula at the N.H. Department of Environmental Services: 603-271-2248 or asmagula@des.state.nh.us.
REMINDER FOR LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE BASS ANGLERS:
N.H. Fish and Game continues to count on help from anglers for a study of the movement of largemouth and smallmouth bass after bass tournament release. Bass are being tagged upon release from tournament weigh-ins at Ames Farm Inn on Lake Winnipesaukee, identified with a numbered yellow tag at the base of the fish's dorsal fin.
Angler captures of tagged bass are the major source of information for this study, so tell your bass-fishing friends to look for tagged bass when they fish Lake Winnipesaukee. Download and print a reporting form here (PDF).
CONTACT: Gabe Gries, Fish and Game Warmwater Project Leader: Region 4, 15 Ash Brook Court, Keene, NH 03431; phone 603-352-9669; fax 603-352-8798; email ggries@nhfgd.org.
A
User-Pay, User-Benefit Program Researching and managing fisheries and teaching people
about aquatic ecosystems are funded by your license dollars and by the
Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program. Your purchases of
fishing equipment and motorboat fuels make a difference to New Hampshire's fisheries.
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