Iowa Department of Natural Resources

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Iowa Department of Natural Resources Chris Larson
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Carter Lake Fishery
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Fish Population Dynamics
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• What factors influence fish populations
• Indicates potential problems at Carter Lake
• WATER QUALITY
• Watershed
• Nutrients
• Sediments
• Algae
• Bacteria
• etc.
• Basin slope
• Habitat
• Productivity
• Lake size
• Exotic species (plant animal)
• Temporal
• Harvest
• Growth

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What Influences Fish Population Dynamics?
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What can DNR do to Affect Fish Populations?

• Stocking
• Regulations
• Habitat improvement
• Water Quality improvement
• Education
• Renovation

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Whats there now?
Electrofishing
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Netting
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Fish species found in Carter Lake

• Gizzard shad
• Yellow bass
• Bluegill
• Crappie
• Freshwater drum
• Common carp
• Bigmouth buffalo
• Channel catfish
• bullhead
• Walleye
• Largemouth bass

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Game Fish!
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sampled 285
There appears to be a good population of white
crappies with some large fish.
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sampled 125
There appears to be a good population of black
crappies with numerous fish at the size that
anglers like to harvest.
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sampled 498
Carter Lake has a decent bluegill population with
size structure that are available to anglers.
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sampled 26
We did not sample very many small bass, which is
a concern, but the fish appeared to be in good
body condition. Poor water quality is probably
hampering largemouth bass survival.
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sampled 28
There are at least four different sizes of
channel catfish, which is good. We annually stock
6,000 seven inch catfish in Carter Lake. I have
had discussions with Nebraska Game Parks this
fall and we have agreed to split catfish
stockings on an annual basis starting in 2006.
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sampled 32
Common carp cause a variety of problems, most
notably - poor water quality.
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Other fish sampled Black bullhead 424
Yellow bass 470
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Improvements that will benefit the fishery at
Carter Lake 1. Improve water quality. a.
Watershed improvement techniques (reduce
stormwater run-off lawn fertilizer) b.
Water quality education c. Lake deepening
(dredging) d. Expand no-wake zones e.
Commercial fish removal (harvest) of common carp
and bigmouth buffalo 2. Habitat
improvement a. Shoreline protection
(develop/protect near shore vegetation or rock
rip-rap) b. Removal of soft sediments
(dredging) c. In-lake contour changes (rock
reefs, drop-offs, channels) d. Small rock
spawning beds 3. Fish Renovation 4.
Improved angler access a. Jetty
construction b. Fishing piers
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Good Water Quality Good fishing Recreational
economic benefits for local community
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Questions?