Lakes Benefit from Habitat Projects in New Jersey
September 24, 2008
The Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries completed four artificial habitat projects in 2007 and 2008 at Union Lake, Lake Lenape (Atlantic County), Hammonton Lake, and Penbryn Lake. These projects were made possible through partnerships with the Boy Scouts, South Jersey Bass Club Association, Hammonton Lake Water Quality Committee, and Atlantic County Division of Parks and Recreation.
Artificial habitat projects are well documented to be effective in increasing angler catch rates as a result of improved habitat. The Division of Fish and Wildlife has cooperatively worked with local-fishing organizations to enhance the habitat in many of New Jersey’s lakes, ponds, and reservoirs for years. The locations of artificial habitats have been mapped with GPS coordinates.
Other projects recently completed at Assunpink Lake, Stone Tavern Lake, and Mercer Lake (2006) were highlighted in the feature article, “Local Lakes Get Home Makeover.”
Descriptions of the most recent projects are as follows:
A lake habitat enhancement project was completed at Lake Lenape, Atlantic County on February 22, 2008. A total of thirteen individuals comprised of Atlantic County Parks staff, members of the Cedarwater Bassmasters and Bucketmouth Brigade Bass Club, and a volunteer from the local rowing association completed the project on a cold winter day. Park staff and the rowing association provided boats to deploy the habitat structures. Structures were placed in eight locations in the deeper section of the lake near the dam, which had the least amount of cover. A total of 300 discarded evergreen trees were dispersed at the six locations.
| Lake Lenape | ||
| Site # | Habitat Coordinates | |
| 1 | 39° 27′ 24.0″ N | 74° 44′ 01.7″ W |
| 2 | 39° 27′ 24.6″ N | 74° 44′ 10.8″ W |
| 3 | 39° 27′ 23.0″ N | 74° 44′ 14.7″ W |
| 4 | 39° 27′ 20.0″ N | 74° 44′ 16.0″ W |
| 5 | 39° 27′ 15.7″ N | 74° 44′ 17.3″ W |
| 6 | 39° 27′ 15.9″ N | 74° 44′ 16.2″ W |
| 7 | 39° 27′ 40.7″ N | 74° 44′ 23.8″ W |
| 8 | 39° 27′ 44.4″ N | 74° 44′ 25.4″ W |
UNION LAKE
Tom Ritterhoff, a Boy Scout from Cape May Court House, NJ, was instrumental in the Union Lake project. The structures were deployed by fisheries biologists from the Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries. Tom obtained all materials and built the structures with the assistance of members from Troop 65.
A total of 25 structures were deployed at two existing habitat structure locations in Union Lake. The structures were constructed from PVC pipe and plastic buckets and were placed in 10 - 12 feet of water. Warmwater fish species including largemouth and smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and chain pickerel will greatly benefit from this
| Union Lake | ||
| Site # | Habitat Coordinates | |
| 1 | 39° 25′ 01.9″ N | 75° 03′ 53.8″ W |
| 2 | 39° 24′ 25.5″ N | 75° 03′ 51.5″ W |
| 3 | 39° 24′ 42.4″ N | 75° 3′ 52.5″ W |
| 4 | 39° 24′ 58.7″ N | 75° 3′ 56.4″ W |
| 5 | 39° 24′ 58.7″ N | 75° 3′ 32.6″ W |
| 6 | 39° 24′ 45.5″ N | 75° 3′ 23.2″ W |
| 7 | 39° 24′ 20.6″ N | 75° 3′ 29.4″ W |
| 8 | 39° 25′ 27.4″ N | 75° 3′ 42.8″ W |
| 9 | 39° 25′ 29.7″ N | 75° 3′ 56.8″ W |
| 10 | 39° 24′ 8.8″ N | 75° 3′ 39.6″ W |
| 11 | 39° 24′ 26.4″ N | 75° 3′ 54.0″ W |
| 12 | 39° 24′ 19.9″ N | 75° 3′ 14.3″ W |
| BOLD indicates locations of new structures | ||
A lake habitat enhancement project was completed at Hammonton Lake, Atlantic County on May 13, 2008. Structures were placed in three locations in the deeper section of the lake. A total of 35 discarded evergreen trees were dispersed at the three locations. Phase two of this project, consisting of 30 additional structures constructed by a local fishing organization, will be completed during the fall of 2008.
| Hammonton Lake | ||
| Site # | Habitat Coordinates | |
| 1 | 39° 37′ 46.4″ N | 74° 46′ 41.8″ W |
| 2 | 39° 37′ 46.9″ N | 74° 46′ 36.0″ W |
| 3 | 39° 37′ 50.5″ N | 74° 46′ 22.0″ W |
PENBRYN LAKE
A fisheries management plan was completed in 2005 for Penbryn Lake, and recommendations were made to deploy artificial habitat structures to improve the largemouth bass and black crappie fisheries. The Penbryn Lake project was completed through a partnership with Patrick Fuzer, an Eagle Scout from Mount Laurel. The project was completed on April 12, 2007. Eight scouts and three parents assisted with the project. The scouts provided all materials including evergreen trees, concrete block and rope. More than 190 trees were deployed in the lake. Locations were predetermined utilizing a bathymetric map, GPS, and depth finder. Structures were placed in 10 to 25 feet of water.
| Penbryn Lake | ||
| Site # | Habitat Coordinates | |
| 1 | 39° 45′ 59.3″ N | 74° 56′ 16.5″ W |
| 2 | 39° 45′ 57.9″ N | 74° 56′ 32.3″ W |
| 3 | 39° 45′ 53.6″ N | 74° 56′ 31.7″ W |
| 4 | 39° 45′ 54.7″ N | 74° 56′ 21.0″ W |
| 5 | 39° 45′ 55.0″ N | 74° 56′ 16.2″ W |
| 6 | 39° 45′ 58.1″ N | 74° 56′ 14.3″ W |
| 7 | 39° 45′ 59.1″ N | 74° 56′ 21.6″ W |
| 8 | 39° 45′ 58.4″ N | 74° 56′ 32.5″ W |
| 9 | 39° 45′ 57.8″ N | 74° 56′ 25.0″ W |
The staff of the Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries is continually working to improve fishing opportunities throughout the state of New Jersey and welcomes the input of independent anglers and of organized clubs.
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Celebrate the Fifth Annual Alabama Outdoor Heritage Day
September 15, 2008
Celebrate the Fifth Annual Alabama Outdoor Heritage Day, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wehle Land Conservation Center in Midway, Bullock County. The event is sponsored by the State Lands Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR).
Get a feel for the day-to-day life of early settlers by walking through log cabins with period furnishings; listening to fiddle and hammered dulcimer music while watching pioneers in period dress demonstrating finger weaving, powder horn making, flint and steel fire, washing clothes and leather work. Experience real horse power during a demonstration on logging with draft horses. Stop by the cane mill and drink some cane juice on your way to the blacksmith shop. Get a bag of kettle corn and some of Bullock County’s finest barbeque to enjoy while watching a demonstration on quilting and home made soap making. Cap all that off with a relaxing October open woods trail ride. Admission is free to all.
The Wehle Land Conservation Center features over 6 miles of horseback riding trails, three fishing ponds, boating, canoeing and various woods roads for hiking, biking and wildlife observation. The Wehle Land Conservation Center is open to the public the first and third Saturday of each month and is located approximately 5 miles southeast of Midway, Ala. on County Road 47. Take U.S. Hwy. 82 from either Montgomery or Eufaula to Midway and follow the “Nature Center” signs. For more information, call 1-800-LAND-ALA.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
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Wind Creek Hosts Vintage Car Show September 13
September 8, 2008
Wind Creek State Park, located near Alexander City, will host the Fourth Annual Lake Martin Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008. A variety of vintage cars and trucks ranging from antiques to street rods will be on display.
According to State Parks Promotions Director Randy Jinks, Wind Creek State Park provides a wonderful setting for the car show. “It’s really something special when you see all the antique vehicles parked under tall pine trees surrounded by beautiful Lake Martin,” he said.
Door prizes will be given away along with drawings for $1,200 in prize money. This year the car show will honor Ms. Ella Gray, a popular citizen of the Alexander City area and owner of Mama Ella’s Diner. The dash plates given to the first 100 entries and the T-shirts that sold at the event will honor Ms. Ella with a design showing Ford, Chevy and Chrysler cars in front of a diner called “Ella’s Diner.” Ms. Ella will be on hand to select her favorite car, and the owner will be presented with an awards plaque entitled “Mama Ella’s Choice.”
In addition, the “Mayor’s Choice Award” will once again be presented by Alexander City Mayor Barbara Young to the car of her choice.
For additional information, call Randy Jinks at 256-454-0963 or 334-353-4125.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
The car show will be held from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with registration beginning at 8 a.m. Pre-registration is $10 and will be $15 the day of the event. Registration forms can be picked up at Wind Creek or downloaded from www.alapark.com
. Admission to the park is $3.
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Fisheries Biologist Coauthors Book on Freshwater Mussels
September 8, 2008
After almost 13 years of work and research, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Fisheries Biologist Jeff Garner finally can see the reality of having his hard work pay off in the form of a new book titled Freshwater Mussels of Alabama and the Mobile Basin in Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
The book, sponsored by ADCNR and coauthored with James D. Williams and Arthur E. Bogan, with foreword by E.O. Wilson, is a 908-page publication offering in-depth information on each of the 178 species that make up Alabama’s extraordinarily diverse freshwater mussel fauna. The book’s publisher, The University of Alabama Press, hails the book as must-have for educational and research purposes since Alabama’s rivers and waterways are home to the largest and most diverse population of freshwater mussel species in the nation. The book also covers reaches of the Mobile Basin that lie in Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. However, many of these mussel species have been significantly depleted in the last century due to habitat alteration (river damming, channelization, siltation), pollution, and invasive species, and many more are in imminent danger of extinction. Freshwater mussels serve as natural water filters and their presence may indicate a healthy aquatic ecosystem.
Garner is a malacologist and has been with ADCNR’s Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries for 14 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of North Alabama and a master’s degree in biology from The University of Alabama Huntsville. “Work on this volume has consumed a large portion of my time over the past 12 or so years,” said Garner. “It has been a terrific learning experience and I owe my coauthors, Jim Williams and Art Bogan, a debt of gratitude for involving me with this project. Its completion leaves me with a great sense of accomplishment and even greater admiration for the creatures that I have chosen to study.” Garner also co-edited Alabama Wildlife (Vol 2): Imperiled Aquatic Mollusks and Fishes and Alabama Wildlife (Vol 4): Conservation and Management Recommendations for Imperiled Wildlife.
James D. Williams is a research associate at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, Fla. and coauthor of The National Audubon Society Field Guide to Fishes, Non-indigenous Fishes Introduced into Inland Waters of the United States, Vanishing Fish of North America, and The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Fishes, Whales, and Dolphins.
Arthur E. Bogan is Research Curator of Aquatic Invertebrates for the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, N.C., and works as Adjunct Professor of Zoology at North Carolina State University, in addition to being coauthor of Freshwater Mussels of Tennessee.
Freshwater Mussels of Alabama and the Mobile Basin in Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee contains 773 black-and-white and color illustrations and sells for $70. It may be ordered online at www.uapress.ua.edu or by calling 800-621-2736.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
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Hiking, Backpacking Seminars Set for 5 Rivers In Alabama
August 8, 2008
Author and renowned outdoors enthusiast Joe Cuhaj of the Alabama Hiking Trail Society will conduct a series of hiking and backpacking seminars at 5 Rivers – Alabama’s Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort.
Daphne’s Cuhaj, who penned “Hiking Alabama” and co-authored “Paddling Alabama,” will offer advice and discuss hiking opportunities in Alabama for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
The series begins on August 23 at scenic 5 Rivers. Admission is free and registration is not required. The workshops, which begin at 1 p.m., are one-hour long with the exception of Backpacking 101, which will last two hours.
The seminar schedule is:
August 23 - Hiking in Alabama: Spectacular Destinations
September 13 - Essentials of Day Hiking
October 11 - Backpacking 101
November 15 - Backpack Cooking
January 10, 2009 - Hiking with Children (and the Dog)
February 7, 2009 - Trail Safety
The Alabama Hiking Trail Society will hold its annual convention March 6-7, 2009 at 5 Rivers. Visit www.Alabama5Rivers.com for more information on scenic 5 Rivers.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Parks, State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.
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Two Public Meetings Will Be Held Regarding Near Shore Reef Construction at Gulf State Park Pier
June 12, 2008
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Marine Resources Division will hold two public meetings to ask for input on the design and placement of concrete material from the demolition of the old Gulf State Park Pier around the new Gulf State Park Pier. The first meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on June 24, 2008, at the Gulf Shores Adult Activities Center, 260 Clubhouse Dr. in Gulf Shores. The second meeting will be held at the Foley Civic Center, 407 E. Laurel Ave. in Foley on June 26 at 6 p.m.
Public input from these meetings will be used to assist ADCNR in developing an artificial reef proposal for submission to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for approval.
Alabama has one of the largest artificial reef programs in the world. There are currently 23 inshore artificial reefs in Alabama providing some of the very best saltwater gamefish populations in the Gulf of Mexico. Visit www.outdooralabama.com for information on Alabama’s artificial reef program.
Construction to rebuild the Gulf State Park Pier began in November 2007. The original pier, a popular recreational fishing spot, was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. The new pier is expected to be completed in late 2008.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.
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DNR Urges Anglers To Use Wader Sterlization Stations To Prevent Spread Of Invasive Didymo
May 29, 2008
Six new cleaning stations installed along Gunpowder Falls
Baltimore County - Since discovering Didymo for the first time in Maryland last month, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has set up six wader sterilization stations throughout the tailwaters of Gunpowder Falls, to prevent further spread of this and other aquatic invasives.
Didymo is an algal diatom that forms long stalks which combine to form heavy, thick mats that can smother a stream bottom. Didymo mats, also called “rock snot,” look slimy, but feel like wet cotton or wool, and can be white, yellow or brown. The stalks can persist for two or more months after the diatoms die, causing habitat damage for an extended period of time.
“Didymo and other aquatic invasive species seriously jeopardize the health of our rivers, streams and Bay,” said Don Cosden, an assistant director with the DNR Fisheries Service. “Not only do these exotic species disrupt the local ecosystem, they are capable of permanently displacing or eradicating native species, including trout and other freshwater fisheries. We need anglers and other recreational users of this area to take 60 seconds to sterilize gear, and protect the waters they enjoy.”
Although there is no human health risk associated with the species, DNR is developing an aggressive plan of attack to deal with this invader, including asking anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to use extra precautions when moving from one stream or lake to another. Movement of a single cell can contaminate a new waterway, and once Didymo is established, it can cover and suffocate a stream bottom.
“Proper angler protocol is the main line of defense in preventing the introduction and spread of aquatic invasives,” said Jonathan McKnight, chair of DNR’s Invasive Species Team. “We are strongly urging anglers to properly sterilize their waders and all gear that comes in contact with the water prior to using the gear in a new location.”
DNR strongly urges citizens to sterilize boots, paddles, boats and anything else that comes into contact with stream water; anglers may want to consider having two sets of equipment in order to move safely from one spot to another. DNR also advises against using felt bottom boots and waders – the worst culprits in the spread of aquatic invaders – replacing them with non-porous materials. If felt waders are used, they should be completely immersed in salt solution before being used in another location.
Proper sterilization procedures include:
- Before leaving a stream, scrub away all dirt and debris.
- At home or at a wader sterilization station, disinfect equipment by scrubbing or soaking in at least a 5 percent salt solution (2 cups salt/2.5 gallons water) for 60 seconds and then letting dry completely or scrub with dish detergent and rinse well.
- If disinfection is not possible, let equipment dry completely for at least 48 hours before next use.
Currently, wader sterilization stations are set up at six popular crossings along Gunpowder Falls: Masemore Road, Bunker Hill Road, York Road, Blue Mount Road and both north and south lots at the Falls Road crossing. In the coming weeks, stations will also be set up along the Casselman, Youghiogheny and Savage Rivers.
Originally found in Scotland and extreme northern Europe and Asia, Didymo has been transported worldwide. Recently, the species has been found in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. In many cases, anglers have unknowingly transported the diatom on their fishing gear.
DNR urges anyone who observes Didymo on rivers other than the Gunpowder Falls to contact Don Cosden at 410-260-8287 as soon as possible.
For more information on Didymo and other invasive species, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/invasives/.
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Fish Busters’ Bulletin - New Rules for Florida’s Freshwater Fisheries
May 21, 2008
Florida earned the title “Fishing Capital of the World” by coupling its great resources with responsible management of those resources by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Relentlessly driving home the message of how people can and must be responsible stewards falls under the purview of the FWC as well.
The FWC gathers public input through meetings and surveys that create science- and social-based rules, using solid research and local impact to ensure a bright future for Florida’s resources and anglers. Several new freshwater fisheries rules go into effect beginning July 1. These rules are designed for the long term to prevent constant alteration.
“The FWC remains flexible to changing environmental and social situations,” said Dale Jones, the coordinator of the changes for the FWC, “so we can adapt to evolving needs and provide quality, safe and sustainable opportunities.”
The following is a summary of the new rules that will be included in the next printed rules and online at MyFWC.com/Fishing/Rules.html.
To be consistent with other firearm regulations, the FWC passed a rule making it legal for someone to possess a legal firearm on an FWC fish management area (FMA).
Lakes Lorna Doone, Richmond and Kirkman Pond, all in Orange County, and Lake Dot in Seminole County have been removed from the FMA system. The new rule also prohibits possession of cast nets in lakes Ivanhoe and Santiago in Orange County.
The Joe Budd Pond FMA in Gadsden County opens to public fishing only when established by executive order. This year, the pond will be open to the public during daylight hours on weekends between July 4 and Sept. 2, including Independence and Labor Day holiday weekends.
At Tenoroc FMA in Polk County, a new rule exempts permitted alligator hunters from entering the FMA at designated entry points. The rule also renamed lakes East Pasture and West Pasture to Pine Lakes. Other changes at Tenoroc include limiting discharge of firearms to the firing range or during FWC-sponsored events and requiring dogs to be leashed, unless authorized by the FWC.
A statewide rule change redefined species that may be taken for use as bait with a dip net, cast net (1-inch maximum stretched mesh), trap or minnow seine. Those species now include golden shiners of any size and other freshwater nongame fish (including catfish) less than 8 inches total length, unless specifically prohibited.
Nongame freshwater fish of any size also may be harvested with cast nets (no mesh or net size limit) in the South and Northeast regions, in Citrus and Glades counties, and in most of the Southwest Region. An exception makes possession or use of cast nets in waters adjoining Saddle Creek FMA in Polk County illegal. This removes the size limit on cast nets in the South Region, making it consistent with other regions where they are allowed.
Fishing gear used by recreational or commercial fishermen must be marked clearly and legibly with the fisherman’s name and address.
The most significant rule changes concern Lake Okeechobee to enhance the fishery’s recovery from recent environmental setbacks. The black bass length regulation on Lake Okeechobee moved from a 13- to 18-inch slot limit to an 18-inch minimum length limit. Also, a new rule establishes a 10-inch length for black crappie on the lake. In addition, the boundary definition for Lake Okeechobee now includes the C-41-A Canal from the intersection of the C-38 Canal upstream to the S-84 structure.
On Lake Trafford in Collier County, there is now a five-fish bag limit on black bass, which must be 18 inches or longer, with only one bass 22 inches or more in total length.
Feel free to contact the FWC and complete a survey (see MyFWC.com/Fishing and scroll down in the right column to “Take the Survey”). Purchasing a five-year freshwater fishing license helps conservation efforts and saves you money. There is a special offer going on right now where you get free stuff in the mail when you buy one (see MyFWC.com/Fishing/5yr-2008.html).
Additional information is available at MyFWC.com/Fishing/Roundtable. Instant licenses are available at MyFWC.com/License or by calling 1-888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356).
Visit MyFWC.com/Fishing/Updates for more Fish Busters’ columns.
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Stop to Smell the Flowers at DeSoto Resort State Park’s 16th Annual Wildflower Saturday
April 27, 2008
Spring is in full bloom at DeSoto Resort State Park in Ft. Payne, Alabama. Take advantage of the beautiful flowers and plants, hiking trails, and delicious food during the park’s 16th Annual Wildlflower Saturday on May 3, 2008 from 7 a.m. - until. There will be three hikes to choose from at three different times – The Azalea Cascade Hike, The Rhododendron Trail Hike, and The Little River Hike – all beginning at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The hike schedule allows for guests to participate in all three hikes if desired.