LAKE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
11424 Ballard Pl.
Marthasville, MO63357
Office (636) 673-1296 // Cell (636) 485-7757
May 31, 2014
Riss Lake Homeowners
C/o Derek WeberC/620-232-1718
Re: Largemouth bass Removal Project Results
Dear Derek, Larry and Don;
On May 20 & 21, 2014 we electro-fished Riss Lake to remove slow-growing, overpopulated, largemouth bass.
The need for this bass removal project was originally determined by MDC biologist Jake Allman during an electro-fishing survey conducted in 2010. Below are the results of both the 2013 and 2014removal efforts followed by our recommendations to improve bass growth.
Owner’s Goals and Expectations:Good all-around fishing with many more big bass. Note: Please let me know if this goal is incorrect or if you have changed your goal for the lake, as this will affect our management recommendations.
BASS REMOVAL RESULTS FOR BOTH NIGHT & DAYTIME ELECTRO-FISHING
FOR 2013 AND 2014
%Bass %Bass %Bass %BassTotal
DateTime-Range Temp.Secchi Effort Catch Rate >12” >15” >18” >20” Removed
5-22-20138p-1a67’ 61” 2.8Hrs. 113/Hr. 38% 18% 6% <1%331
5-23-201310:30a-1p66’ 72” 1.5Hrs. 81/Hr. 49% 20% 8% 5% 125
2013Total: 4.3Hrs. 102/Hr. 41% 19% 6% <1.6% 456
%Bass %Bass %Bass %BassTotal
DateTime-Range Temp.Secchi Effort Catch Rate >12” >15” >18” >20” Removed
**5-20-2014 9p-1a68’ 64” 3.6Hrs. 108/Hr. * % * % * % * %420
5-21-2014 9:30a-noon68’ 64” 1.2Hrs. 90/Hr. 43% 8% ~1% ~1 % 93
**Total: 4.8Hrs. 107/Hr. * % * % * % * % 513
** Note that the catch rates and PSD and RSD’s for the night time EF for 2014 are estimated due to the estimated measurements taken by Derek, Larry, and Don. The total percentages are therefore estimatestoo.
Bass Discussion:This year we removed 513 bass < 13” which was more than the 456 removed in 2013. The average catch rate was a bit higher this year at 107/Hr. compared to 102/Hr. in 2013, suggesting that the bass population this year is slightly more dense as it was in 2013.Anglers should continue to remove all largemouth bass they catch that are < 12”. This reduction in bass numbers combined with strict compliance of a slot limit should increase bass growth and provide for more large bass.Our daytime length frequency shows we captured 24 bass between 12”-12.9”, 13 bass between 13”-14.9”, 6 bass between 15”-15.9”, but only 3 bass > 16”. In 2013 our daytime sample captured 19 bass > 16”.
This difference could be just an anomaly caused by the crazy weather changes we have been experiencing lately or it might indicate that most bass are being harvested as soon as they reach 15”. If that continues, very few bass will reach lunker size. If you want larger bass you may have to expand your slot limit to 17” or even 18”. With the gizzard shad population beginning to expand, they may be the answer to feeding increased numbers of larger bass. Once again, your anglers shouldstrive to harvest 1,400 bass < 12”, and LMS will strive to remove 600, then together we will meet the quota of 2,000 that MDC has recommended for increased numbers of big bass.
Bass Recommendations:1) Consider expanding your 12-15” slot limit to 17” or even 18” to increase the numbers of big bass.
2) Continue to remove a quota of 2,000 bass < 12”/year through angling and electro-fishing until a “balanced” population is reached.This ideal population should have 40-60% >12”, 25% >15”, 10% >18” and have some lunkers >20”.
3) In 2015 conduct a fish survey to monitor all species and to track abundance of available forage species, especially if you plan to expand your slot limit.
Gizzard Shad:The gizzard shad have established themselves in the lake. We observed and dipped shad (although not in great numbers) along every shoreline of the lake. Since the lake also has black crappie and green sunfish (both of which compete with small bass for food) the shad is not a bad forage to have especially when you consider increased numbers of larger bass will eat the larger shad.
Gizzard Shad Recommendations:1)The shad are establishing themselves so it will not be necessary for additional stockings of shad at this time. However, increasing the size of the slot limit may impact forage needs.
2) In 2015 conduct a fish survey to track abundance of available forage species, especially if you plan to expand your slot limit.
Walleye: I’m unsure of the exact number of walleye captured at night since they were not measured and recorded but it was a lot fewer than the 21 ranging in size from 7.5” to 18.5” captured in 2013. No walleye were captured in our morning sample. For whatever reason, it seems your walleye population is dwindling, which might make the decision to stock either yellow perch or golden shiners a moot point.
Additional Forage: If you decide to continue walleye stockings then there is an argument for stocking yellow perch. However, we observed a couple of golden shiners so this proves that shiners can survive probably due to the dense coontail growth. Stocking larger shiners (or yellow perch) would help keep the smaller bass from eating them before they could spawn.
The argument:
Stocking any fish in the face of established predator populations carries plenty of risks. This is especially true if you hope to establish a new population of species which will not achieve large size (shiners, minnows). Predators may consume adults at such a high rate, they cannot maintain large enough numbers to spawn in high enough numbers to sustain a population. So, with existing largemouth bass and walleye populations, the "expensive snack" comment has plenty of merit.
Tosome degree, that could also be true of trying to establish yellow perch. However, if survival is good, stocking yellow perch may provide a couple benefits which shiners cannot. First, yellow perch are one of the best tasting fish to eat - similar to walleye. Wherever quality populations become established, they are coveted by anglers. Secondly, they can reach good size. Yellow perch can grow to sizes exceeding 12", making some of the adults too large for most bass and walleye to consume. Finally, young perch are one of the favored prey items for walleye. So, ifyour walleyes' body condition isn't good, especially for walleye >15", perch may be able to help.
So, like stocking any species in the face of established predator populations, stocking perch has its concerns. However, they could provide unique benefits if they become established.
Recommendations:1. Stock 24,000 (200/acre) golden shiners, 5-6” long for 3 successive years.
OR
2. Stock 24,000 (200/acre) yellow perch, 5-6” long for 3 consecutive years.
Habitat: No Change From Last Year – Same Recommendations
We didn’t get to talk much about the habitat in your lake. We didn’t see a lot of vegetation, but it was still early spring. You said coontail is becoming a nuisance. It is a good idea to keep coontail under control or it could become a bigger problem, especially with all the shallow shorelines. On the other hand, establishing desirable plants like square stem spikerush, pickerel weed, water willow and spatterdock would provide good escape cover for bluegill and other forage species so they could multiply and provide additional food for your bass.
While grass carp stocked at a maintenance level of 1 or 2 per acre would help control invasive weeds like coontail they would also eat the desirable plants mentioned above. Trying to establish desirable plants in the presence of grass carp (and also waterfowl and muskrats) is usually futileunless the plants are protected. Fencing off the new plants in “nurseries” would enable them to establish.
The other alternative to controlling coontail is to spray with EPA approved aquatic herbicides. Much of our business is doing just that. We prefer to have homeowners sign an annual contract where we would come once a month from April through October and apply whatever is necessary to control aquatic weeds.
While your lake contains a good amount of hard cover in the form of boulders, it lacks hard cover such as brush and trees. I noticed you folks have had habitat projects in the past and it is probably time to plan some more.
Habitat
Recommendations:1.Consider establishing 20 plant nurseries along shallow mud flats. These should be planted with desirable plants like square stem spikerush, pickerel weed, arrowhead, and spatterdock.
2.Water willow can be planted on wind-blown points and shorelines to control erosion.
3.Consider applying herbicides to control coontail or any other nuisance invasive weed and algae.
4.Consider hinging shoreline trees into the water to provide additional bass habitat. Tie them to their stumps to prevent them from floating around the lake.
5.Consider establishing 20 more brush piles constructed from cedar trees, Christmas trees, or wind-damaged trees and anchoring them in 3 to 8 feet of water. Your old brush piles should also be beefed up by adding to them every 3 or 4 years.
Derek, we appreciate your business and all the cooperation we received from you, Larry, and Don. Please feel free to call or email us anytime about this report or if you need any more info.
We have enclosed an invoice for our services and look forward to helping you in the future.
On the following pages you will find bids for services we have recommended that we can help you with.
Sincerely,
Dan Colby
President
Chuck Colby
Fisheries Biologist
LAKE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
LAKE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
BID & CONTRACT FOR 2015
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11424 Ballard Place, Marthasville, MO63357
Office (636) 673-1296
WE ARE PLEASED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING BIDS FOR 2014 TO:
Riss Lake Homeowners, C/o Derek WeberDate:June2, 2014
NOTE: TO ACCEPT A JOB PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN A COPY. TO DECLINE A JOB
PLACE AN X THROUGH JOB DESCRIPTION. A SIGNED CONTRACT IS NECESSARY BEFORE ANY JOBS CAN PROCEED.
Job 1Conduct a Fish Survey Followed by Continued Electro-fishingto Remove Slow Growing Largemouth Bass <12”and Other Competing Species Such Black Crappie and Green Sunfish so that Remaining Bass will Grow Larger
1)First, conduct a fish survey to monitor all species and to track abundance of available forage species.
2)Second, remove all bass <12”.
3)We will follow the latest recommendation from Jake Allman of MDC. We should strive to removea quota of 2,000 largemouth bass < 12”. Anglers should try to remove 1,400, and LMS will try to remove 600 +.
4)We will electro-fish (EF) on a windless night if possible, follow the shoreline, and concentrate on in-shore habitat beds and the edge of weed beds to maximize our catch per unit effort (CPUE).
5)We will schedule a 2-day EF event when Riss Lake water temps reach 65 degrees.We will arrive at 7:30 pm and start about 8:30pm, depending on how light it is.We will remove all bass <12”and all black crappie and green sunfish as captured.
6)The next morning we will resume EF at about 10am and do our best to exceed last years’removal total of 513. Exceeding the 2014 removal rate will be a major goal of Lake Management Services.
7)After the event you can expect to receive our report in 3 to 4 weeks. It will include determining the PSD and RSDs and comparingthem to past data to see if the bass population is improving.
8)We will also be able to track the growth of your developing walleye and gizzard shad populations.
Time Frame: May 2015Total Charge:$3,200
Acceptance of Job 1______Date______
Please note: A signed contract is imperative for proper billing. Without a signed contract prices can increase without notice to the customer.
______
TERMSFOBESTIMATED PERFORMANCE DATE
50% Down on aerators and fountains.Job siteAs described by contract, or 2 – 3 weeks
Net 30 days on balance.After order is received.
The preceding quotes are good for six months from date on this bid, or in the case of a signed bid, for the calendar year described.
A 1.5 % Monthly Finance Charge is Added to Balances 30 Days Past Due
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