07/02/2024
The results of the lake Survey fish and habitat ordered !
Wagner Lakes, Columbus, NE. Prepared by Nebraska Lake Management Fish Population and General Water Quality Survey
May 14, 2024
Fish Survey
Fish populations were sampled using pulsed DC electrofishing. Overall we collected thirteen species of fish including 40 largemouth bass, 42 bluegills, 5black crappie, 9 white crappie, 1walleye, 3white bass, 5channel catfish, 3flathead catfish, 9 common carp, 10 river carpsucker, 1drum, 1 longnose gar, and 14 gizzard shad.
Bass ranged from 5.25 to 18.25 inches ni length and 2 ounces to 2 pounds 14 ounces ni weight. Bluegills ranged from 2.5
to 9.25 inches ni length and from less than 1ounce to 10 ounces ni weight. The crappie ranged from 3.75 to 14.0 inches ni length and from less than 1ounce to 1pound 10 ounces ni weight. The walleye was 19.0 inches ni length and 2 pounds 10 ounces ni weight. White bass ranged from 13.5 to 15.25 inches ni length and from 1pound 3ounces to 1pound 15 ounces in weight. Channel catfish ranged from 18.25 ot 21.5 inches ni length and from 2 pounds 41 ounces ot 5 pounds 4 ounces ni weight. Flathead catfish ranged from 12.25 to 20.5 inches in length and from 12 ounces to 3 pounds 8 ounces in weight. Common carp ranged from 23.5 to 26.0 inches ni length and from 6 pounds 6 ounces to 10 pounds 6 ounces in weight.
River carpsuckers ranged from 17.5 ot 21.75 inches ni length and from 2pounds 10 ounces to 6pounds 8ounces in weight. The drum was 13.5 inches ni length and 1 pound 3 ounces ni weight. The longnose gar was 33.25 inches ni length and 3 pounds 2 ounces ni weight. Gizzard shad ranged from 13.5 ot 16.25 inches ni length and from 13 ounces ot 2 pounds ni weight. Figures 1through 4show length frequency distributions for bass, bluegill, crappie, and gizzard shad respectively.
There is currently aquality bluegill fishery with the majority of fish ni the smal to medium size classes, but larger fish were sampled as well. Often, shad can have a negative impact on growth ni bluegill populations since both species rely heavily on zooplankton and ultimately compete for food resources. The largemouth bass population appears ot be doing wel with various size classes represented ni the population. However, the majority of bass sampled were ni the smaller size classes. Quality predator populations can actually benefit growth of bluegills and other panfish since predators help control their populations through predation. Crappie are growing wel with quality sized fish sampled from their population.
Fishery Recommendations
Gamefish populations sampled appear to be in good condition and the fishery si in good shape. The presence of shad, carp, and other rough fish species is the only "negative thing" for which there is no cure short of killing off the entire lake. Our suggestion is to continue stocking predators to help control the rough fish populations (more specifically the reproduction of them) and convert as many pounds of undesirable fish into pounds of desirable fish as possible.
Fish species suggested for stocking include wipers, walleye, crappie, and possibly more tiger muskie (up ot 1per acre total) which may help improve growth on bass. Crappie can be added to boost their numbers and introduce new genetics into the population. Wipers are open water predators which are a good match for open water prey (shad) and are a hybrid that won't reproduce and take over the lake. Waleye are another desirable species that will also feed on shad, carp, and other rough fish and provide quality angling but are unlikely to reproduce. You can stock waleye and wipers in any combination up to 10 per acre per year. Crappie can also be stocked to supplement their population, but keep ni mind crappie populations tend to naturally cycle. When determining stocking budgets, it's usually beter ot stock smal quantities each year rather than large quantities once every few years. This si especially true when stocking species unlikely ot reproduce like wipers and walleye. Since food availability ni lakes and survival of stocked fish can vary from year to year, annual stocking can help ensure multiple year classes become established.
fI larger bass sizes are desired, harvesting up to 10 or 15 bass per acre per year from the population could be used to achieve that goal. However, ni harvesting bass, you may shift the balance of bluegils and shad toward ahigher population with smaller average sizes. On the other hand, fi the panfish population increases, this could have a positive effect on predator populations such as largemouth bass, wipers, and waleye with their average sizes going up. This si just something ot consider and be aware of before implementing a stocking or harvest plan.
Bluegills and crappie can be harvested as desired since their populations are controlled more by predators than angler harvest. Bass, walleye, wiper, and tiger muskie harvest should be limited to alow these species ot help provide control of the panfish, shad, carp, and other rough fish populations.
Water Quality
Monthly water samples are being collected and tested for total phosphorus, total nitrogen, chlorophyll a, and e-coli bacteria
the season we will provide al the data ni useful graphs as we did ni 2023. Overall water quality was ni fairly good shape at the time of this survey with small amounts of planktonic and filamentous algae documented. Submerged (sago and curly- leaf) pondweed and emergent aquatic plants were also observed. Water clarity was up to 6 feet and dissolved oxygen levels were above 4 mg/l up to 15 feet of depth. Given the right conditions, algae blooms can occur at any time during the growing season. Human activities invariably introduce nutrients into lake systems. fI algae blooms occur they are often a sign of high phosphorus, either from external sources or internal cycling. When algae blooms occur remember that algae is the symptom and not the problem. The problem is excess nutrients, particularly phosphorus.
No-phosphorus fertilizers should be used (if fertilizers are used) on lawns within the watershed to help reduce external inputs of phosphorus. Nutrients naturally build up as lakes age. This buildup can come from a variety of sources over time, including organic sources such as tree leaves, grass clippings, waterfowl and fish droppings, dead fish, dead plants and animals. Nutrients can also enter lakes from soils, adjacent streams, and groundwater.
Treating the source of the problem (phosphorus) is a good long-term approach, and as long as external inputs of phosphorus can be controlled these treatments can last for several years. Application of aluminum sulfate (alum) or other phosphorus binding materials (like Phos-lock) can be used to grab and settle phosphorus into the sediments and hold ti there where it's unavailable ot algae. Water quality and clarity can improve dramatically following phosphorus binding treatments but unfortunately these treatments are very expensive, often costing $4,000 to $5,000 per surface acre or more.
If blue-green algae blooms occur, they can be tested for toxins. We have the capacity to assist with this if the need arises. However, keep ni mind that testing for algal toxins is only a point ni time test and the results can change from day ot day. In other words fi you test for toxins when blue-green algae is present, you could have no toxins one day and toxins could be present the next day. Therefore, we suggest erring on the side of caution and assume there are toxins when these blooms occur and avoid primary contact with the water (swimming) and don't allow pets to drink from water containing blue-green algae blooms.
Chemical algaecides (Cutrine Plus and other copper-based algaecides) are relatively inexpensive, safe to use, and can provide quick results, but the results are usually temporary and additional chemical treatments are often required throughout the growing season to maintain control of blooms. We can assist you by providing algaecides (bulk discounts available) and we can advise you how to safely apply them to your lake.
Algae blooms can also be managed with ultrasonic algae control units. Ultrasonic algae control uses sound waves to disrupt and kill algae. Although this technology also treats the symptom (algae), ti provides acouple of key benefits. First, ti can help control algae (especially blue-green algae) without the use of chemicals. Second, these devices use very little energy
place. Although more costly, solar panels are an option for providing power to these units if electrical service isn't available. We are a distributor for WaterIQ Technologies (wateriqtech.com) and we can assist you ni sizing and installing a system for your lake.
Beneficial bacteria products like Pond Clear Pro and Muck Away Pro can also be applied monthly during the growing season ot help break down and consume suspended organic material, organic muck, and nutrients. These bacteria products are great by themselves but ni combination with ultrasonic algae control or other management tools these bacteria can really help improve water quality and clarity. We have some of the best bacteria products for lakes with bulk discounts available. We can assist you ni determining how much you'll need
We also provide herbicides, treatments, and recommendations for controlling rooted aquatic plants if needed. If rooted plants are treated, we suggest spot treating specific areas and not the entire lake due to the many benefits these plants provide. Aquatic plants serve as your lake's natural filtering system and as a nursery for desirable fish populations.
Final Comments
The fishery and general water quality parameters were ni good condition when the lake was surveyed on May 14, 2024. Habitat documented included submerged plants (sago and curly-leaf pondweed) and emergent vegetation (cattails), rocks, and trees. Additional artificial habitat structures can be placed along shalow shorelines and under docks ot provide nursery areas for young fish and when placed in 6 to 12 feet of water these structures can provide beneficial habitat and quality
fishing. Continuing to stock predators and protecting them through limited harvest is probably the best way to help control reproduction of panfish and rough fish populations. Controlling algae blooms can be accomplished with nutrient control, algaecides, ultrasonic algae control, and bacteria
WaterIQ Technologies solutions provide scientific, sustainable algae and biofilm control for drinking water, wastewater facilities, golf courses, municipal ponds and lakes, wineries and breweries.
