SOUTH DAKOTA GFP NEWS FOR 8-4-09
Twin Lakes Survey Reveals Low Fish Populations
SIOUX FALLS, S.D.- Prompted by reports of poor fishing, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department fisheries crew from Sioux Falls conducted a netting survey on Twin Lakes in Sanborn County on July 6-7.
Results of the sampling confirmed that fish populations have not recovered from the near-total winterkill suffered in the winter of 2007-2008.
Only 363 black bullheads, 43 carp, 31 sunfish, 2 crappies, and 2 bluegills were captured in the survey -- despite the stocking of 300,000 walleye fry and 3,399 adult crappies in 2008 after the winterkill.
As a result of the survey, GFP is planning additional fish stockings this fall and next year in an attempt to re-establish the popular fishery.
“We fully understand the importance of the Twin Lakes fishery to area residents. We will continue to make every possible effort to restore and maintain game-fish populations in the lake,” said Todd St. Sauver (SAW’-vur), GFP Region 3 fisheries manager.
St. Sauver said stockings planned for this fall will include 2,520 large walleye fingerlings, 252 adult walleyes, 2,520 adult yellow perch and 25,200 yellow perch fingerlings.
Stockings planned for 2010 include 250 adult northern pike, 25,250 small walleye fingerlings, 25,200 yellow perch fingerlings, and 2,520 adult black crappies.
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Anglers Reminded Not to Transport Bait or Water From Missouri River Below Gavins Point Dam
YANKTON, S.D. - Fishermen who like to catch their own bait from the Missouri River below Gavins Point Dam are reminded that a state regulation makes it illegal to transport that bait away from the river.
The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department regulation is intended to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species, such as Asian carp, zebra mussels and the recently discovered Asian clam, to other South Dakota waters.
The reminder was prompted by GFP staff observation of anglers who were seining for emerald shiners at Riverside Park in Yankton.
The anglers were planning to use the shiners in Marindahl Lake, several miles away from the river. They said that they were unaware of the regulation.
Another popular area to catch bait is at the outlet of Lake Yankton into the Missouri River, commonly known as “the bubble”.
Young Asian carp can be easily mistaken for baitfish, a primary reason for the regulation.
While there is no regulation against it, it’s just as important not to transport water away from that stretch of the river.
The larval stages of zebra mussels and Asian clams are nearly invisible and can easily be transferred in bait buckets, livewells and boat-engine cooling systems.
To prevent the spread of those exotic invaders, people are urged to thoroughly drain all water from boats and never dump bait or the water from bait buckets into other lakes.
Ultimately, it is up to the people who fish and boat on South Dakota waters to take responsibility for preventing the spread of aquatic nuisance species.
For more information on aquatic nuisance species in South Dakota and how you can help prevent their spread, visit the Aquatic Nuisance Species page of the GFP website at:
http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/AquaticNuisance/AquaticNuisanceSpecies.aspx
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