Friday, August 21, 2009

Fish Transfer Update

As of yesterday, 8-20-09, 300 crappies and 300 bluegills have been transferred from Copper Penny Lake to Copper Dollar Lake. Thanks to everyone who participated.

The recommendations by the State of Nebraska Game & Parks Commission Wildlife Specialist are to have catch & release on all crappies, bluegills and bass in Copper Dollar Lake for the rest of this year and 2010 to help this program succeed. The reasoning of course with the bluegills and crappies is for them to reproduce. The big ones already in the lake will be the best spawners and the new fish we entered this year and last would have the chance to establish themselves. The purpose of not harvesting the bass is to keep the white perch hatches under control and also the crappie and bluegill fry so there is no chance of overpopulation for them.

With a couple of walleye being caught lately in Copper Penny Lake, some people have been asking about stocking some more in the future. We now know for sure that they will survive in the lake but most likely will not reproduce. The stocking could probably be low in numbers but must require using substantial size fish. This will be a subject to be discussed at a future F&W Committee meeting.