Southeast Region fisheries management grant

              W 2800.3 P438
F-68-D-5 2010 c.1
FINAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
FEDERAL AID GRANT NO. F-68-D-5
SOUTHEAST REGION FISHERIES MANAGEMENT GRANT
OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
JANUARY 1, 2010 through DECEMBER 31, 2010
FINAL PERFORMANCE REPORT
State: Oklahoma Grant Number: F-68-D-5
Grant Program: Sport Fish Restoration
Grant Title: Southeast Region Fisheries Management Grant
Grant Period: January 1,2010 - December 31,2010
Project Leader: Don Groom
Project 1: Regional Fisheries Management Operations and Maintenance
I. Objective: To plan, train, coordinate and administer management activities and operate and
maintain all support facilities and all other infrastructure for the reservoir fisheries management
crews within the six-county area (Choctaw, Latimer, Le Flore, McCurtain and Pittsburg and
Pushmataha) composing the Southeast Fisheries Management Region (except Old Spiro and
New Spiro reservoirs in Le Flore County).
II. Summary of Progress: The Southeast Fisheries Management Region maintained three
buildings this reporting period (Bryan County (1), Latimer County (2)). Staff held and attended
regular meetings regarding safety, procurement procedures, and HRDS supervisor training.
Administration of management activities through reports, time records, invoices, inventories,
hiring and performance management processes were accomplished according to agency policy.
Staff assisted with federal aid inventory and fiscal audits. Staff attended swift-water rescue
training courses. SER technician acquired pesticide applicators licenses.
Staff worked with Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's (ODWC) Wildlife Division
staff on proposed water level manipulation plans for Wister and Hugo Reservoirs. ODWC Fish
Division assisted ODWC Wildlife Division with fisheries management of ponds on Three Rivers
WMA and McAlester AAP.
Southeast Region fisheries management activities report was presented at the annual
ODWC/Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area and ODWCIUSFS coordination meetings
during this report period. The following ODWC committee meetings were attended throughout
the grant period: Florida Largemouth Bass, GIS and Hybrid White-Striped Bass. An Oklahoma
Comprehensive Water Plan meeting and an ODWCIOkiahoma State University aquatics
information gathering meeting focusing on aquatic resources were attended during the grant
period. SER staff also attended the 2010 North American Lake Management Society (NALMS)
meeting. Multiple presentations were given at the Oklahoma Chapter, Southern Division and
National levels of the American Fisheries Society meetings over the period.
Lake to lake transfers of native fish species were performed according to HACCP procedures.
Regional fish stocking needs were developed and requests were submitted and filled based on
fish availability.
Lake management plans were developed for Broken Bow and Wister reservoirs and subsequent
public meetings held for angler input. Additionally draft lake maintenance and sampling plans
were developed for SER ODWC owned lakes. During this grant period staff worked with
ODWC Lake Maintenance staff in maintaining property appearances, roads, ramps, and
controlling vegetation on four SER ODWC owned lakes. Specifically: three access roads were
temporary closed, litter and debris piles were cleaned up, one beaver dam was removed,
herbicide was applied on all lakes to improve angler access and control woody growth on the
dams, trees were removed from dams as needed, parking areas were maintained and areas
mowed as necessary. Ownership records for ODWC owned lakes were researched at county
courthouses and provided to the ODWC Land Coordinator to update files. A disputed
maintenance agreement and ownership documents on a previously owned ODWC lake were
clarified and records cleaned up.
Sampling schedules and maps were developed to facilitate and document sampling activities.
Staff used GIS software and GPS to facilitate habitat and sampling data collection. Sampling
and habitat maps and schedules were maintained/updated as necessary. Fisheries raw sample
data was reviewed for quality, compiled to requested format and submitted to OFRL for analysis.
Data was used to complete fish survey reports and reservoir fact sheets. Respective data was
presented to peers to propose appropriate changes in regulations. Many bass tournaments were
held often on all of the major SER reservoirs. Tournament schedules were reviewed by staff.
Sampling data from USFS, Cedar Lake was reviewed and submitted to OFRL for analysis.
Historic LMFR water quality data was reviewed and status of flow through low-flow tubes in the
LMFR re-regulation dam was investigated, and possible solutions to flow problems were
communicated to USACE and Broken Bow City staff. The Pine Creek Lake dam experienced
structural issues in 2010. SER staff attended USACE public meetings related to the status of
correcting those problems.
III. Conclusions: All objectives attained during the period
IV. Significant Deviations: None
Project 2: Regional Fisheries Management Surveys
I. Objective: To conduct fisheries management surveys, inventories and water quality sampling
appropriate to management of fisheries in waters within the six- county area (Choctaw, Latimer,
Le Flore, McCurtain, Pittsburg and Pushmataha) composing the Southeast Fisheries
Management Region (except Old Spiro and New Spiro reservoirs in Le Flore County). Perform
analysis of collected data and prepare survey reports and management recommendations.
II. Summary of Progress: Fisheries surveys and inventories were conducted on selected
reservoirs and streams periodically using the procedures described in the document
"Standardized Sampling Procedures for Lake, Reservoir and Streams Management
Recommendations, Oklahoma Fisheries Management Program" (SSP). The following waters
were surveyed during this reporting period;
Lake Wister 2006, 2008 Gillnet, 2009 Spring Electrofishing & Trapnet,
2010 Gillnet Shad
Lake Broken Bow 2006, 2009 Spring Electrofishing, 2009 Fall Electrofishing, 2006, 2008,
2009 Gillnet, 2010 Shad Gillnet
Lake Sardis 2006, 2008 Spring Electrofishing, 2006, 2009 Gillnet,
2010 Shad Gillnet
Lake Hugo 2006,2007,2010 Spring Electrofishing, 2007, 2008 Gillnet,
2010 Trapnet
Lake Pine Creek 2007,2009 Spring Electrofishing, 2007, 2009 Gillnet,
2010 Trapnet
Lake Nanih Waiya 2009 Spring Electrofishing
Lake Ozzie Cobb 2009 Spring Electrofishing
Lake Raymond Gary 2009 Spring Electrofishing
Lake Schooler 2007,2009 Spring Electrofishing
McAlester City Lake 2010 Gillnet
Carlton Lake 2006 Spring Electrofishing
Wayne Wallace Lake 2006 Spring Electrofishing
Coon Creek Lake 2010 Spring Electrofishing
Carl Albert Lake 2010 Gillnet
Wilburton City Lake 2010 Gillnet
Clayton Lake 2010 Spring Electrofishing
Tucker, Three Rivers WMA 2010 Spring electrofishing
Brock, Three Rivers WMA 2010 Spring Electrofishing
Age and growth data (using otoliths as the aging structure) were collected on an "as needed"
basis. The majority of the age data were collected on white and black crappie populations during
trap-net sampling. However, periodic age information was collected on largemouth bass,
smallmouth bass, walleye, and blue catfish. The following lakes had otoliths taken during
sampling and analyzed for age structure during this reporting period:
Lake Broken Bow
Lake Wister
Lake Sardis
Lake Hugo
Lake Pine Creek
2009 Largemouth Bass
2009 Largemouth Bass, 2009 White Crappie
2008 Largemouth Bass, 2007 Blue Catfish
2010 Largemouth Bass, 2010 White Crappie
2009 Largemouth Bass, 2010 White Crappie
As part of the FLMB stocking program, livers and fin clips were collected from largemouth bass
to identify genetic percentages within the populations. The following lakes had livers or fin clips
taken during sampling and analyzed for genetic alleles during this reporting period:
Lake Hugo
Lake Pine Creek
Lake Nanih Waiya
Lake Ozzie Cobb
Lake Raymond Gary
Lake Schooler
Lake Sardis
2006 Livers
2006 Livers
2006 Livers
2006 Livers
2006 Livers
2006 Livers
2006 Livers, 2009 Fin clips
Lake Wayne Wallace
Cedar Lake, USFS
2009 Fin clips
2009 Fin clips
SER staff worked with Oklahoma Fish Research Laboratory (OFRL) staff to coordinate blue
catfish surveys on SER reservoirs and channel catfish surveys on SER ODWC owned lakes. Old
angler survey boxes were removed from Broken Bow State Park and given to OFRL staff for use
in future surveys. Assistance was provided to OFRL in monitoring channel catfish angler survey
boxes.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's (ODWC) Fisheries Division began
development of its Standardized Sampling Procedures (SSP) in 1977. The results of these
sampling efforts are the basis for producing meaningful management decision toward
enhancement of Oklahoma sport fish populations. Since that time the SSP protocol has and
continues to undergo change based on regular evaluation. SSP procedures are not specific to any
single management region but are evaluated, augmented and modified on a Division-wide basis
to insure standardization at all levels of sampling, data analysis and interpretation.
As Oklahoma's fisheries managers become more proficient with sampling techniques, there arise
questions regarding the efficiency and efficacy of the SSP protocol. Subsequent to this there has
been several research efforts during the past five years aimed at evaluation and modification of
SSP practices:
• Seasonal and Habitat-Specific Length Bias of Electrofishing for Blue Catfish F-74-R
• Electrofishing for Largemouth Bass: An Evaluation of Oklahoma's Standardized
Sampling Procedures F-50-R, Project 29
• Gill net sampling: An Evaluation of Oklahoma's Standard Sampling Procedures F-50-R,
Project 30
With regard to implementation of results from these research efforts, all three are still
undergoing evaluation. It is expected that these research efforts will modify SSP guidelines to
produce more accurate and precise results for formulating future management decisions.
III. Conclusions: All objectives attained during the period
IV. Significant Deviations: None
Project 3: Regional Fisheries Habitat Maintenance for Lakes and Reservoirs
I. Objective: Periodically maintain sportfish habitat improvement project in public reservoirs,
lakes, ponds within the six county area (Choctaw, Latimer, Le Flore, McCurtain, Pittsburg and
Pushmataha) composing the Southeast Fisheries Management Region (except Old Spiro and
New Spiro reservoirs in Le Flore County).
II. Summary of Progress: Sport fish habitat maintenance occurred on 16 different waters in the
Southeast Fisheries Region. Staff used GPS and GIS to map locations. Data was provided to
OFRL for archival into the ODWC IMS. As noted below concrete block! plastic pipe structures
(spider blocks) were placed in many reservoirs. These were constructed by SER staff and with
the help of local high school students enrolled in vocational courses. SER Fisheries staff
coordinated with ODWC SER Wildlife staff and the USACE Pine Creek Project staff in the
acquisition of the trees used to place the 2010 Pine Creek brush piles. Marker buoys were
checked and replaced as needed. Damaged buoys were removed and disposed of properly.
Locations/type for these habitat maintenance tasks for this reporting period included:
Lake Broken Bow
Lake Pine Creek
Lake Hugo
Lake Wister
Lake Sardis
Lake Wayne Wallace
Lake Carlton
Lake Coon Creek
Clayton Lake
Lake Raymond Gary
Lake Nanih Waiya
Lake Ozzie Cobb
Lake Schooler
Wilburton City Lake
Carl Albert
Hartshorne City Lake
2008 Brush piles, 2010 Spider blocks, 2010 Spawning Benches
2006, 2010 Brush piles, 2010 Spider blocks
2007 Brush piles, 2010 Spider blocks
2007 Brush piles, 2010 Spider blocks
2006 Brush piles,
2006, 2010 Brush piles
2006,2010 Brush piles
20062010 Brush piles
2006 Brush piles
2007 Brush piles, 2009 spider blocks, 2010 Spider blocks
2008, 2010 Brush piles
2010 Brush piles
2007 Brush piles
2007 Brush piles
2007 Brush piles
2008 Brush piles
III. Conclusions: All objectives attained during the period
IV. Significant Deviations: None
Project 4: Regional Technical Assistance to a Public Agency or Organization and Private
Landowners
I. Objective: Provide technical assistance regarding sportfisheries management to public
entities and private pond owners within the six-county area (Choctaw, Latimer, Le Flore,
McCurtain, Pittsburg and Pushmataha) composing the Southeast Fisheries Management Region.
II. Summary of Progress: Technical assistance was provided to multiple private landowners
during this reporting period. Specifically assistance was provided to landowners regarding:
excessive vegetation, new pond construction, pond renovations, fish health (parasites), low
dissolved oxygen fish kills, water quality, native mussels, shad population in Sardis, fish
identification, and stocking questions. Assistance was provided primarily via phone and email
with a few site visits required.
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) issued fish consumption
advisories (mercury) for many SER waters. The SER staff assisted with collections fish of the
samples used to make the determinations. Theses samples were collected per ODEQ guidelines,
and documentation was provided as needed to ODEQ for analysis.
Additionally the following public agencies or organizations were provided technical assistance:
Raymond Gary Lake Association 2006 Miscellaneous reservoir issues, draw down
Crowder School 2006 Interpretation of survey results from Crowder
Lake
Crowder City 2010 Excessive vegetation in Crowder Lake
Kiamichi ATV Trails Association 2007 Evaluation of proposed ATV trail head at
Ozzie Cobb Reservoir on local fisheries
Texas Christian University 2007 Assessment of mercury levels in longear
sunfish from the LMFR
CDM 2007,2008 provided information about fisheries
and water quality at Broken Bow Reservoir
Jones Academy, Choctaw Nation 2009 Fish and vegetation management
Pittsburg City 2010 Fish managment
PVIA 2009 fish identification, 2010 water quality issues,
Restoration Plan
USFWS 2009,2010 Paddlefish brood stock collections from
Fort Gibson Reservoir
USFS 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010 Fish stockings at
USFS waters, fisheries management activities, 2007
Application of lime at Cedar Lake, Proposed creel
survey Cedar Lake, 2008 Fish habitat Crooked
Branch, Kids Natural Resources Field Day
2009,
2010 Fish kill Cedar Lake, Shad removal from
Cedar Lake
ODEQ 2009, 2010 Collection of samples for toxic analysis
" . III SIX reservoirs
USACE 2006 Survival of fish during repair of stilling basin
at Sardis Reservoir, 2007 Development of water
level plan for Hugo Reservoir.
III. Conclusions: All objectives attained during the period
IV. Significant Deviations: None
Project 5: Regional Fisheries Habitat Development for Lakes and Reservoirs
I. Objective: Develop new sport-fish habitat improvement projects in public reservoirs, lakes
and ponds in the six-county area (Choctaw, Latimer, Le Flore, McCurtain, Pittsburg and
Pushmataha) composing the Southeast Fisheries Management Region (except Old Spiro and
New Spiro reservoirs in Le Flore County).
II. Summary of Progress: No Activity
III. Conclusions: All objectives attained during the period
IV. Significant Deviations: None
Project Number: 6 Regional Fishing Access Development
I. Objective: To construct and/or repair fishing access facilities on public waters in the six
county area composing the Southeast Fisheries Management Region
II. Summary of Progress: Fishing access projects were developed for the Southeast Fisheries
Management Region:
Lake Clayton: Fishing Dock, Parking Completed
During the project period a total of 13 fishing access projects existed and were annually
inspected. After careful review of project construction dates, the list of projects monitored was
reduced to six projects by meeting or exceeding their useful life as defined in the Federal
Assistance Program Guidance 522 FW 18.4B. Expiration letters were submitted to the
respective entities and inspections were conducted on the remaining active projects. Compliance
letters were issued as needed.
Proposed projects were discussed with USACE staff regarding constructing handicap boating
access on Broken Bow Reservoir and rebuilding restrooms at a Pine Creek fishing pier. ODWC
staff was contacted by the City of Talihina requesting information about creating boating and
fishing access on the city lake
III. Conclusions: All objectives attained during the period
IV. Significant Deviations: None
Prepared by:
Date:
Approved by:
Don Groom, Regional Fisheries Supervisor
March 24,2011
Fisheries Administration
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
6.::D. Stafford f
Federal Aid Coordinator
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation