1. Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Chris Larson

2. Carter Lake Fishery

3. Fish Population
Dynamics

4. What factors influence fish populations
* Indicates potential problems at Carter Lake
WATER QUALITY*
Watershed*
Nutrients*
Sediments*
Algae*
Bacteria*
etc.
Basin slope*
Habitat*
Productivity*
Lake size
Exotic species (plant & animal)*
Temporal
Harvest
Growth
Survival*
Species Diversity
Water levels (high or low)*

5. What Influences Fish Population Dynamics?
Reproduction
Survival
Recruitment
Mortality
Harvest
Natural
Predation
Fish
Population
Dynamics
Growth
Density
Competition
Habitat
Spawning
Winter
Cover
Water
Quality
Species
Diversity

6. What can DNR do to Affect Fish Populations?
Stocking
Regulations
Habitat improvement
Water Quality improvement
Education
Renovation

7. What’s there now?
Electrofishing

8. Netting

9. Fish species found in Carter Lake
Gizzard shad
Yellow bass
Bluegill
Crappie
Freshwater drum
Common carp
Bigmouth buffalo
Channel catfish
bullhead
Walleye
Largemouth bass

10. Game Fish!

11. # sampled = 285
There appears to be a good population of white crappies with some large fish.

12. # sampled = 125
There appears to be a good population of black crappies with numerous fish at the size that anglers like to harvest.

13. # sampled = 498
Carter Lake has a decent bluegill population with size structure that are available to anglers.

14. # sampled = 26
We did not sample very many small bass, which is a concern, but the fish appeared to be in good body condition. Poor water quality is probably hampering largemouth bass survival.

15. # sampled = 28
There are at least four different sizes of channel catfish, which is good. We annually stock 6,000 seven inch catfish in Carter Lake. I have had discussions with Nebraska Game & Parks this fall and we have agreed to split catfish stockings on an annual basis starting in 2006.

16. # sampled = 32
Common carp cause a variety of problems, most notably - poor water quality.

17. Other fish sampled
# Black bullhead = 424
# Yellow bass = 470

18. Improvements that will benefit the fishery at Carter Lake
1. Improve water quality.
a. Watershed improvement techniques (reduce stormwater run-off & lawn fertilizer)
b. Water quality education
c. Lake deepening (dredging)
d. Expand no-wake zones
e. Commercial fish removal (harvest) of common carp and bigmouth buffalo
2. Habitat improvement
a. Shoreline protection (develop/protect near shore vegetation or rock rip-rap)
b. Removal of soft sediments (dredging)
c. In-lake contour changes (rock reefs, drop-offs, channels)
d. Small rock spawning beds
3. Fish Renovation
4. Improved angler access
a. Jetty construction
b. Fishing piers

19. Good Water Quality + Good fishing =
Recreational & economic benefits
for local community

20. Questions?