Long Pond salmon management

Brokaw, Ron

From the abstract: "'Long Pond was creel-surveyed during the 1994 and 1995 ice fishing seasons to evaluate further the effect of a one salmon limit. During the 1994 season, an estimated 671+-284 anglers caught an estimated 160+-68 legal salmon of which about 93+_40 were harvested. Salmon fishing was 'good' as both catch rate (0.24 salmon/angler) and size (mean length of 18.3 in) exceeded the statewide averages. Age III salmon (from a reduced stocking of 400 SY's in 1992) averaged 17.4 in long and 1 lb, 12 oz in weight with a mean 'K' of 0.87. Salmon planted in 1992 produced an estimated return to anglers of 15% as age III fish. Age IV and older salmon comprised 37% of the harvest which exceeded comparable figures from prior surveys. Because of an extremely mild/open winter in 1995, no estimates of use and harvest were derived. Salmon fishing was 'good' as both catch rate (0.24 salmon/angler) and size (mean length of 18.0 in) exceeded the statewide averages. Age III salmon averaged 17.7 in long and 1 lb, 13 oz in weight with a mean 'K' of 0.91. Older (>= age IV) salmon comprised 36% of the harvest. Prior to imposition of the one salmon limit, older salmon accounted for 8-15% of winter harvest; following imposition, comparable figures have increased to 20-37%. Salmon age, growth, and condition was also monitored by trapnetting in 1994 and 1995. Thirty-five percent of the 1994 sample and 10% of the 1995 sample was comprised of older salmon. Salmon measuring >= 18-in comprised 61% of the 1994 catch and 44% of the 1995 catch. Aerial counts of boats were conducted in 1995 to estimate open water use. An estimated 1,431+-390 anglers (1.6 angler days/acre) fished during the season. The preponderance of data suggests that the one salmon limit is fostering increased escapement to ages IV-V. It is also likely contributing to a slight improvement in fishing quality for salmon measuring >= 18 in. However, the reduced stocking rate is also influencing this parameter by promoting improved salmon growth. Preliminary indications are that a stocking rate of 0.44 SY's/acre coupled with the one salmon limit is providing a better-than-average winter fishery where use approximates 0.75 angler-days/acre."

Long Pond salmon management

See also