If stratification has become extremely sever this oxygen shortage can happen overnight. As phytoplankton do not produce oxygen during night because of the lack of sunlight. If an oxygen shortage occurs over night usually the owner will see many dead fish with little to no signs of cause, as oxygen levels can become normal quickly after sunrise.

B.A.S.S. News Announcement: Conservation Summit Deemed ‘Huge Success’

Awesome. Tremendous. Terrific.  That’s the way that state conservation directors (CD) for the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation summed up their experience at the recent Conservation Summit in Shreveport, La.

Staged during Bassmaster Classic Week, the event featured 2 ½ days of presentations and discussions on issues of concern to bass anglers nationwide. Fisheries experts from universities also attended, as did fish chiefs and biologists from state and federal agencies.

“The Conservation Summit was terrific,” said Scott Sowell, veteran CD from Maryland. “Noreen (National Conservation Director Noreen Clough) did a fantastic job putting it together, and I left fired up to spread the word on keeping bass alive!

“It was great interacting with CDs and fisheries biologists from all over the country. I learned quite a bit about conservation issues and practices in other states and steps they take to protect the fishery.”

Clough called the Summit “a huge success,” but wanted no credit for it being so. “I was impressed with the number of states who recognized the value of this and attended,” she said.

“And it was capped off by a variety of academics like Dave Philipp from the University of Illinois, Mike Allen from the University of Florida and Jeff Koppelman from the Missouri Department of Conservation. They stimulated thought and conversations.”

Those three joined Gene Gilliland from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and others as presenters on Day 2 of the event, billed as a Fisheries Management Workshop.

“We talked about the state of the science on black bass issues,” Gilliland said. “We made presentations on some of the more controversial issues, such as fishing for spawning bass, to give the CDs a feel for what is going on, and then we had question-and-answer time.”

Based on the presentations and follow-up breakout sessions, attendees then identified major management issues for black bass fisheries. They include the following:

• Fish care during tournaments, with pro anglers serving as role models.
• Introduction of native and non-native species, including anglers who illegally move fish.
• Large-scale habitat projects, with federal involvement.
• Current and future water wars, and the need for anglers to partner with U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the states to ensure allocations for fisheries.
• Fostering better relationships with fisheries agencies.

The Summit also included national and state legislative updates from Gordon Robertson of the American Sportfishing Association and Chris Horton, Mid-States Coordinator for the National Assembly of Sportsmen Caucuses. The two also led a discussion on working with legislators.

“You have to engage politically because management of our natural resources often is political instead of biological,” Horton said.

On the Summit’s final day, Gilliland explained the process behind fisheries management, and fish chiefs provided the “state perspective” on building partnerships.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in proven science based, fish protection.

Additionally, representatives from the FWS talked about that agency’s programs and the 75^th anniversary of the Sportfish Restoration Program (also known as Wallop-Breaux), which provides millions of dollars annually for state fisheries management through excise taxes on fishing gear.

2012 Bassmaster Classic Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha

2012 Bassmaster Classic Supporting Sponsor: Carhartt

About B.A.S.S.

For more than 40 years, B.A.S.S. has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and an expansive tournament structure while connecting directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.

The Bassmaster brand and its multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications — Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times — comprehensive website Bassmaster.com and ESPN2 and Outdoor Channel television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Cabela’s B.A.S.S. Federation Nation events and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.

B.A.S.S. offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members and remains focused on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Birmingham, Ala.By Staff Writer

A young angler won the first-place prize of $1,000 after catching a 30-inch pike. (Photo By: John Thiel, Dairyland Power Cooperative)

The Ladysmith Lions Club organized the city’s first annual Ice Fishing Tournament, which followed a major fish habitat enhancement project on Lake Flambeau.

“Since we utilize natural resources for our business, we are strongly committed to giving back to the environment through high-impact stewardship activities, such as the fish habitat project,” said Katie Thomson, senior communications specialist for Dairyland Power Cooperative.

The Feb. 26 tournament raised $25,000. Profits from the event will be distributed to local food pantries, lake-habitat projects and Lions Club programs.

Enhancing the reservoir’s fish habitat was no easy task. Led by the Rusk County Wildlife Restoration Association and supported by the La Crosse-based G&T, the multiphase project began in 2007.

The phases included rehabbing the deep-water area, improving shoreline, and closing the lake for six months. A 30-foot drawdown was set up to drain the lake, which took seven weeks to refill once the repairs were complete.

During construction workers placed more than 150 deepwater fish structures, made of rock, logs and brush, on the lakebed. Seventy-five more fish structures were built and placed along the shoreline.

Numerous pine trees were cut and anchored to the lakebed and placed on the shoreline. This winter, whole pine trees were weighted at the base and sunk vertically in deep water areas.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in proven science based, fish protection.

Fishermen stocked the fish board with pike, walleye, crappie, perch and bluegill after a day of fishing. (Photo By: John Thiel, Dairyland Power Cooperative)

“Restoration really benefitted the lake’s health, which will in turn benefit sports enthusiasts,” said John Thiel, senior environmental biologist for Dairyland.

“The panfish species are becoming more abundant and thriving and the lake’s ready to be fished,” he said. “We provided some real quality recreational activities with the hydro reservoir.”

In addition to the major fish habitat project, Dairyland has established and owns five parks around the 2,000-acre Lake Flambeau. Three of the parks have boat landings and one is equipped with a handicap-accessible fishing pier. The parks are maintained by Rusk County.By Marcia Gaysue | ECT Staff Writer

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A large group of volunteers braved the bitter cold on Saturday, February 25, to anchor 400 live-cut Christmas trees to the bed of Tygart Lake. Volunteers from the WVU Fishing Club joined with the regulars from Grafton Boy Scout Troop #6 and the Save The Tygart Watershed Association. Volunteer Ashley Akers zip-ties a tree to a concrete block, this was just one of 400 trees that were anchored in Tygart Lake on Saturday, February 25. Volunteer Ben Flohr heaves one of the trees down over the hill to the staging area below.

GRAFTON — A large group of volunteers faced the bitter cold Saturday morning as they gathered at Tygart Lake to anchor recycled live-cut Christmas trees for future fish habitat.

The program started in 2007, as the United States Army Corps of Engineers at Tygart Lake sent out the call for Christmas trees in December. Each year since, the number of donated trees, and the number of volunteers to anchor them, has grown substantially.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in proven science based, fish protection.

Residents are encouraged each year to drop their live-cut Christmas trees off at the Grafton City Garage after the holiday season. The city then transports the donated trees to the lake, where they are distributed by volunteers.

“This has been a record year for trees and for volunteers,” stated April Hawkey, Tygart Lake Corps of Engineers Park Ranger. “I had an assistant from WVU (West Virginia University) hand out fliers on campus for volunteers. The WVU Fishing Club called and asked ‘how many people do you need?’ that was great, in calling for volunteers, you never know just how many you will get.”

Hawkey stated that 15 volunteers from the club came out to assist with the effort. Along with the fishing club, regular volunteers, who have made this a regular project since the beginning, showed up in force. These regulars are from Boy Scout Troop #6 from Grafton, and the Save The Tygart Watershed Association.

In all, 45 volunteers helped place the trees near the site of last year’s donations.

During what was obviously one of the coldest mornings in February, these brave volunteers met for orientation at the Corps Park Office at 9 a.m.

From there they traveled down to the gravel lot launching area where 400 donated trees awaited. Each tree had to be anchored to concrete blocks strategically located to put the trees about15-20 feet underwater at summer pool levels. Each tree had to be drilled at its base to allow for the zip tie used to attach it to the block.

Volunteers arrived to find the trees awaiting at the top of the launching area. Together they threw, rolled and dragged the trees down over the hill to the staging area below. With Fish Attractor buoys attached, anglers will know where to go to take advantage of these efforts.

The donated trees are anchored along the Tygart Lake shoreline in February, while the lake level is low, so that when the lake returns to its summer levels the trees act as artificial reefs, providing advanced habitat for the lake’s fish and improved fishing opportunities for anglers. Once secured on the lake bottom, the Christmas trees provide shade and a hiding place for fish.

As Hawkey ran the crew up top, making many journeys up and down the steep hill, US Army Corps of Engineers Tygart Lake Resource Manager, Mike Estock handled the efforts down the hill at the staging area.

The success of this program has been noted in various fishing publications. One such mention comes from an April 25, 2010 report at sportfisherman.com, which expands upon the success of the project. “The lake (Tygart) is near the summer pool level. Target largemouth and smallmouth bass by casting crankbaits along the shoreline. Crappie are now concentrated around Christmas tree fish attractors. There are lots of walleye and trout in the tailwater and this is the best place in northern West Virginia to fish for them.”

Trees were donated by Lowe’s, Home Depot, Barbour County, and the cities of Grafton, Nutterfort and Morgantown. The Corps’ staff at Tygart Lake would like to thank those who donated the trees, WV DNR for their cooperation, and all of the volunteers for assisting in the construction of the fish attractor.

After the event, all of the volunteers were treated to pizza. Hawkey also stated that a volunteer appreciation day is in the works, for everyone who helps make Tygart Lake State Park a wonderful place to visit.BY: Matt Trout

Transition from old Twin Spans to Slidell Fishing Pier almost done

Slidell, LA —  St. Tammany leaders are now targeting late April for the opening of the Slidell Fishing Pier.  The wooden bridge leading to the old Twin Span bridge is done, and the early reviews are good.

It was originally conceived by former Parish President Kevin Davis, as a way to use part of the old bridge as a Pensacola-style fishing pier.  The wooden bridge includes two gazebos.

“This is going to be one of the best things parish government ever did for the people of the parish, Councilman Artigue added.  “We’ve got many, many people who don’t have boats, can’t go out fishing.  This is going to be the place for people to bring their families, bring their kids, and come out here and catch a fish.”

The delay comes because it took longer than expected to run utilities, water, sewage and electricity.

“If anything,” St. Tammany Parish Spokesperson Suzanne Parsons-Stymiest said, “the last couple of months, when we had to postpone the opening from the original date, has really enforced for us how much the public wants this.”

Eventually, the fishing pier will include 24-hour security and lighting.  To pay for those services, people fishing should expect to pay a fee, perhaps in the neighborhood of $5, according to parish leaders.

“We want it to be clean, we want it to be lit, we want security,” Suzanne Parsons-Stymiest added.  “We want the availability of amenities such as a bait shop, so that fee is going to be put directly back into the operation of the fishing pier.”

All of that, as well as a bait shop and a restaurant will be in place “eventually” parish leaders said Monday, although perhaps not on opening day.

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agents dropped hunks of concrete into Lake Pontchartrain near the pier, to create artificial reefs for fish.  And that’s the bottom line for why parish leaders believe the pier will be successful, because fishing experts say, fish will be plentiful under the pier.Doug Mouton / Northshore Bureau Chief
Email: dmouton@wwltv.com | Twitter: @dmoutonwwl