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Texas Pro Lake Management and Fishiding.com Work Together to Improve Texas Fish Habitat

We have been working for just a few months together, but it takes no time at all to be impressed with this Top notch management firm.

Texas Pro Lake Management located in Comanche Texas specializes in aeration and fountain installations, lake stocking, and lake management throughout Texas. Texas Pro Lake Management is owned by fisheries biologist Steven Bardin. In 2005 Steve started working on a Bachelors degree in Freshwater Biology from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas.

 “I truly owe much of what I know about fish and pond management to Harrell and his 50 year experience he was willing to share with me.” In 2009, Steve completed his Bachelors degree and began pursuing a Masters degree in Fisheries Science under Dr. Masser at Texas A&M University.

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.

Lake Management Services:

“It is important to take a proactive approach on the management of your lake. It is not usually the case that you stock the lake with fish and never need to further maintainence. Aquatic environments change making it imperative to pay close attention to the lake and see the signs of problems before they become to severe.”

Water Quality Analysis

Water quality is extremely important and monitoring certain parameters of water quality can be beneficial. If you have a water quality report and need help interpreting the results and would like recommendations please fill out the form below. If you would like to get a water quality sample analyzed it is easiest to send a sample to Texas AgriLife Extension Service. First download the waterweb1 form, follow the instructions for bottling, and mail the sample to the correct shipping address based on your carrier. In most cases sampling technique 1 is usually sufficient. If you have any questions please email steven@texasprolakemanagement.com or call.

Why is Aeration Needed?

Oxygen in lakes and ponds comes from two main sources; direct contact with the atmosphere and photosynthesis of phytoplankton. Usually these two processes can provide enough dissolved oxygen to maintain a healthy fish population, however during hot summer day’s lakes can become stratified. In a stratified lake the deep water below the thermocline becomes cooler, holds little to no oxygen, and does not mix with the surface water where oxygen is more abundant. To make matters worse, the loss of oxygen can cause carbon dioxide to build up and change the bacterial decomposers from aerobic to anaerobic organisms. The resulting byproducts of the new anaerobic decomposers are black muck and hydrogen sulfide.
Lake Stratification Diagram

The stratification of a lake becomes a problem when a cold front hits, or during a heavy thunderstorm. During these events the surface water cools and causes rapid mixing, which brings the toxic bottom water to the surface. The toxins can kill the zooplankton and fish, taking up even more oxygen. Depending on the severity of the turnover, fish may start dying from lack of oxygen. Usually, the oldest and largest fish die first.

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.

How Do We Aerate a Lake Properly?

To prevent stratification and low dissolved oxygen we can aerate the bottom water. Aeration is done by using compressed air to continuously move large volumes of low-oxygen water from the bottom to the surface of the lake. When the entire lake is oxygenated, fish are able to feed in the deep portions of the lake. This method of aeration reduces algal growth by reducing the release of nutrients from lake sediments. Benefits include improved water quality and clarity, prevention of fish kills and reduced occurrence of algae blooms, disease and odor.
Bottom Diffusion Aeration Diagram

All aeration systems from Texas Pro Lake Management will be custom designed for your lake. Many factors can determine the equipment needed for your situation and the overall cost of the system. Please contact me with any aeration questions, or sizing by phone or by email at steven@texasprolakemanagement.com

Fish Stocking:

Fish can be stocked throughout Central Texas at all times of the year with few exceptions for certain temerature sensitive species. Stocking your lake is the most rewarding and important decision when establishing your ecosystem. While it’s easy to get carried away and go straight to adding Gamefish, don’t forget to start with the basics and establish your bait fish. Often times, people are impressed with how quickly they are able to see a return on their investment when they take the time to establish their food chain appropriately from the beginning.

 

 

 

 

 

Fish Habitat Key Part of B.A.S.S.Summit

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 75th 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

Artifical Products grow fish

First Coast may need to help bolster key industry – fishing

 First Coast anglers see fishing spots disappearing so quickly they say it’s time to create new fishing grounds to bolster an industry that the state says brings half a billion dollars into the local economy every year.
Scott Shine, a member of the Jacksonville Waterways Commission, said he is looking into ways to add more access to fishing in North Florida before the economic impact does permanent damage to the recreational fishing industry.
A Waterways Commission subcommittee has been formed to examine adding artificial reefs just offshore and in the St. Johns River.
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.
The federal government has closed several offshore fishing spots in recent years because of depleted fish stocks. There are also large tracts of water that have been placed off limits to vessels around military installations for security reasons.
“While we grow and while we’re seeking opportunities for tourism, we’re not growing our access to waterways on the same level that we’re experiencing in the growth in population,” Shine said.
RestrictionsThe recent restrictions cover hundreds of miles of ocean off the Southeast coast of the United States. Along the First Coast, those restrictions are hampering an industry that generates about $556 million a year for Northeast Florida, according to a report Shine drafted in January based on a 2010 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation analysis.
Shine based his figures on the North Florida share of fishing licenses sold in the state along with other factors, such as fishing industry tracking data the state agency used to develop estimates.
Recent federal regulations restricting offshore catches of grouper, red snapper and other fish are already beginning to take their toll on the area recreational fishing industry.
“We’ve been losing ground,” said Vic Tison, who runs a charter boat fishing service and is chairman of the North Florida Chapter of the Recreational Fishing Alliance. “We’re getting less and less areas to fish. Where’s that going to leave us?”
Adding to the frustration for anglers is a restricted zone instituted around Mayport Naval Station last year.
With little public notice, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers added a 380-foot no-vessel zone on a 2½-mile stretch of water surrounding the base.
Tison said it has already blocked many of his charter excursions that used to sail near the base.
Roy Crabtree, the Southeast regional administrator for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, said the agency takes into account the economic impact when implementing restrictions. In addition, Crabtree said recreational and commercial fishing interests were represented on the panel that made the decisions.
SolutionsWhile Shine concedes there is little sports anglers can do about the restrictions, he thinks the problem can be mitigated by creating new areas for fishing.
He said creating artificial reefs within 3 miles of shore would put those waters under state jurisdiction, cutting the federal government out of the equation. In addition, Shine wants artificial reefs to be sunk in the St. Johns River near the Mill Cove area in order to offset the restricted zones around the Mayport base and Blount Island.
“It increases access to fishing opportunities,” Shine said. “The federal government is drawing boxes on a map that are shutting down fishing and access in those areas.”
Crabtree said Shine’s proposal could provide some increased access in the face of the federal restrictions.
“If they were to put artificial reefs in state waters over there, that may provide access in fishing for anglers of a variety of species,” he said.
Tison acknowledged Shine’s proposals could keep the recreational fishing economy stable.
“It’s very important,” he said. “We’re getting less and less areas to fish continually. … Anytime you put a rock down or a structure down in the water, it’s going to create fishing habitat, and that gives the anglers more areas to fish.”

By Matt Dixon 
Morris News Service

Rehabbed Habitat Hosts Tournament

For a winter that’s been unusually warm, it was no surprise when 2,000 people showed up at a frozen lake near Ladysmith, Wis., for a fishing tournament.

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

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

High school kids learn about aquaculture with tilapia

Magnet Cove High School learn about aquaculture by raising tilapia

MALVERN, Ark (KTHV) — Students at Magnet Cove High School are raising tilapia in the classroom. It’s all part of a 6 week project for their aquaculture class.

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.

Magnet Cove teacher Kristyn Sheets saw an opportunity when she came to Magnet Cove two years ago. The school already had a tank system in place for the fish, they just needed a teacher and students willing to get their hands wet.

Sheets says it took off from there. She says, “This is just application of knowledge instead of worksheets and textbooks. When we have all of these toys and all of these hands-on things this is where our classrooms should be.”

Learning by doing; something science has always encouraged students to do and the aquaculture Corey Stanley is liking the innovative style of teaching. “At the start of the year we took notes and stuff about different types of fish. Now, were getting really hands-on. That’s my favorite part about it. I love to study a fish, but hands on is really fun,” says Stanley.

Sheets says, they’re learning a lot in the process. She adds, “This year we’ve set up a project where the students are completely in charge of managing the water quality, they weighed fish on Thursday, they have to monitor all of the feed, so they can figure out feed conversion ratios and percent gain and they’re doing all of that because they have the tools to do that.”

The two large fish tanks are housed within the schools greenhouse and algae is grown as a second crop inside the tanks. Student Dustyn Parker says water quality is the main priority. “I have learned how to do testing for dissolved oxygen, PH levels. I’ve learned that fish don’t eat all the time and they have certain times that they eat. Some days they won’t eat due to the weather and how the weather effects them,” says Parker.

Sheets, says she’s proud of her students and what they’ve accomplished so far. She says, “They might mess up some things and it’s going to be ok, they’re going to learn from it. They’re not going to get a lot of worksheets, they’re not going to get a lot of traditional class work type of grades. They’re going to get grades on if their fish live or die.

Written by

Meredith Mitchell

Pier’s success provided by artificial reefs for fish

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.

“I think it came out a lot better than I expected even,” St. Tammany Parish Councilman Richie Artigue said.  Artigue predicted the pier will get a lot of use once it opens.See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in  science based, proven, fish protection.

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

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