John A. Viar -NH Fish and Game-Region 2
03-23-2004, 10:28 AM
Hello All
A prior message thread regarding various fisheries issues at Lake Winnipesaukee (and pertinent statewide) was recently brought to my attention. After reading many of the questions and comments posted, I felt clarification and information was needed on several points.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFGD) has not transplanted a different strain of largemouth bass into Lake Winnipesaukee or any other water bodies. As noted, there are two principle strains of largemouth bass – northern and southern or “Florida” strains. The northern strain is present in New Hampshire water bodies. Note the difference between “strain” and “species”. In general terms, a strain is a variant (due to particular traits) of a particular species. Different strains of the same species have evolved through natural means such as geographical and watershed separation, and fisheries managers have also created them through selective breeding in hatcheries. Two different strains of the same species can interbreed freely and produce viable offspring with a combination of the parental traits. Generally speaking, different fish species cannot interbreed (e.g. a largemouth bass and a lake trout); however, of those that do (usually within the same family and in many instances unintentionally), the resulting offspring called “hybrids” may not be viable and in many cases are sterile (e.g. splake, a sterile cross between brook trout and lake trout).
Many folks are surprised to learn a substantial number of New Hampshire’s most popular gamefish species are not native to the state, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, landlocked salmon, and rainbow trout. These introduced species have been part of our angling history and “waterscape” for so many years most would consider them “naturalized” today. In an attempt to expand angling opportunities for bass, the NHFGD and its predecessors have introduced smallmouth and largemouth bass into hundreds of suitable water bodies for the past 100+ years. By the end of 1880, 140 water bodies had already been stocked by NHFGD’s earliest predecessor, the New Hampshire Commissioners on Fisheries. Smallmouth bass were first directly introduced into Lake Winnipesaukee in 1873 by the Commissioners, but may have found their way into the lake several years earlier via the outlet of Rust Pond in Wolfeboro (Rust Pond was the first lake in the state stocked with bass, by private individuals). Largemouth, which were not introduced by the state, first showed up sometime in the 1950’s in Lake Winnipesaukee. Both species are naturally sustaining (no stocking) statewide, and their populations in Lake Winnipesaukee, in their respective environments, are in excellent condition.
The NHFGD monitors both coldwater (e.g. landlocked salmon, lake and rainbow trout) and warmwater (e.g. largemouth and smallmouth bass) species through a variety of methods. A Warmwater Species Coordinator/Fisheries Biologist on staff conducts numerous surveys (e.g. electroshocking, trap netting) to monitor and determine the status of bass populations. For example, last year electroshocking studies were conducted on Lake Winnipesaukee to monitor young-of-the-year (first year of life) largemouth and smallmouth bass. Additionally, forage (bait, food) fish populations are monitored annually through hydroacoustic (sonar) and trawl net surveys, in order to balance salmonid stocking rates (overstocking salmon and rainbow trout can have negative impacts on forage fish abundance). Healthy forage-fish populations (e.g. rainbow smelt, juvenile yellow and white perch) are beneficial to both coldwater and warmwater species alike.
One of the greatest threats to the fisheries resources we enjoy statewide and in Lake Winnipesaukee is the illegal transfer of fish and other aquatic organisms. Transferring fish to any water body other than where caught is STRICTLY ILLEGAL. As noted above, many of our popular fisheries have been “derived” from historically non-native species. However, introductions of newly introduced exotic species can have severe negative ecological impacts to our present “naturalized” recreational fisheries, through the disruption of food webs and spread of disease, among other numerous concerns. I encourage everyone to be a lake steward and report any suspicious activity to the Operation Game Thief toll-free number, 1-800-344-4262, or contact Law Enforcement at NHFGD Concord HQ, (603) 271-3127. In the case of witnessing a possible illegal transfer or other questionable activities, at the very least try to get a physical description of the suspected perpetrator(s) and obtain the license plate/boat registration number and vehicle/water craft description. Legal action will be taken against anyone participating, at any level, in the illegal transfer of fish and other aquatic species.
The presence of rock bass in Lake Winnipesaukee was confirmed last year. I have personally caught rock bass in the Greens Basin area, and we have confirmed reports of their existence in Smith Cove, along with other unconfirmed reports around the lake (many folks may be confusing them with black crappie, but nonetheless rock bass are DEFINITELY present). The long-term impacts of their introduction (yes, very recent and very illegal) remain to be seen, but it is important to remember any new species added to an established fish community can have adverse impacts – rock bass in of themselves, though not a desired species for most New Hampshire anglers, are not the sole cause of fisheries problems. It is the competition for particular niche (living space, food) any new/invasive species may create, regardless of what the particular species may be. Whether individuals transfer these species out of spite, to create fisheries for species they personally desire, or unintentionally is a matter of speculation. However, numerous illegal transfers have been traced as intentional, and in the case of Lake Winnipesaukee, where rock bass have not been documented for 100+ years until now, it is highly likely their transfer was deliberate and with malicious intent.
Although it is likely some messages are posted strictly for the purpose of “trolling”, the topic of illegal fish transfers is quite serious. The inconsiderate actions of a few can have enormous negative impacts upon fisheries resources enjoyed by many, and in turn local and state economies. Fishing for both coldwater and warmwater species in New Hampshire, particularly in the Lakes Region, is an integral part of New Hampshire’s history, economy, and beloved past time for many. Let’s do our part to insure future generations have the opportunity to enjoy the fisheries resources we all so cherish.
Please feel free to contact Don Miller or myself at the Region 2 Office in New Hampton if you have any additional questions regarding the above or future topics.
John A. Viar
Fisheries Biologist I
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Region 2 Office
PO Box 417
New Hampton NH 03256
(603) 744-5470
jviar@nhfgd.org
Donald Miller
Large Lake Fisheries Biologist
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Region 2
New Hampton NH 03256
(603) 744-5470
dmiller@nhfgd.org
A prior message thread regarding various fisheries issues at Lake Winnipesaukee (and pertinent statewide) was recently brought to my attention. After reading many of the questions and comments posted, I felt clarification and information was needed on several points.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFGD) has not transplanted a different strain of largemouth bass into Lake Winnipesaukee or any other water bodies. As noted, there are two principle strains of largemouth bass – northern and southern or “Florida” strains. The northern strain is present in New Hampshire water bodies. Note the difference between “strain” and “species”. In general terms, a strain is a variant (due to particular traits) of a particular species. Different strains of the same species have evolved through natural means such as geographical and watershed separation, and fisheries managers have also created them through selective breeding in hatcheries. Two different strains of the same species can interbreed freely and produce viable offspring with a combination of the parental traits. Generally speaking, different fish species cannot interbreed (e.g. a largemouth bass and a lake trout); however, of those that do (usually within the same family and in many instances unintentionally), the resulting offspring called “hybrids” may not be viable and in many cases are sterile (e.g. splake, a sterile cross between brook trout and lake trout).
Many folks are surprised to learn a substantial number of New Hampshire’s most popular gamefish species are not native to the state, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, landlocked salmon, and rainbow trout. These introduced species have been part of our angling history and “waterscape” for so many years most would consider them “naturalized” today. In an attempt to expand angling opportunities for bass, the NHFGD and its predecessors have introduced smallmouth and largemouth bass into hundreds of suitable water bodies for the past 100+ years. By the end of 1880, 140 water bodies had already been stocked by NHFGD’s earliest predecessor, the New Hampshire Commissioners on Fisheries. Smallmouth bass were first directly introduced into Lake Winnipesaukee in 1873 by the Commissioners, but may have found their way into the lake several years earlier via the outlet of Rust Pond in Wolfeboro (Rust Pond was the first lake in the state stocked with bass, by private individuals). Largemouth, which were not introduced by the state, first showed up sometime in the 1950’s in Lake Winnipesaukee. Both species are naturally sustaining (no stocking) statewide, and their populations in Lake Winnipesaukee, in their respective environments, are in excellent condition.
The NHFGD monitors both coldwater (e.g. landlocked salmon, lake and rainbow trout) and warmwater (e.g. largemouth and smallmouth bass) species through a variety of methods. A Warmwater Species Coordinator/Fisheries Biologist on staff conducts numerous surveys (e.g. electroshocking, trap netting) to monitor and determine the status of bass populations. For example, last year electroshocking studies were conducted on Lake Winnipesaukee to monitor young-of-the-year (first year of life) largemouth and smallmouth bass. Additionally, forage (bait, food) fish populations are monitored annually through hydroacoustic (sonar) and trawl net surveys, in order to balance salmonid stocking rates (overstocking salmon and rainbow trout can have negative impacts on forage fish abundance). Healthy forage-fish populations (e.g. rainbow smelt, juvenile yellow and white perch) are beneficial to both coldwater and warmwater species alike.
One of the greatest threats to the fisheries resources we enjoy statewide and in Lake Winnipesaukee is the illegal transfer of fish and other aquatic organisms. Transferring fish to any water body other than where caught is STRICTLY ILLEGAL. As noted above, many of our popular fisheries have been “derived” from historically non-native species. However, introductions of newly introduced exotic species can have severe negative ecological impacts to our present “naturalized” recreational fisheries, through the disruption of food webs and spread of disease, among other numerous concerns. I encourage everyone to be a lake steward and report any suspicious activity to the Operation Game Thief toll-free number, 1-800-344-4262, or contact Law Enforcement at NHFGD Concord HQ, (603) 271-3127. In the case of witnessing a possible illegal transfer or other questionable activities, at the very least try to get a physical description of the suspected perpetrator(s) and obtain the license plate/boat registration number and vehicle/water craft description. Legal action will be taken against anyone participating, at any level, in the illegal transfer of fish and other aquatic species.
The presence of rock bass in Lake Winnipesaukee was confirmed last year. I have personally caught rock bass in the Greens Basin area, and we have confirmed reports of their existence in Smith Cove, along with other unconfirmed reports around the lake (many folks may be confusing them with black crappie, but nonetheless rock bass are DEFINITELY present). The long-term impacts of their introduction (yes, very recent and very illegal) remain to be seen, but it is important to remember any new species added to an established fish community can have adverse impacts – rock bass in of themselves, though not a desired species for most New Hampshire anglers, are not the sole cause of fisheries problems. It is the competition for particular niche (living space, food) any new/invasive species may create, regardless of what the particular species may be. Whether individuals transfer these species out of spite, to create fisheries for species they personally desire, or unintentionally is a matter of speculation. However, numerous illegal transfers have been traced as intentional, and in the case of Lake Winnipesaukee, where rock bass have not been documented for 100+ years until now, it is highly likely their transfer was deliberate and with malicious intent.
Although it is likely some messages are posted strictly for the purpose of “trolling”, the topic of illegal fish transfers is quite serious. The inconsiderate actions of a few can have enormous negative impacts upon fisheries resources enjoyed by many, and in turn local and state economies. Fishing for both coldwater and warmwater species in New Hampshire, particularly in the Lakes Region, is an integral part of New Hampshire’s history, economy, and beloved past time for many. Let’s do our part to insure future generations have the opportunity to enjoy the fisheries resources we all so cherish.
Please feel free to contact Don Miller or myself at the Region 2 Office in New Hampton if you have any additional questions regarding the above or future topics.
John A. Viar
Fisheries Biologist I
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Region 2 Office
PO Box 417
New Hampton NH 03256
(603) 744-5470
jviar@nhfgd.org
Donald Miller
Large Lake Fisheries Biologist
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Region 2
New Hampton NH 03256
(603) 744-5470
dmiller@nhfgd.org