1999 Warmwater Fisheries Survey of Alkali Lake, Grant County, Washington

Alkali Lake, Grant County, Washington, was surveyed between May 10-12, 1999, using electrofishing, gill netting, and fyke netting. Although sample sizes were low, a total of eight fish species were observed during sampling efforts: largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), smallmouth bass (M. dolomieu), black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), pumpkinseed (L. gibbosus), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi). Warmwater gamefish comprised approximately 80 percent of the total fish captured. Largemouth bass was the most abundant (42%) species and contributed the highest proportion (50%) of biomass. Age of largemouth bass ranged from 1 to 8 years and were the only fish species stocked in Alkali Lake that was found to be reproducing. Of the stock length largemouth bass sampled (n = 43), approximately 16 percent were of preferred size. Largemouth bass ranged in total length from 107 to 451 mm and appeared to be in good condition. Few fish had relative weights less than 90. Smallmouth bass (n = 10) comprised 5 percent of the total number and 21 percent of the biomass sampled. Smallmouth bass ranged in age from 3 to 8 years. All smallmouth bass sampled were of quality size or larger. Total lengths of smallmouth bass ranged from 333 to 397 mm. Most smallmouth bass exhibited relative weights greater than 100. Bluegill comprised 12 percent of the total number and 6 percent of the biomass sampled. Bluegill ranged in age from 2 to 3 years. Proportional stock density (PSD) analyses indicate that 64 percent of the bluegill were of quality length. Total lengths of bluegill ranged from 118 to 171 mm. Bluegill were in above average condition and all fish had relative weights greater than 100. Black crappie comprised 7 percent of the total number and 4 percent of the biomass sampled. Black crappie ranged in age from 2 to 4 years. Total lengths of black crappie range from 127 to 205 mm. Most black crappie were in above average condition. Channel catfish were also sampled in Alkali Lake in low numbers (n = 10). Channel catfish ranged in size from 134 to 335 mm. All other fish species found, with the exception of pumpkinseed and yellow perch, were those believed to be stocked following the 1996 rehabilitation. Although the current management plan for Alkali Lake is vague, we recommend that Alkali Lake be managed under the panfish or the largemouth bass and panfish option. We also recommend that the stocking of largemouth bass and panfish be suspended until future monitoring warrants additional stocking.