1999 Lower Goose Lake Warmwater Survey Grant County, Washington

Lower Goose Lake, Grant County, Washington, was surveyed between October 6 - 20, 1999 using a boat electrofisher, gill nets, and fyke nets. Lower Goose Lake was rehabilitated April 1, 1997, and since was planted with largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and Lahontan cutthroat trout (O. clarki henshawi). Seven additional fish species were found in our survey that had either survived the 1997 rehabilitation, or entered the lake via inflow from Upper Goose Lake or the West Canal. Largemouth bass growth and condition was above average with a proportional stock density (PSD) value of 66. Overall, largemouth bass appear to have plenty of forage and are in condition above the national average. Bluegill growth and condition were found to be at or above average. Age 1 bluegill were the only age represented in our samples. Stock length bluegill (age 1) exhibited faster growth than expected. Black crappie density was low (n = 11); however, 238 young-of-the-year black crappie were collected, indicating successful reproduction had occurred. Yellow perch were found in high numbers. PSD for yellow perch was high (59), growth was above average, while condition was slightly below the national average. Yellow perch were found to age two and natural reproduction is occurring in Lower Goose Lake. We recommend a follow-up warmwater fish survey in two to three years, monitoring the yellow perch population, and periodic carp removal by electrofishing.