2000 Lake Meridian Survey: The Warmwater Fish Community of an Oligotrophic Urban Lake

Lake Meridian was surveyed by a three-person crew on September 11-15, 2000. Multiple gear types (electrofishing, gill nets, and fyke nets) were used to sample the nearshore fish community. In all, 10 species of fish were sampled from Lake Meridian. Yellow perch were the most abundant species and accounted for 62% of our sample by number and 57% by weight. Though stock-size largemouth bass were more abundant than smallmouth bass, no quality-size largemouth bass were captured. Stock density indices for smallmouth bass, yellow perch and pumpkinseed suggest a community managed for �"Big Bass” though the disproportionate contribution of yellow perch suggests a fish community out of balance. For species other than yellow perch, sample sizes were small and catch rates were low compared to western Washington state averages, suggesting low species abundance. Low sampling efficiency of our gear may have also contributed the low catch rates. Management options for Lake Meridian include but are not limited to the following: implementing a slot limit (12 - 17") for largemouth and smallmouth bass; consider stocking channel catfish to control abundant yellow perch; or, manage the lake for panfish.