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Spring 2010 D.C. Electrofishing Assessment – A comprehensive survey was scheduled for the 2010 field season at Little Swan Lake. Spring D.C. electrofishing, a component of a comprehensive survey, was conducted on June 1st to assess the subadult and adult fish populations of Little Swan Lake. Results of the spring D.C. electrofishing survey show a catch dominated by carp and bullheads. Ninety three percent of the catch was carp and bullheads, representing 55 and 38 percent of the total catch. Yellow perch was the only game fish sampled in limited numbers (n=3) during the 2010 D.C. electrofishing assessment. 2010 Tandem Hoop Net Assessment- Tandem hoop net assessment, the second component of the comprehensive survey, was conducted in late July to assess the subadult and adult channel catfish population of Little Swan Lake. A catch rate of 5 fish per series show a population estimate of less then one fish per acre, suggesting limited numbers of this species in Little Swan Lake. Length frequency analysis show a fish population of stock (11- to 15.9-inch) and quality (16- to 23.9-inch) size fish at 19 and 81 percent. Relative weight (Wr), an indice of body condition was 85, which are below the target range of 95 – 105 showing a fish population in less the desirable body condition. Black bullheads (n = 271) and carp (n = 131) were also sampled in considerable numbers during the 2010 tandem hoop net survey. Fall 2010 Fyke Net Assessment - Fall fyke netting, the last sampling technique of the 2010 comprehensive survey was conducted in late September to assess the subadult and adult fish populations of Little Swan Lake. A total of 66 channel catfish were sampled during the 2010 fall fyke net assessment, showing a catch rate of 8 fish per net, which is the highest catch rate recorded since fall fyke netting started in 1996. Length frequency analysis show a catfish population dominated by stock (11- to 15.9-inch) and quality (16- to 23.9-inch) size fish at 16 and 78 percent. Preferred (> 24.0 inches) size fish comprised the remaining 4 percent of the channel catfish sample. A channel catfish relative weight of 90 is slightly below the 95 – 105 target range showing fish in fairly good body condition; however, an overall improvement of the channel catfish relative weight is noted from the summer, 2010 tandem hoop net assessment (85). Yellow perch were also sampled during the 2010 fall fyke net assessment. A yellow perch catch rate of 7 fish per net was comparable to the lakes median value of 6 fish per net, showing a typical yellow perch population in Little Swan Lake. Catch rates were lower, but comparable to the Spirit Lake median value of 16 fish per net, suggesting a yellow perch population at less then typical numbers of other yellow perch lakes within the Spirit Lake District. A relative weight of 94 is slightly less then the target range of 95 – 105 suggesting a yellow perch population in fairly good body condition. Black crappie were also sampled in low numbers (n = 1) during the 2010 fall fyke net assessment suggesting a limited population of this speces in Little Swan Lake. Rough fish comprised of buffalo, carp, white sucker and quillback represented 14 percent of the total 2010 fall fyke net catch. Carp dominated the rough fish catch at 9 percent of the total catch; however, carp catch rates were about two times lower then the lakes median value of 9 fish per haul. (2010)
In nearly all cases, Iowa fish are safe to eat. Cleaning and/or preparing the meal causes most of the problems regarding taste or color of fish. Like all living creatures, fish are susceptible to diseases, parasites, and other naturally occurring conditions in the water. If you suspect your fish is affected by any of these conditions, do not eat it. Consider eating smaller and younger fish which usually have lower levels of contaminants than larger ones. Most contaminants accumulate in larger, older fish. For additional information, check out our resources for eating and cooking Iowa caught fish.
To learn more about fish tissue monitoring, visit our Fish Tissue Monitoring page .