Your source for news in Hot Springs County

Electrofishing sees increased numbers

Wyoming Game and fish staff were in town to do a fishing survey along the Bighorn River, from where the highway crosses the river to the island behind the WYDOT building, Oct. 15-18. Helping them out for a couple days were 10 students in the Hot Springs County 4-H Sport Fishing Club.

Joel Farber, a leader with the 4-H club, noted the surveyors stopped at least a half dozen times on this section of the river, and utilized a technique known as electrofishing to subdue the fish. Electrofishing involves dropping electrodes in the river to create a mild field and cause muscle contractions in the fish, making them easier to net.

Surveyors then record the length, weight and species of the fish, and small fin clippings are taken to ensure the same animals are not counted twice for day to day. Following this, they are placed in recovery baskets and released back into the river. Farber noted the students get to help with these processes.

There were more fish caught this year than in 2017, Farber said, and there is much better carry over from the 16,000 fish stocked earlier this year. He noted when stocked, the fish were measuring about six inches, but they are now in the 11- to 12-inch range. Also, though the stocked fish were put in at Wedding of the Waters many were caught along the survey area, showing they are moving downstream.

The students helping with the survey are split into smaller groups, Farber noted, as have five or six helping means the students get more engaged; any more, and there isn't enough for the students to do. Farber also expressed his appreciation to Dick Staiger, another leader for the Sport Fishing Club, for coming from Alta to help the students.

Regional Fisheries Biologist Joe Skorupski noted from the numbers of fish captured it can be seen that the numbers have increased, though he noted the number of adults is actually down a bit.

Farber credited the increase of stocked and naturally recruited (wild) fish to the lower water levels, as higher levels can often cause fish to move further downstream. Also because of the high water flows many of the small fish are lost so surveyors don't see mid-sized fish. Skorpuski further explained having a flow regime that is close to normal is best for the populations, and a drought or high flow year can have a negative impact.

For example, from 2016-17 there were little to no fish surviving that were 12 inches or less. Of course, 2017 saw an extreme number of days the river flow was ramped up to over 5,000 cubic feet per second, to compensate for snowpack runoff. Skorupski added such flow increases are necessary.

On a positive note, Skorupski said the number of fish is on a growing trend and is showing good potential for growth. He pointed out the average size and weight for rainbow trout is going up, with an average of 3-3.5 pounds compared to the norm of 2.5 pounds.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/29/2024 00:31