Perch Lake

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INTRODUCTION
Perch Lake is a 175-acre, class 43 lake located in Martin County approximately 2.5 miles to the southwest of the City of Truman. Perch Lake is a shallow lake with a maximum depth of 5.0 feet. Perch Lake has a small drainage area as indicated by a watershed size to lake size ratio of 9:1. Despite the small drainage area, agricultural runoff still affects the water quality of Perch Lake which typically has highly turbid water. Perch Lake is prone to low oxygen levels during the winter months resulting in frequent winterkills. Its susceptibility to winterkill is likely a result of its shallowness and topography surrounding the lake. Perch Lake is situated in a small depression that is surrounded by trees, which prevents snow from blowing off of the lake. Because of its susceptibility to winterkill, Perch Lake is managed for species that are more tolerant of low dissolved oxygen levels such as northern pike (primary management species) and yellow perch (secondary management species). In addition, it is also managed secondarily for black crappie, despite their susceptibility to winterkill, because of its history of producing occasional large crappies. Populations of game fish have been self-sustaining; however, northern pike fingerlings (2005, 2010), fry (2003, 2014), and adults (2014) have been stocked sporadically to supplement the existing population. A population assessment was conducted during the week of June 16, 2014 to monitor fish populations using nine trap nets.

NORTHERN PIKE
Historical catch rates of northern pike in Perch Lake have ranged from 0.5 per trap net in 2002 to 5.7 per trap net in 1997. In 2014, northern pike were captured at a rate of 1.8 per trap net, an increase from 0.7 per trap net observed in the last survey done in 2008. Northern pike ranged in length from 18.1 to 31.5 inches and averaged 24.3 inches. Various northern pike stocking strategies have been tried in Perch Lake, but success has been limited. Fingerlings were stocked in 2005 and 2010; however, the stockings were not evaluated. Most recently in the spring of 2014, northern pike fry were stocked in the wetland directly south of Perch Lake that is periodically connected to the lake, with the idea that the northern pike fry could grow in the mostly vacant wetland (no other fish) and then move to the lake when conditions were favorable. It appears that this stocking was unsuccessful, as a nearshore survey conducted on July 22, 2014 did not capture any young-of-the-year (YOY) northern pike. In response, 200 adult northern pike were stocked in November 2014.

YELLOW PERCH
Yellow perch were captured at a rate of 0.4 per trap net, similar to the catch rate observed in 2008 (0.7 per trap net). The 2014 yellow perch catch rate was within the expected range of catch rates for lakes similar to Perch Lake (0.3 to 3.8 per trap net). Gill nets typically sample yellow perch populations more effectively than trap nets, but gill nets were not used because of the shallowness of Perch Lake. Yellow perch ranged in length from 4.7 to 9.5 inches and averaged 6.1 inches.

BLACK CRAPPIE
The black crappie population in Perch Lake is highly variable as catch rates have ranged from 0.0 per trap net in 2014 to 24.0 per trap net in 2008. The 2014 catch rate of 0.0 per trap net is the lowest observed catch rate for Perch Lake, down from the all-time high catch rate observed in 2008 and lower than the expected range of catch rates (1.2 to 20.5 per trap net) for lakes similar to Perch Lake. The lack of crappies sampled indicates that a winterkill likely occurred since the 2008 survey. It is characteristic of crappie populations to be boom or bust, with the population often being comprised mostly of one strong year class.

OTHER SPECIES
The bullhead catch rate was the highest ever observed for Perch Lake at 113.4 per trap net, but was within the expected range of catch rates lakes similar to Perch Lake (11.5 to 132.6 per trap net). Prior to the 2014 survey, catch rates ranged from 22.1 per trap net in 1997 to 71.5 per trap net in 2002. This indicates that Perch Lake may have experienced a winterkill since the 2008 survey, as black bullheads tend to proliferate following winterkill. Black bullheads ranged from 4.3 to 11.9 inches, and averaged 8.3 inches.

The common carp catch rate declined since the last survey from 6.7 per trap net in 2008 to 0.6 per trap net in 2014. Historically, catch rates have varied from 0.1 per trap net in 2002 to 6.7 per trap net in 2008. The 2014 catch rate was below the expected range of catch rates lakes similar to Perch Lake (1.0 to 5.5 per trap net).

Other species sampled included white sucker (n=1), and yellow bullhead (n=2), both species that have been sampled in previous surveys.

Plants in the water and at the water's edge provide habitat, prevent erosion, and absorb excess nutrients. Shrubs, trees, and woody debris such as fallen trees or limbs provide good habitat both above and below the water and should be left in place. By leaving a buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline, property owners can reduce erosion, help maintain or improve water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.

Best management practices within the watershed (no-till farming, cover crops, buffer strips, targeted fertilizer application, reduced or metered tiling) would help reduce nutrients entering the lake. High nutrient and sediment input can cause algae blooms and reduce overall water quality. Any improvements in the watershed are likely to have positive impacts on the fishery.

Prepared by Jonah Dagel

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