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This page includes the results of the fisheries study completed by Lori Trotta during 2000. Our plans and responses to this study are included on our Fish Stocking Page.
Peck Lake is the second largest body of water in Fulton County, New York (Nashett, 1987). Peck Lake as it exists today was formed from three smaller lakes; Peck's Pond, East Lake and Gould Lake, in 1911 when Niagara-Mohawk constructed a concrete dam and spillway. A large earthen dam was built at the northeastern end, to keep impounded water from flowing into West Stoney Creek.
The lake's surface is at an elevation of 1380 feet and it has a shoreline of 13.9 miles (Nashett, 1987). Peck Lake has a maximum depth of 40 and a mean depth of 13 feet, and the annual water level fluctuation of 8 feet, (96 inches).
Niagara-Mohawk used the flow from Peck Lake to augment water flow to downstream generating facilities (Nashett, 1987). Orion Power New York bought the rights to the dam from Niagara-Mohawk in 1999. The dam was rebuilt 20 years ago, and is on a regular schedule of recording gauge measurements and maintenance, (per. com. Niziol, 2001). There is an 11 foot draw down of water level in a year with normal snow cover. The draw down begins after the recreation season ends when the flash boards are removed and the reservoir is filled by spring and the flash boards are replaced after spring runoff ends, (Niziol, 2001).
The 1932 Biological Survey reported fish species present in Peck Lake as: Northern Pike, Esox lushes; Chain Pickerel, Esox niger; Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides; Smallmouth Bass, Micropterus dolomieul; Yellow Perch, Perca Flavescens; Brown Bullhead, Ictalurus nebulosis; and Sunfish, Lepomis spp. In 1974, Schupp reported a similar list plus: Black Crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus; Rock Bass, Ambloplites rupestris; Suckers, Catastomus spp..; and Rainbow Trout, Salmo gairdneri (Nashett, 1987).
Private stocking by Peck Enterprises included 2000 Largemouth Bass and 200 Black Crappie in 1948 and 100 Rainbow Trout in each of 1959, 1965, 1967 and 1972, (pers. com. Peck, 2001). In 1978, 1700 Largemouth bass were stocked, (PLPA, 1994). The fish stocking continued through the 1980's. The PLPA has stocked the lake in each of 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, (pers. com. Nitsche, 2000). Fish species stocked by the PLPA included Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Bullhead and Perch. The fish stocked were between 3" to 9" long, (Fish Stocking Page). Large Rainbow Trout were stocked in 1999, (pers. com. Peck, 2000).
In the late 1800's, "Peck's Park" was created to satisfy demands of the public for private hunting and fishing grounds with modern transportation and facilities, (PLPA, 1994). Peck Enterprises advertises "fabulous fishing" at their resort.
The PLPA and Peck Enterprises would like to know if their stocking efforts are fruitful and cost effective. The Peck Lake Protective Association, (PLPA), Fish Committee Chairpersons William Nitsche and Albert Peck expressed concern that the quality of the fishing at Peck Lake has declined. This is the same sentiment expressed by Bernard Sleeper and Albert Peck in 1984, (Nashett, 1987). New York State DEC rated the angling quality at Peck Lake to be good overall, (Nashett, 1987).
The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, (DEC), performed a survey in 1984 to gather biological data because there had been no officially verified fish species inventory done since 1932. Such information is needed in order to help in the review of permit applications for such things as protection of waters and hydropower development. DEC was denied permission to collect fish since the 1932 Biological Survey, (Nashett, 1987).
The purpose of this survey is to collect fishery resource data for the PLPA and Peck Enterprises to use to make management decisions, such as fish stocking, for Peck Lake. The data collected will be compared to DEC's 1984 survey in an effort to identify trends and/or changes in the fish populations in Peck Lake.
Fish Sampling
Pennsylvania trap nets were in place of the Swedish gill nets used by DEC as required by the Pecks and the PLPA. The rectangular opening of the trap was 76"x37" with a lead line 17 yards long. The lead line was ruin perpendicular to the shore and the trap set under the water's surface. The mesh size of the netting was 1/2" square. The pot was approximately 10 feet long and consisted of a second rectangular frame the same size as the opening, followed by four rings 20 inches in diameter. each piece of the frame was spaced 20" apart. The total length of the trap net was approximately 60 feet long.
Trap nets are effective in capturing migratory species that tend to follow shorelines. They are less selective than gill nets in terms of size and species. Selectivity can occur due to variable escape rates relative to season, species and size of fish, (Nielsen, 1983).
Ten sites were selected and numbered for setting the trap nets. Two nets were set per day and recovered 24 hours later. It took seven days to sample all ten sites.
A Smith-Root electrofish boat was used to sample the lake. A 3500 watt Honda generator was used to supply electrical power to the unit using a variable voltage pulsator, (VVP), to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) running at 60 pulses per second. The unit can be run at six to seven amps, and 336 or 504 volts. The current is split between forward cathode and anode array. Two lateral booms acted as anodes while a center boom acted as a cathode.
Electrofishing was conducted according to the sampling methods prescribed by the Bureau of Fisheries, Fish Sampling Manual, (Green, 1989). The shoreline was divided into sections of equal length. The sections were fished for either thirty minutes collecting game fish only or fifteen minutes collecting all fish. The shoreline was not fished from the earthen dam to the east of the rocky shoals due to extreme drop off in depth and difficulty in maneuvering around the rocks. Also, the shoreline from "Rock Island" to the concrete dam was not electrofished due to heavy fog conditions causing visibility to be zero.
Water quality parameters were sampled in the three deepest sections of the lake which were found using an electronic depth finder. The oxygen, pH, temperature and conductivity were tested using an Aquachek water analyzer. Alkalinity was tested using a Hatch water testing kit. One site was retested using a Kemmer bottle and Hach water testing kit to check results received by the water analyzer the previous day. It could not be done in the same day due to a thunderstorm.
There were very low levels of oxygen below the thermocline which occurred at approximately seven meters of depth. At two of the sites, the oxygen was below 1ppm. At the third site, the oxygen dropped to below 3ppm. A second test of oxygen levels was performed at this site, which showed the levels to drop to 3ppm, again. Oxygen levels and temperatures were lower than those found by DEC in 1984. The pH was also lower by 0.2 pi units at the surface to 1.1 pi units at the thermocline. The alkalinity and conductivity were also found to be low. This is not unusual for waters lying within the Adirondack zone as defined by Pfeiffer, (Nashett, 1987).
In July of 2000, secchi disk transparency readings were found to be 12.25' (147"), 11.75' (141") and 11.25' (135") at the three sites. NYSDEC's result in 1984 was 15.5' (186") secchi disk transparency depth. The average secchi disk reading from 1992-1998 was 4.37 feet (Kishbaugh, 1999). The relatively high secchi disk transparency readings are most consistent with the relatively low algal growth, and the low nutrient levels found at Peck Lake from 1992-1998, (Kishbaugh, 1999).
CSLAP did not find any significant change in the water quality parameters at Peck Lake during their five year study. DEC's study showed results closer to that of this study. Testing done in July of 2000 found the secchi disk transparency to be deeper and the pi to be lower. The differences could be not only related to actual fact, but to the difference in samplers, equipment used and location sampled.
This survey captured the following numbers of gamefish species by boat electrofishing and trap netting: 19 Smallmouth Bass, 11 Largemouth Bass, 11 Chain Pickerel, 1 Northern Pike and 7 Walleye. Other species captured by boat electrofishing and trap netting: 60 Pumpkinseed, 82 Yellow Perch, 41 Rock Bass, 3 Brown Bullhead, 45 Golden Shiners, and 9 Fallfish. No Black Crappie or White Suckers were found.
In comparison with the DEC's survey in 1984, there were less Rock Bass captured, but their range was greater because more smaller fish were caught. About the same number of fallfish were captured. Their range of size was less and they were smaller fish. About the same number of Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass were captured and their ranges were greater on the low end for Smallmouth and on the higher end for Largemouth. There were more Chain Pickerel captured and although the sizes fell within the same range as 1984, the range was smaller. Only one Northern Pike was captured and it was about twice as large as the Pike caught in 1984.
There were a wide range of Smallmouth Bass, wider than in 1984 and no real peak in numbers. Approximately 27% of the Largemouth Bass were found in the 2-3 inch interval. This is the same as in 1984. There were more Chain Pickerel caught in this survey of a larger size, although a peak exhibiting itself at the same 6-7 inches. Only one Northern Pike was collected at 35".
Walleye were collected in this survey for the first time. There were only two major size classes, 16-17 inch and 2-3 inch intervals.
The Yellow Perch were much smaller than in 1984 with 46.3% in the 0-1 inch range. The Pumpkinseed were also smaller showing a peak in the 4-5 inch range versus the peak of 1984 shown at 7-8 inches. The Rock Bass exhibited a peak of 4-5 inches which is one inch smaller than 1984, but they were generally about the same size as those caught in 1984. Length frequency distributions were not done for golden shiners in 1984, but they showed their majority in the 0-1 inch interval in 2000. Only three Brown Bullhead were collected and they were spread out into different intervals.
In comparing the mean lengths of fish collected by electrofishing and trap netting in 2000 to those collected in 1984, the fish in general are smaller. Although Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass and Rock Bass mean length is about the same same as it was in 1984. Only Golden Shiner mean length is larger.
Proportional Stock Densities, (PSD's), were calculated for species with established stock and quality lengths. A population is balanced when it sustains a satisfactory harvest of a good size fish in proportion to the productivity of the habitat, (Kohler, 1993). The PSD's for Largemouth Bass and Yellow Perch are under balance, although the Largemouth Bass PSD has risen since 1984. The Yellow Perch PSD has gone down significantly since 1984. The Pumpkinseed exhibit a significantly reduced PSD as well. The Walleye PSD is over balance. The Smallmouth Bass PSD indicates that population is in balance, but has gone down since 1984.
Fish species were also tabulated by length and age groups. In comparison with the fish recorded in the 1984 study, the Smallmouth Bass and Chain Pickerel are about the same. The Largemouth Bass are smaller in length in all age groups. Only one Northern Pike was captured in this study, but it was twice as old as those caught in 1984. A comparison to a study of the age and average length of common fishes done at SUNY-Cobleskill in 1992, showed the Smallmouth Bass to be appropriate size for their age, and the Largemouth Bass to be small for their age.
Water level fluctuations measured by Wellington Peck between September 1995 and August 2000 were also used in this study. The lake is drawn down has increased every year from 68" in 1998 to 103" in 2000. Also when the largest draw down occurred changed from late January/early February in 1996 and 1997 to March in 1998, 1999 and 2000.
The physical and chemical parameters measured in July 2000 clearly indicate that the lake should not be managed for coldwater fish species (eg. trout) because of the anoxic conditions in the hypolimnion. In 1987, DEC predicted that this would occur every summer. This should not have much of an affect on the warmwater fish in the lake other than to prevent them from going to deeper water during this period of anoxic conditions, (Nashett, 1987).
In the summer, as temperatures warm dissolved oxygen levels go down. These levels are also decreased by decomposition at the bottom of the lake. So, the upper level or epilimnion becomes too warm for certain species, and the lower level or hypolimnion becomes anoxic in the summer causing some coolwater fishes, such as walleye, to become stressed and possibly die. In winter, if sun can penetrate through the ice photosynthesis by green plants will continue to provide oxygen, but as snow covers the ice, this will stop. Decompostion and respiration will continue and cause oxygen depletion. If the dissolved oxygen levels become too low a winter kill could occur. Walleye and Bass are the first to succumb, (McMartin, 1986).
The pH values have declined some since 1984 when they were around neutral. As in 1984, low levels of alkalinity was observed and indicates limited acid reducing capacity. Different species of fish react differently to pH levels. Fish, in general, require pH levels between 6.5-8.5. Many fish can survive in waters of extreme pH, even for an extended period of time, but growth and reproduction will suffer, (Piper et al, 1989). Fish have less tolerence for pH levels outside their normal range at higher temperatures, (Piper et al, 1989). Smallmouth Bass and Pumpkinseed prefer pH levels of 7-7.5, while the Rock Bass prefer 7 pH, (Fishbase, 2000. Walleye and Largemouth Bass are very sensitive to pH and will stop reproducing at pH levels between 5.4 to 5.7 pH.). Northern Pike and Chain Pickerel seem to be very tolerant of low pH levels, (McMartin, 1986). Although, Northern Pike will cease to spawn at pH levels below 5.0, (NISC, 1997).
Relatively few lakes have characteristics that make liming possible and economically feasible. Liming would cost between $40 to $200 per acre. There is little question that liming is not a solution to the problem of low pH, (McMartin, 1986).
The color of the water at two of the test sites was found to be yellow/brown as in 1984, but the water at the third site was found to be green in color. Although the conductivity was the same as the other sites tested and therefore also low in nutrients, the green color indicates some algal growth. This could be due to the fact that there is rock substrate here and non place for rooted vegetation to take hold. Also as reported by Bill Nitsche, when the lake was drawn down for repairs of the dam, a stream flowed from "Beaver Bay" towards the earthen dam. This shows not only the flow of water, but the flow of nutrients.
CSLAP reports indicate that Peck Lake is less productive than other lakes in the Mohawk River drainage, (Kishbaugh, 1999). Residents still express concern about an increase in the amount of vegetation observed and wonder if these plants will overtake the lake and ruin it for swimming and boating. Water fluctuations along with low productivity of the lake will keep the lake satisfactory for swimming and boating.
The water fluctuations showed the water levels are lowest in winter when there is still ice on the lake and the greatest amount of draw down just before spring. Over-winter drawdowns can destroy weedbeds by exposing them to frost, (McMartin, 1986). This could be removing habitat fro Northern Pike, Pickerel, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Black Crappie and Golden Shiner which rely on vegetation for spawning and for cover, (Smith, 1985). The lowest levels occur in March. Although the water levels go up very quickly, there could be some effect on the spawning and egg survival of some early spring spawning fish. Northern Pike begin to spawn soon after the ice disappears and the the water temperatures reach 40-52 degrees, (Smith, 1985).
A population is balanced when it sustains a satisfactory harvest of good size fish in proportion to the productivity of the habitat, (Kohler, 1993). Balance depends on the density of fish of various sizes in the population, both adequate number of catchable fish and sufficient smaller fish to provide replacement, (Kohler, 1993). A good bass population has mid-range values of PSD from 40-70%. The Smallmouth Bass at Peck Lake fall into this range. Bass populations with low or no annual reporduction or low or indeterminable rates of mortality will exhibit PSD of greater than 80%. Those with PSD values below 20% have variable or excessive reproduction and variable and indeterminent or high mortalities of stock size fish, (Anderson, 1980).
Length frequency numbers as well as PSD's indicate that recruitment for both the Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass are up. There is a concern about the slower growth of fish, since in general they were smaller for their age now than in 1984.
Reservoirs, when newly flooded provided excellent growth conditions for fish, but decline in a relatively short time, Several factors exist which contribute to the decline in quality of reservoir fisheries. First of all, the general decline in productivity of reservoirs causes a decline in the productivity of fish populations. Reservoirs tend to lose nutrients rather than collect them and recycle them through the biotic communities, (Ross, 1997). Initial flooding of reservoirs causes an increase in productivity due to the extremely high levels of nutrients from the decomposition of flooded herbaceous materials and deforestation. The flushing of water from the reservoir takes the nutrients with it, (Ross, 1997). This productivity cycle is referred to as the "boom-and-bust" cycle. A second factor is the decline of the abundance of predators such as Largemouth Bass due to overharvest, (Ross, 1997).
Vegetative habitat should be provided for fish for spawning and cover. Both Northern Pike and Chain Pickerel; are found in weedy marshy areas and their young attach themselves to vegetation for a short period of time after hatching, (Smith, 1985). The Largemouth Bass is also found in weedy areas of lakes. Yellow Perch are most abundant near vegetation, (Smith, 1985). Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Black Crappie Brown Bullhead, and Golden Shiners all use vegetation either as habitat for a certain life stage or as preferred habitat. A majority of the forage fish and the young-of-the-year fish were found in "Beaver Bay" making it the "nursery" of the lake. Destroying the vegetation in this area or any other area of the lake would be very detrimental to the fish populations of the lake.
Fishing pressure is reportedly at Peck Lake, (Anderson, 1980). There are no angler surveys to support this report. Angler surveys should be done in order to get a better idea of the fishing pressure. This could be done through the PLPA and Peck Enterprises. Snapshot reports such as this and the other surveys done can give only a limited amount of information. Identifying the actual fishing pressure on the lake can help to decide a stocking regime.
A consistent plan for lake management including the testing of physical and chemical parameters, productivity, as well as the fish of Peck Lake could give interested parties a better idea of the trends occurring in the lake. Although the data from this survey was compared to the data DEC collected, it is not a good comparison because the methods of were different. DEC used gill nets and this survey did not. Also, the electrofishing of this survey covered most of the shoreline, while DEC's survey only concentrated on a couple of bays. From this survey no trends could be seen because of the lack and difference of previous data. This is why more consistent testing of the ecology of the lake is required.
Fisheries managers have found that enforcing strict minimum length limits, manipulating water levels and following specific stocking strategies can slow the decline in the quality of recreational fisheries in reservoir systems, (Ross, 1997). Self-sustaining fisheries based on Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Sunfish, Yellow Perch and others have been widely established in reservoirs after stocking. Fisheries focused on Northern Pike and Walleye are often maintained through yearly stocking because of the lack of sufficient reproduction, (Ross, 1997).
There is a self-sustaining population of Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass in Peck Lake. Stocking of these fish is not required unless it is desired by the concerned parties to replace the the fish being taken out of the lake. Over-stocking the lake could cause stunting of the fish because of the limited amount of productivity in the lake. Stunted fish are those that are small in size for their age because of the lack of food for the number of fish present in the lake. Consistent examination of these populations is required in order to truly know what is happening to them.
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