Sheridan Fish Volume 1, Issue 1 Management Crew Volume 1, Issue 1 “From the Bighorns to the Black Hills” May 2004

Wyoming Game and Fish Department “Conserving Wildlife - Serving People”

Inside this issue: Greetings From Your Fish Management Team

Walleye & DeSmet 1-2 Welcome to the first angler newsletter for and largemouth bass, sunfish, northern pike, Northeast ! We hope you find it walleye and tiger muskie. Story Hatchery changes 3 informative and interesting and we look for- ward to hearing from you. Through this and future newsletters we’ll be Muddy Guard #1 plans 3 highlighting many of the more popular fish- Our region covers all of the northeast corner ing spots you’re familiar with, as well as the LAK Reservoir update 4 of Wyoming; over 18,000 square miles in work we do with Wyoming’s lesser known Sheridan, Johnson, Campbell, Crook, Wes- but important native fish. Staying legal 4 ton, Niobrara, Natrona and Washakie Coun- ties. Major drainages are the Little Bighorn, It’s all part of our mission and we want to Keyhole Reservoir news 5 Tongue, Powder, Little Powder, Little Mis- tell you about it. So again, welcome, and by souri, Belle Fourche, and Cheyenne. all means please let us know what you think Special regulations 5 about our newsletter. One reason we are so excited about working North Tongue & Bull 6 here is the tremendous diversity of fish and To reach us by phone, Call 307-672-7418 Creek fishing opportunities. There are some 3,000 and ask for one of the fisheries biologists. stream miles and 19,000 surface acres sup- To send us a letter or email, please see the Wilderness 6 porting everything from cold water fish in back page of this newsletter. stocking the high mountain lakes, to warm water spe- The Powder River 7 cies in the prairie lakes and streams. Happy fishing! Contact us 8 These waters support 7 native game fish spe- cies and 19 native non-game fish species. In Wyoming/Montana 4-H Fishing Camp! addition to the natives, there are 27 different introduced fish species, most of which are For kids 12-17 years old. July 19-22 at the game fish, such as rainbow, brown, brook, Johnson County Youth Camp. Call 307-766- 5679 or 406-994-3501 for details. splake, lake and golden trout, smallmouth

Walleye In Lake DeSmet: Why Not? Special points of interest: Since 1991, the year we dis- Like all predators, they re- about every fish around, and covered walleye had been quire more and larger forage aside from a few lucky • 4-H Kids fishing camp illegally transplanted into as they mature. A 21 inch birds, mammals, and peo- Lake DeSmet, we’ve been walleye can eat another fish ple, not much else preys on • Meet the crew asked this question. And 1/3 it’s body length (7 inch them. the answer comes down to stocked trout goes down • Free Fishing Day biology and habitat. nicely). A trout is the ice Because of their feeding crème cone of a walleye diet habits, a key to supporting a Young walleye forage on compared to eating a deep good walleye fishery is an • Dates to remember zooplankton and insects un- bodied, spiny-rayed perch. abundant fish forage base. til they are about 4-5 inches, • Powder River and its fish but switch to larger forage, If they survive, they become Spawning is another critical such as small minnows, as apex predators, meaning element. Walleye spawn • Contact us! they grow. that as adults they eat just (Continued on page 2) Page 2 Volume 1, Issue 1

(Continued from page 1) Free Fishing Day 2004 over clean, well-washed cobble- Lake DeSmet is low on the scale sized substrate. A large female of biological productivity with walleye is a prolific spawner, its average depth of 62 feet of The 2003 Wyoming Legislature capable of producing up to cold water, steep drop-offs, sco- approved an annual Wyoming Free 300,000 eggs. ria substrate, paucity of sediment Fishing Day, to be designated by the and vegetation, and few shallow Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. While Lake DeSmet has an bays. abundance of what appears to be good walleye spawning habitat, For trout however, Lake DeSmet The Commission then declared June 5, we have not seen a lot of small is considered relatively produc- 2004 as Free Fishing Day to coincide walleye. Annual netting surveys tive – to a point. with the beginning of the National help us monitor these popula- Fishing and Boating week for the next tions. The open clear water allows 2 years. good light penetration, essential However, we remain concerned for producing the microscopic that only moderately successful phytoplankton that zooplankton As a result, residents and nonresidents reproduction at Lake DeSmet feed on. may fish in Wyoming without a fishing could result in a burgeoning license or conservation stamp (except walleye population that could in In turn, zooplankton supports on the Wind River Indian Reservation turn consume a major portion of this trout fishery. But, a zoo- the 150,000 5-7 inch trout that plankton diet limits a trout’s and Yellowstone National Park). are stocked annually. ability to grow much larger than 18 inches. But remember, all other fishing Lack of a sustainable fish forage regulations and limits apply, so be sure base could lead to slow growth, While DeSmet appears on the and look at the regulations before you smaller size and, eventually, a surface to be a potential walleye population dominated by stunted gold mine --- under the surface head out. walleye. the biological story says other- wise. So, plan your family reunion for June 5 and add fishing to the festivities

“Lake DeSmet provides NE Wyoming anglers with an excellent trout fishery”

“A 21 inch walleye can eat another fish 1/3 it’s body length”

“If walleye become well established in Lake DeSmet, we are concerned that anglers would experience a fishery with a few really nice (well fed) walleye, for a while --- until the stocked trout are gone” Pulling a beach seine at the South end of Lake DeSmet Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 3

Changes At Story Fish Hatchery

Operations have changed at Story Fish 75,000 Eagle Lake rainbow trout will be the Hatchery in the past few years in response to only stocking done by Story Hatchery per- concerns about whirling disease. Since the sonnel in 2004. All other area stocking will hatchery water supply originates from South be done by other hatcheries around the state. Piney Creek instead of a spring or a well, the Because of the longer travel distances for the possibility of this disease occurring in the other hatcheries, fish will not be stocked as drainage and subsequently at the hatchery frequently, but the total numbers of fish has altered the way we operate. The disease stocked will remain consistent with what has not been found to exist in the drainage or Story hatchery has done in the past. Story Hatchery Superintendent Dave Ackerman with an Eagle at the hatchery to date, but the Game and Lake rainbow trout spawner at Fish Department has opted to err on the side What does this mean for the fisherman? Story Hatchery of caution where this disease is concerned. Studies have shown that catch rates of stocked fish peaks within a few weeks of “(whirling disease) In line with this decision has been a shift stocking and then gradually decreases. This has not been found from fish stocking emphasis at the hatchery is especially true for small impoundments or to egg rearing activities. The hatchery has ponds. The reasoning behind frequent stock- to exist in the always supplied lake trout eggs for in-state ing is to provide more consistent fish catch- drainage or at the needs and for trades to other states for wall- ing opportunity for anglers throughout the hatchery” eye, catfish and bass. Hatchery personnel fishing season. Less frequent stocking will take around 1.3 million lake trout eggs each result in more angler effort needed to catch “Story Hatchery fall. Development of an Eagle Lake Rain- fish. Every effort will be made to stock fish bow trout brood stock began two years ago at as frequently as is possible from distant has traditionally Story. In the spring of 2004, hatchery per- hatcheries. supplied most of the sonnel will take approximately 1.1 million fish stocked in the rainbow trout eggs. Story Hatchery remains a very popular tour- Sheridan and ist destination, with around 20,000 visitors Buffalo areas” Story Hatchery has traditionally supplied each year. In 2003 - spring, summer, and fall most of the fish stocked in the Sheridan and staffing for the hatchery visitor center was Buffalo areas along with northeast Wyoming eliminated due to budgetary constraints. The “numbers of fish waters. The hatchery has raised 250,000 – same applies for 2004. Hatchery personnel stocked will remain 300,000 fish for stocking purposes each year. will make every effort to provide information consistent with what and give tours when workloads allow, but the Story hatchery has With the relatively close proximity of the regular visitor center staff will not be avail- hatchery to area waters, personnel were able able for scheduled tours or to answer ques- done in the past” to stock fish at frequent intervals when water tions. temperatures permitted. Spring stocking of

Making Big Fish At Muddy Guard #1 (we hope!)

While big fish and lots of ‘em isn’t pos- suckers have become dominant and may sible everywhere, we think we can do be limiting trout growth. To discuss this proposal and help final- better at Muddy Guard Reservoir #1. ize plans, we will be hosting two open To improve trout production we are house meetings in Sheridan and Buf- This reservoir has been managed for planning to treat the reservoir this sum- falo. Both meetings will be from 5-7 trophy fish and special regulations since mer to eliminate white suckers. pm. 1990 but has never many large trout. Of course we will re-stock the reservoir The Sheridan meeting will be June 16th th Though trout are plentiful in Muddy as soon as possible after treatment, and at the Game and Fish office on East 5 Guard we’ve only sampled one rainbow we think that after a few years, trout Street, and the Buffalo meeting will be and a few brown trout over 20 inches production, and ultimately fishing will June 17th at the Johnson County Li- since 1998. At the same time, white be better. brary at 171 North Adams. Page 4 Volume 1, Issue 1

Cool Water Fishing At LAK Reservoir

For the regulars fishing LAK Reservoir near used to be so common you literally couldn’t Newcastle, it’s no secret that fishing is not keep ‘em off your hook. the same as it was a few years ago, and for those who haven’t been there in a while, it’ll While green sunfish numbers have gone be different than you remember. If you’ve down, our catch of smallmouth bass has in- Small tiger muskie from LAK Reservoir shortly after they never been there, you creased, and some were introduced might be surprised. Green Sunfish and Smallmouth Bass Catch From of the smallmouth Lak Reservoir are up to a couple Over the last few years 3000 of pounds. “While green we’ve changed man- 2500 sunfish numbers agement emphasis 2000 Of course you 1500 have gone down, from trout to cool wa- 1000 might expect trout 500 our catch of ter species like tiger Caught Number would swimming a muskie, walleye, and 0 bit scared after we smallmouth bass 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 smallmouth bass, and Year introduced the has increased” the results are looking toothy tiger muskie pretty good. Green Sunfish Smallmouth Bass and walleye, and “we think the you’d be right. fishing has gotten We changed because our netting data showed better. We hope that trout grew and survived poorly, and be- Netting has shown pretty large decreases in cause LAK was over populated with green brown trout and rainbow trout catch and this you agree” sunfish that we thought were out competing was confirmed by an angler survey con- trout for food. ducted in 2002. But the tradeoff, in addition to good smallmouth bass fishing, is that After talking to lots of people and discussing some walleye up to 1.5 pounds are now it quite a bit we decided to introduce tiger taken from LAK, and there is always the muskie and walleye to prey on the green sun- chance of landing a legal-size tiger muskie fish and reduce their numbers. (over 30 inches).

We’re still looking at the data, but it really We’ll keep watching fish trends at LAK but looks like green sunfish numbers are down. for now, we think the fishing has gotten bet- This is good news because green sunfish ter. We hope you agree. A nice 1 1/2 pound small- mouth from LAK Reservoir The Long And Short Of It

Measuring fish is a simple task; just Measuring fish with the tail spread regulations. Plus, you’ll be doing it the lay the fish on a ruler and you have the out isn’t very accurate, gives a shorter way most fisheries biologists in the length, right? Basically yes, but just length, and won’t work where length do it. how you lay a fish on a ruler makes a limits apply. big difference. If you are fishing on a water that has Wyoming Fishing Regulations define size limits and you catch a fish that length as the total length in inches, you know is close to the limit, would- measured in a straight line along a flat n’t you want to measure it so you surface, from the tip of the snout to the knew you would not be in violation of tip of the tail. In this case, “total the regulation and subject to a fine? length”, means measuring a fish from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail So, remember to squeeze the tail Correct method for measuring fish with the lobes of the tail squeezed to- lobes together, you get the “total gether. length, and you’ll be ok with the Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 5

Keyhole Reservoir

Our 2003 fish sampling at were sampled. while crappie Wyoming gets walleye and “Walleye and Keyhole showed a great from 7 to 10.5 inches were northern pike fingerlings by northern pike are game fish size structure. also caught in the nets. trading fish with the State of North Dakota. stocked at the rate Walleye ranging from 12 to The 7-8 inch crappies are of 20 fingerlings per 28 inches and averaging very abundant in Keyhole The table below shows how surface acre” 19.6 inches were found. and until a significant por- many walleye and northern The weight of the average tion of that size class suc- pike were stocked from 2000 “in early May 2004 walleye was nearly 3 lbs. cumbs to natural mortality, through 2003, and what is our request will be it is doubtful the size struc- planned for 2004. for 120,000 Small walleye are usually ture desired by anglers will fingerlings of each not caught with our standard improve. species” gill nets, so small mesh gill nets are set to sample wall- Walleye and northern pike eye less than 10-12 inches. spawning and natural repro- Northern Pike and Walleye Stocked at Keyhole Reservoir Several walleye from 4.8 to duction are unreliable in 7.1 inches were captured in maintaining the populations 300,000 the small mesh nets, indicat- of these two species at Key- 250,000

ing good to fair survival of hole so fingerlings (small d our walleye stocking in fish about 1-2 inches long) 200,000 Northern Pike 2001 and 2002. are routinely stocked. 150,000 Walleye 100,000 Northern pike averaged 30 Walleye and northern pike Number Stocke 50,000 inches and ranged from 22 are stocked at the rate of 20 to 37 inches. The largest fingerlings per surface acre; 0 northern weighed almost with Keyhole at about 6,000 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 13.5 lbs. surface acres in early May Year 2004 our request will be for Smallmouth bass ranging in 120,000 fingerlings of each length from 8 to 17 inches species.

Why Size Limits On Fish? “wouldn’t you want to measure so you knew Why do some waters have size limit regula- There are usually three types of length lim- you would not be in tions on certain species of fish? its used to achieve management goals. A minimum size limit requires release of all violation of the The answer is that size limits allow fisheries fish smaller than a specified length, a maxi- regulation and subject biologists to target a certain size or size range mum size limit requires that all fish larger to a fine?” of fish that need protection or need additional than a certain size be released, and a slot harvest. limit requires the release of fish within a “to provide better specified length range. For instance, predators that are the right size quality angling are more efficient at reducing prey of certain In all cases though, the intent is to improve opportunities. That’s size. And by reducing an over abundant prey fish population structures to provide better what all anglers want species, fishing can be improved for both quality angling opportunities. That’s what and that’s what the predator and prey. Sometimes a certain size of all anglers want and that’s what the fisheries fisheries biologists at fish are the best spawners so they are protected. biologists at the Game and Fish Department Or, if a lot of smaller fish are harvested, it will want for Wyoming anglers! the Game and Fish allow the rest of the fish of that species to grow Department want for to a larger size sooner. Wyoming anglers!” Page 6 Volume 1, Issue 1

North Tongue River and Bull Creek Update

Although most ranged from 1 to 12 inches. Yellowstone cutthroat in Bull anglers probably Creek ranged from 6 to 8.5 inches. haven’t noticed the difference, a Anglers are reminded that the North Tongue from the mouth change in the of Bull Creek upstream, including Bull Creek and all tribu- subspecies of taries, is managed with special regulations. All fish except cutthroat being brook trout must be returned to the water immediately after stocked in these being caught. two waters has occurred over the In spite of the special regulations however, brook trout seem last two years. to be increasing in the North Tongue and Bull Creek. This Electrofishing in the Tongue River drainage concerns us because we mange these streams for cutthroat In 2002 and 2003 trout and we do not want brook trout competing with the half of the cutthroat stocked were and half were cutthroat. Yellowstone cutthroat. Starting in 2004 all the fish stocked will be Yellowstone cutthroat. The special regulations allow anglers to keep brook trout “Yellowstone and we encourage anglers to do so (up to their legal limit) in cutthroat are Sampling in 2003 indicated Yellow- Bull Creek or the North Tongue. stone cutthroat are probably surviving probably surviving Also, If anglers wish to keep some trout for the table other and growing about and growing about as well as the Snake River cutthroat and populations in both than brook trout, fish harvest is allowed on the North as well as the streams remain healthy. Tongue downstream of the mouth of Bull Creek. Snake River cutthroat and In the North Tongue, Snake River cut- Sampling in 2003 indicated a healthy population of rainbow throat from 5 to 16 inches were sam- and cutthroat trout in that reach of river. We estimated a populations in trout population of just over 2,000 fish per mile with rain- both streams pled, while Yellowstone cutthroat ranged from 6 to 9 inches. Snake bow and cutthroat trout up to 13 inches and brook trout up remain healthy” River cutthroat sampled in Bull Creek to 11 inches.

Cloud Peak Wilderness Lakes Stocking

Planning is underway to stock 25 Cloud Weather permitting, stocking will be ness, Magdalene, Mead, Powell #,1 Peak Wilderness lakes with trout this done sometime in early August. Powell #2, Seven Brothers #6, Sherd, summer. Trigger, and South Piney #2 will be Although the lakes will be stocked with Snake River cutthroat. Stocking is stocked this summer, it will Lame Dear, Seven Brothers #1, Seven required be- be several years before these Brothers #2, Seven Brothers #3, Seven cause natu- fish grow large enough to Brothers #4, Seven Brothers #5, and ral repro- catch. That’s because alpine Seven Brothers #7 will be stocked with duction is lakes are cold and generally Eagle Lake rain- insufficient unproductive, and the 2-3 bow. “Stocking is done to support a inch stocked fish will grow every two years in quality fish- pretty slowly. Hope, Ringbone ery. and South Piney the Bighorns” Stocking Fish by helicopter in the Cloud Eventually these fish will pro- #1 will be Stocking is Peak Wilderness vide quality fishing amidst stocked with done every “because natural some of Wyoming’s most Yellowstone cut- two years in the Bighorns with individ- reproduction is spectacular scenery. throat. ual lakes stocked on 2 or 4 year rota- insufficient to tions depending on the stocking needs Angeline, Brown Bear, Florence, support a quality and amount of angler use. Golden, Long, Loomis, Lost, Wilder- fishery” Page 7 Volume 1, Issue 1

Powder River Fish Study Begins

The Powder River is one of Wyo- The Powder is home to species adapted Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat biolo- ming’s few free-flowing rivers and is for survival in a river that exhibits tre- gists in Sheridan, Casper and Laramie mendous variation in sea- will begin a joint study of the Powder sonal flow, turbidity, and River this summer to refine informa- temperature. tion about fish distributions, their rela- tive abundance, and the habitats that The Powder supports a di- sustain them. The project will also verse fish fauna but specific include a survey of amphibians and life history information is reptiles. lacking for most species, habitat characteristics associ- While not designed specifically to ad- ated with most species are dress potential impacts of CBM devel- poorly known, and only lim- opment, results from this project will ited information about the help biologists understand what makes Powder River near Schoonover Road bridge distribution and relative this unique prairie stream tick. abundance of species or as- regarded as one of the Nation’s last semblages is available. Understanding the native aquatic com- remaining, largely intact, prairie munity of this dynamic natural-prairie stream ecosystems. Information gaps in our knowledge of stream will help us predict how human the aquatic ecology are especially glaring influences might impact this system. in light of recent and rapid developments Powder River Fish Facts in the Coal Bed Natural Gas industry throughout this river basin. The Powder River is home to 5 native sucker species: white, longnose, mountain, shorthead redhorse and river carpsucker.

The shovelnose sturgeon is a primitive species and lacks scales, has a cartilaginous skeleton, and has Shovelnose Sturgeon rows of bony plates. The shovelnose spawns in Crazy “The Powder River is one Woman Creek after migrating to of Wyoming’s few free- Wyoming from as far away as the flowing rivers” Yellowstone River. Plains killifish are a native fish common to the Powder River. They belong to the topminnow The channel catfish, a native fish family and have an upturned mouth adapted for surface feeding. “results from this project popular with anglers, also uses the will help biologists Powder for spawning and rearing of understand what makes young. A close cousin, the stonecat, this unique prairie stream is relatively unknown to most anglers due to its small size, but is tick” also common to parts of the drainage.

The Powder River drainage is also habitat for the sauger, a Wyoming native and a close relative of the non-native walleye. Sauger, a close relative of the walleye Sheridan Fish Management Crew Special thanks to the folks at Story Hatchery, Dave Wyoming Game and Ackerman, Brad Welch, and Jennifer Reasoner for their contributions. Fish Department

“ Conserving Wildlife - Serving People” We welcome you comments or suggestions about this newsletter. Please feel free to contact us with the information to the left, or email us at: Wyoming Game and Fish Department Sheridan Region [email protected] P.O. Box 6249 [email protected] Sheridan, WY 82801 [email protected]

Phone: 307-672-7418 Fax: 307-672-0594 Things to Remember

⇒ June 5: Statewide Free Fishing Day, no license required, see regulations booklet ⇒ June 5-13: National Fishing and Boating Week (search the web) ⇒ June 16: Muddy Guard #1 open house (Sheridan WGFD office, http://gf.state.wy. 5-7 pm) us/ ⇒ June 17: Muddy Guard #1 open house (Buffalo Library, 5-7 pm) ⇒ July 19-24: 4-H Sportfishing Camp (call phone #’s on front page) ⇒ September 10-12: Wyoming Hunting and Fishing Heritage Expo, Casper Events Center

Bob McDowell has 34 years of fish management experience with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, working in Jackson, Laramie, and Buffalo/Sheridan. His permanent career began in 1973 working as a Spe- cial Projects Biologist charged with crafting fish management plans for the Pole Mountain beaver pond complex, the upper North Platte River, and the Laramie Plains Lakes in SE Wyoming. Bob transferred to Buf- falo in 1985, and from there was promoted to Regional Fisheries Supervi- sor for the Sheridan Region in 1987. When not thinking like a fish, Bob enjoys home remodeling, landscaping, photography, and the occasional opportunity to wet a fly. Bob has a MS degree in Zoology/Physiology from the University of Wyoming.

Bud Stewart has nearly 30 years experience as a fisheries biologist. The first ten years of his career he worked for the Nebraska Game and From left to right, Bill Bradshaw, Bob McDowell, and Parks Commission in northeast Nebraska managing warm and cool water Bud Stewart fish. In 1985 he accepted a position with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department reviewing and commenting on environmental documents in the Cheyenne office. Then in 1987 he returned to fish management and transferred to northeast Wyoming. Bud has a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Nebraska and a Masters degree from the University of South Dakota.

Bill Bradshaw began his fisheries career after earning a Bachelors degree from The Evergreen State College in Olympia Wash- ington in 1978. After working for the Washington Department of Fisheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Depart- ment of Game, and private consultants, he returned to school, where he earned his Masters degree in fisheries from the University of Louisiana in Baton Rouge in 1983. Bill came to work for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in January of 1987 as a state-wide Instream Flow Biologist. He has been a Fisheries Biologist in Northeast Wyoming since transferring to Sheridan in 1993.