Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Biologist Report Allegheny Reservoir Warren County Spring 2014 Gill Net, Trap Net and Boat Electrofishing Surveys ______

Home , Allegheny Reservoir, Kinzua Dam

One of several large female Walleyes (29 inch, 7.5 pounds) captured in Allegheny Reservoir, spring 2014.

Kinzua Dam (one of the largest dams constructed east of the Mississippi River), known locally as “Kinzua”, impounds the 12,085 acre Allegheny Reservoir that covers 28.2 miles of the upper Allegheny River. The impoundment is owned and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). Constructed in 1964, the purpose of Allegheny Reservoir’s large storage volume was to augment and regulate flow to improve downstream use; reservoir management yield the following benefits: (1) flood control, (2) enhanced recreational water quality, (3) accounting for registered water withdrawals (e.g., consumptive uses such as public water supply and non-consumptive uses such as cooling water), (4) maintenance of navigation for commercial traffic on both the Allegheny and upper Ohio Rivers, and (5) other benefits. Associated with the Reservoir is a smaller (110 acres, 73 feet deep) upper reservoir that was constructed for hydroelectric power generation at the 435-megawatt Seneca Pumped Storage Generating Station facility. Thus the reservoirs capacity also accommodates power generation.

The reservoir maintains a summer pool elevation of 1394 feet has a maximum depth of 130 feet and experiences an annual winter draw-down of 25 feet. The reservoir’s hydrography is characterized as steep-sided and vast; it spans three counties including Warren and McKean in Pennsylvania and Cattaraugus in New York. Pennsylvania’s portion of the reservoir, at 7,783 acres, is completely surrounded by the Allegheny National Forest (ANF). New York’s portion (4,297 acres) lies within Allegany State Park and Allegany Indian Reservation of the Seneca Nation. The 513,237 acres that comprise the ANF provides excellent opportunities for recreational activities, including boating, fishing, hunting, swimming, hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, mountain biking, and riding ATV’s. The reservoir is popular among recreational boaters and jet skiers who take advantage of the lake’s unlimited horsepower regulations. Also contained within the project area are nine public boat launch sites, a 335-boat-space mooring facility, approximately 1,800 vehicle parking spaces and 414 trailer parking spaces. Over 99% of the reservoir’s shoreline is open to fishing with approximately 50 access points for shore fishermen. For those who like to fish large waters during the winter months, ice fishing is also permitted. The following web link http://visitanf.com/allegheny- reservoir/ is a good source to learn more about the various recreational opportunities surrounding the Allegheny Reservoir.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) stocks the reservoir annually with warm-water species that include Walleye fry; Muskellunge, and Channel Catfish fingerlings. As part of the put- grow-take stocking program, the reservoir also receives annual stockings of Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout fingerlings. Brook Trout fingerlings are also stocked in the reservoir but only when there is a surplus of fish available to be stocked. All fish harvest is guided by Statewide Regulations for Commonwealth Inland Waters. In order to improve angler opportunities for catching sport fish the PFBC, Kinzua Fish & Wildlife Foundation, New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) and Seneca Nation of Indians (SNI) have placed fish habitat structures throughout the reservoir. The PFBC’s Habitat Management Division advertises the specific locations by providing latitude and longitude coordinates of all fish habitat structures placed within the Allegheny Reservoir.

The purpose of this report is to provide information about the Reservoir, describing in particular sport fish monitoring conducted by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in 2014. What follows is an accounting of our assessment findings designed to assess the current status of fish populations. Survey gear types utilized in 2014 included: six panel experimental gill nets, Pennsylvania-style trap nets, and night-time boat electrofishing (NTBEF). Additionally, we wanted to evaluate the success of our stocking programs to determine if we were meeting the minimum criteria for producing high quality fisheries based on the Walleye, Muskellunge and Channel Catfish statewide management plans. Captured fish were measured for total length and a sub-sample (10 fish from each 1 inch size grouping) was weighed to the nearest gram. Additionally, otoliths (Walleye, Yellow Perch), pelvic fin rays (Northern Pike & Muskellunge), anal fin rays (Yellow Perch) and scale samples (all game and panfish) were collected in order to accurately measure age and compute growth statistics. Relative abundance, or catch rate, of fish collected, was expressed as catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE); or number of targeted fish collected per unit of time gear was deployed or “fishing”.

Spring NTBEF Walleye Sampling:

Our first survey utilizing night boat electrofishing targeted Walleye in the early spring and occurred over three consecutive nights on March 8th, 9th, & 10th at three locations: Willow Bay (historical site), Upper Kinzua Arm, and Kinzua Dam Area. A total of 9 runs (~30 min. each) totaling 6.57 hours of effort revealed a good Walleye population with 56 total fish captured yielding an overall catch rate

(CPUE) of 8.52 fish per hour; catch rate by location was also computed (Table 1). Captured Walleye ranged from 4 – 25 inches in length with 38% of legal size (≥ 15 inches). The largest Walleye, captured in Willow Bay, measured 25 inches and weighed over 5 pounds. Interestingly, 20 of the 31 Walleye captured at the Kinzua Dam Breast location were yearlings (<200 mm).

Table 1. Nighttime boat electrofishing Walleye catch summary statistics at three sites on the Allegheny Reservoir.

Upper Kinzua 2014 Sampling Results Arm Willow Bay Kinzua Dam

Date of Survey April 8th, 2014 April 9th, 2014 April 10th, 2014

Time electrofished (hrs.) 2.25 2.42 1.90

Total Walleye captured 4 21 31

Number of Walleye captured ≥ 15 inches 3 18 0

Total CPUE (# fish collected per hour) 1.77 8.68 16.32

CPUE ≥ 15 inches (# fish collected per hour) 1.33 7.44 0

Largest Walleye collected 18 inches 25 inches 13 inches *Other species captured included: Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Silver Redhorse, Golden Redhorse, Bluegill, White Sucker, Quillback, Golden Shiner and Common Carp.

PFBC Fisheries Biologist Brian Ensign & ACOE Fisheries Biologist Carl Nim with two legal size Walleye captured during NTBEF in Willow Bay, spring 2014.

Spring Gill Netting:

During the week of April 14th, 2014 personnel from the PFBC, SNI, ACOE and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) conducted a week long gill net survey of the Allegheny Reservoir. A total of 36 six-panel experimental gill nets were set in water depths ranging from 4 to 15 feet over 24 hour intervals at historical sites that encompassed 802.93 total hours of fishing effort. A total of 736 fish were caught representing 20 different species (Table 2). Since 1977, experimental gill nets have been the preferred sampling gear used to characterize the fish populations due to the reservoir’s depth and steep sidedness. The last gill net survey was conducted in 2009.

Table 2. Species, abundance, size range, and CPUE of fish collected in gill nets at Allegheny Reservoir during the week of April 14th, 2014.

Number Size Range CPUE Species Collected (inches) (fish / 100 hours) Walleye 275 9 – 29 34.25 Northern Pike 67 12 – 38 8.34 Muskellunge 3 34 – 42 0.37 Channel Catfish 2 25 – 28 0.25 Smallmouth Bass 19 12 – 20 2.37 Yellow perch 48 7 – 12 5.98 Rock Bass 20 5 – 9 2.49 White Bass 19 10 – 14 2.37 White Crappie 14 8 – 12 1.74 White Perch 6 8 – 11 0.75 Silver Redhorse 113 9 – 24 14.07 Golden Redhorse 26 7 – 19 3.24 Smallmouth Redhorse 46 8 – 20 5.73 White Sucker 35 10 – 21 4.36 Northern Hog Sucker 2 11 – 13 0.25 Quillback 1 21 0.12 Common Carp 16 8 – 25 1.99 Rainbow Trout - Hatchery 12 9 -12 1.49 Brown Trout - Hatchery 10 10 - 19 1.25 Brook Trout - Hatchery 2 10 - 11 0.25 TOTAL 736

The highlight of the 2014 gill net survey included the capture of 275 Walleye, a substantial increase over the previous survey. Walleye (37%) were the most frequently caught and abundant species in

4 gill nets. The timing of our survey yielded representative measures of relative abundance as most species captured were engaged in movement associated with spawning. Experimental gill net gear, a passive gear, relies upon fish movement for effective capture. Walleye captured ranged in size from 9 - 29 inches with 166 (60%) being of legal size (≥ 15 inches; Figure 1). A number of fish between 12 to 17 inches were observed, an encouraging sign for anglers, as the reservoir’s Walleye population is currently providing good numbers of harvestable size fish. However, the high catch of sublegal Walleye suggests that fishing should continue to be good in the future. Our overall Walleye catch was the 5th highest on record and more than twice the amount compared to the previous 2009 survey. Furthermore, this year’s catch rate of 34.25 fish/100 gill net hours was the 4th highest on record and well above the long-term mean of 27.45 fish/100 gill net hours for the 1991-2014 periods (Figure 2).

Walleye 50

Number of of Number individuals 20

0 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 29 Length (inches)

Figure 1. Length frequency distribution of Walleye captured by gill nets in Allegheny Reservoir, spring 2014.

60.0 Walleye ≥ 20 in.

50.0 15 in.≥ Walleye < 20 in. Walleye < 15 in.

40.0

30.0

20.0 Catch per Gillnet (100 hours) (100 Gillnet per Catch 10.0

0.0

Year

Figure 2. Historical comparison of gill net catch rates (fish/100 hours of gill nets) for Walleye in Allegheny Reservoir, 1991 – 2009, 2014.

Another highlight of our sampling was the abundant Northern Pike population which continues to improve in overall size and age structure with each successive survey. This naturally reproducing, self-sustaining species typically spawns when water temperatures are between 46 – 53° F, just shortly after ice out. Since Northern Pike spawn before Walleye the timing of our sampling coincided with the peak of Northern Pike spawning activity as many of the larger females were ripe with eggs. We captured a total of 67 pike that ranged from 12 to 38 inches (Figure 3) where 47% were of legal size (≥ 24 inches). The largest Northern Pike measured 38 inches and weighed 12 pounds. The catch per effort was calculated at 8.34/100 gill net hours, which was above the long-term average, and appears to be on the increase based on the CPUE values from the 1991 – 2014 periods.

Northern Pike 5

3 Number of of Number Individuals 2

0 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 35 38 Length (inches)

Figure 3. Length frequency distribution of Northern Pike captured by spring gill nets in Allegheny Reservoir 2014. .

PFBC Fisheries Biologist Brian Ensign with a 37 inch Northern Pike from Allegheny Reservoir, spring 2014.

Since our spring night boat electrofishing and gill net surveys primarily targeted Walleye, other species such as Muskellunge, panfish (defined below) and Smallmouth Bass were captured in lower abundance. A total of three Muskellunge were captured by gill nets for a CPUE of 0.37/100 gill net hours. Typically adult muskellunge are not captured effectively until water temperatures rise to around 50˚F and movement associated with spawning activity begins. Those musky that were captured were all of good size (≥ 34 inches) and weight, with the largest fish measuring 42 inches and weighing just over 22 pounds (pictured below).

PFBC Area 2 Fisheries Manager Allen Woomer with a 42 inch, 22 pound, 4 ounce female Muskellunge.

The PFBC began stocking Channel Catfish fingerlings in 1974 with the primary goal to provide enhanced recreational fishing opportunities. Over that period, a total of 127,589 fish have been stocked. In 2005 a change in stocking strategy from alternate year stockings to annual stockings was adopted to provide more fish available to anglers. During the 2014 survey only two Channel

Catfish were captured by gill nets. Although they occur in low abundance, the sizes of the individuals caught were noteworthy. Both fish captured were greater than 20 inches in length with the largest fish measuring 28 inches and weighing 8.9 pounds (pictured below). Given such low catch results, the stocking of Channel Catfish in Allegheny Reservoir may not be the most effective use of the PFBC’s hatchery production; thus, other methods of enhancing Channel Catfish such as the use of spawning boxes may be considered as alternatives to stocking. Continued stocking will be guided by the statewide Channel Catfish Management Plan criteria, currently in draft review.

A trophy-size Channel Catfish captured during spring gill netting.

Overall panfish populations and catch rates were similar to previous surveys and are typical of other US Army Corps of Engineers impoundments of similar size. Of all the panfish caught, Yellow Perch were the most numerous species; all other species were of low abundance. The Yellow Perch population remains stable, providing anglers with good opportunities to catch quality sized fish. Of the 48 Yellow Perch caught, all were greater than 7 inches with most between 8 - 9 inches. In addition to yellow perch, other panfish species captured included Rock Bass, White Bass, White Crappie, and White Perch. The size of White Bass and White Crappie was impressive with the majority of our catch (93%) being greater than 9 inches, including several fish in the 12-inch range.

A pair of quality-sized White Crappie captured during spring gill netting.

The largest Yellow Perch at 12.4 inches captured in our spring gill nets.

The White Bass population is stable and remains popular among reservoir fishermen. White Bass, native to the drainage, were not originally stocked by PFBC but have become established as a component of the sportfish community. A total of nineteen White Bass were caught and ranged in size from 10 – 14 inches.

Typical size White Bass in Allegheny Reservoir.

Other fish species observed during our gill net sampling included Common Carp, an increasingly popular sportfish. White Sucker, Northern Hog Sucker, Silver Redhorse, Smallmouth Redhorse and Golden Redhorse were also collected. White sucker provide for sport fishing opportunities and young of this species and young of Redhorse sucker species are an important component to the overall fish community in that they collectively provide an abundant forage base for other sportfish that inhabit the lake. Also captured were nineteen Smallmouth Bass that ranged in size from 12 to 20 inches with 19% greater than 15 inches. The catch of Smallmouth Bass sampled by gill nets is encouraging despite the timing of our sampling (cooler water temps) and the fact that this particular gear type is not usually effective in evaluating their population.

FM Area 2 Fisheries Biologist Brian Ensign and SNI Fisheries Biologist Shane Titus, each with a pair of legal size Allegheny Reservoir Smallmouth Bass.

Spring Trap netting:

Staff revisited Allegheny Reservoir during the dates of April 21st – 23rd to further evaluate the Muskellunge, Walleye and panfish populations. Three trap nets were fished for a total of 6 overnight trap net sets (24 hour period intervals) encompassing a total of 133.75 hours. A total catch of 47 fish representing eight different species were captured. In general, relative abundance appears consistent with our gill net survey, in that catch rates and relative abundance for most species are similar to surveys of years past and stable.

An additional seven Walleye were captured by our trap net gear and ranged in size from 8 - 23 inches. Two adult Muskellunge were also captured; both were identified as males and measured just under 38 inches.

NTBEF Smallmouth Bass Sampling:

Fisheries Management Area 2 personnel returned to Allegheny Reservoir for two nights on May 4th & 5th to sample the Smallmouth Bass population via night boat electrofishing. Results from these surveys revealed that Allegheny Reservoir contains a dense Smallmouth Bass population, however most fish were less than 12 inches in length. Two locations, Sugar Bay and Wolf Run Marina, were sampled over the two night period. Seven combined electrofishing runs (~30 minutes each) were performed for a total of 3.25 hours of effort. A total of 307 Smallmouth Bass were caught and fish ranged in size from 2 - 19 inches (Figure 4) yielding an impressive combined catch rate of 94 fish per hour (Figure 5). Bass over 12 inches yielded a catch rate 2.7 fish per hour and over 15 inches a rate

12 of 1.3 fish per hour. Catch rates for smallmouth bass were similar to historical averages with the exception of bass greater than 15 inches which was the highest on record.

Smallmouth Bass 40

Number of of Number Bass 20

0 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Length (inches)

Figure 4. Length frequency distribution for Smallmouth Bass captured in Sugar Bay and Wolf Run Marina combined during night-time boat electrofishing surveys of Allegheny Reservoir.

160 Total CPUE (fish/hr)

CPUE ≥ 12" (300 mm) 140 CPUE ≥ 15" (375 mm) 120

100

60 CPUE hour) / (number CPUE 40

0 Sugar Bay Wolf Run Marina Combined Sites

Figure 5. Catch rates (CPUE) for Smallmouth Bass captured in Sugar Bay and Wolf Run Marina during nighttime boat electrofishing surveys in Allegheny Reservoir.

FM Area 2 Intern Nick Yarosyneski with two quality-sized Smallmouth Bass captured during NTBEF electrofishing surveys.

Left to right: Jason Cote (USACE Ranger, Shenango Lake – Far Left), Al Woomer (PFBC, Fisheries Biologist), Larry Becelia (SNI, Project Manager, Fish and Wildlife Department) Shane Titus (SNI, Fisheries Biologist) Nate Welker (USFS/ANF, Fisheries Biologist) Mike Yakich (USFS Seasonal Wildlife Biologist) and Carl Nim (ACOE Biologist – Far Right), all take a moment to warm up in the sun between sampling gill nets.

In conclusion, the Allegheny Reservoir offers excellent angling opportunities for Walleye, Smallmouth Bass and Northern Pike. The reservoir also offers good fishing opportunities for Yellow Perch and Rock Bass. Popular fishing locations targeted by anglers apart from the main lake include the Kinzua Arm, Sugar Bay and Willow Bay. Ice fishing is permitted and can be very productive when the reservoir is in its drawdown state, as fish become more concentrated thus improving angler success. The PFBC would like to extend a special thanks to the staff from the USFS for the use of their boat to conduct the historical gill net survey and to other cooperators and volunteers for their assistance in conducting these fish surveys and enhancements.

Prepared by Brian Ensign, Area 2 Fisheries Biologist