Final Report A Comprehensive Approach to Reservoir Habitat Management in Table Rock Lake By Missouri Department of Conservation Michael Allen- Fisheries Biologist Shane Bush- Fisheries Management Biologist Michael Siepker- Resource Scientist Ivan Vining- Biometrician Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Jason Harris- Graduate Student, University of Missouri Craig Paukert- Leader and Associate Professor Table Rock Lake Water Quality Inc. Gopala Borchelt- Executive Director June 12, 2014 Table of Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................... iv Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Objective 1: Improve fish habitat in Table Rock Lake ....................................................... 2 Vehicles ....................................................................................................................... 3 Anchors........................................................................................................................ 7 Materials .................................................................................................................... 10 Discussion.................................................................................................................. 19 Objective 2: Improve water quality within Table Rock Lake and its tributaries .............. 22 Reduce nutrient loads .................................................................................................... 23 Background................................................................................................................ 23 Cooperators................................................................................................................ 24 Methods ..................................................................................................................... 25 Benefits ...................................................................................................................... 26 Reduce sediment transfer .............................................................................................. 27 Methods ..................................................................................................................... 28 Results ....................................................................................................................... 36 Objective 3: Improve water quality and habitat within Lake Taneycomo........................ 37 Improve Water Quality .................................................................................................. 38 Improve habitat in Lake Taneycomo ............................................................................ 41 Background................................................................................................................ 42 Methods ..................................................................................................................... 42 Cooperators................................................................................................................ 46 Benefits ...................................................................................................................... 46 Objective 4: Monitor the effectiveness and longevity of structures and projects employed46 Page | i Electrofishing ................................................................................................................ 47 Methods ..................................................................................................................... 48 Results ....................................................................................................................... 51 Discussion.................................................................................................................. 54 SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) ........................................ 55 Methods ..................................................................................................................... 55 Results ....................................................................................................................... 60 Discussion.................................................................................................................. 71 Bio-telemetry ................................................................................................................. 76 Study site ................................................................................................................... 77 Methods ..................................................................................................................... 78 Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 82 Results ....................................................................................................................... 85 Discussion.................................................................................................................. 91 Angler Surveys .............................................................................................................. 96 Roving-Roving Creel Survey ........................................................................................ 96 Methods ..................................................................................................................... 96 Results ..................................................................................................................... 100 Discussion................................................................................................................ 106 Web-Based Opinion Survey ........................................................................................ 108 Methods ................................................................................................................... 108 Results ..................................................................................................................... 109 Discussion................................................................................................................ 115 Objective 5: Develop framework for broader national program focused on habitat protection/restoration in reservoirs and their watersheds ............................................... 116 Page | ii Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... 119 Literature cited ................................................................................................................ 121 Page | iii Executive Summary Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo are located in the White River Hills region of the Ozark Plateau along the Missouri-Arkansas border. At conservation pool, Table Rock Lake encompasses 43,100 acres with 745 miles of shoreline and Lake Taneycomo covers just over 2,000 acres. Crappie, White Bass, Walleye and Paddlefish are among the primary sport fish in Table Rock; however, black bass receive the most attention and fishing pressure. Lake Taneycomo supports an excellent Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout fishery. The combined annual economic benefit of angling on Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo is conservatively estimated at $67 million. In 2007, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), in cooperation with Bass Pro Shops (BPS), the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Table Rock Lake Water Quality Inc. (TRLWQ) and many other partners began the National Fish Habitat Initiative (NFHI) project to sustain and improve the degrading physical habitat within Table Rock Lake. These partners provided the funding and resources necessary to improve habitat and water quality within Table Rock Lake and its tributaries. The project began in October 2007 and continued through December 2013 with funding totaling four million dollars. During this timeframe, a total of 2,024 fish habitat structures were installed in Table Rock Lake; including 1,797 brush structures, 114 rock piles, 76 stump fields, 11 rock and stump combination structures and 26 shallow water rock fence structures. These structure locations were recorded by Global Positioning Systems (GPS) technology and are available to the public on the MDC website. Many different techniques and material types were used for the installation of these habitat structures which required the use of large machines and numerous personnel to implement them. Collecting and hauling of the materials for habitat structures was contracted to a local excavating company. This greatly improved the efficiency of the habitat work portion of the NFHI project. Two large boats, or barges, were used on the project to transport and place the materials in Table Rock Lake. These specialized watercraft made installation of habitat much easier and safer. Hardwood tree tops and cedar trees were the most common types of material used for the habitat structures but pine (Christmas) trees were also used when available. The use of contractors and large machines also allowed for placement of large rock structures and stump fields to add to the diversity of the habitat structures. The MDC, in conjunction with the James River Basin Partnership and TRLWQ,