1 Pennsylvania - \ June 1994/$1.50 y : i #• -;* d* .. "i 1«^ft .- .* .*L<3£ ;--' •^i <%#*.•**<• ^ •E 5uk ' *ftl a StimoJ/ii Qalk Grass Carp Six years have passed since the Commis­ family and is native to the Amur River in Grass Carp Coordinator, Pennsylvania Fish sion first considered the use of triploid the former U.S.S.R. and Republic of China. and Boat Commission, 450 Robinson Lane, grass carp for aquatic vegetation control. It was first introduced into tjie United States Bellefonte, PA 16823-9620. For some time private pond and lake own­ in 1963 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser­ Pond owners should remember that "more ers and managers have sought an alter­ vice (USF&WS) to study its use in aquatic is better" may not be the solution when con­ native to the use of aquatic herbicides. vegetation control. All indications are that sidering introducing triploid grass carp into Today they have a choice. the fish has been doing the job for which it their ponds or lakes. The appropriate stock­ There is a new fish in the Commonwealth was introduced. ing rate depends on the size of the water and hopefully it's going to clean things up. Grass carp were found to be effective in and the amount and kind of aquatic veg­ Are these fish with the huge appetite as ef­ a wide range of conditions but thrived and etation present. Clearly defined objectives fective as their reputation indicates? Are grew most successfully in water tempera­ over an extended period should be speci­ they the cure-all for all the aquatic plant prob­ tures of 67 to 90 degrees, and could reach fied to encourage gradual vegetation control, lems in some of our waters? Perhaps we ages of 15 to 20 years and weights of more achieve favorable results, and to preclude may be expecting too much from these "un­ than 25 pounds. However, as in other fish, excessive costs resulting from purchasing derwater lawn mowers" that have evolved water temperature and abundance of food too many fish. Overstocking could lead to greatly affect the growth potential of trip­ to consume specific plants and over time total eradication of vegetation. It could also loid grass carp. Specifically, it favors rooted reduce the need to use aquatic herbicides. cause a blue or green discoloration of the aquatic plants, such as milfoil and curlyleaf Will the remedy for the removal of unsightly water caused by algae that grow rapidly from pondweed. Thus, the decision whether or and restrictive aquatic plants hamper a excess nutrients released in the water as the not to stock triploids should be influenced triploids defecate the remains of rooted landowner's ability to rear warm/coolwater by the quality of available food. aquatic plants. This condition could be more fish or an angler's ability to catch fish in a unacceptable to a pond owner than the protective habitat? Only time will tell how If your concern is that the triploid grass carp will reproduce, that possibility is mini­ water's original state. these herbivorous fish are accepted in the mized because they are certified sterile. Commonwealth. To encourage conservative use, the Com­ Sterility is caused from shocking fertilized Let's take a brief look at the grass carp, mission will allow a maximum stocking rate eggs to produce three sets of chromosomes. or white amur. It belongs to the minnow of no more than 15 triploids per surface acre Hence, the term triploid. Biological vali­ of water. Also, to allow sufficient time for dation of this sterile condition is done by the initial stocking to take effect, additional USF&WS at the production sites before the stockings may not take place until at least introduction of each shipment into the state. two years have elapsed from the initial stock­ Only non-reproducing triploid grass carp ing date. can be brought into Pennsylvania. An ad­ The stocking of triploid grass carp should ditional safeguard is that stocking will be not be looked at as the cure-all for aquatic limited to ponds and lakes to minimize plant removal. Instead, it is another tool. possible escape. In some situations it may be necessary to Effective January 1, 1994, it became le­ use triploid grass carp in conjunction with gal to import, transport and possess triploid aquatic herbicides to provide the most ef­ grass carp in Pennsylvania. Importation of fective results for control of nuisance aquatic this species is guided by a strict regulation plants. One should also consider the fac­ and permit process. As previously stated, tors and events, such as nutrient runoff, that it begins with the USF&WS determination led to the overabundance of aquatic plants of fertility or sterility. Written certification and plan to implement conservative corrective of triploid condition accompanies each ship­ action. Then decide if triploid grass carp ment and is provided to the transporter and meet your control objectives. the Commission. Spot checks of sterile Collectively, we should protect a most condition and stockings are planned by the valuable aquatic resource, our ponds and Commission's law enforcement personnel lakes, by using discretion, sound judgment to preclude misuse. and common sense. No matter what action To exercise strict control over the entire we take to control unwanted aquatic plants, process, permits are required to transport and in the long run a quick, inadequate idea may Lawrence W. Hoffman stock triploids in the Commonwealth. A not be in an owner's best interest and in the Executive Director stocking permit allows a person for a $20 interest of resource protection. Seeking Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission fee to purchase and stock a pond or lake. professional advice and assistance is encour­ Subsequent stockings require a new permit. aged. If you choose to use triploid grass Trading, exchanging or giving triploids by carp for aquatic vegetation control, let your one owner to another is not allowed. Ap­ Commission know how things work out. We plications are available by writing to: Triploid are eager to hear from you. June 1994 Pennsylvania Angler June 1994 Vol. 63 No. 6 Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Pennsylvania James S. Biery, Jr. President Swatara Paul J. Mahon ANGLER Vice President The Keystone State's Official Fishing Magazine ^^ Clarks Green Samuel M. Concilia Lake Arthur's Striped Thunder by Jeff Knapp North East The Commission began stocking hybrid striped bass in Lake Arthur Ross J. Huhn Saltsburg in 1984. Reliable reports suggest that anglers have caught hybrids Donald N. Lacy that measured around 30 inches 4 Reading T. T. Metzger, Jr. Branches of the West Branch by Mike Bleech Johnstown Major tributaries to the West Branch Susquehanna are some of the finest HowardE. Pjlugfelder freestone trout streams in Pennsylvania. Local anglers share their secrets New Cumberland of how to score there 8 Leon Reed Honesdale William J. Sabatose The Drake that Gets No Respect by Charles R. Meek Brockport You may already be familiar with green drake and brown drake hatches. J. Wayne Yorks The yellow drake, close relative of the green and brown drakes, hatches Benton about mid-June. Prepare properly and this month you could get in on some great action 12 Boating Advisory Board Donald J. Little Smallmouth Nymphing by Harry W. Murray Chairman One of the most productive ways to fool stream smallmouths is working Philadelphia Clayton Buchanan nymphs on a fly rod. You're fully armed with these technical details on Pittsburgh how to do it 15 Gary Miles North East Southeast Pennsylvania Walleyes by John W. McGonigle Thaddeus Piotrowski No fewer than 11 waterways in southeast Pennsylvania offer walleye Bloomsburg angling as productive as anywhere in the Commonwealth 18 Vincent P. Riggi Clarks Summit Bass Fishing on Northwest Natural Lakes by Darl Black Magazine Staff Eight inland natural lakes in northwest Pennsylvania offer bright Editor—Art Michaels prospects for largemouth action 20 Editorial Assistant—Charlene Seifert Cantankerous Catfish by Mike Bleech Art Director—Ted Walke There are many places in Pennsylvania where you can catch 20-pound Circulation—Eleanor Mutch catfish. If you're serious about nailing a channel catfish or a flathead Circulation—Patti Copp catfish, better read these details 24 Staff Assistant—Rose Ann Banal Staff Assistant—Nita Lynch On the Water with Charles F. Waterman Indelicate touch 28 Regular contributors Darl Black SMART Angler's Notebook by Carl Richardson Mike Bleech Floats and bobbers 31 Jeff Knapp Charles R. Meek Pennsylvania Angler (IS5N0031-434X) is published monthly by the Pennsylvania This issue's front-cover largemouth bass was photographed Fish & Boat Commission. 3532 Wainul Street, Harrisburg, PA 17109. ©1994. by Wally Eberhart. Nothing in Ihis magazine may be reprinted without the written permission of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Subscription rates: one year. S°: three years, S25; single copies are S1.50 each. Second class postage is paid at Harrisburg. Surveys PA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Pennsylvania Angler Circulation, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. P.O. Box 67000. Harrisburg, PA 17106- Every few years we survey Angler reader to stay attuned to your fishing and conservation 7000. For subscription and change ol address, use above address. Please allow' six practices and preferences. If your subscription is up for renewal soon, you have probably weeks for processing. Send all other correspondence to: The Editor, Pennsylvania Angler. P.O. Box 670OO. Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. Editorial queries and contributions received a subscriber survey in your renewal notice. If your subscription isn't up for renewal are welcome, but must be accompanied by sell-addressed, stamped envelopes. Material and you'd like to participate in the survey, just send us a request for the survey.