2003 Warmwater Fisheries Survey of Sprague Lake, Adams/Lincoln Counties, Washington

Sprague Lake, Adams/Lincoln Counties, Washington, was surveyed Oct. 20-24, 2003, using standard warmwater survey and Fall Walleye Index Netting methods. Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) was the most abundant gamefish collected followed by walleye (Sander vitreus). Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), Smallmouth bass (M. dolomieui), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), brown bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), tench (Tinca tinca), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), and prickly sculpin (Cottus asper) were also collected during this survey. Growth was above average for species from which growth was determined (i.e. yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth and smallmouth bass). Bluegill, black crappie, smallmouth and largemouth bass had above average relative weights, while yellow perch had below average relative weights. Several age classes from multiple species were missing from our samples. This may indicate poor recruitment and could negatively impact sport fisheries in the near future. Walleye had the highest biomass of fish collected and was surpassed only by black crappie in terms of the number of fish collected. Walleye were in good condition and most fish were greater than 16 inches. Abundance of large walleye in this community may be the causative factor of missing age classes of other gamefish.