2001 Washburn Island Pond Warmwater Survey Okanogan County, Washington

Washburn Island Pond, Okanogan County, Washington, was surveyed by a three person team between October 8 - 11, 2001. All fish were collected using boat electrofisher, gill nets, and fyke nets. Seven fish species, bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), pumpkinseed (L. gibbosus), brown bullhead (Ictalurus nebulosus), channel catfish (I. punctatus), largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), and tench (Tinca tinca) were collected. Bluegill were found in high density relative to all other fish species observed. Growth of bluegill was below the statewide average and relative weights were below average for most bluegill. Electrofisher catch rate of bluegill was nearly 2.5 times higher than observed during a 1998 electrofishing survey. Largemouth bass were found in low density. Growth of largemouth bass was found to be above average for most age classes, and relative weights were slightly below average but increased with length. Catch rate of largemouth bass by electrofisher was found to be approximately 50 percent of that observed during a 1998 electrofishing survey. Of the other fish species observed during the survey, all were found in low density, and only black crappie and channel catfish were actively being stocked. The management strategy for Washburn Island Pond is to provide a quality size (150 mm) and larger bluegill fishery, a largemouth bass fishery with an emphasis on catching more smaller-size fish with the occasional large bass, and to provide additional angling opportunities for black crappie and channel catfish. We recommend the following as possible strategies to achieve management goals: physical removal of bluegill by electrofisher or fyke netting, stocking of largemouth bass, conducting periodic creel surveys, and monitoring management actions with additional warmwater surveys.