2005 Warmwater Fisheries Survey of Red Rock Lake, Grant County, Washington

Red Rock Lake was surveyed by a three-person team June 14-22, 2005. Ninety-six percent of fish sampled were warmwater gamefish species. In addition, common carp (Cyprinis carpio), northern pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus oregonensis) and lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) were collected. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were most abundant followed by largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus), and black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus). No tiger muskie (Esox lucius �" E. masquinongy) were collected during this survey despite stocking in 1997 and 1999. Growth and relative weights were above average for all species; however, relative weights declined with increasing length for yellow perch. Black crappie, largemouth bass, and tiger muskie declined in abundance in our samples from 1999 to 2005. Declines in abundance of crappie and bass may be the result of ineffective sampling due to low water conditions, or may be due to biological changes driven by over harvest, changes in available prey, or entrainment into Red Rock Creek. Declines in abundance of tiger muskie are likely due to exploitation, no reproduction, and no subsequent stocking since 1999.