2006 Warmwater Fisheries Survey of Whitestone Lake, Okanogan County, Washington

A three-person team surveyed Whitestone Lake September 18-21, 2006. A total of 7 fish species were collected during the survey, of which bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were the most abundant, respectively. The largemouth bass fishery in Whitestone Lake is similar to the outcome sought under a big bass management option (Willis et al. 1993). Under the big bass option, largemouth bass Proportional Stock Density (PSD) should be 50 to 80 and bluegill PSD should be 10 to 50. During 2006, largemouth bass were above and bluegill were below the big bass standard for stock density. The number of largemouth bass collected in 2006 greater than 300 mm in length increased from findings of the 2000 warmwater survey (Osborne and Petersen 2001), raising the PSD value. Bluegill density was high, and growth and condition were below average. Overall, largemouth bass in Whitestone Lake were numerous at larger sizes, sparse at smaller sizes, and bluegill displayed characteristics of a stunted population.

Yellow perch (Perca flavescens), pumpkinseed sunfish (L. gibbosus), black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), and carp (Cyprinus carpio) were collected in lower numbers, but similar abundance wise to the 2000 survey. The abundance of channel catfish collected during 2006 increase significantly since the 2000 survey, their first observation since stocking began in 1997. Channel catfish have been successful in adapting to Whitestone Lake and should provide anglers with an excellent opportunity to harvest large fish.

We recommend the stocking of additional largemouth bass, mechanical removal of bluegill, continued stocking of channel catfish, and removal of carp while performing future management actions.