Warmwater Fish Survey of Spanaway Lake, Pierce County, Spring 2000

Spanaway Lake was surveyed by a three-person crew from May 22-25, 2000. Multiple gear types (electrofishing, gill nets, and trap nets) were utilized to reduce any sampling bias associated with each sampling method. A total of 1,702 fish, representing ten species and the family Cottidae were sampled at Spanaway Lake. Of those, yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) were the two most abundant by number, respectively. Rock bass and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were the two most abundant by biomass, respectively. Other species sampled included: rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), smallmouth bass (M. dolomieu), coho (O. kisutch), pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), sculpin (family Cottidae), brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus), and cutthroat trout (O. clarki). Sample sizes for most species were too low to draw firm conclusions about the balance of the fish community as a whole. Warmwater anglers will find that there is plenty of opportunity to fish for yellow perch and rock bass, while those willing to work a little harder can catch good sized largemouth and smallmouth bass as well. Recommendations for Spanaway Lake include: 1.) An angler creel survey to estimate angler preference, effort, and harvest; 2.) Continued fish community surveys during both spring and fall seasons; and 3.) An assessment of secondary productivity.