2000 Warmwater Fish Survey of Tanwax Lake, Pierce County

Tanwax Lake was surveyed by a three-person crew from May 15-21, 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 1,387 fish, representing eight species and the family Cottidae (i.e., sculpins), were sampled from Tanwax Lake. Of those, yellow perch (Perca flavescens), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) are the most abundant, numerically, at 77.4%, 7.4% and 6.7%, respectively. Together, these three species accounted for 95% of the total biomass of the sample. Other species sampled during the survey include: black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatis); brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus); bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus); cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki); sculpin (family Cottidae); and pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus). Stock density indices indicate a balanced predator-prey community, though sample sizes for most panfish species were low. Yellow perch, largemouth bass and black crappie will provide the most opportunity for the warmwater angling public. Recommendations for Tanwax Lake include: 1.) An angler creel survey to estimate angler preference, effort, and harvest; and 2.) Continued fish community surveys during both spring and fall seasons.