1998 Lake Goodwin Survey: Potential Trophy Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass Fisheries in a Heavily Fished, Intensively Managed Western Washington Lake

Lake Goodwin is located north of Everett in a region of Snohomish County known as the Seven Lakes area. This area contains a cluster of lakes with watersheds forming chains. The largest chain is comprised of Lake Loma, Lake Crabapple, Lake Goodwin, and Lake Shoecraft (listed in downstream order). This chain drains into Tulalip Creek which flows through Weallup Lake, and finally into Possession Sound. Lake Goodwin is comprised of three basins with a total surface area of 224 hectares and a volume of 12.3 million cubic meters. Its maximum and mean depths are 15.2 and 5.4 meters, respectively (Williams et al. 1999).

Historically, the watershed and lakeshore of Lake Goodwin were heavily wooded but trees have been steadily removed in recent decades to accommodate residential development. Today the Lake Goodwin watershed is about 40% developed and the lake’s shoreline is almost completely developed, predominantly with single family housing (Williams et al. 1999). Moreover, the lake shoreline is approximately 42% bulkheaded with 290 docks. Most of the littoral zone is devoid of natural coarse woody debris and is patchily vegetated with largeleaf pondweed (Potamogeton amplifolius), naid (Najas flexilis), brittlewort (Nitella sp.), stonewort (Chara sp.), and invasive Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum).

Extensive development and heavy recreational use of Lake Goodwin have resulted in intensive management of the lake in several respects. Fluctuations in regulated water levels have been an ongoing issue of concern with residents. While some residents have reported property damage due to high lake levels in the spring, others have been unable to use their docks during low levels in summer. Increasing use of the lake by boaters, water-skiers, and personal watercraft has resulted in heavy traffic on the lake during summer months and subsequent regulation of these activities. The invasion of Eurasian watermilfoil during the late 1980’s or early 1990’s has resulted in active management of littoral vegetation by the Snohomish County Surface Water Management Division. In 1996 Snohomish County received a grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology to control the Eurasian watermilfoil due to concern that this aquatic plant could potentially colonize large areas of Lake Goodwin’s littoral zone. By placing burlap barriers over dense watermilfoil colonies and hand-pulling plants in scattered locations divers have eradicated up to 95% of the Eurasian watermilfoil in the lake. However, regular year-toyear efforts have been recommended for management of this non-native plant (Williams et al. 1999).

Despite rapid development in recent years, water quality in Lake Goodwin remains good with only occasional algae blooms occurring (Williams et al. 1999). A Seven Lakes restoration analysis, carried out between 1982 and 1984 found Lake Goodwin to be a mesotrophic lake, well oxygenated throughout most of the year (Entranco Engineers 1984). This monitoring and analysis led to the conclusion that comprehensive in-lake restoration measures were not necessary, and that preventive measures would be the best strategy for meeting long term water quality goals.

The popularity of Lake Goodwin as a sport fishery has resulted in intensive management of its fish populations. Historically the lake harbored populations of sculpin (Family Cottidae), chub (Family Cyprinidae), suckers (Family Catastomidae), and cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki). Mackinaws (Salvelinus namaycush) were stocked in 1921 and eastern brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka), and cutthroat trout were stocked throughout the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s. The Washington Department of Game (WDG) expended considerable resources surveying trout populations, water quality, zooplankton populations, and fishing pressure (WDG, unpublished data). During these decades illegally introduced populations of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), and brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) also became established but were periodically controlled through lake rehabilitation with the piscicide, rotenone. However, data suggesting that Lake Goodwin did not provide optimum conditions for salmonid fishes and increasing interest in fishing for warmwater species led to the management of the lake as a mixed species fishery (WDG, unpublished data). In the early 1980’s smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) were introduced into Lake Goodwin and throughout the 1980’s and early 1990’s interest in warmwater species continued to develop. An extensive creel survey by Kraemer (1992) originally undertaken to measure angler recovery of stocked trout, found substantial pressure on largemouth bass, yellow perch, and other introduced species as well (Figure 1, Table 1).

The potential for increased warmwater angling opportunity and anecdotal information that angler interest in bass fishing in Lake Goodwin has increased dramatically since 1991 (Curtis Kraemer, WDFW, personal communication) led the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Warmwater Enhancement Program to survey the lake in late summer of 1998. We sought to evaluate concerns that forage fish populations might be expanding and stunting, that fishing pressure might be adversely impacting largemouth bass and smallmouth bass populations, and that these phenomena might be related.