1999 Lake Sawyer Survey: The Warmwater Fish Community in a Popular, Unregulated Fishery

The WDFW Warmwater Enhancement Program conducted a stock assessment of Lake Sawyer in fall 1999, because of its warmwater fishery history and suitability of habitat and environmental conditions for these species. Not surprisingly, warmwater fish species, especially yellow perch, dominated our catch. Growth of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, pumpkinseed and yellow perch was consistent with or above western Washington State averages. However, CPUE for largemouth bass, black crappie and pumpkinseed were below average, suggesting low abundance of larger individuals of these species. Obvious gaps in the length frequency distribution of largemouth bass may be due to weatherâ€"related yearâ€"class failure, competition with the abundant yellow perch, or overharvest of larger individuals. Similar factors may also be responsible for the absence of larger, older black crappie and other panfish. The smallmouth bass population in Lake Sawyer appears robust, as evidenced by rapid growth rates, strong PSD values, and CPUE rates consistent with other western Washington State waters. However, an unregulated fishery could jeopardize the structure and abundance of this population. Based on our assessment of the warmwater fish community in Lake Sawyer, enhancement options are discussed that include an assessment of usage and harvest and rule changes to improve the size structures of largemouth and smallmouth bass, and increase numbers of panfish.