Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

The Corps of Engineers of the Department of the Army plans and constructs authorized flood control and multiple-purpose reservoirs under the general provisions of the Flood Control Acts of 1936 and 1944 and other legislation authorizing specific reservoir projects. The 1944 Act delegates to the Secretary of the Army responsibility for prescribing regulations for the use of flood control or navigation storage at all reservoirs, except those of the TVA, constructed wholly or in part with Federal funds. Effective functional operation of reservoirs is a most important factor in insuring that they accomplish the purposes for which they were designed and produce the benefits which justified their construction. Flood control, navigation, and power development, singly or in combination, are the major purposes for which reservoir projects have usually been authorized in Southeastern United States.

The reservoir has a surface acreage of 160,500 and contains two rather dissimilar lakes; namely, Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion. A four-year continuous creel census indicated that three-fourths of the catch of crappies was made in Lake Marion. Four distinct growth rates were encountered in a growth study of each species in each lake. A food habit study of 149 full crappie stomachs showed insects to occur 77.1% of the time and fish 55.7% of the time. A world record black crappie (Pomoxis nigro-maculatus) was caught in Lake Moultrie on March 15, 1957.

Fathead minnows averaging 1.74 pounds per thousand were stocked into ponds January 21 at rates of 100,000 per acre, and fed 6 days a week until the ponds were drained April 1. The feeds were 3 forms of Auburn NO.2 fish feed, namely, dry mix, crumbles, %-inch diameter pellets, and a commercial trout pellet. The ingredients of the Auburn No.2 fish feed were: 35 Percent Soybean Oil Meal . . . . . (44 percent protein) 35 Percent Ground Peanut Cake . . . . . (53 percent protein) 15 Percent Fish Meal . . . . . (60 percent protein) 15 Percent Distillers Dried Solubles . . . . . (24 percent protein) The composition of the Auburn No.2 fish feed was 46 percent protein, 26 percent carbohydrate, and 5 percent fat. The analysis of the trout ration was 43 percent protein, 20 percent nitrogen-free extract, 3.25 percent fat, and 4 percent fiber. The initial daily feeding rate was 3 percent of the body weight of the fish for the period January 22 to March 2.

Determination of a desirable concentration of 5 percent emulsified rotenone in. a given lake to control gizzard shad was accomplished by an observational technique. The concentration employed varied from 0.06 p.p.m. to 0.14 p.p.m. The time of year considered best suited for treatment was during the fall. Methods used to apply the toxicant were varied but appeared about equal of results except while using spray planes. The most favorable results occurred when good distribution was secured by using six to twelve hours for application, numerous surface units and dilute mixtures. As many as 4,600 acre feet were treated by one efficiently equipped boat. A table is presented which was used as a basis for calculations of concentrations. At least three successive treatments one year apart were needed for the most effective control of shad. Conclusions regarding stocking were not drawn.

A pattern of high original reservoir productivity followed by gradual decline (in terms of angling success and desirable fish production) has been evidenced in a chain of lakes, of different ages, on the Ouachita River, Arkansas. Lake Catherine, formed in 1923, consists of 3,000 acres; Lake Hamilton, created in 1931, consists of 7,200 acres, and Lake Ouachita, impounded in 1953, covers 40,000 acres. A comprehensive fishery study was conducted during the summers of 1955, 1956 and 1957 to investigate and compare the fishery resources of these lakes and formulate management plans. Comparison of limnological data indicated that the physical-chemical factors of the water of the three lakes were normal and, in fact, appeared to be optimum for good fish production. Fertility, as determined by plankton collections and bottom fauna studies, was greater in Lake Catherine and Lake Hamilton than in Lakll Ouachita.

The 1957 Legislature expanded The Florida Hyacinth Control Program to a Noxious Vegetation Control Program. This made testing of herbicides for the control of other noxious plants necessary. A convenient field test of herbicides was developed. These herbicides were tested using disel oil and/or water as a carrier.

During the six years 1952 to 1957, a total of 13,269 waterfowl of three species (lesser scaup, redhead and canvasback) were banded in Maryland. From these, 1,125 band recoveries had been reported to June, 1958. Bands recovered through hunters (shot) made up the great majority of all reported, ranging from 91.9 percent of all recovered for lesser scaup to 96.5 percent for redheads. Waterfowl of the three species investigated were reported from 33 states, six Canadian provinces and the Bahamas. Some idea of the chronological order of migration was obtained by plotting band recovery reports by monthly and biweekly periods for the various states. The percentages of bands recovered for the three species were compared. Some apparent differences were noted in the first year recovery rates of adults and juveniles banded during the post-hunting season period.

Four experiments with 0.1 p.p.m. or less of 5 percent emulsified rotenone were conducted at Lake Beulah, Florida. Lake Beulah, an eighteen-acre lake with an average depth of 14.9 feet characteristically had a heavy plankton production. Estimated pounds of gizzard shad killed progressively declined during the four experiments although concentrations of rotenone were increased. The first kill was estimated at 23,455 pounds of shad; second kill, 7,976 pounds; third kill, 1,528 pounds; and fourth kill, 1,060 pounds. Small numbers of fish of other species were also killed. Length-frequency studies of gizzard shad indicated an over populated condition existed at the time of the first poisoning. Thereafter reproduction and rapid growth of this species occurred. Evidence exists that threadfin shad may have been eliminated from Lake Beulah following the use of the selective poisoning technique. Total kill calculations included results from bottom sample screens.

Preliminary Investigations Of Chemical Soil And Water Relationships And Lime Treatment Of Soft Water In Georgia Farm Ponds 0 By H. D. Zltllltr And A. B. Mon'l'go:mltry Georgia Game And Fish Commission Atlanta, Georgia Abstract A general classification of pond waters according to hydrogen ion and total hardness of calcium and magnesium is correlated with the major soil regions in the state. Specific correlation between Piedmont soils and Coastal Plain soils are apparent. Limited data is available on lime treatment of soft waters and relationships to fertilization programs. Pond bottom soil analysis before and after liming exhibit beneficial nutrient releases following treatment, and water concentrations of calcium and magnesium and hydrogen ion are presented before and after lime treatment. The efficiency of fertilization programs have been improved following lime treatment and amounts of fertilizer required for optimum results reduced.