Fisheries Survey at Select Waterbodies on WMF Property

Seine Netting at Bantam Lake

Seine Netting at Bantam Lake approaching shore

Wamogo Agriculture Science Fisheries Class using identification keys and anlyzing scales to estimate ages of fish captured.

Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleuscas) captured at Beaver Pond with dip net.

Chain Pickerel (Esox nigra) captured at Beaver Pond by rod and tackle,
as well as estimated to be 6 - 7 years of age.

Wamogo's Agriculture Education Fisheries class conducted fishery surveys on several select waterbodies this spring.  We wanted to learn what species inhabit the lakes and ponds at White Memorial to evaluate the feasibility of assessing population data such as age and body size.  Surveys were conducted at Ongley Pond, North Bay of Bantam Lake, and along the northwestern shore of Beaver Pond. Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) was observed at all of the waterbodies.  A total of 5 fish species were observed in Bantam Lake including: yellow perch (Perca flavenscens), brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus), yellow-banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus), and rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris).  We captured two other species at Beaver Pond (see photos above); chain pickerel and golden shiner.  Several methods were utilized including seine nets, dip nets, and rod & tackle.  Although the amount of effort varied between methods used at each waterbody, dip nets produced consistant captures especially in shallow water near shorelines in the vegetation.  Surveys were conducted March 1 in Ongley Pond, March 17 in Bantam Lake, and March 23 in Beaver Pond.