From U.S. Geological Survey:
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2338
Released: 10/29/2009 3:16:11 PM
The USGS report is available online.
Smallmouth bass in the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg, Pa. are exposed to oxygen levels that are low enough to cause stress during the first few months of their lives. Low oxygen and the relatively warm water of the Susquehanna River are likely contributing factors in the die offs of baby smallmouth bass since 2005.
These are among the key findings of a new federal study to understand why baby smallmouth bass have been dying of infection, while older smallmouth bass and other fish have been largely unaffected. The infection is caused by Flavobacterium columnare, a bacterium that typically afflicts stressed fish. Public concern has been raised about the long-term viability of the smallmouth bass population on the Susquehanna, a river known for sport fishing.
Shallows with slow-moving water along the river margins are considered nurseries for baby smallmouth bass. “Nursery microhabitats are places for young fish to avoid predators and avoid the swift currents of the main channel of the River. Our work demonstrates that these nursery areas often have oxygen levels that are lower and more stressful than those in the swifter-moving and deeper waters of the main channel where the adult fish live,” said U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientist Jeff Chaplin, who led the study in partnership with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP).
There are many other water-quality factors and pathogens that were not evaluated in the study that may be putting additional stress on the fish in the Susquehanna River leading to the bacterial infections.
“This is the first time nursery microhabitats in the Susquehanna River have been instrumented with continuous water-quality monitors. Previous studies have focused on the main channel and have not measured oxygen concentrations during the critical nighttime hours,” said Kent Crawford, USGS water-quality specialist and coauthor of the report. “This study has been expanded in 2009 to include additional water-quality monitoring and fish-pathology examinations.”
“We have not found the smoking gun, but the results from this study and additional ongoing investigations provide us with a better understanding of the water quality of our rivers, said John Arway, Chief of the Environmental Services Division at PFBC. “Research studies such as these provide us with the science that we need to revise and update our laws, regulations, and public policy so that we can best manage and protect our sensitive fisheries.”
This study included continuous monitoring at seven sites from May – October 2008, to characterize water–quality conditions in some of the affected reaches of the Susquehanna River.
Selected Study Highlights
Nursery microhabitats had lower oxygen than the main channel:
•Oxygen levels fell below the applicable national criterion (5.0 mg/L) for up to 8.5 hours on more than 30 percent of days at one nursery microhabitat, compared to no days in the nearby main-channel habitat.
•Oxygen levels at a second nursery microhabitat fell below the criterion in about 20% of days, compared to only 6% in the nearby main channel.
Conditions in 2008 were more stressful than they were in the 1970’s:
•In the Susquehanna River at Harrisburg, daily mean dissolved oxygen levels averaged 1.1 mg/L lower and daily mean water temperatures averaged 1.4°F warmer in 2008 compared to historical datasets from 1974 through 1979.
The Susquehanna had higher temperatures than nearby rivers in 2008:
•During the monitoring period of May through September, the average daily mean water temperature of the Susquehanna River at Harrisburg was 3.2 °F warmer than the Delaware River at Trenton, N.J. and 6.1°F warmer than the Allegheny River near Pittsburgh, Pa.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
DNR Biologists Use New Technique To Look For Rare Fish (theBaynet.com)
From the Baynet.com:
http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/15296
Maryland - 10-27-09
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologists started a search for one of the rarest fish in the world, the Maryland darter. This particular species has only been found in three Maryland streams, was last seen in 1988, and many biologists fear it’s extinct. Biologists started the search on Friday, but suspended the rest of the search this weekend due to foul weather and plan to resume in November.
“Having such a rare fish sets Maryland apart from other places,” said DNR Biologist Scott Stranko. “If we’ve lost this species, it will be the first darter species (of over 180 species in the world) to go extinct. And, we will have lost a real natural landmark.”
In 1988, Richard Raesly of Frostburg University was one of the last people to see a live Maryland darter. Dr. Raesly and DNR biologists are making a last ditch effort to see if any Maryland darters remain. Along with surveys of the places where the fish was seen before, Tom Jones of Marshall University in West Virginia will be assisting Dr. Raesly and DNR with a new fishing technique to sample the bottom of the Susquehanna River.
“Aquatic organisms are still declining,” said Dr. Raesly. “They’re some of the most endangered groups of organisms. Fishes, freshwater mussels, crayfishes, amphibians; they’re one of the most endangered groups of animals in north America, and the common threat is they’re all aquatic.”
DNR biologists suspect Maryland has lost at least seven other stream species from the Baltimore area including: 2 salamanders, a freshwater mussel and three fish, and many of the stream dwelling species that remain are highly imperiled. Specifically, 14 of Maryland’s 16 (88%) native freshwater mussel species and 41 percent (29 of 71) of native freshwater fish species are on Maryland’s list of rare, threatened and endangered animals. Most have declined to a point where their future existence is difficult or impossible to guarantee, often because their habitats are shrinking and barely supportive.
“While Maryland has been losing native stream species, we’ve gained widespread non-native species like carp and snakeheads that can be found all over the world,” said Stranko. “If this trend continues, no streams will be special like the Maryland darter streams once were.”
Stream animals are more prone to extinction compared to terrestrial species. They live in a confined space, with no way to escape the harsh conditions. It only takes a small amount of asphalt or concrete near a freshwater stream to create enough runoff to harm the animals that live in the stream.
DNR biologists say there is good news. Many Maryland streams still drain relatively undeveloped land, and many rare species still live in the cleanest remaining streams. Protecting these areas from development and pollution can and should happen. Over the last two years, DNR has included rare species habitats as one of the criteria for deciding where to spend time and money on land conservation. It may not be too late to include Maryland darter streams on the list of important areas to conserve.
Learn more about Maryland’s rare, threatened and endangered species at http://dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/download/rteanimals.pdf.
Learn more about land conservation in Maryland at www.greenprint.maryland.gov.
http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/15296
Maryland - 10-27-09
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologists started a search for one of the rarest fish in the world, the Maryland darter. This particular species has only been found in three Maryland streams, was last seen in 1988, and many biologists fear it’s extinct. Biologists started the search on Friday, but suspended the rest of the search this weekend due to foul weather and plan to resume in November.
“Having such a rare fish sets Maryland apart from other places,” said DNR Biologist Scott Stranko. “If we’ve lost this species, it will be the first darter species (of over 180 species in the world) to go extinct. And, we will have lost a real natural landmark.”
In 1988, Richard Raesly of Frostburg University was one of the last people to see a live Maryland darter. Dr. Raesly and DNR biologists are making a last ditch effort to see if any Maryland darters remain. Along with surveys of the places where the fish was seen before, Tom Jones of Marshall University in West Virginia will be assisting Dr. Raesly and DNR with a new fishing technique to sample the bottom of the Susquehanna River.
“Aquatic organisms are still declining,” said Dr. Raesly. “They’re some of the most endangered groups of organisms. Fishes, freshwater mussels, crayfishes, amphibians; they’re one of the most endangered groups of animals in north America, and the common threat is they’re all aquatic.”
DNR biologists suspect Maryland has lost at least seven other stream species from the Baltimore area including: 2 salamanders, a freshwater mussel and three fish, and many of the stream dwelling species that remain are highly imperiled. Specifically, 14 of Maryland’s 16 (88%) native freshwater mussel species and 41 percent (29 of 71) of native freshwater fish species are on Maryland’s list of rare, threatened and endangered animals. Most have declined to a point where their future existence is difficult or impossible to guarantee, often because their habitats are shrinking and barely supportive.
“While Maryland has been losing native stream species, we’ve gained widespread non-native species like carp and snakeheads that can be found all over the world,” said Stranko. “If this trend continues, no streams will be special like the Maryland darter streams once were.”
Stream animals are more prone to extinction compared to terrestrial species. They live in a confined space, with no way to escape the harsh conditions. It only takes a small amount of asphalt or concrete near a freshwater stream to create enough runoff to harm the animals that live in the stream.
DNR biologists say there is good news. Many Maryland streams still drain relatively undeveloped land, and many rare species still live in the cleanest remaining streams. Protecting these areas from development and pollution can and should happen. Over the last two years, DNR has included rare species habitats as one of the criteria for deciding where to spend time and money on land conservation. It may not be too late to include Maryland darter streams on the list of important areas to conserve.
Learn more about Maryland’s rare, threatened and endangered species at http://dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/download/rteanimals.pdf.
Learn more about land conservation in Maryland at www.greenprint.maryland.gov.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
KOINONIA GUIDE SERVICE FISHING REPORT 10/24/09
Report from the Koinonia Guide Service
http://www.koinoniafishingguides.com/
Hi Gang,
The river was at 4.0 with 15,000CF of flow and 51 degrees at the beginning of the week and at the end of the week we had 4.2 with 18,000CF of flow and 53 degrees. The BP was 30.20 and Falling.
Trip #1 – Guide Walleye Scouting Trip – This was a PM trip on Tuesday and we fished from 4:30 – 7:00 PM and we boated 8 Walleye. The largest was 17”. We caught them on Stickbaits and one on a Spinnerbait. We had 4.4 – Steady – Stained – 31,200CF and 51 – 73 degrees. It was clear and breezy we had a BP of 30.50 and Rising.
Trip #2 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Wednesday and we fished from 4:00 – 7:00 PM and we boated 3 Flatheads and 1 Bass. The largest was 6#. We started out looking for Walleye but switched to Catfish when the Walleye fishing was not working out. We caught the Flatheads on live bait and the Bass on a Stickbait. We had 3.7 – Rising – Stained – 19,000CF and 51 degrees. It was cloudy and 68 degree air temperature.
Trip #3 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Thursday and we fished from 2:30 to 6:30 PM and we boated 25+ Bass and the largest was 20”. We had 4.2 – 17,900CF – Stained – Steady – and 55 degrees. We caught them on Stickbaits and Soft Plastics. It was clear and warm and we had a BP of 32.00 and Steady.
Trip #4 – Guide Fun Trip – This was on Friday and we fished from 11:00 to 3:30 PM and we boated 17 Flatheads. The largest was 23# and we caught them all on live bait. We had 4.3 – Falling – Stained – 18,500 CF and 52 degrees. It was cloudy and extremely windy and we had a BP of 31. 20 and falling.
Please send your friends and family to our web site. www.koinoniafishingguides.com
Kermit Henning had a little segment on Channel 27 News and Koinonia
was featured on this segment. You can check it out at the Channel 27 web site if you missed it.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND LUV THE TUG………REB
http://www.koinoniafishingguides.com/
Hi Gang,
The river was at 4.0 with 15,000CF of flow and 51 degrees at the beginning of the week and at the end of the week we had 4.2 with 18,000CF of flow and 53 degrees. The BP was 30.20 and Falling.
Trip #1 – Guide Walleye Scouting Trip – This was a PM trip on Tuesday and we fished from 4:30 – 7:00 PM and we boated 8 Walleye. The largest was 17”. We caught them on Stickbaits and one on a Spinnerbait. We had 4.4 – Steady – Stained – 31,200CF and 51 – 73 degrees. It was clear and breezy we had a BP of 30.50 and Rising.
Trip #2 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Wednesday and we fished from 4:00 – 7:00 PM and we boated 3 Flatheads and 1 Bass. The largest was 6#. We started out looking for Walleye but switched to Catfish when the Walleye fishing was not working out. We caught the Flatheads on live bait and the Bass on a Stickbait. We had 3.7 – Rising – Stained – 19,000CF and 51 degrees. It was cloudy and 68 degree air temperature.
Trip #3 – Guide Scouting Trip – This was on Thursday and we fished from 2:30 to 6:30 PM and we boated 25+ Bass and the largest was 20”. We had 4.2 – 17,900CF – Stained – Steady – and 55 degrees. We caught them on Stickbaits and Soft Plastics. It was clear and warm and we had a BP of 32.00 and Steady.
Trip #4 – Guide Fun Trip – This was on Friday and we fished from 11:00 to 3:30 PM and we boated 17 Flatheads. The largest was 23# and we caught them all on live bait. We had 4.3 – Falling – Stained – 18,500 CF and 52 degrees. It was cloudy and extremely windy and we had a BP of 31. 20 and falling.
Please send your friends and family to our web site. www.koinoniafishingguides.com
Kermit Henning had a little segment on Channel 27 News and Koinonia
was featured on this segment. You can check it out at the Channel 27 web site if you missed it.
HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND LUV THE TUG………REB
NEW Susquehanna Fishing Magazine Out in 2010!!!
Susquehanna Fishing Magazine will be a free resource for anglers throughout the Susquehanna River regions of New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. This print publication will be released in early 2010, and will be available free at local retailers. Our goal is to inform the angling community of the most productive fishing techniques, while promoting responsible conservation of this vital resource.
Submit your photos, articles, and letters.
Now recruiting advertisers and distribution locations.
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Contact Email: susquehannafishingmagazine@gmail.com
Website: http://susquehannafishing.com/
Office: 570-441-4606
Mailing Address:
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Monthly Printing Objective: 30,000 copies
First print issue coming in 2010!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Chesapeake Bay Kayak Striper Seminar, October 28, 2009
John "Toast" Oast from Fishyaker.com, SusquehannaFishing.com, and the Ocean Kayak Fishing Team will be conducting a seminar on striper fishing from kayaks around the lower Chesapeake Bay. The seminar will be held on Wednesday, October 28th at 7pm at Kayak Fishing Stuff in Mine Hill, New Jersey. The session will cover light line fishing and the ever-popular Kiptopeke cows!
For more information contact Kayak Fishing Stuff:
3 Iron Mountain Rd
Mine Hill, NJ 07803
(973) 659-1114
1-866-YAK-4-LESS
45 min from Manhattan
75 Min from Allentown, PA
50 min from the Throgs Neck Bridge
3-1/2 hours from Baltimore MD
4-1/4 hrs from Washington DC
For more information contact Kayak Fishing Stuff:
3 Iron Mountain Rd
Mine Hill, NJ 07803
(973) 659-1114
1-866-YAK-4-LESS
45 min from Manhattan
75 Min from Allentown, PA
50 min from the Throgs Neck Bridge
3-1/2 hours from Baltimore MD
4-1/4 hrs from Washington DC
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Sunbury, PA River Level Fluctuations
I have been watching the fluctuations in the river level around the Fabridam in Sunbury, PA. They are raising and lowering it as they take it down for the year. It is interesting to see how the levels go up and down.
Here's the link:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/marfc/Stages/files/SUSQ.MST.SBYP1.html
Data: Polluted Waterways in Pa.
This is a follow-up to the river report. You can check to see what kind of pollution is in the water you fish (Listed by river and creek).
From thetimes-tribune.com (Scranton Times Tribune)
Published: October 22, 2009
Link:
http://scrantontimes.com/news/1.353347
From thetimes-tribune.com (Scranton Times Tribune)
Published: October 22, 2009
Link:
http://scrantontimes.com/news/1.353347
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