August 5, 2016 at 1:49 pm
[caption id="attachment_1803" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
IFW's Greg Massey hoists a 12.5 pound Sebago Lake togue. IFW fisheries biologists are using nets and modeling to get a more accurate population estimate of Sebago Lake togue. The data collected will be invaluable for evaluating current and future regulations, as well as managing the fishery.[/caption]
The Region A (Sebago Region) fisheries staff will be spending the bulk of our summer field season working on Sebago Lake in an effort to assess the lake trout population. Getting a handle on the togue population in a 30,000 acre lake with an average depth of 101 feet and a maximum of 316 feet has challenged staff for quite some time.
Last winter, I reviewed fisheries literature on lake trout sampling procedures and located a methodology referred to as “SPIN”. This lake trout assessment tool was developed by the Aquatic Science Unit of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in Canada and published in 2009. After reviewing the protocol with the regional staff, and discussing its application in Maine with the researchers from Canada, we then spoke with the State of Colorado who had utilized this sampling methodology. Available information indicated the methodology would be a good fit for Sebago.
The primary objectives of the Sebago SPIN project are to: (1) estimate the density of harvestable size togue in the lake; and (2) attain a representative sample of adult togue across the range of lake depths and areas. The fish samples will provide age and growth data, size/age of maturity, diet information, and possibly even a survival estimate. All of this information will be useful for evaluating current and future regulations and guide the management of this important fishery resource.
We began the project in the 2nd week of July, and have encountered several obstacles along the way including cheduling around thunderstorms, high winds, improperly constructed nets, a lack of rope (Sebago is deep!), boat engine failure, and limited staff. Our local hatcheries have been very helpful and generous in loaning personnel to support us on this project. Despite these minor setbacks, as of this writing we have conducted 41 net sets, and hope to set another 99 by the late August/early September. We are well on our way to collecting some great togue data (photo), which will help us manage this fantastic fishery.
IFW's Greg Massey hoists a 12.5 pound Sebago Lake togue. IFW fisheries biologists are using nets and modeling to get a more accurate population estimate of Sebago Lake togue. The data collected will be invaluable for evaluating current and future regulations, as well as managing the fishery.[/caption]
The Region A (Sebago Region) fisheries staff will be spending the bulk of our summer field season working on Sebago Lake in an effort to assess the lake trout population. Getting a handle on the togue population in a 30,000 acre lake with an average depth of 101 feet and a maximum of 316 feet has challenged staff for quite some time.
Last winter, I reviewed fisheries literature on lake trout sampling procedures and located a methodology referred to as “SPIN”. This lake trout assessment tool was developed by the Aquatic Science Unit of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources in Canada and published in 2009. After reviewing the protocol with the regional staff, and discussing its application in Maine with the researchers from Canada, we then spoke with the State of Colorado who had utilized this sampling methodology. Available information indicated the methodology would be a good fit for Sebago.
The primary objectives of the Sebago SPIN project are to: (1) estimate the density of harvestable size togue in the lake; and (2) attain a representative sample of adult togue across the range of lake depths and areas. The fish samples will provide age and growth data, size/age of maturity, diet information, and possibly even a survival estimate. All of this information will be useful for evaluating current and future regulations and guide the management of this important fishery resource.
We began the project in the 2nd week of July, and have encountered several obstacles along the way including cheduling around thunderstorms, high winds, improperly constructed nets, a lack of rope (Sebago is deep!), boat engine failure, and limited staff. Our local hatcheries have been very helpful and generous in loaning personnel to support us on this project. Despite these minor setbacks, as of this writing we have conducted 41 net sets, and hope to set another 99 by the late August/early September. We are well on our way to collecting some great togue data (photo), which will help us manage this fantastic fishery.