For the last ten years we've made an effort to introduce new species of fish to Club Lake. We continue to add trout, but with our shallow lake getting warmer each year, it just isn't a fair environment for trout, who prefer cold, running water that is high in oxygen content. Largemouth bass on the other hand, do better in warm water and actually prefer it. Thanks to green committee member, Reid Freeman, we were but in touch with a company called Southeastern Pond Management, who are experts in the science of maintaining lake environments most suitable for fish. Spending a couple hours with these guys was fascinating to me. We asked them to come to HCC and shock the water to be able to study the fish population. No worries, no fish were harmed during this work! In the coming weeks, they'll be issuing a report that will tell us what the general population and health of the lake is. This will give us insight into future stocking needs, both the fish themselves and the feeder fish they rely on for food.
Above, Blake with Southeastern Pond Management is showing the difference between male and female bass.
The boat has two outriggers that have an apparatus like shown above. A generator on the boat puts electric current to these, which temporarily stuns the fish. They are then scooped up and placed in a live well, where they can be observed and studied.
Again, stay tuned in a couple weeks for the report that we'll be issued if you're interested!