[Mark B.]

Packanack Lake Fish Salvage Project
By Chris Doyle, CLM

Packanack Lake is an 88 acre lake located in Wayne, New Jersey. In the fall of 2012, the lake needed to be drained to access and fully repair a damaged valve at the outlet structure. As part of their lake lowering permit, New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife required the salvaging of as many fish as possible, a task routinely conducted by Allied Biological using its custom-designed electro-fishing boat. Allied Biological had conducted a fish population study in 2010, and our study revealed an overabundance of white perch and common carp, plus a lack of forage species that were detrimental to the game fish population, and likely contributing to persistent phytoplankton blooms in the water column.
As usual, the project presented numerous difficulties. It took weeks to find a nearby site to restock the fish, due to the presence of the nuisance white perch. It was ultimately determined the Pompton River would be suitable, as the local population of northern pike would happily add stunted white perch to their list of prey items. Two sites needed to be used to access the lake with the boat as the water receded, and equipment was dragged over the mud on the final days before boat access became impossible. Add Superstorm Sandy and an early season Nor’easter snowstorm in the middle of the project, and delays required special extensions to our collecting and stocking permits.
All told, over 4,200 fish were salvaged from Packanack Lake. Several hundred of the fish were turned over to the Hackettstown Fish Hatchery for future brood stock, including largemouth bass, black crappie, yellow perch and bluegill
sunfish. It was surprising how many black crappie were salvaged (~500) and how few white perch (~400), based on our population study data. But even more shocking was the common carp abundance at Packanack Lake.
Over 800 common carp were removed, with most of them between two and three feet long. At an estimated 20 pounds each, approximately 16,000 pounds (or close to eight tons!) of biomass were tied up in benthic feeding common carp. It is well documented how destructive carp can be to a fishery, and the general ecology of a lake. Coupled with the presence of a stunted white perch population (also a benthic feeder, and detrimental to a healthy game fish population), it seems clear that the previous fish assemblage was working against many of our lake management goals at this site. On a pleasant note: pulling a healthy 40 inch tiger
muskie provided excitement for the netters.
Packanack Lake has a rare opportunity to “hit the reset button” on
its fishery in 2013. With a sensible re-stocking program, we are hopeful that in a few short years, the game fish population will be robust, and a reduction in the duration and intensity of phytoplankton blooms will create a suitable environment for the establishment of desirable native plant communities.