2005 Warmwater Fisheries Survey of Palmer Lake, Okanogan County, Washington

Palmer Lake, Okanogan County, was surveyed September 12-15, 2005, using standard warmwater survey methods. A total of 13 fish species were collected during this survey. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) was the most abundant warmwater gamefish collected followed by bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) and smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu). Largescale sucker (Catostomus macrocheilus) was the most abundant non-warmwater gamefish collected followed by northern pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus oregonensis) and peamouth chub (Mylocheilus caurinus). Warmwater gamefish comprised approximately 84.8 percent of the total fish collected, an increase of 17.5 percent from the 1999 warmwater survey. This change was attributed to increases in bluegill and yellow perch abundance of 508 and 355 percent, respectively, since 1999. The analysis of Palmer Lake fish species provided few changes since the 1999 survey. Yellow perch PSD increased along with catch rates. Length frequencies of most warmwater gamefish were similar to 1999, as were relative weights, which showed smallmouth bass and yellow perch being below the national average for most fish, and bluegill and black crappie being above the average.

We recommend the stocking of black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) continue on a yearly basis for 3 to 4 more years. Monitoring of black crappie should be conducted in 2 to 3 years to determine if adequate survival and maturation is occurring. A standard warmwater survey should be conducted in conjunction with black crappie monitoring to assess overall changes in the fish community of Palmer Lake.