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ODNR releases fisheries management plan




COLUMBUS – ODNR’s Division of Wildlife released a 13-page Buckeye Lake Fisheries Management Plan on July 1.

The plan, prepared by Marty Lundquist, Scott Hale and Rich Carter, includes a three-phase plan that addresses:

• The transition to low-water conditions (ODNR’s 888.75 ‘winter pool’);

• Maintenance period until the lake is returned to full pool; and

• Restoration once full pool is achieved. The Plan states, “Reduction in surface area, volume and shoreline of Buckeye Lake may have a significant effect on the fish populations because the low-water period is anticipated to remain approximately five years.” ‘Winter pool’ has reduced the lake’s surface area from 2,873 acres to 2,363 acres with only 900 acres that are at least three feet deep, according to the Plan. The water volume has been reduced from 14,641 acre-feet to 6,462 acre-feet – a 56 percent reduction. Shoreline has fallen from 50.39 miles to 36.25 miles.

The Plan acknowledges that “Buckeye Lake may be prone to periodic fish kills resulting from the reduced volume, substantial nutrient load and high densities of fish.” It adds that small fish kills occur annually when water is released to the spillways and when canals stagnate during the summer. Hot, windless summer weather can lead to large fish kills due to oxygen depletion. The Plan says the last major fish kill due to oxygen depletion occurred more than 20 years ago.

The Plan’s goal is “to maintain sport fishing opportunities that minimize the risk of fish kills dur ing the low-water period and restore full sport fishery capacity within three years of the lake returning to full pool.”

Seven objectives are listed for the transition to low-water conditions including:

• Reduce the number of sport fishes by reducing stocking. Specifically, saugeye will be stocked at one-third the normal rate and hybrid striped bass will not be stocked.

• Allow shoreline vegetation to grow to provide future fish habitat.

• After the first year of low-water conditions, evaluate whether the daily limits for black bass, crappie and saugeye should be increased to further reduce the number of fish in the lake; and

• Respond and investigate major fish kills if they should occur.

The objectives are similar for the continuing low-water years.

Saugeye stocking may be further reduced or stopped. Harvest restrictions for black bass, crappie and saugeye could be further eased or eliminated.

The Plan includes a six-page Appendix that outlines the Buckeye Lake Fish Kill Response Procedures.

If less than 1,000 fish are found dead, Buckeye Lake State Park staff will pick up the fish “if they determine numbers warrant this response.” If more than 1,000 fish are dead, park staff is to alert ODNR’s Communications Center which in turn alerts the Division of Wildlife. The initial determination is whether a pollution incident is the suspected cause. If so, that prompts a law enforcement investigation.

Three response levels are outlined for addressing large fish kills:

• < 10,000 dead fish: one boat crew conducting a one-day pickup of fish;

• 10,000 – 500,000 dead fish: two boat crews conducting a one-day pickup assisted by a disposal crew from the Hebron State Fish Hatchery; and

• > 500,000 dead fish: Three boat crews conducting a two-day pickup assisted by a Hebron Hatchery disposal crew.

All dead fish will be disposed in the switchgrass area or prepared pits at the hatchery. Dead fish will not be collected by walking or wading any shoreline areas “due to the hazards presented by the depth of soft bottom sediments.”

Residents are warned not to collect stressed fish in an attempt to relocate them. The Division of Wildlife will not collect stressed fish to relocate them due to concerns about transferring diseases or parasites. Residents should report large fish kills to 1-800-WILDLIFE.



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