CNHI
9-8-10 — Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Dr. Jon Gassett today issued
a Wildlife Disaster Contingency Measure for Lake Cumberland which
increases the creel limits and reduces size requirements for striped
bass. Because of high water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen
levels, striped bass are under severe stress and in some cases, dying.
"It makes sense to allow these fish to be harvested for food," said
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Fisheries Director Ron Brooks. "This
regulation will also limit the fishing pressure on our remaining
striped bass."
Gassett took the action pursuant to Regulation 301 KAR 3:040. These
temporary changes supersede all regulations concerning fishing in
Lake Cumberland.
Emergency Regulations
in Effect
The emergency regulations mean anglers may only catch two striped
bass over 22 inches. Anglers must not catch and release striped bass
over 22 inches, as these released fish are likely to die. After an
angler catches two striped bass over 22 inches, the angler must stop
fishing for striped bass. However, a licensed angler may catch two
and net or hand grab three additional striped bass over 22 inches
that are floating on the surface. Licensed anglers not fishing for
striped bass may harvest five striped bass over 22 inches net or hand
grab that are floating on the surface.
For all other fish species in Lake Cumberland, existing size and
creel limits will remain in effect; however, dying fish may be
harvested by a licensed angler using a landing net or by hand grabbing.
Deteriorating Water Conditions
State and federal officials have been closely monitoring water
conditions for walleye and striped bass in Lake Cumberland throughout
the summer.
Biologists noticed a number of striped bass were either dead or
dying due to high water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels.
With continued hot weather forecast, water conditions will likely
continue to deteriorate. These conditions are particularly stressful
to cool-water species such as striped bass and walleye. Fisheries
biologists expect the occurrence of dead or dying fish to continue
during the next three to four weeks.
The record summer heat and two major rainfalls since spring have
raised water temperatures and reduced dissolved oxygen in Lake
Cumberland to levels that cool water fish species like striped bass
and walleye cannot tolerate for extended periods. Fish species that
are more tolerant of warmer water, such as smallmouth and largemouth
bass, crappie and bluegill, are not as affected by the current
conditions.
"We hope that the cooler nights will alleviate some of the problems
by dropping the water temperature," said Brooks. "We're keeping a
close eye on this situation and monitoring the impact on the fish."
Lake Cumberland is being kept below its normal summer pool while
repairs are ongoing to Wolf Creek Dam. The lower lake levels mean it
cannot store as much cool water below or above the thermocline where
there is enough oxygen for the cool-water fish.
Walleye and striped bass are especially susceptible to higher water
temperatures. The increased stress on walleye and striped bass caught
by anglers during the hottest weather conditions can lead to higher
mortality of these species.
"Anglers catching these species should not release or attempt to
cull legal fish at this time," Brooks said.
"We are seeing mortality of mostly stripers this week," Brooks
continued. "We believe those fish succumbed to a combination of
factors, but primarily from prolonged poor water conditions. A few
had likely been caught and released by anglers during the past day or
two. Most of the fish were in areas of the lake where conditions were
very poor and caused additional continuous stress that they could not
overcome."
Continued Monitoring
In the meantime, officials will constantly monitor the lake
temperatures and oxygen levels at the various depths and locations in
the lake and quantify the fish kills occurring.
"Lake Cumberland is an important fishing destination and tourist
draw for this region of the United States," Brooks said. "We are
concerned about this situation and will continue to keep a close
watch on the lake."
Tailwater conditions for trout, at this time, are favorable.
Conditions in the lake's tailwater are slightly better this year than
in the past two years.
"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates Lake Cumberland's
Wolf Creek Dam, is working closely with other agencies to monitor
water conditions in the lake and its tailwater. Corps officials are
also continually adjusting the flow of water from the dam to help
support the tailwater's trout fishery and maintain favorable
conditions in the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery," said Bob Sneed,
water management chief for the Corps' Nashville District. The
hatchery draws water for its operation from the lake and the tailwater.
"We're cooperating closely with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife and the
employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Wolf Creek National
Fish Hatchery to find the best solutions within some of the
constraints that we face," Sneed said.