Chautauqua Hatchery and Fisheries Management Staff completed the spring, 2003 trapnetting with a catch of 305 adult muskellunge at a catch rate of approximately 34 musky per net. After 2 years below the management objective of 28 musky per net, the catch matched levels  achieved in the late 1990s and 2000.  Lower than desired catches in 2001 and 2002 correlated with the stocking of smaller fingerlings stocked from 1994 to 1997.  Subsequent fingerling stockings exceeded 8 inches in length. Studies have shown that fingerlings less than 8 inches at stocking experience substantially higher mortality after stocking than larger fingerlings.  Fingerlings stocked in 2002 were fed additional minnows provided by the Chautauqua Lake Musky Association and were the largest stocked since 1966, averaging 9.3 inches.  These fingerlings should result in increased catches of adult muskellunge in the trapnets as they begin to reach maturity in 2006. Sampling in the Cassadaga Lakes in spring, 2003 showed record electrofishing catch rates for yearling muskellunge that were also stocked last year at larger lengths.  During the 2003 trapnetting,  several muskellunge exceeding 48 inches in length were collected, with the largest at 49 inches and weighing approximately 35 lbs. 

A bottom trawl (net pulled along the bottom behind the boat) was used in 2001 to evaluate the abundance of young fish.  The catch was dominated by yellow perch, sunfish, crappie and white perch and indicated a low abundance of young walleye.  Other than the moderate hatch in 1996, there has not been a strong hatch of walleye since 1993. Since the 1993 hatch reached the legal length of 15 inches, it has been the predominant age group creeled by anglers (now averages 25 in+). Angling and natural mortality have led to a progressive decline in abundance of walleye and this has been reflected in a decline in angling quality and a relatively low catch in the experimental gill nets in 2002.  Trawl sampling and fall electrofishing in fall, 2003 will provide additional information on the status of this fishery. This decline will not be reversed until subsequent year classes are produced.  To temper the walleye decline, DEC stocked 75,000 yearling walleye reared at Oneida Hatchery in spring, 2003. In addition, the DEC proposes a reduction in the daily, per person creel from 5 to 3 fish and an increase in the minimum length limit from 15 to 18 inches.  If accepted following the formal review process, this regulation would go into effect October 1, 2004.

Fisheries staff assessed the bass population by electro-fishing at night in October 2002.  An abundance of largemouth bass ranging from 14 – 16 inches in length should provide quality angling this year.  The survey also found an abundance of younger bas ranging from 4 – 8 inches. The combined with continued support of the catch and release for this species, should produce quality fishing in coming years.  With the availability of realistic fiberglass mounts and the interest in developing quality bass fisheries, the release of trophy bass in increasingly justifiable and strongly recommended.

Following a long term decline in abundance, the crappie population has experienced a recent resurgence with the relatively strong 1998 hatch exceeding the nine inch minimum length limit in spring, 2002.  Fisheries staff observed large numbers of 9 inch or larger black crappie in the musky nets this spring and several crappie approaching the statewide record (black:3-12/white:3-13) were submitted to DEC for examination.  Much older and larger than the fish hatched in 1998, these fish were apparently susceptible to the recent increases in
fishing pressure for crappie. The statewide creel limit for crappie is 25 fish.  Examination of the long term Chautauqua Lake fisheries data showed that abundance of crappie and walleye follows an inverse relationship (eg., high walleye associated with low crappie).  If walleye predation is suppressing survival of young crappie, the recent decline in adult walleye abundance may bode well for the crappie fishery..

The creel limit for crappie is 25 fish.

Sunfish

Have also experienced resurgence in abundance that may be related to the decline of walleye.  Biologists observed numerous pumpkinseeds in the trap nets that ranged in length from 6-7 inches.

White perch continue to dominate the assessment catch.  They were the most abundant fish collected in gill nets through 2002. Although a decline has not shown, staff recently reported a large die-off of yearlings in both Chautauqua Lake basins.

Yellow perch were abundant in the trapnets this spring but averaged only about 7-8 inches in length.  Chautauqua Lake's yellow perch have been dominated by smaller yellow perch less that 4 years of age.  The lack of older age yellow perch and the abundance of yellow perch up to 8 inches in length is typical of lakes that support a healthy population of large esocids (musky or northern pike).  Musky and northern pike both prefer larger prey and will select the larger yellow perch if they are available.