Fish Harvesting Recommendations | By Chris Fuller

The Importance of Fish Harvest Recommendations | By Chris Fuller

Fisheries are complicated systems where all the different fish species interact and affect each other.ย  This is most evident in predator-prey relationships.ย  One of the most straightforward management techniques for fisheries managers is to set harvest recommendations.ย  These recommendations are in place to balance natural predator-prey interactions with human harvest.ย  In some cases, fisheries managers need to restrict or limit the harvest of fish by humans, while in other cases, they need to encourage harvest.

Here in Bella Vista, we encourage anglers to harvest as many catfish and 10-15 inch largemouth bass as possible.ย  We also encourage anglers to throw back bluegill and redear sunfish.ย  Currently, there are too many of these larger predator species and not enough of the prey species.ย  By harvesting these predators, while preserving prey fish, anglers can help swing fish populations back to a healthy balance.

The data below is a case study of Loch Lomond demonstrating the above points.ย  Figure 1 shows that Bella Vista lakes generally have more largemouth bass than is normal for similar lakes.ย  Figure 2 shows that Bella Vista lakes generally have fewer bluegill than is normal for similar lakes.ย  Figure 3 shows how much weight bass on Lomond of an inch size have compared to the expected weight for that inch size.ย  Figure 4 shows the composition of largemouth bass on Lomond, in terms of size, through time.ย  Lomond is one of our more balanced lakes, but all other Bella Vista lakes have more smaller bass (8-15 inches) compared to larger bass (15+ inches) than is normal for similar lakes.ย  In simpler words, our lakes have too many small largemouth bass and not enough big largemouth bass.

During the summer of 2019, conditions on Lomond improved, leading to an increase in weight of bass during the fall sample (figure 3).ย  Spring 2020 data indicates this was likely due to a decrease in total bass (figure 1) as well as an increase in total bluegill (figure 2).ย  Having fewer predators and more prey lead directly to greater than average weights for bass in the 2020 fall sample (figure 3).ย  This also lead to a change in the size structure of bass, where bass 15-20 inches increased in abundance, while bass 8-15 inches decreased in abundance (figure 4).ย  From 2021 to 2024, the opposite trend occurred, where total bass numbers started to increase again (figure 1), bluegill numbers decreased (figure 2), bass weight decreased (figure 3), and the number of large bass decreased (figure 4).ย  This demonstrates the great need for anglers to harvest smaller bass and release bluegill and other prey sunfish.ย  There is a clear relationship between the total number of bass and their size and weight quality and the number of bluegill available for consumption.ย  If bass are not appropriately harvested, they will overpopulate and overconsume their prey, leading to starvation-like conditions.

Other factors, such as submerged vegetation and nutrient inputs also play a significant role in fish quality.ย  Various vegetation issues, including the appearance of an invasive plant species, necessitated drastic measures to reset the vegetation in Loch Lomond.ย  We are currently on the road to the recovery of our native vegetation through re-seeding efforts as well as the removal of grass carp.ย  Nutrient inputs are limited by state regulation, and we currently maintain a fertilization schedule that adheres to a state mandated fertilization plan.ย  However, angler harvest could significantly change fishing quality in a shorter period regardless of other factors.ย  Even when vegetation was well established, up until 2021, the overabundance of largemouth and intense mortality pressure on bluegill and other sunfish lead to poor quality bass.ย  Vegetation and habitat are important for fish quality, but angler harvest of key species is equally important.

Figure 1.ย  Catch of largemouth bass per hour of spring electrofishing. Horizontal lines indicate percentiles and mean of catch rates for similar sized lakes in eastern temperate forests of the United States. Loch Lomond is highlighted in the data.
Figure 2.ย  Catch of bluegill per hour of spring electrofishing. Horizontal lines indicate percentiles and mean of catch rates for similar sized lakes in eastern temperate forests of the United States. Loch Lomond is highlighted in the data.

Figure 3.ย  Percentage of standardized weight for each inch class of largemouth bass on Loch Lomond during fall electrofishing. Horizontal line indicates the standard average weight of a fish in a given inch class.

 

 

Who Eats Who? – By Chris Fuller

Who Eats Who?… And Where Do They Eat? | By Chris Fuller

Lakes are complicated.ย  There is no single answer to any given question when it comes to lake ecology.ย  Two lakes may have different dynamics based solely on their bottom shape and depth, even though they may have the same species present, the same nutrient inputs, and the same climate.ย  Here in Bella Vista, we have relatively deep and steep-sided lakes, and this plays a part in the food web dynamics of fish.

Fish can be picky when it comes to where they hang out.ย  This is usually based on a combination of hiding spots and food availability.ย  Largemouth bass for example, like shoreline habitat with open rocky bottoms, peppered with structure and vegetation, where they can stalk and ambush prey.ย  Juvenile bluegill and other panfish prefer thick vegetation with patches of fine gravel in shallow water where they can look for bugs and have plenty of hiding spaces.ย  Gizzard shad and silversides like deep open water where they can school and filter feed on plankton, however, gizzard shad may move to coves at dawn and dusk to feed on detritus.ย  Hybrid striped bass prefer the open water where they can school and chase shad and silversides.

It is not obvious, but the shape of the lake has a big impact on the interactions of fish based on where they like to hang out.ย  In many southern impoundments, the average depth is relatively shallow, and there really isnโ€™t deep open water.ย  This leads to a great deal of overlap in habitat, where shoreline fish like largemouth bass and bluegill more often encounter open-water fish, like shad, silversides, and hybrid striped bass.ย  This has led to a lot of misunderstandings about fish dynamics.ย  Many anglers and managers assume that stocking shad means another food source for largemouth bass.ย  This may or may not be true based on the physical dimensions of the lakebed and water depth.ย  In shallow lakes, with high nutrient inputs, like those found in lowland areas, shad have proven an important food source for largemouth bass.ย  In lakes with deep open water, habitat preferences mostly keep these two species separated, and there is little interaction between them.ย  Diet studies conducted on Bella Vista lakes, as well as diet studies on other lakes, show this to be true.ย  Largemouth bass feed primarily on bluegill and crayfish, while only consuming shad in any capacity during the fall.ย  Meanwhile, hybrid striped bass and striped bass feed primarily on shad and consume very few bluegill or crayfish.ย  Understanding fish dynamics based on habitat is an important step in determining management strategies and could also help bridge the gap between angler desires and lake manager actions.

Country Club #4 Expansion (2024)

Pictured below is #4 green at Country Club, according to blueprints the green was built sometime in the early 1990โ€™s. The white line is the original green cavity measuring 5,040 sq. ft. The Bermuda grass has encroached, shrinking the green to 3,049 sq. ft. which is a reduction of 1,991 sq. ft.

The current collar is growing on the sand mix used to build the green and is the main reason for the yearly winter kill as the sand base is colder than the existing ground and the Bermuda isnโ€™t able to survive the winter. The reduced size of the green limits pin positions and increases the amount of wear on the green making it more difficult to maintain through the summer months and resulting in less than favorable conditions for our golfers.

The Kingswood #13 green was in the same condition as the #4 Country Club. The blue ring around the green was the original cavity. In the fall of 2018, the Bermuda was killed on the original cavity and re-sodded with Bentgrass. Our success in reclaiming #13 Kingswood makes us confident that expanding #4 Country Club will also be successful. The process used then will be essentially the same process we will use to reclaim #4 Country Club.

On August 19th, the green will be closed for one day to spray the collar with herbicide to kill the Bermuda. The green will be re-opened the following day. Subsequent sprays will be spot treatments and will not require closing the green On Sept 23rd the green will be closed so the staff can remove the dead turf and grade it for sod. The sod will be delivered the morning of Sept 24th and the greens collar will be re-sodded with washed Bentgrass sod. The green will re-open Sept 24th. For the following couple of weeks, walkways will be used across the new sod so that players can access the green. The walkways will be moved daily to reduce traffic damage. The new turf will be mowed at a higher height, frequently top-dressed through the fall, and lowered to green height in the spring of 2025.Country Club Hole #4 Green (above)

Kingswood Hole #13 Green (above)

Summer Vegetation (2024)

Summer Vegetation (2024)

During the summer, there are a few concerns people may have about our lakes and vegetation. The first concern is the algal growth. The two main forms of algae we have are filamentous and planktonic. Filamentous algae is the long stringy algae that you can hold in your hand and may resemble a clump of hair. This algae usually grows on the lake bottom. Generally, filamentous algae grow early in the season, between March and May. Planktonic algae, also called phytoplankton, is microscopic and is what gives the lake water a greenish color. Once phytoplankton establishes itself in the water column, it shades out the filamentous algae. Phytoplankton is important as it serves as a food base for microscopic animals, which in turn, are food for juvenile fish. We have a well established water monitoring and fertilization program to keep the phytoplankton in a balance such that the water is neither too clear nor too murky.

The second concern is rooted vegetation. The two main types of rooted vegetation in our lakes are emergent and submerged. Emergent vegetation is rooted on the lake bottom and grow out of the water’s surface. The most abundant emergent plant in Bella Vista is water willow. This plant provides a great refuge for juvenile fish. However, it may grow into areas that inhibit boat launches or swimming areas. In this case, the best course of action is to pull the vegetation by hand. This leaves a clean area that is immediately usable. Using an herbicide will kill the plant, but the stiff stems remain. Submerged vegetation is rooted on the lake bottom but does not grow out of the water. Historically, the main submerged plants were two species of naiad, which were also great refuge for fish. However, an invasion of the parrot’s feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum, AKA watermilfoil) necessitated the heavy use of aquatic herbicides and grass carp. With the invasive plant species gone (to our knowledge), we are harvesting grass carp to encourage the re-growth of native submerged vegetation and are looking into ways to be proactive in bringing native vegetation back. When that occurs, we will continue to be willing to remove aquatic plants where they impede lake use.


Water willow; vegetation has been killed with herbicide, but the stem remains

Species Profile: Rainbow Trout | Oncorhynchus mykiss

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Scientific Name:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย  Oncorhynchus mykiss; synonyms Salmo mykiss; Salmo gairdneri
Common Name(s):ย ย  Rainbow Trout; Many names for subspecies (e.g. Steelhead, Golden)

Identification:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย 

The rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is easily distinguished from similar trout. Rainbow trout in Arkansas typically range from 9 – 12 inches in length and weight 0.3 – 0.5 lbs. However, individuals weighing 2 โ€“ 4 lbs. are common with the current state record at 19 lbs. 1 oz. (White River). The rainbow trout has a moderately large mouth extending to the rear of the eye. The tail fin is slightly forked. The top of the fish is typically a shade of dark olive green, while the belly is much lighter. Many dark spots cover the body. The midline of the fish has a pinkish or reddish streak from gill flaps to tail. Like all trout, the rainbow trout has an adipose fin, which is a small fleshy projection on the back, just in front of the tail fin.

Range:

The rainbow trout is native to the western coast of North America where it inhabits both coastal waters and freshwater river systems from Southern Alaska to Northern Mexico. The species has been stocked extensively across the United States and many other countries across the world.

Ecology:

The rainbow trout is a cold water fish, and cannot tolerate water much over 72ยฐF for any considerable length of time. In states with warmer waters, rainbow trout have to be stocked annually each fall to replenish those that succumb to high temperatures in summer. In Arkansas, this fish does well in the cold tailwaters of larger reservoirs and deep cool reservoirs if oxygen is not a limiting factor.

Natural spawning is limited in Arkansas because of the warmer waters. When spawning does occur, it happens in swift gravely riffles. Females dig shallow pits, lay their eggs in the pits, and then cover with gravel while the males fertilizes the eggs. The eggs and young fish receive no parental care. rainbow trout consume aquatic and terrestrial insects, small fish, snails, and crustaceans.

In many states, the rainbow trout is considered to have negative impacts on native ecosystems, eating many native fish, or out-competing them for food resources. They also hybridize readily with rarer trout species including golden trout, lowering the genetic integrity of endangered populations.

Special Notes Concerning Lake Brittany:

Here in Bella Vista, rainbow trout are stocked in Lake Brittany during the winter months. This program has a dedicated following of hard core winter anglers that consistently see payoff for their efforts. Without giving away too many of their secrets, success can be had by fishing off of the docks or on the bank of the dam in winter with a rooster tail or power bait. Trout do survive the summer on Lake Brittany.ย  They can be caught suspended in about 18 – 22 feet of water throughout the summer months. Stocking in Lake Brittany typically starts in early November and continues monthly through April.

Rayburn Drawdown

The draw down began on November 9. The lake should be down by December 4 and allowed to start refilling by March 1. The goal is 3 inches per day and 6 feet overall.

During the Lakes Committee meeting on September 9, 2020, we were asked to provide a list of contractors who do dock work and can provide other services during the draw down. This list is not an endorsement.

  • Contractor List

Additionally, previously provided information regarding permits and other topics is found here.

Tips to Help Ensure the Survival of Released Fish

By Rick Echols

There are few things more disheartening to a fisherman than to kill fish that are intended for release.ย  Donโ€™t get me wrong, it is perfectly fine to catch a limit of 12-inch bass and take them home for dinner.ย  As a management practice here in the Bella Vista lakes, it is even encouraged. If you want to harvest fish, they should go directly on ice as they are caught.ย  Fish that are intended for release are often unintentionally killed when anglers make a few common mistakes.

Generally, larger fish are more susceptible to mortality after being caught than small fish. To avoid mortality, bring the fish in quickly and do not play the fish to exhaustion. Ultralight rods and line rated for small fish should be avoided as it prolongs the fight. Exhaustion and excessive handling causes the release of cortisol (stress hormone). This in turn compromises the immune system and encourages infection.

It is best to leave fish in the water as the hook is removed. If this is not possible, handle the fish with wet hands. Towels and abrasive boat carpeting should be avoided because it rubs off the protective mucus coating and lets pathogens in. Fish rubbing against the sides of a live well for hours before being released can have the same effect. On hot summer days, live wells can more appropriately be named โ€œdeath trapsโ€. Fish that are released in seemingly good condition can succumb up to two weeks later from infection.

To ensure the release of healthy fish, make sure you have all equipment to record a memorable moment including a camera, scale, and measuring device. Avoid exposing the fish to air for longer than 30 seconds especially on warm or windy days.ย  Recording the event and releasing the fish quickly will result is its best chance for survival. Large fish can be hard to come by. With proper care, they can be โ€œrecycledโ€ for the enjoyment of other anglers.

โ€œKeeping Bass Aliveโ€ by Gene Gilliland and Hal Schramm is an excellent resource on the subject.ย  Useful excerpts are available at:ย  https://www.bassmaster.com/sites/default/files/bassmaster2011/imce/KeepingBassAlive_guidebook%20comp.pdf

Board Action on Golf Task Force Recommendations

The Board of Directors would like to recognize the efforts of the Golf Task Force.ย  In evaluating the recommendations, the Board agrees with the recommendations put forth by the Task Force.

Recommendations:

  1. Berksdale South โ€“ The 9-holes of Berksdale that are currently closed should remain closed. The Board agrees with the recommendation from the Task Force.
  2. Berksdale North โ€“ Berksdale North will remain open, unless there is a triggering event (i.e., a devastating flood). The Board agrees with the recommendation from the Task Force.
  3. Kingswood โ€“ Kingswood will remain open, unless there is a triggering event (see below). The Board agrees with the recommendation from the Task Force.
    1. If rounds go up to 165,000 per year, the POA should begin investing funds to mitigate flood issues and bring the course up to the same standards as the other four courses. The Board agrees with the recommendation from the Task Force.
    2. If rounds decrease to below 120,000 per year, the Board may consider closing this course. Management is tasked with taking all reasonable measures to increase rounds.ย  The Board agrees with the recommendation from the Task Force.
    3. Future major flood damage could result in a re-evaluation of the golf course. The Board agrees with the recommendation from the Task Force.
  4. Country Club โ€“ The POA should target funding for flood mitigation to the Country Club as quickly as possible. The Board agrees with the recommendation from the Task Force.
  5. ARKMO โ€“ The POA will not pursue a golf course at ARKMO at this time. The Board agrees with the recommendation from the Task Force.

The Board of Directors would like to thank the Golf Task Force for their efforts.

Suggested Motion

I make a motion to approve the above detailed document on Board Action on Golf Task Force Recommendations.ย  The Board of Directors would like to recognize the efforts of the Golf Task Force and the residents of our community who provided feedback on these important decisions.

Did You Know?

All Bella Vista golf courses abide by a โ€œPair Up Policyโ€ in which we try to pair single golfers and twosomes to make complete groups of four. There are reasons why the foursome is best for the golf course. The first is PACE OF PLAY. Foursomes are the most common and most efficient way of getting the most players on the course when demand is high.

 

Second, it is no fun being the only twosome on the course, having to wait to play your shots on every hole because the foursome ahead of you is naturally slower. Itโ€™s also no fun to be the foursome playing at the appropriate pace but constantly feeling the need to step aside and let twosomes play through. Of course, singles and doubles playing on a busy course cannot expect to play through. If the course is jammed, it is much better to be paired up with others. Certainly, if the course is not overly busy, letting smaller and faster groups play through is the right thing to do.

 

If you want to go out by yourself, you can do that too. Just try to pick times when the course is not as busy. You can call the course directly and we will be more than happy to assist you with what times will be best.

 

Our final reason for using our Pair Up Policy is to maximize our revenue per tee time. We have a finite number of tee times during our peak hours and we need to make the most out of these times. Our goal is to accommodate as many golfers in as close proximity to their desired starting time as possible.