The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-08-21
REPORT ON DEEP CREEK
is MADE BY FISH BUREAU
Findings Are Submitted to Con-
gresham Fred N. Zihlman

Hon. Lewis Radcliff, Acting Commits
sioner, Bureau of Fisheries, Washing
ton, D. c., has submitted report to
Hon. F. N. Zihlman on the recent in
spection of Deep Greek Lake, made by
Mr.. James of the United States
Bureau of Fisheries and Mr.. Swepson
Earle, State Conservation Commits
sioner.
Mr.. James report brings out the
fact that Deep Creek Lake is now
overstocked with small rock bass,
ranging in size from four to six inch
es. There are also a few good sized
trout to be found in the lake. The
rock bass, which are to be found in
such large numbers, are of very little
value either as food or for sport.
1t is impossible for these fish to de-
velop, due to lack of natural food in
sufficient quantity to nourish them.
The banks of the lake are of shale and
gravel, rather steep and devoid of
vegetation, thereby furnishing very
little in the way of food supply. 1t
is therefore necessary to augment the
food supply by artificial means, such
as planting acquatic plants or by
planting minnows and sinners in the
water. Should the level of the water
fiuctuate to any great extent during
the year, the plant life would be killed
before it had a chance to attain suffi-
cient growth. Minnows and sinners
are not available in any quantities
from other sources, but the original
stock in the watershed will probably
supply this type of food in the long
run. w..
1t has been suggested that the ex-
cess bass be destroyed by means OF
dynamiting, poisoning, etc. This, how
ever, would not be practicable as it
would destroy the other fish. The
Bureau suggests the planting of other
species of fish in the lake which are
desirable for angling and which have
predaceous, carnivorous Characters
tics which will lead them to be active
competitors for the food supply and
to prey upon the small rock bass.
The most desirable fish in this line are
brook and rainbow trout, largemouth
and smallmouth bass, walleyed pike,
pike and pickerel.
Congressman Zihlman has offered
the suggestion to the Bureau that they
diminish the number of small fish in
the lake by seigning them out and
transferring them to other waters,
thereby increasing the food supply for
the number left in the lake. In this
way a great many of the small I'M
desirable fish could be removed from
the lake.
1t has further been pointed out by
the Bureau of Fisheries that Deep
Creek Lake is not suited for trout,
due to the fact that great deal of
the lake is shallow water and the por-
lions of the lake suited to the produc-
ton of trout are limited number of
acres of deep water. The conditions
in the lake are admirable for the es-
tablishment and natural reproduction
of both species of bass. In view of
the high esteem in which the small
mouth bass is held by anglers, it would
appear that the best interests of the
public would be served by concentrat
ing on this form.
1t should be pointed out that the de-
velopment of Big Pool, in Washington
| COuHIy, dS UOW COtlCCltlpldICu ny Vic
State, should constitute a perpetual
and productive source of supply of
bass fingerlings for fall and spring
planting in Deep Creek Lake, when
they should range from three to six
inches in length and be sufficiently
large to combat the present adverse
factors.
There is question as to the advisa-
bility of planting walleyed pike in the
lake, due to the apparent lack of
good sized tributary streams and
creeks for spawning grounds. Pre-
vious efforts to plant these fish have
not been successful and the fact that
| this species must be planted as fry,
will indefinitely delay the desired re-
suits. The supply of this species is
very limited and would have to be
| brought from the Great Lakes area or
Lake Champlain.
Pike and Pickerel are among the
most predaceous fresh-water fish and
would undoubtedly have considerable
value in reducing the numbers of rock
bass. Their spawning requirements
are more in accord with those of the
bass, and for this reason their sue
cessful establishment could be more
confidently expected. The question of
securing a supply of these fish-for
Deep Creek Lake would be a difficult
one.
1t therefore remains for the Bureau
of Fisheries and the Conservation
Commission to work out some solution
of this problem. 1t is obvious, that
whatever course is followed, the re-
covery will undoubtedly require as
much time, or more, than has been re-
quired for the present unsatisfactory
conditions to develop.