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Date Completed:  _7 April 2004___________

Biologist(s):  _Scott Davis, Robert Van Riper

Revised 4/13/04, D. McNeish

Name of Water:  _Swan Lake_________________________________  Fishery Region:  _B_

Town (s): _Searsport, Frankfort, Swanville_______    County:__Waldo_______________________        

Source of LLS Stock (indicate source with an X):        
                                                        Native_Wild       ___

Introduced_Wild                ___

Stocked                                __X_

Mix (stocked + wild)                ___

Smelt [Indicate predator/prey (LLS/SLT) ratio re growth & condition of LLS by placing an X opposite the appropriate category]: 

Excellent:  ___

Sufficient:  _X__

Poor:  ___

Other forage (indicate species & importance):______________________________________ 

Competition (List significant competitors (use 3-letter spp code) in appropriate blank based on importance.  Place an X opposite None if no significant competitors are present:

                                                High:  ____LKT____________________

Moderate:  __SMB__________________

Low:  ____________________________

None:  ___

Predation : (List significant predators (use 3-letter spp code) in appropriate blank based on importance.  Place an X opposite None if no significant predators are present):                               

High:  _____________________________

Moderate:  ___LKT__________________

Low:  _____________________________

None:  ___

Habitat Considerations:  The lake has a considerable area where depths exceed 40 ft.  Although extensive, much of this area experiences summer oxygen depletion , compromising those areas as lake trout habitat.  Additionally, permanent and seasonal development is intensive and provides the potential for cultural additions to the lake, affecting other water quality components.

Other Considerations:  Swan Lake experiences intense fishing pressure during both ice and open water seasons.

Current Regulations (list applicable regulations):

1)       Ice Fishing:  WO-2, Open January and February.  Restricted to 2 lines per person.  Daily Limit on togue: 1 fish; minimum length limit on togue: 23inches. 

2)       Open Water: Open April 1 to September 30.  S-2 – Closed to the taking of smelts, except by hook and line.  S-3 –Tributaries closed to the taking of smelts.  S-10 – Daily bag limit on togue: 1 fish.  Minimum length limit on togue: 23 inches.

Proposed Regulations:

 For Maintaining Existing Good LLS Size Quality: Retain existing regulations. 

For Moderate Improvement in LLS Size Quality: Increase smelt egg transfers to increase forage base.  Maintain closure of tributaries and continue hook and line fishing. 

For Significant Improvement in LLS Size Quality :  Increase togue limit to 2 fish, reduce togue length limit to 20 inches. 

For Best Possible Outcome, re LLS Size Quality:  No bag limit, No length limit on togue.         Improve year –round water quality of lake (a multi- agency regulatory effort)  

Identify Individuals/Group(s)to Contact for Input and/or Support:   Swan Lake Association 

Action Plan:  Use the next page to:  1.  Identify and prioritize up to 5 management strategies.  2.  Among these strategies identify those you feel most need to be worked on now, etc. (shown with *) and 3.  Identify how SAM_FIC can help in implementation. 

ACTION PLAN

1)   Transfer smelt eggs from source ponds: To increase the forage base.

2)   Determine historical LLS age\length\numbers: To facilitate efforts to improve size quality, the ‘history’ of LLS , both singly, and in relation to other major competitors\predators must be compiled and reviewed.  The department has over 30 years of data on Swan Lake that will require analysis.  Review historical creel survey data for LLS and LKT. 

a)        Assess current population levels of LLS, SLT, LKT, and SMB via trapnetting, voluntary angler booklets, creel surveys, hydroacoustics.

b)       Determine how age\length\numbers of LLS change in relation to other spp.

3)       Review regulations annually:  To be responsive to age\size structure resulting from survivorship and angling pressure.

4)       Prepare regulation package:  appropriate to long-term size quality management.  

SAM/FIC

1)       SAM can assist in monitoring the status of the LLS fishery (action Item #2) by encouraging members and other interested anglers to volunteer to maintain booklets and keep accurate records when fishing Swan Lake.

2)       SAM/FIC should recognize this water’s potential  for size quality management for LLS and, in cooperation with the Regional Fisheries Biologist conduct public outreach to acquaint the public with this potential and seek public support for a management program designed to provide improved size quality.