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Date Completed: 3/8/2005

Biologist:   David J. Basley

Revised            2005, D. McNeish             

Name of Water:   Eagle Lake                                   Fishery Region:  _G_

Town:     Eagle Lake, Wallagrass, T16R6 Wels, Square Lake Twp.   County: Aroostook                              

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

Introduced_Wild                _X_

Stocked                                ___

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:  ___

Poor:  _X – but a trend toward improvement

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:   _X – wild population of LKT is increasing

Moderate:  ___

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:  ___

Low:  _X – large LKT based on Reg. C observations

None: ___  

Predation by muskellunge remains a potential threat should this species move upstream of lower Fish River Falls.

Habitat Considerations:(describe pertinent habitat pluses, deficiencies, etc.)

Lake affords excellent year round habitat for all salmonids.  The outlet (Fish River) and the two major inlets, one from Square Lake and one from St. Froid Lake, afford excellent spawning and nursery area for wild salmon production.  An over-population of LLS coupled with a low smelt population has limited salmon growth in past years.  Age & growth data on LLS collected in the early summer of 2004 suggests that growth may finally be on an upward trend. 

Other Considerations:(historical significant population/fishery, genetically important population, social/traditional, etc.)

LKT are native to the Fish River Chain of Lakes.  LLS and SLT were introduced in the late 1800’s.  Public input suggests that LLS are now the preferred sport fish over LKT.  There is a popular hook & line sport fishery for SLT in both the ice and open water seasons.

LLS stocking was discontinued in 1996. 

LKT stocking was discontinued in 2000.

SLT eggs were introduced from Long Lake in 1998, 1999, 2000.

A 12 inch minimum length limit on LLS has been in effect since the 1998 open water season.

Current Regulations (list applicable regulations):

Ice: 

Open to ice fishing for smelts and cusk at night only (1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise) from January 1 -  January 14; THEN open to ice fishing for all fish from January 15 - March 15:  S-3, S-14. On Eagle Lake, daily bag limit on salmon: 2 fish; minimum length limit on salmon:  12 inches.  S-10

Open Water: 

S-2, S-3, S-16, S-25. Minimum length limit on salmon: 12 inches.

Fish River Thoroughfares (connecting Long, Mud, Cross, Square, Eagle and St. Froid Lakes):  Closed to the taking of smelts.  Daily bag limit on trout: 2 fish; minimum length limit: 12 inches, only 1 may exceed 14 inches.  From August 16 – September 30: Fly fishing only; total daily bag for salmon, trout and togue: 1 fish.

Proposed Regulations: 

Daily bag limit on LKT: 5 fish; minimum length limit on LKT: 14 inches.

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

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. and 3.  Identify how SAM_FIC can help in implementation.

OBJECTIVE:  TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF 2-3 POUND LLS IN THE LAKE.

ACTION PLAN

1.       Maintain the present daily bag limit on LLS at 2 fish and minimum length limit of 12 inches. 

2.       Maintain the existing ice fishing season on Eagle Lake.

3.       Seek public support for the proposed regulation proposal on LKT.

4.       Monitor smelt abundance through smelt run investigations and use of the hydro-acoustics boat.

5.       Seek public support and funding to alter the lower Fish River Falls so as to create an impassable barrier to natural upstream movement of MUS and SMB.    

SAM/FIC

1.       SAM/FIC should, in consultation with the Regional Fisheries Biologist, support any regulations/management tools necessary to accomplish the objectives.

2.       SAM/FIC should assist in any way possible the creation of a “fish barrier” (to prevent muskellunge from accessing the Fish River chain of lakes) at Fish River Falls.  This is crucial to the future of all salmonids in the entire Fish River watershed.

3.       SAM/FIC should be actively involved with public outreach programs.