Fish Surveys

Fish surveys are often conducted to support a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study or a Sustainable Lake Management Plan (SLMP). These plans and studies help guide lake management by considering the input a lake is receiving from the landscape (nutrients, sediment, etc.) plus the internal condition of the lake's water quality, fish population, and plant life.

The type, size, and number of fish found tell a story about how healthy the lake is and what future management actions would be relevant. Fish populations are great indicators of water quality and can also help identify less obvious issues in the lake.

Fish surveys may not require immediate management efforts such as stocking or carp/bullhead harvesting. In these cases, VLAWMO keeps the reports on file to serve as a reference point for future surveys or studies.

Visit the waterbody page for more surveys, reports, and detailed information about the lakes listed here and more.