CSD Committee Okays Electrofishing Survey at Clementia
Feb 21, 2024 10:47AM ● By Gail Bullen
RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Rancho Murieta will soon have new information about the condition of the Lake Clementia fish population thanks to an upcoming electrofishing survey.
After hearing a presentation about the sampling method that uses a mild electrical shock to temporarily stun the fish so they can be assessed, the Rancho Murieta Community Services District (CSD) Improvements Committee gave their permission at their Jan. 9 meeting.
“I personally think it is a win-win,” said Director Marty Pohl. “I have no objection to it.”
“I’m totally in favor,” Director Randy Jenco added.
The survey will take place on Feb. 26.
The Improvements Committee is comprised of two directors, Pohl and Jenco, Operations Director Michael Fritschi, all three engineers, General Manager Mimi Morris and other CSD staff. The committee looks at infrastructure issues in depth and makes recommendations to the entire board.
Jim Monical, who is the fishing club president, brought two California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) biologists to the meeting. Ben Ewing explained how the survey would work. Max Fish said he was exploring whether a Rancho Murieta lake would be suitable for the Sacramento Perch, the only native sunfish in California.
Biologists
are exploring whether a Rancho Murieta lake could be a new home for Sacramento
Perch, the only native sunfish in California. Photo by Dave Giordano
Ewing said his department uses electrofishing surveys throughout the state to assess fisheries. “When it done correctly, there is like a 99% survival rate for the fish,” he said.
CDFW biologists will use a specialized boat to apply a mild electrical current to the water. This will temporarily stun the fish in the vicinity. After the fish float to the surface, they will be placed in live well on the boat so the biologists can collect and tag them before throwing them back into the water.
Ewing said the end result will be a 10 to 12 page report that will provide a percentage for each species in the lake, the average length and age range. “The big one is the length to weight ratio because that gives you an idea of how the fish are doing,” he said. “Are the fish real skinny and emaciated or real fat and chunky.”
Asked about the number of fish that would be shocked, Erwin said he couldn’t say because he didn’t know the particulars about Lake Clementia. He said the survey would take several hours and would utilize an electrical motor supplied by the fish club member. Neither the district or fishing club be charged for the survey.
Fritschi asked Monical how the survey would benefit the fishing club. “It’s not just the fishing club,” Monical told him. “It is all Rancho Murieta residents who fish in the lake.”
The committee also took in a brief presentation from Fish, who is a specialist in native fish conservation and management. He came to the meeting with Ewing in hopes that Rancho Murieta might have “some interesting opportunities” to plant Sacramento Perch. Related to bass and sunfish, the only native California sunfish “have been extinct from their native waters for quite a while, but still exist in locations where they have been moved.”
Describing them as “a pretty fun fish to catch,” Fish said they are adapted to harsh environmental conditions such as drought, high salinity, high alkalinity and low oxygen levels. But the introduction on non-native sunfish (such as blue gills) pushed them out of their native waters.
“We are just looking for opportunities to expand their range, and potentially provide recreational fisheries where possible,” Fish said.
Pohl and Jenco both asked if the Perch would compete with other fish and take over the reservoirs.
Fish told them it was pretty much the opposite. “They have trouble competing, especially with green sunfish, bluegills and croppie,” he said.
When contacted after the meeting, Monical said he was hopeful that front lake might prove to be a good option for the Sacramento Perch.
