Evaluation of multiple stocking sites for striped bass fingerlings on Badin Lake using genetic tagging

NORTH CAROLINA Fisheries Research Fact Sheet Evaluation of Multiple Stocking Sites for Striped Bass Fingerlings on Badin Lake Using Genetic Tagging Apni 2017 The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is con¬ ducting a study on the use of multiple stocking sites for Striped Bass fingerlings on Badin Lake. Badin Lake, located in Stanly and Montgomery counties, is part of the Yadkin- Pee Dee chain of res¬ ervoirs where Striped Bass have historically been stocked although stocking locations have never been evaluated. Most reservoirs are only stocked via a single access point. If adverse water quality conditions or increased predator densities occur at these stocking sites, the potential reduction in surviving Striped Bass fingerlings could impact the number of fish recruiting into the fishery. In order to evaluate this on Badin Lake, biologists are stocking two genetically unique batches of 32,000 1 -3-inch Striped Bass fingerlings at two different boating access areas (BAA) on the reservoir: ALCOA BAA and Lakemont BAA. ALCOA BAA is in the lower region of the lake approximately 2 miles from the dam while Lakemont BAA is in the upstream region of the lake almost 5 miles from the dam. Striped Bass have also been found to move from the lake they were originally stocked into downstream reser¬ voirs. To determine the percentage of Striped Bass in Badin Lake that were originally stocked in upstream reservoirs; genetically unique batches were utilized when stocking upstream reservoirs. Using these methods should provide valuable information on the population level effects of using multiple stocking sites. Lakemont and ALCOA Boating access areas and stocking locations for Striped Bass in Badin Lake. Project Objectives: • To determine the percent contribution of 1.5 to 2-year-old Striped Bass from each stocking location. • To determine whether Striped Bass from upstream populations are contributing to the fishery in Badin Lake. District 6 Assistant Fisheries Biologist Troy Thompson holding a Striped Bass collected via electrofishing on Badin Lake, (photo by Law¬ rence Dorsey) Hatchery truck for stocking Striped Bass fingerlings (Photo by Lawrence Dorsey) N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Inland Fisheries Division www. nc wi Id lif e . org