Electrofishing project helps both hungry and Lake Tahoe nearshore

Scientists have found a way to put some of the 51,000 pounds of harvested fish to good use at the same time they are ridding Lake Tahoe of invasive species.

In the first three years of a cooperative pilot program between the University of Nevada Reno and California Fish and Wildlife, unwanted fish have been donated to needy families.

"We have transferred about 55 pounds of fish fillets to St. Vincent's (Food Pantry) since the start of the 2015 season, and about 200 pounds in one year during the pilot program," said Christine Ngai, project lead and researcher from the University of Nevada, Reno's Aquatic Ecosystems Analysis Laboratory.

"We're absolutely thrilled to get the fish," said Auburn Harrison of the Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada who run the food bank. "It's a great chance to offer healthier, fresh food."

The program to remove the invasive species, mainly largemouth bass and bluegill, is just one way partnering agencies and the University of Nevada Reno (UNR) are helping to remove non-native species of plants, amphibians, and fish from Lake Tahoe. South Tahoe Now will be featuring these programs in the coming days.

While out on Lake Tahoe this week just off shore of the Ski Run Marina, I was able to see the electrofishing team at work. On board were Emily Ulrich and Michael Mamola of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Cassie Hickey and Christine Ngai, biologists at UNR.

The team works five days a week from Spring to Fall, mainly out of the Tahoe Keys where the warm water and Eurasian Watermilfoil growths attract the invasive fish. The Keys are found to be their primary spawning ground in Lake Tahoe. But this isn't the only spot they work. They've also traveled to Crystal Bay, Emerald Bay and Cave Rock.

During their research they've been watching species change and adapt to non-natural conditions.

They take their boat out into the water, and once they find fish they lower two large devices into the water that adds an electrical current right around their vessel. This common fisheries method is used to sample fish populations for determining density, abundance, and species composition. After the fish are temporarily stunned, the researchers scoop of the fish using nets at the end of long poles. The insert the net into a holding tank on board, sort out the non-native and native fish, tossing the ones they want to keep back into the lake where they swim away.

The small fish collected during this trip all turned out to be native fish, which is what they want to see. They were all tossed back into the lake.

They majority of the non-native fish they've found are under one pound, though they see many up to six pounds.

It is these larger fish that the Food Bank is able to use in meals for their families.

"In Lake Tahoe since 1960, there has been a tenfold decline in native fishes, but what we also know is that these recent invaders could further depress the native population through competition and predation," said Dr. Sudeep Chandra, a scientist and Director of the UNR Aquatic Ecosystems Analysis Laboratory.

"We are also trying to determine the extent to which these fish are moving into the main part of the lake and when and where they might be moving," he added. "We've found, and studies by scientists at other lakes have confirmed, that we must target the large spawning adult fish, and need continuous efforts on a yearly basis to be effective."