I will look out at the moon over Quimby Pond. When it's night-time and the moon is full, it reminds me of "Twas the Night before Christmas" lines, " The moon on the crest of the new-fallen snow, gave luster of mid-day to objects below." Speaking of Christmas, some of the folks around Quimby Pond will leave Christmas lights on their trees all winter. It continues the festive air throughout the winter season.
This one is a UFO. Actually it's a small balsam fir with white lights and covered with snow.
And this one is another small tree with Christmas lights.And now back to spring and summer.
Dave Boucher, the regional fish biologist with the Maine Inland Game and Fisheries, did a study on Quimby Pond last fall. He released the results last week and here is a summary of those results.
Summary and recommendations:
Quimby Pond has been the source of several recent complaints pertaining to slow catch rates, heavy parasite load (trematode blackspot), excessive predation by fall-flocking loons, and declining water quality. Stocking rates were reduced in 2005 from 3000 to 2000 fall fingerlings in an effort to reduce parasite loading. Algal blooms have occurred with increasing frequency, and the volume of “Wilbur Spring” appears to have declined coincidentally with increased watershed development. A new Lake Association was formed in late 2009 to address nonpoint sources of phosphorous.
This pond receives heavy use, but release rates are very high; 90-100% as reported by voluntary book anglers.
Wild trout comprised 58% of the trapnet sample, with ages 0+ to V+ present. High ratio of wild trout was probably related to favorable water temperatures and flows since 2005. Growth of wild and hatchery fish were above average for the region, but body condition was marginal for most cohorts. All trout, including young-of-year, were heavily parasitized with blackspot; there was no evidence that reduced stocking rates lowered the incidence of this parasite. Trout density estimates were low/moderate compared with other ponds of similar size and trout origin.
The smelt population appeared robust and they’re likely trout predators and competitors. Mallard ducks very abundant and tame.
Preliminary recommendations:
1. Maintain fall fingerling stocking rate at 2-3000 Kennebago-strain fish annually, but consider switching to spring yearlings to mitigate predation by fall loon flocks.
2. Maintain present fishing regulations (high release rates indicate fishing mortality does not significantly structure this population).
3. Continue to work with MDEP, RLHT, and Lake Association to address water quality issues.
4. Repeat trapnet survey in 5 years, or sooner if significant management changes are made.
Quimby Pond has been the source of several recent complaints pertaining to slow catch rates, heavy parasite load (trematode blackspot), excessive predation by fall-flocking loons, and declining water quality. Stocking rates were reduced in 2005 from 3000 to 2000 fall fingerlings in an effort to reduce parasite loading. Algal blooms have occurred with increasing frequency, and the volume of “Wilbur Spring” appears to have declined coincidentally with increased watershed development. A new Lake Association was formed in late 2009 to address nonpoint sources of phosphorous.
This pond receives heavy use, but release rates are very high; 90-100% as reported by voluntary book anglers.
Wild trout comprised 58% of the trapnet sample, with ages 0+ to V+ present. High ratio of wild trout was probably related to favorable water temperatures and flows since 2005. Growth of wild and hatchery fish were above average for the region, but body condition was marginal for most cohorts. All trout, including young-of-year, were heavily parasitized with blackspot; there was no evidence that reduced stocking rates lowered the incidence of this parasite. Trout density estimates were low/moderate compared with other ponds of similar size and trout origin.
The smelt population appeared robust and they’re likely trout predators and competitors. Mallard ducks very abundant and tame.
Preliminary recommendations:
1. Maintain fall fingerling stocking rate at 2-3000 Kennebago-strain fish annually, but consider switching to spring yearlings to mitigate predation by fall loon flocks.
2. Maintain present fishing regulations (high release rates indicate fishing mortality does not significantly structure this population).
3. Continue to work with MDEP, RLHT, and Lake Association to address water quality issues.
4. Repeat trapnet survey in 5 years, or sooner if significant management changes are made.
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