WDFW Crappie Research on Palmer Lake

[Mike Schmuck]

In fall, 2011 we stocked Palmer Lake with 40,000 black crappie fry. While at the Meseberg Hatchery these fish were immersed in an oxytetracycline (OTC) bath for six hours which placed a mark on the fish's otoliths (ear stone). When examined under a certain light the mark can be seen on the otoliths. Our goal is to collect enough age-1 crappie in order to determine the contrbution of hatchery fish.

Once these fish recruit to the fishery (grow to harvestable size) we can take otoliths from angler harvested fish during creel surveys to see what the hatchery component of the fishery is.

In addition to juvenile fish we've been collecting several very nice (11-13 inch) crappie in our fyke nets this summer. Right now good fishing can be found just off the boat ramp, near the mouth of Sinlahekin Creek and around the north side of the cliff in about 20 feet of water. Mini jigs have been the ticket this year.

We are heading up on Wednesday to set nets and electrofish for juvenile crappie.


Mike Schmuck
WDFW Warmwater Fish Management
Region Two, Ephrata
509-754-4624 x227

[Rosann G]

Thanks for posting this Mike. Wish we could come out to watch/help on Wednesday but we've got a load of wood pellets being delivered in the morning.
Rosann

[Mike Schmuck]

Windy weather prevented effective electrofishing but we did collect a few age-1 crappie. We also collected several nice 9-11 inch crappie in fyke nets.

For those interested in catching perch there are a lot of decent be (8-10 inch) perch to be found on Palmer Lake. They seem to be everywhere but we collected several close to the mouth of Sinlahekin Creek.

Palmer is a beautiful lake with a lot of good fishing opportunities: smallmouth, largemouth, kokanee, crappie, and perch. If you haven't been up there I highly recommend it. The water temps have dropped into the low 70's but cool nights will bring it down into the 60's before long.

[Rosann G]

Ok Mike, I tried to look up Palmer Lake here on this site and couldn't find it, then I tried looking it up on the WDFW lake access site and couldn't find it listed there either. Where is Palmer Lake? Thanks Rosann

[Mike Schmuck]

Palmer Lake is in Okanogan County just outside Loomis, WA. You go through Tonasket and head up toward Whitestone and Spectacle Lake. You will go through the town of Loomis and run into Palmer Lake. Lots of bighorn sheep, whitetail deer and a few mountain goats to be seen along the cliffs at the north end of the lake. Worth the trip.

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&output=sea ... _qf.&cad=b

[Rosann G]

Thanks Mike.

[blufin loui]

Thank you Mike for posting the information. How many years does it take the crappie to reach "harvestable" size in Palmer Lake? I look forward to your future articles Mike. "@" Rosann G, Cindy and I made our first trip to Palmer a couple of years ago, and have put the lake on a must vist status ever since. The scenery is fabulous and the fishing is excellent. Search WL for my reports on Palmer and see some of the scenic pics. There is camping avail if a person is so inclined.

[YellowBear]

Mr Schmuck.
I wonder if you could tell us what else has been stocked in Palmer and there numbers?

[Mike Schmuck]

Good Questions:

On average black crappie reach 8 inches by about age 4 and 10 inches by age 6-7. Palmer Lake crappie may reach larger sizes sooner, but that is something we are in the process of finding out.

In addition to crappie we stock kokanee fry. In 2012 115,596 fry were planted. Not sure if trout are planted as well but they weren't listed in the stocking report.

Mike

[blufin loui]

Thank you Mike for the response. I look forward to the research data you compile. Please keep us posted. Palmer is a gem of a lake, great place to visit

[Rosann G]

Thanks for the info blufin loui, maybe Bill and I will have to give it a try sometime. Is the camping at a campground?

[blufin loui]

Thanks for the info blufin loui, maybe Bill and I will have to give it a try sometime. Is the camping at a campground?

The camping is undeveloped, a few spots to pitch a tent, and a couple toilets (acceptable), and there are a few cabins that are available during the summer. We spoke with a lady at the cabins who said the cabins are pretty much booked up after the middle of july evey year with repeat customers, but june is usually open. When we were there she said it was 75.00/night for the cabins so we will have to check them out next spring. Most of the people camping had travel trailers.