Yough Walleye Association

Yough Walleye members met with Joe Mills, Maryland Bureau of Mines, and Alan Klotz, Maryland Department of Natural Resources today, to discuss what future steps can be made to help improve the water in the Yough lake ensuring survival of stocked walleye. Joe brought to our attention that at the mouth of the Yough Lake on the Maryland side, there is a significant amount of acid flowing into the lake, results of acid mine drainage. Even though there are several creeks that feed into the lake, Maryland officials believe that the biggest contributor is where the Yough River flows into the Reservoir. This is affecting the alkalinity in the water, thus creating an infertile environment. The lake should be at least 20 parts per million(ppm), in recent testing, it is only 13 ppm. Joe and Alan both believe that improving the water in the upper Youghiogheny River will help stabilize the water in the reservoir.

A fly ash or limestone doser or silo was introduced to the YWA. A doser can be set to drop a certain amount of material into a particular creek. Although the doser is a huge expense, Joe has reported that the Federal Government might invest in the doser. The only stipulations is that the YWA agree to help with the purchasing of the fly ash or limestone. Also, it would be up to us to periodically inspect the doser to make sure it is working properly. A small amount to pay for such a huge difference. Similar dosers have said to improve the quality of smaller waters in as little as 2 months, giving the results of trout returning and reproducing in those streams. One sample case is Cherry Creek, located in Western Maryland, at Deep Creek Lake. Although the Yough Lake is a larger body of water, Joe and Alan are optimistic that over the time span if 2-3 years, the Lake will be able to stabilize and become fertile for reproducing walleye.

Some members asked if stocking walleye every year into an infertile lake is effective in managing the fish population.. Others think it is better to treat the feeding bodies of water, making it fertile for reproducing, thus eliminating the cost of stocking small frye every year with no chance of reproduction. The state of PA has agreed to stock 113,000 small fingerlings every year until 2014, if we agree to the doser expense over these next few years, between these two efforts, the Youghiogheny Reservoir could be at the most optimal conditions. Talks are still underway during the meetings every month. Until a more definite decision has been made, members have agreed to continue funding a stocking schedule of $5,000 a year for the next 3 years. This will provide a chance to see how the results of a yearly stocking will affect the overall fish population and their survival under current water conditions. Every member is encouraged to attend the meetings held on the First Tuesday of every month at The Hutchinson Spiortsman's Club starting at 7PM. For more information on dosers and the effects of acid mine drainage, visit www.dnr.state.md.us/streams/pubs/ea01-1_acidic.pdf .