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Invasive Algae in Lower Mountain Fork River

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The recent discovery of an invasive alga in a southeast Oklahoma river serves to remind anglers of their role in helping prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species.

Biologists with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the University of Oklahoma recently confirmed the presence of Didymosphenia geminata, also known by anglers as “Didymo” or “rock snot,” in the Lower Mountain Fork River below Broken Bow Lake. The invasive species is native to North America and thrives in low-nutrient, cold, flowing streams rich in oxygen, such as the Lower Mountain Fork River, the Lower Illinois River and the Blue River.

Didymo starts out as small tufted colonies, but can grow into dense, thick mats that cover large portions of a streambed.

“When it forms extensive mats or produces large blooms, rock snot can outcompete native algae relied on by aquatic insects,” said Curtis Tackett, aquatic nuisance biologist for the Wildlife Department. “That may not sound like a problem, except that those insects provide an important source of food for trout in the Lower Mountain Fork River.”

Tackett said that in some cases, the reduction of available food sources for trout because of competition from invasive species like Didymo can result in smaller fish. Additionally, Didymo can clog water pipes and other flow structures as well as become quite a nuisance to anglers because of how easily it can be snagged by a fish hook.

“Anglers can help prevent further spread of Didymo and other aquatic nuisance species, and it just takes a little bit of effort,” Tackett said. “But that effort can go a long way.”

According to Tackett, the following measures can be taken to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species:

  • Before leaving a river or stream, remove all clumps of algae and look for hidden fragments.
  • Soak and scrub all gear for at least one minute in a two percent bleach solution, or five percent salt solution, or simply use hot water and dishwashing soap.
  • If cleaning is not practical, then wait at least 48 hours before contact with another water body after equipment has dried.
  • Consider keeping two sets of wading boots, and alternate their use between cleaning and drying. * Avoid using felt-soled waders.
  • Avoid wading through colonies of the algae. Breaking up the material could cause future colonies and blooms to occur further downstream.

For more information about the Lower Mountain Fork River trout fishery, log on to the Wildlife Department’s Web site at wildlifedepartment.com.

Lower Illinois River Trout Stockings Resume

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Trout stockings that had been temporarily suspended in the Lower Illinois River due to warm water temperatures will resume November 19th.

According to Jim Burroughs, east central region fisheries supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife, it was heavy spring rains and a period of extreme heating that combined to create the unusually warm water in Lake Tenkiller. Wildlife Department officials had hoped to resume stockings by the end of October, but water temperatures remained at critical levels for trout, temporarily preventing further stocking at that time.

“This has been a very unusual year,” Burroughs said. “Temperatures needed to be 65 degrees or lower in the tailrace during power generation before regular stockings could resume. Temperatures have now reached this threshold level.”

Anglers won’t miss out on any of the fish that did not get stocked during the suspension, however, as officials with the Department say the same number of fish will eventually be stocked through additional or larger stockings.

The Lower Illinois River is one of the only two year-round trout fisheries in the state and is managed by the Wildlife Department. The other is the Lower Mountain Fork River below Lake Broken Bow in Beaver’s Bend State Park.

Oklahoma Trout Stocking Update

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Extreme spring and summer weather conditions have prompted the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to postpone regular trout stockings until water quality conditions improve. The area affected is the Lower Illinois River trout fishery located below Lake Tenkiller near Gore.

“Heavy spring rains and a period of extreme heating have combined to create unusually warm water in Tenkiller Reservoir,” said Jim Burroughs, east central region fisheries supervisor for the Wildlife Department. These waters are released through turbines used for hydropower generation and flow directly in to the Lower Illinois River trout stream.

“Water temperatures are approaching potentially lethal limits for trout. Regular stockings, as well as those temporarily postponed will begin as soon as conditions improve that will allow survival of the stocked trout,” Burroughs said.

According to biologists with the Wildlife Department, trout that were in the water before temperatures warmed to near lethal limits have a better chance of adapting to the temperatures and may find springs and other refuges where colder temperatures may exist.

Anglers are still having good success catching largemouth bass on topwater lures, and striped bass fishing is currently excellent on shad all along the river. Anglers are also catching channel catfish, walleye and saugeye.

The Lower Illinois River is one of the only two year-round trout fisheries in the state and is managed by the Wildlife Department. The other is the Lower Mountain Fork River in Beaver’s Bend State Park, below the Lake Broken Bow dam.