Columnist Paula DelGiudice: Fish survey reveals largemouth bass in lake

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears Wednesday. Reach her at PDelGiudice @compuserve.com.

Fair numbers of largemouth bass have been found by Nevada Division of Wildlife biologists during a fish survey last week at Upper Pahranagat Lake and the north marsh.

"We counted 59 bass, 55 carp, 32 very small green sunfish and three black bullheads during the survey," NDOW biologist Jack Clifton said. "Most of the bass were 10 to 11 inches, which makes them just under a pound."

The waters are located within Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge approximately 90 miles north of Las Vegas adjacent to U.S. 93. Sport fishing is allowed, but boats and tubes are prohibited from the marsh, which is located on the north end of the upper lake. Only boats without motors, except electric trolling motors, are permitted on Upper Lake.

Clifton said a fish eradication project was conducted nearly three years ago to rid the lake and marsh of carp.

Largemouth bass and other game fish were stocked by NDOW following the project.

"Now is the time to fish at Pahranagat because water temperatures are conducive to good fishing. Over the next few years fishing should deteriorate as carp increase in the lake and crowd out game fish," Clifton said.

* WATERED DOWN: Those traveling to Kirch Wildlife Management Area should be advised that potable water is unavailable at the Hot Creek Campground as a result of problems with the filtration system.

Anglers and campers should prepare by hauling their own water supplies for all their needs while visiting Kirch WMA until further notice.

* FOR THE BIRDS: As migratory birds wing their way from their wintering sites in warmer climates to nesting areas in Canada and the United States, birding events (such as the many scheduled last weekend during Migratory Bird Day) in various parts of the country celebrate migratory birds.

"Birds are a part of nature that we all share. Whether you live on a farm in the rural Midwest or in a large urban apartment building, you're likely to encounter birds every day," said Jamie Rappaport Clark, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

"By taking steps to conserve birds and their habitat, we can also make our communities better places to live."

Many species are in decline due to environmental contaminants, habitat loss, collisions with tall buildings such as communications towers, powerlines and other structures, and predation from domestic cats.

The Partners in Flight Watch List was introduced in 1996 to draw attention to those species of migratory birds that are in most need of conservation action.

In Nevada, those listed are the Lewis' Woodpecker, Gray Vireo, Brewer's Sparrow and Sage Sparrow.

* STAMPS OF APPROVAL: With her recent first-place finish in Nevada's Duck Stamp Art Competition, Sherrie Russell-Meline of Mount Shasta, Calif., becomes only the second artist in the 21-year history of the contest to win the event twice.

Meline's entry featuring this year's featured subject, the prehistoric canvasback "tule" duck decoy, was judged best out of the 44 entries received in this year's contest. Of the 44 entries, nine were submitted by Nevada artists, two of whom placed in the top ten. William Moore of Reno placed fifth and Ray Price of Henderson placed eighth.

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