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Commission Changes Jordan Lake Stocking Program
Raleigh - The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has stocked striped bass and striped bass hybrids, also known as Bodie bass, in B. Everett Jordan Reservoir (Jordan Lake) since 1996, but beginning in 2002 the Commission will stock only striped bass in Jordan Lake. By stocking striped bass instead of Bodie bass, the Commission will protect the native striped bass population downstream in the Cape Fear River and continue to provide anglers an additional sport fish in Jordan Lake. The Commission recognized the need to protect the native striped bass population in the Cape Fear River when a 2001 study showed that a significant number of Bodie bass were collected in the Cape Fear River estuary near Wilmington. These Bodie bass had escaped from Jordan Lake and migrated downstream to the estuary. Their presence in the Cape Fear River estuary raised concerns about competition for food and habitat between Bodie bass and striped bass. Also, because Bodie bass are not sterile and can spawn with striped bass, the Commission is working to protect the genetic integrity of the native striped bass population in the Cape Fear River by changing the Jordan Lake stocking program. Stocking Jordan Lake with striped bass instead of Bodie bass is even more important in light of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' plans to modify lock and dam operations on the Cape Fear River. The Corps' modifications will improve the ability for migratory species such as striped bass to move up the Cape Fear River during the spawning season. The Commission's desire to preserve the genetic integrity of the Cape Fear River's native striped bass population warrants the changes to the Jordan Lake stocking program. In Jordan Lake, anglers have reeled in striped bass and Bodie bass since the stocking program began in 1996. It is unlikely, however, that Jordan Lake will support a trophy striped bass fishery because habitat for striped bass is likely marginal during the summer months. Striped bass - particularly stripers larger than six pounds - are intolerant of high water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels. Literature and field data show that the tolerance limits for striped bass are a water temperature of 28 C (82 F) and a dissolved oxygen level of 2 ppm. When these tolerance limits are exceeded, striped bass become stressed and a summer die-off is not uncommon. The Commission expects the Jordan Lake striped bass fishery to provide ample opportunities for anglers who enjoy catching three- to five-pound striped bass. |
