Biologist Report March 31, 2022
Greetings, Lake Vilbig residents!
This letter is to discuss our March 2022 management efforts. I came out twice in March, on the 16th and 31st. March, in like a lion and out like a lamb. It has been a fairly mild spring.
On the 16th. Water temperatures are on the rise, but not by much. This month, water temps have risen a little—an average of 62 F. This is normal for March. Visibility was around 30 inches. pH was still high. 8.2. The water was fairly clear—a very nice green color, especially for this year. Alkalinity came down a little, back down to 140. Again there were a lot of birds in mid-March: several cormorants, seagulls, and a few dozen coots. We are getting close to migration season. Usually, this occurs in March, when they will start heading back north. Hopefully, we are out of the birding season shortly.
On the 31st. Things were very similar. Water temp was 63 F., Alkalinity was 130, and pH was 8.0. Still some birds around but less than in mid-March. Cormorants and coots primarily. The water was a little off-colored. Some areas had a lot of colors, while other areas were clearer. To me, it is an indication of some plankton bloom. Average depth readings were at 32 inches. But it really depended on where these depths were taken. Sometimes it was as little as 15 inches and as much as 45 inches. The water was also very calm. So there wasn’t much stirring of the water.
Other than that, everything looks really great as we sprint into Spring. Let’s get ready for warmer temperatures and spawning bass.
P.S. I have taken a look at the Electro-fishing report but haven’t dived into it. My first impressions were it said what I thought it would. The good news is relative weights are good for bass.
Thanks, Vilbig Residents!
Chad Fikes
Fisheries Biologist
