Eastern Region Impoundment Surveys

Type: Nontidal
Region: Eastern
Location: Smithville Lake, Chambers Lake, Johnsons Pond and Leonards Mill Pond

The Eastern Regional Inland Staff completed four impoundment surveys this month. Daytime electrofishing surveys of Smithville Lake, Chambers Lake, Johnsons Pond and Leonards Mill Pond were completed. Smithville Lake, Johnsons Pond and Leonards Mill Pond currently support robust largemouth bass populations that should provide excellent fishing opportunities. Bass from 11-15 inches were particularly abundant, but some bass over 20 inches and exceeding 5 pounds were encountered. Large panfish species, particularly large redear sunfish are present in all three impoundments. Black crappie and chain pickerel were also present. Chambers Lake is currently supporting a limited bass/bluegill fishery. This small impoundment located within the Town of Federalsburg is heavily fished, but has siltation and habitat problems that limit its overall productivity. Small bluegill sunfish were abundant, but largemouth bass were rarely encountered. Largemouth bass fingerlings will be stocked there in 2016 to help enhance this fishery.