feet of electrofishing . That number began to decline in 1999 to 2000 when the first “ spotted bass ” was observed . The population of Alabama bass increased to an all-time high in 2010 at 22 fish per 1,000 feet of electrofishing . In 2013 , largemouth bass reached their historic low at one fish per 1,000 feet of electrofishing . In recent years , largemouth bass have rebounded slightly , but Alabama bass still make up much of the black bass population . It ’ s been noted that largemouth bass have been pushed from the main lake and are now found more commonly in creeks and coves , while the Alabama bass dominate the main lake .
Along with a reduction in largemouth abundance , there has been a steady increase in individual largemouth bass total length . During the electrofishing surveys , the average length in 1993 was just below 10 inches and remained close to that until the introduction of Alabama bass , which appears to have resulted in a slow increase in average total length of largemouth to today ’ s peak of 14 inches . This has become an expected outcome with Alabama bass introduction on the eastern coast : They decrease largemouth abundance and therefore the remaining largemouth have slightly larger size . Unfortunately , due to the discrepancy in abundance , the bigger largemouth are rarely caught .
Although the state record “ spotted ” bass was caught in Lake Norman in 2004 at 6 pounds , 5 ounces , most Alabama bass within the lake are shorter , leaner fish with low weightto-length ratios . Weight-to-length ratio of both Alabama bass and largemouth have declined slightly since the early 2000s .
To curb these trends , NCWRC has begun an experimental program to introduce F1 largemouth bass into the fishery . Florida-strain largemouth are a first generational offspring of a Florida bass crossed with a largemouth bass . This program began in 2020 with 2,000 7- to 8-inch tagged F1 largemouth being stocked at four sites . Those sites were surveyed in April of 2021 and resulted in the capture of 93 largemouth with six being a tagged F1 . Additional 8-inch F1 largemouth bass were stocked in 2021 ; in June 2021 , 2- inch fingerlings were also added . Fingerling stocking will continue each summer through 2026 with a target of 130,000 fish to be stocked annually . Results of these stockings may take up to a decade to be fully realized , but genetic sampling and measurement of body conditions will provide evidence of success .
habitat management
The aquatic vegetation in the reservoir has remained limited throughout Lake Norman ’ s existence . The species included in the most recent survey in 2021 were chara and spikerush with small amounts of riverweed , spatterdock , water willow , hydrilla and variable leaf pondweed . Hydrilla was first found in 2000 in the Davidson Creek area , and it expanded to cover more than 400 acres by 2003 .
In the spring of 2004 , the Lake Norman Marine Commission , NCDEQ , Charlotte Water and Duke Energy stocked 6,120 triploid grass carp . Additional small stockings of triploid grass carp occurred until their consumption of hydrilla resulted in eradication for about a decade . Also found in 2000 was fanwort and parrotfeather . These species were eradicated using herbicide and remain controlled today .
Hydrilla reintroduction occurred in 2017 and was estimated to be nearly 500 acres . The LNMC , NCDEQ , Charlotte Water and Duke stocked 10,200 triploid grass carp in 2018 and an additional 12,330 in 2019 . By the end of 2019 , hydrilla growth was very limited with expected eradication to be maintained throughout the next decade .
In 2007 , Duke , NCWRC and South Carolina DNR combined in an effort to improve habitat within Norman and all the Catawba River fisheries by creating the Catawaba-Wateree Habitat Enhancement Program . Habitat restoration is needed on Norman due to urbanization of shoreline , loss of hardwood habitat due to age and degradation and limited rock structure .
The CWHEP is a grant program that has awarded $ 2.3 million to habitat enhancement to date . The program is expected in 2023 to award $ 1.9 million in North Carolina and $ 1.3 million in
PHOTO BY JODY WHITE
The introduction of Alabama bass into Lake Norman – like this pair caught by Bryan Thrift in an MLF tournament – has changed the fishery significantly .
South Carolina for additional projects . Each application is reviewed by the Lakes Advisory Committee and the Technical Review Committee to ensure they are fair , equitable and effective . The LAC is a 12-member panel of N . C . and S . C . representatives who have applied and been selected by Duke , NCWRC or SCDNR .
mlf fmd plans at redcrest
The MLF Fisheries Management Division ( FMD ) in Partnership with Berkley Labs has a short history of conservation work at REDCREST , but we plan to continue to extend this history with another Minn Kota Habitat Restoration Project benefiting Lake Norman . This project will be supported by Ferguson and allow our volunteers at the REDCREST Expo to construct more than 150 artificial structures . MossBack Fish Habitat will be helping out by providing premade artificial habitat products for our use . Additionally , Bass Pro Tour pro Kevin VanDam and the KVD Foundation will be pitching in to increase the scope of our habitat project .
The FMD will be working closely with NCWRC to provide catch data on every fish caught during the event and our anglers will be looking to collect DNA samples on any largemouth bass caught weighing over 7 pounds . We cannot forget the F1 stocking program and will be supporting those efforts via the MLF Anglers Association , MLF analyst Marty Stone and the KVD Foundation .
We expect REDCREST to showcase this historic fishery and our conservation efforts . We look forward to meeting you at the Expo .
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