Survey Method

• All streams are sampled according to WDNR wadeable streams monitoring protocols. The White River is on a 3 year rotation schedule with two sites identified for the segment of stream in Waushara County.

• All sampling stations are electrofished with either a

towed barge shocker (pictured below) or backpack shocker.

• Sampling distance is at least 35 times the mean

stream width or a minimum of 330 feet (100 meters).

• All trout and other gamefish are measured for length

and examined for fin-clips.

• In at least one stream segment (if multiple stations are

being sampled) all fish species are collected and counted for calculation of an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI).

• Metrics used to describe trout populations include

average length, catch per unit effort (CPUE) and length frequency distribution.

2019 Stream Survey Report

White River

Rotation (WBIC 148500)

Waushara County

Metric Descriptions

• Catch per unit effort (CPUE) is an indirect method of measuring fish population relative abundance. For all trout surveys we typically quantify CPUE by the number and size of trout captured per mile of stream. CPUE indexes are compared to statewide streams by percentile (PCTL). For example, if a CPUE is in the 90th percentile, it is higher than 90% of the other CPUEs in the state. CPUE percentiles can also be used to categorize trout abundance by 33rd (low density), 66th (moderate), 90th (high), and 95th (very high) benchmarks.

• Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) is a rating of environmental quality based on fish assemblage. Scores of 90-100 would indicate excellent quality while scores less than 30 would indicate poor quality. Our analysis utilizes the IBI for Wisconsin coldwater streams (max. daily mean water temp. usually <22°C). A coolwater stream IBI may also be reported when applicable.

• Length frequency distribution is a graphical representation of the percentage of fish captured by half or one inch size intervals.

Introduction and Objectives White River is a Class I trout stream and consists of 4.5 miles on the Main Branch and 7.9 miles on the West branch of trout water. The Main Branch originates just north of Wautoma in the Wautoma pond, the West Branch originates at the West Branch Mill Pond. Both flow south southeast eventually merging above the White River Flowage, and ultimately flowing into the Fox River. Fishing access consists of large quanti-ties of public land and multiple road crossings. Objectives of the rotation surveys are to determine species composition, relative abundance, and size structure for trout and other gamefish.

Regulations: (Main Branch) RED Size Limit: Any trout over 12 inches. (Artificial lures only) Daily Bag Limit: 2 (in total)

(West Branch) RED Rainbow trout over 12 inches; 3 (in total)

brown and brook trout over 8 inches

Dave Bartz—Fisheries Biologist

Scott Bunde - Fisheries Technician

Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources

427 E. Tower Drive, Suite 100

Wautoma WI 54982

Phone: 920 - 787 - 3016

E-mail: dave.bartz@wisconsin.gov

W ISCONSIN DNR CONTACT INFO .

Survey Information

Station Survey Date Station Length

Tempera-ture (Fo )

MSW GPS (Start/Finish) Gear Dippers IBI

Chicago Rd. 07/16/2019 950 ft 59 26.4 ft 44.05866,-89.29172 44.05984, -89.29112 Tow-Barge Shocker 3 No

Cottonville Ln. 8/29/2019 2000 ft 55 - 44.04051, -89.27564 44.04366, -89.27796

Mini-Boomshocker 1 No

Page 1

Chicago Rd.

Cottonville Ln.

Survey Locations

Summary

• Overall, White River brown trout density was at moderate to high levels with total CPUE trout ranging from the 65th and 94 percentile.

• Larger sized brown trout were at high levels, with 15+ inch brown trout CPUEs ranging from the 83rd to 91st percentile.

• Young of year (YOY) and yearling density were at low levels, which is expected at these sites. Lack of gravel and woody structure in these areas do not provide adequate cover for smaller fish.

• A handful of rainbow trout were sampled at the Chicago Rd site ranging from 7.8 - 12.6 inches.

• Based off of last surveys, Chicago Rd. saw a slight decrease in CPUE with a 26% drop for all fish. However CPUE for 15+ inch increased by 55%.

• Habitat work downstream of Cottonville Ln. has resulted in pools that are unwadeable in areas. Instead of towed barge shocking a mini boomshocker was utilized. It would not be appropriate to compare data between two different survey methods with previous surveys that were done.

• The new trout regulations on the Main White and West Branch are designed to enhance the unique rainbow trout fishery which exists there.

2019 Stream Survey Report

White River

Rotation (WBIC 148500) Page 2

Size and Abundance (CPUE) Metrics - Brown Trout

Station Total

Number Sampled

Average Length (inches)

Length Range (inches)

CPUE (No. per Mile)

Total CPUE (PCTL)

YOY CPUE

>6" CPUE (PCTL)

>8" CPUE (PCTL)

>10" CPUE (PCTL)

>12" CPUE (PCTL)

>15” CPUE (PCTL)

Chicago Rd. 174 8.7 5.0 - 17.6 967 (86th) - 878 (94th) 589 (94th) 222 (91st) 50 (82nd) 11 (83rd)

Downstream Cottonville Rd.

61 11.2 6.3 - 23.1 161 (51st) - 161 (65th) 140 (71st) 90 (76th) 45 (79th) 18 (91st)

The White River provides a unique Hexagenia limbata hatch every summer. This large mayfly is an important food source for trout. During hatch-ing, it also provides an excellent fishing opportuni-ty for fly fishermen to fish “the hex hatch”.

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White River Length Distribution

Brown Trout Rainbow TroutN =240