2005 - 11-07-05 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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0 BOOK 20 PAGE 6890 LAKE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR SAN-LEE PARK PONDS LEE COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT SANFORD, NORTH CAROLINA September 2005 San-Lee Park, a recreational facility operated by the Lee County Parks and Recreation Department, comprises a 130-acre tract approximately 4 miles northeast of Sanford off Pumping Station Road (SR-1510). The park was created in 1975 and provides several recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking, horseshoe courts, volleyball court, boat rental, launch ramps and a small nature center for viewing native wildlife. The park has two ponds, the lower pond is approximately 8 acres and the upper pond is approximately 6 acres. The Commission and the recreation department have worked together since 1976 to improve fishing opportunities at San-Lee Park. The Commission has sampled the pond's fish populations on several occasions and found largemouth bass, bluegill and redear sunfish were the dominant fish species. Other fish observed were warmouth and green sunfish and American eel. In 1978, the lower pond was reclaimed and stocked with bluegill and redear sunfish and largemouth bass. In the early 1980's, the Commission stocked channel catfish fingerlings into the lower pond. These fingerlings were raised through cage culture techniques with mixed results. Because of the limited public fishing opportunities in Lee County, San-Lee Ponds are subjected to extensive fishing pressure that has resulted in problems maintaining balanced bass and bream populations. Therefore, it is desirable to stock a continuous supply of harvestable size channel catfish enabling the Lee County Parks and Recreation Department to improve recreational fishing opportunities. Since 1994, over 75,000 channel catfish (8-14 inches) have been stocked to provide a quality fishing experience for Lee county residents. The fishery management goal is: 1. To provide opportunities for urbanites, especially the young, elderly and physically challenged, to enjoy the pleasures and benefits associated with the fishing experience. The fishery management objective is: 1. To provide and maintain desirable channel catfish fisheries by implementing the following recommendations: Recommendations: 1. Stock 6,000 channel catfish (8 to 12 in.) into both ponds annually to develop a catfish fishery (Commission). Stockings (1,000 fishlmo.)will be made on a monthly basis from April through September. Split the stocking equally between the two ponds. 2. The Commission will maintain 6-fish creel limit on forked tailed catfish (channel and white). Wildlife Commission Enforcement personnel and park personnel will enforce this regulation.