In late April the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS) received a report from an angler who caught a large redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) in Four Springs Lake. This capture was of concern given Four Springs Lake is thought to be free of redfin perch, however they are present downstream of the lake.

Based on this information, in early May the IFS conducted an extensive two-day survey, consisting of electrofishing, box traps, and fine mesh fyke net effort in Four Springs Lake. A total of 4.5 hours of boat electrofishing was undertaken around the perimeter of the lake, as well as the overnight installation of 30 box traps and 12 fine mesh fyke nets. Areas of likely habitat for both juvenile and adult redfin perch were targeted.  

Brown trout, rainbow trout, short-finned eels, and thousands of smelt were caught, however no redfin perch were encountered. The trout caught were in great condition and were widely spread around the lake. The average size was over 400 mm and the largest fish was 1.9 kg. Given the reasonable numbers of trout encountered, this bodes well for the upcoming season in Four Springs Lake, with stocking currently underway.

The lack of redfin perch caught in Four Springs Lake, despite the intensive effort (not only from this survey, but over many years of electrofishing/netting surveys and intense angling pressure), along with the size/age of the individual fish that was caught, suggests they are not established in the lake.

More details on the redfin capture can be found here:  Redfin perch caught at Four Springs Lake