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Michigan Department of Natural Resources Grand Traverse County (T27N, R9W, Section 26) Surveyed June 4-5, 1992 Ralph L. Hay Environment Sand Lake #3 is a small lake located in northeast Grand Traverse County
within the Pere Marquette State Forest, Traverse City Area (see
map of Sand Lake). The lake is within a state designated "quiet area"
called the Sand Lakes Quiet Area. This area was designated in the early
1970s as a place where all motorized traffic is prohibited but camping
is allowed. The lake is located about 5 miles southeast of Williamsburg. Rolling hills characterize the geography of the area. The watershed is
predominantly covered by a mixture of medium quality jack pine, oak, and
aspen. Jack pine are found along the north and west shoreline and oak
and aspen along the south shoreline. A marsh occurs along the east shore
that extends to Sand Lake #2. The sandy soils (Rubicon and Kalkaska sand)
are well drained. There are no inlets or outlets. The lake lies within
the Boardman River Watershed. Sand Lake #3 is 14.9 acres in area with a maximum depth of 17.1 feet.
Shoals, comprised mostly of sand and marl, have a very gradual slope.
Mean depth is only 5.2 feet. Vegetation is sparse, consisting of pond
lilies, rushes, and submergent rooted aquatic vegetation. Detailed information on water quality is lacking. However, over the years
there have been notes about the clear water (Secchi disk visible at 13
feet in the 1950s) and summer surface water temperatures in the upper
60s to lower 70s (°F). In the 1970s the surface alkalinity was measured
at 55 ppm, which is less than most lakes in this area. Oxygen levels must
be adequate since there were no reported winterkills of fish. There are no dwellings around Sand Lake #3 since it is entirely within
state ownership. There are no developed campgrounds or boat launches on
the lake but camping is permitted around the shoreline. Very little information about the fishery exists prior to the 1950s.
The table below gives a brief chronology of fisheries management activities
for the lake from 1956 through 1992. The most recent fish survey occurred on June 4-5, 1992. The netting effort
entailed an overnight set of three large-mesh fyke nets and one small-mesh
fyke net. The present fish community is similar to that of the last 20 years (Table
1). The only species present are hybrid sunfish (bluegill x green sunfish)
and largemouth bass. However largemouth bass now dominate the population
and less than 10% of the bass were of legal size (³12 inches). Nearly
all of the hybrid sunfish are of an acceptable size to anglers (6 inches
or larger). Growth of the hybrid sunfish has remained fast, significantly above the
state average for bluegills (Table 2). On the other hand, the largemouth
bass are growing significantly slower than the state average.
Despite the abundance of small, slow growing largemouth bass, there are
several age groups present (Table 3). Age 3 and 4 fish dominate the population.
For hybrid sunfish the age composition is not normal. Only age 3 fish
(1989 plant) were collected. Earlier plants did not survive or were not
vulnerable to the gear. Natural recruitment for hybrid sunfish again appears
minimal. For the last 20 years Sand Lake #3 has been successfully managed for
hybrid sunfish and largemouth bass. The lake produces large sunfish. They
exhibit above average growth, primarily due to limited reproduction. On
a scale 1 to 7 (Schneider 1990), the quality of the sunfish population
ranked 7.0, "superior". Fishing on Sand Lake #3 is an enjoyable experience. Motorized vehicles
are prohibited, thereby limiting access. Consequently, the lake receives
only light fishing pressure and those who fish it speak highly of the
good fishing. Sunfish caught from this lake have been entered in the state's
Master Angler Award program (minimum length of 10 inches). Bass in excess
of 20 inches are reported to be caught. The lack of buildings and man-made
structures along the shoreline add to the quality fishing experience. Sand Lake #3 is currently managed as a two-species, warmwater lake. The
largemouth bass are reproducing but showing poor growth. The hybrid sunfish
exhibit minimal reproduction and are growing rapidly. Largemouth bass
and hybrid sunfish have not been planted since 1972 and 1989, respectively.
Water quality and biological condition of the lake are monitored every
few years in conjunction with fisheries surveys. The goal for the next 10 years is to continue managing the lake for largemouth
bass and hybrid sunfish. Specific goals are to: (1) create a healthy bass
population in which growth equals or exceeds the state average and at
least 10% of the individuals exceed 14 inches in length; (2) create a
sunfish population with a normal age distribution and above average growth
rate; (3) protect and maintain suitable habitat and water quality for
these species; and (4) continue to provide a unique and aesthetically
pleasing environment for the angler. Their are no major problems in achieving goals #3 and #4 since the lake
and its watershed are in state ownership and part of the state-designated
Sand Lakes Quiet Area. The major difficulty in achieving goal #2 is obtaining
hybrid sunfish to plant every 2 years. Since their reproduction is minimal
it is necessary that regular plantings be made. Regular plantings of hybrid
sunfish also should help achieve goal #1. The young sunfish will be forage
for bass, thus improving bass growth rates and reducing the risk of a
stunted bass population. Reports from anglers and fisheries surveys will help determine whether
these long-range goals are being achieved. Hooper, F. F. and K. G. Fukano. 1960. Summary of experimental lake treatments
with toxaphene. Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Research
Report 1584, Ann Arbor. Laarman, P. W. 1978. Growth, survival and reproduction by bluegill x
green F1 hybrid sunfish and largemouth bass stocked in three
small lakes. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Research
Report 1858, Ann Arbor. Schneider, J. C. 1990. Classifying bluegill populations from lake survey
data. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Technical Report
90-10, Ann Arbor. Report completed: April 26, 1994 Table 1.-Number, weight, and length indices of fish collected
from Sand Lake #3 with large- and small-mesh fyke nets, June 4-5, 1992.
Table 2.-Average total length (inches) at age, and growth relative
to the state average, for two species of fish sampled from Sand Lake #3
with large-and small-mesh fyke nets, June 4-5, 1992. Number of fish aged
is given in parentheses.
Table 3.-Estimated age frequency (percent) of two species of fish
caught from Sand Lake #3 with large-and small-mesh fyke nets, June 4-5,
1992.
Last Update: 08/05/02
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