MCCOLLEYS POND
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McColleys Pond 49.0 acres Frederica The number of largemouth bass has been increasing in this pond. Meanwhile the proportion of legal-length and larger fish (> 15 inches) remained fairly high. Growth was average with legal length achieved by age 3. A wide size range of bass was observed up to 22 inches in length indicating a well-balanced population. Average weights were good. Bluegill catches were higher than many other ponds sampled but consisted largely of fish below 8 inches. However, over half of the population consisted of fish over 6 inches. Average weights were very good and growth average. Black crappie were fairly abundant and the bulk of the population consisted of good size fish (9 to 11 inches). This pond contains a wide variety of fish species: pumpkinseed sunfish, golden shiner, chain pickerel, white perch, yellow perch, yellow bullhead, brown bullhead and American eel. Most species were not abundant but were common. Carp were abundant as were gizzard shad. Occasional adult river herring have been collected from the pond as this species uses the fish ladder during the spring months. VEGETATION The majority of the shoreline around the pond has not been developed and remains wooded with fallen trees providing woody habitat. The open water of the pond had beds of spatterdock scattered throughout. Bands of the floating filamentous alga, Lyngbya, were evident through much of the pond with a surface covering of duckweed and watermeal in some areas. SPECIAL CONDITIONS Although there is no public boat ramp at this pond, a private campground located off County Rd 398 (Sandbox Rd) will permit launching from a dirt ramp for a small fee (302- 422-4094). River herring use the fish ladder to gain access to the pond during the spring months. It is unlawful for any person to fish within ten feet of the entrance or exit of a fish ladder or remove fish from any ladder between March 15 and May 30. |
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