RECORDS POND
| Records Pond 91.9 acres Laurel Records Pond (also called Laurel Lake by locals) offers a variety of gamefish species and fishing situations from deep areas with rip-rapped banks in the lower end of the pond, to the quiet, over-grown streams of the headwater tributaries. Largemouth bass numbers have shown a lot of variation in recent years but were moderately abundant in 2010. The most abundant size group was 10 to 12 inch fish but increased numbers of larger fish were present. Average weights were good and legal length is reached by age 3. Numbers of bluegill have stabilized in recent years. Bluegill ranged in size from 3.5 to 10 inches and had higher than average weights. Black crappie were abundant with most from 7 to 9 inches. The redear sunfish, a recently introduced species in Delaware ponds, was originally collected in this pond in 2004 and appears to have become well established. This species has been recorded in Trap Pond upstream of Records Pond and numerous citation-size redear (minimum weight 1 lb) have been reported to the Delaware Sportfishing Tournament in recent years from Records Pond. Growth of redear sunfish is much faster than bluegill. Increased numbers of redear sunfish ranging in size from 8 to 10 inches were evident, but this fish can grow to over 12 inches. The current Delaware State record is 3 lbs 1 oz from Diamond Pond. Yellow perch and American eel were moderately common in Records Pond with brown bullhead, golden shiners, and chain pickerel being less frequent. VEGETATION Spatterdock beds were scattered over much of the pond and around the cypress tree “islands”. Watermeal, duckweed and floating mats of filamentous algae were also present along much of the shoreline and around the spatterdock beds. Hydrilla was present but in lesser quantities than historically, possibly being shaded out by the floating algal mats. In late summer 2007, numerous rafts of the invasive plant water hyacinth was observed during a vegetation survey. An immediate application of aquatic herbicide was conducted to eliminate this aggressive species and minimize the chance for seed production. Follow-up surveys have determined that the treatment was successful in controlling this invasive plant. The Division’s weed harvester was used in 2010 to remove floating mats of filamentous algae. SPECIAL CONDITIONS A handicapped-accessible fishing pier was constructed in the southwest corner of the pond near the water control structure. There is deep water here and the riprapped shoreline holds panfish including some citation-size crappie. A fishing pier is also located just below the pond in the headwaters of Broad Creek. During most seasons, largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, channel catfish, and occasional striped bass offer a variety of angling experiences from this pier on the creek. A portion of James Branch that feeds the headwaters of Records Pond has been dedicated as a natural area. A canoe float-trip from Trap Pond to Records provides unmatched scenery as well as the opportunity for some leisurely fishing. Check with the Trap Pond Park Office (302-875-5153) to confirm that the creek is accessible. |
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