WAGAMONS POND
| Wagamons Pond FISH Increased abundance with many nice size (> 15 inches) fish in a balanced is a good description of Wagamons Pond largemouth bass situation. Bass numbers were moderate but the proportion of larger fish was high. Average weights were good but growth was a little below average. Both the shoreline along the road and the northern shore tend to hold bass due to the drop-off just offshore. Bluegill were present but few black crappie were observed during sampling in 2010. Yellow perch were also present in low numbers. Citation pickerel, crappie, white perch, and yellow perch have been reported in recent years. Redear sunfish were first collected from Delaware here in Wagamons Pond in 1994 and their numbers have increased lately. Occasional nice-size (> 10 inch) redear sunfish have been collected here. A wide size range was noted with fish from 4 to nearly 12 inches. VEGETATION Hydrilla has covered much of this pond for the past decade. During 2010 it was occurred in most areas but was especially heavy in the upper end of the pond (above Lavinia Rd) and the arm of the pond towards Diamond Pond. Floating algae mats were abundant, often covered with duckweed, watermeal, and another non-native species Azolla or water fern. Azolla is similar to duckweed but has a bumpy appearance and a reddish coloration. Applications of aquatic herbicides in combination with the Division’s aquatic weed harvester have been used to control the vegetation. SPECIAL CONDITIONS This pond has a fish ladder from the Broadkill River to provide access to the pond for river herring (alewife and blueback herring) to spawn there. This ladder has passed more herring than any other in the State. 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. The extensive drawdown during dam reconstruction exposed numerous stumps and logs in the lower third of the pond. These should pose no navigational hazard to boats during periods of normal water levels, but provide excellent deep-water structure (5 and 6 foot area) for largemouth bass, crappie, and yellow perch. Working the open water in the old creek bed is often very productive due to these stumps. |
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