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Michigan Department of Natural Resources Alcona County (T25, R6E, Sections 20, 21, 28, and 29) Surveyed May 1990 Steven P. Sendek Environment Vaughn Lake is a glacial till lake located in southwest Alcona County
approximately 1.5 miles south of Glennie, Michigan. Rolling hills with
productive sand/loam soils characterize the geography of the area. The
watershed is a mixture of aspen/northern hardwood forests intermixed with
farmland, most of which has been abandoned. The area surrounding the lake
is predominantly upland hardwoods covering hilly terrain; two small wetlands
are located on the north and south shores. One small intermittent inlet
enters the northwest portion of the lake. It originates in Thompson and
Little Bear lakes, 1 mile to the northwest. A small outlet drains into
Bryant Creek, a tributary to the South Branch of the Pine River. A concrete
spillway on this outlet maintains an elevated lake level and has been
in place since the early 1920s. The upper reaches of this outlet are classified
second quality trout tributary, while the lower reaches are classified
top quality trout tributary. Vaughn Lake has a maximum depth of 69 feet, and covers an area of 115
acres. Shoals, composed of gravel, sand, fibrous peat and marl, cover
approximately 20% of the area. The deep water areas are underlaid with
pulpy peat. The shallow bays have moderate submerged weed growth composed
mainly of large leaf pondweed, coontail, pond lilies, and Chara. Water quality conditions were last surveyed on September 9, 1949. At
that time, the water had a slight brown tint and periodic algae blooms.
Within the water column, alkalinity ranged from 120 ppm to 143 ppm and
pH ranged from 7.0 to 8.4. These values indicate that the water is hard
and well buffered. Temperature varied from 66°F at the surface to
46°F at the 60-foot depth, with the thermocline occurring between
15 and 25 feet. Typically, summer oxygen levels are sufficient for fish
survival from the surface to the thermocline, but not below. Dissolved
oxygen levels below 25 feet drop to 0.0 ppm. Overall, adequate cover and
excellent water quality provide a good environment for cool and warm water
fisheries. Riparian development is moderate to extensive along the southern shore.
Undeveloped areas include the wetlands along the northwest and northeast
shores. The entire shoreline is under private ownership except for the
public access site located on the south shore. This site provides a gravel
boat ramp, parking for 6 to 10 cars, and a small sand beach area for bathers. According to historical records, Vaughn Lake has been actively managed
since 1937, when smallmouth bass, yellow perch and bluegills were stocked
in varying numbers. This stocking took place for nearly 8 years before
it was discontinued. The first re- corded fish sampling, with a seine,
was conducted in July 1937. Reported as common were yellow perch, pumpkinseed
sunfish, rock bass, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye, and largemouth
bass. Forage fish observed were black-chin shiner, bluntnose minnow, Iowa
darter, Johnny darter, and golden shiner. The only "coarse" fish observed
were brown bull-heads. Surveys conducted in 1956, 1967, and 1968 found very similar fish communities
except for one large (16.2 inch) brook trout and numerous white suckers.
Through the years, the fish community has been good and varied with numerous
bluegills and pumpkinseeds. The fish community was most recently surveyed on May 16-18, 1990. This
survey entailed the use of six 1-inch bar mesh fyke nets, three 3/4-inch
bar mesh fyke nets, one 3/8-inch ace mesh mini fyke nets, and two 125-foot
experimental mesh gill nets. These nets were fished for 2 nights for a
total effort of 24 net nights. The fish community observed in 1990 was very similar to that found in
previous surveys (Table 1). Bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed sunfish,
rock bass, and largemouth bass made up 84% of the 788 fish captured. The
size distribution appears well balanced with large members of each species
present. All (100%) of the northern pike, 35% of the largemouth bass,
82% of the yellow perch, 68% of the bluegill, 82% of the pumpkinseed,
and 75% of the rock bass were of catchable size. The one exception to past surveys was that no walleye were captured even
though 10,000 spring fingerlings were stocked the previous summer. This
plant had been made to supplement the remnant walleye population. With
no apparent survival of the 1989 walleye plant, another 10,000 fall fingerling
walleye were added in September 1990. No evaluation of the 1990 plant
has been made to date. The present rough fish population is composed of white sucker and brown
bullhead. This segment is in balance with the game fish population - their
numbers are not excessive, and no fish appear to be stunted. The growth rates of game fish currently equal or exceed the state averages
(Table 2). Age composition and survival characteristics of the fish populations
appear to be normal from our samples (Table 3). Many age and size groups
were represented. Largemouth bass were represented by age groups II -
VII, bluegill by age groups III - VIII, and yellow perch by age groups
II - X. Angler reports from Vaughn Lake have generally been good. There is considerable
summer fishing for bass and bluegill, and light winter fishing activity
for bluegill and northern pike. The northern pike can sustain themselves
because there are adequate spawning marshes in northwest and northeast
bays. Vaughn Lake is primarily noted for its trophy bluegills; the state
record of 2 pounds 12 ounces was taken here in 1983. In recent years,
several bluegills exceeding one pound were reported to the state's Master
Angler Entry Program. Yellow perch are also large, with a 9.3-inch average
total length. A high incidence of yellow grub was noted in them, and local
anglers have expressed concern over this. In summary, Vaughn Lake is considered a good fishing lake. It does not
receive intense fishing pressure, and water quality is high. Public access
on the south side provides anglers with an opportunity to launch small
boats. The lake is very suitable for small boats because it is small and
sheltered by hills. Anglers fishing from shore, or by wading, are aided
by a sandy bottom and the placement of drop-offs and weed beds close to
shore. The Department will continue to manage the lake for a bass/bluegill fishery.
Low levels of northern pike and walleye will be maintained for added angling
opportunities and strengthening the predator base. Natural reproduction
will maintain the fishery, except walleye. Moderate numbers of spring
fingerling walleye will be stocked biannually. The rough fish population
must be monitored periodically to insure that they are not over populating
the lake. The integrity of the wetlands must also be protected to insure
spawning and nursery areas for northern pike and other species. Report completed: April 1991. Table 1-Number, weight, and length indices of fish collected from
Vaughn Lake with fyke and gill nets, May 16-18, 1990
Table 2.-Average total length (inches) at age, and growth relative
to the state average for three species of fish sampled from Vaughn Lake
with fyke and gill nets May 16-18, 1990. Number of fish aged is given
in parentheses.
1Mean growth index is the average deviation from the state
average length at age. Table 3.-Estimated age frequency (percent) of three species of
fish caught from Vaughn Lake with fyke and gill nets May 16-18, 1990.
Last Update: 08/06/02
tinchert@michigan.gov |