Development of a Fish Contaminant Monitoring Protocol for Lake Mead, Nevada

ABSTRACT

Fish consumption practices and patterns for Lake Mead, Nevada, were determined by administering detailed questionnaires to 150 sportsmen at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Striped bass, largemouth bass and channel catfish were the most frequently consumed fish species, with an average of 22 ± 3.6 fish meals a year consumed by respondents. Striped bass and largemouth bass between 13–18 inches were most commonly consumed, while channel catfish were typically between 10–15 inches in length. Skin-off fillets of all three species was the preferred method of preparation, while cooking techniques varied by species. The most popular fishing areas in our survey included Government Wash, Hemenway Harbor, Overton Beach, Saddle Cove, St. Thomas and the Las Vegas Bay (wash). Based on these data, a three fish, four location contaminant monitoring protocol was developed to best represent human exposure to contaminated fish at Lake Mead. This sampling design is applicable to large lakes and reservoirs where succinct toxicological data are needed, but standard sampling techniques would be excessively expensive or impractical.

Key Words:

• Lake Mead
• questionnaire
• striped bass
• largemouth bass
• channel catfish
• contaminants