2016 Waterfowl Survey




Ducks Unlimited reports that duck numbers hold steady, and most species remain well above long-term averages.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) released its report on 2016 Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, based on surveys conducted in May and early June by FWS and the Canadian Wildlife Service.

Overall duck numbers in the survey area are statistically similar to last year and remain steady. Total populations were estimated at 48.4 million breeding ducks in the traditional survey area, which is 38 percent above the 1955-2015 long-term average. Last year's estimate was 49.5 million birds. The projected mallard fall flight index is 13.5 million birds, similar to the 2015 estimate of 13.8 million.

The main determining factor for duck breeding success is wetland and upland habitat conditions in the key breeding landscapes of the prairies and the boreal forest.

Conditions observed across the U.S. and Canadian survey areas during the 2016 breeding population survey were generally poorer than last year. The total pond estimate for the U.S. and Canada combined were 5.0 million, which is 21% below the 2015 estimate of 6.3 million and similar to the long-term average of 5.2 million.

 

 




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Lake Palestine Current Weather Alerts

There are no active watches, warnings or advisories.

 

Lake Palestine Weather Forecast

Thursday

Sunny

Hi: 70

Thursday Night

Clear

Lo: 53

Friday

Mostly Sunny

Hi: 75

Friday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 59

Saturday

Mostly Cloudy

Hi: 78

Saturday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 63

Sunday

Mostly Cloudy

Hi: 80

Sunday Night

Mostly Cloudy

Lo: 67


Lake Palestine Water Level (last 30 days)


Water Level on 3/29: 345.75 (+0.75)



Lake Palestine

Fishing Report from TPWD (Mar. 27)

GOOD. Water normal stain; 63 degrees; 0.48 feet above pool. The lake continues at the full level, giving lots of area for spawning activity. However, the weather continues to be uncooperative, keeping the water temperatures about 5 degrees lower than normal for this date. The fish are moving in through the staging areas, but in 2-3 days they are pushed back out by north winds and lower temperatures. All species can be caught and fishing is good, but the bite periods remain short. Best bet is to watch the wind forecasts for south to southeast winds at less than 10-12 mph, and watch the moon position for the classic rise, set, and meridian times. Blue catfish remain very good on live minnows and cut bait. Hybrid stripers are good trolling rigs, but they tend to move out of an area quickly, a pattern that will continue until the strong shad spawn develops. Report by Jim Beggerly, Jim’s Fishing. Crappie fishing is good on jigs and minnows in 1-15 feet of water. About half of the fish have already spawned. Bass fishing is good in 2-8 feet of water on plastics around structure and baits that displace water on grass lines and edges of structure. Report by Sam Parker, Freshwater Fishing Adventures.

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