Post by Woody Williams on Jun 2, 2006 16:58:26 GMT -5
Removal of shad should improve Worster Lake fishing
The Department of Natural Resources will lower Potato Creek State Park's Worster Lake in late summer. The lowering of the water level will help the DNR remove gizzard shad from the lake.
Gizzard shad, which are neither fun to catch nor good to eat, have become the most abundant fish in the lake.
"Gizzard shad have accounted for nearly a third of all fish collected in lake surveys conducted since 1990," said DNR fisheries biologist Bob Robertson. "The increase in shad has been accompanied by a decrease in largemouth bass and bluegill abundance."
The DNR will have an informational open house to discuss the drawdown and the fish management project at 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 6, at the park's nature center.
The 327-acre lake in St. Joseph County will be lowered about three feet. The drawdown is expected to take three to four weeks and will be slow enough to prevent any downstream flooding along Potato Creek.
The drawdown will help fishery biologists add a low concentration of liquid Rotenone to Worster Lake.
Rotenone, an EPA-approved chemical for fishery use, is selective to gizzard shad when applied in low concentrations. Shad are very sensitive to Rotenone, but a low concentration of the chemical has little or no effect on other fish or wildlife species. The DNR has successfully renovated many fisheries using low doses of Rotenone.
Fishing will be allowed throughout the fall drawdown except during the Rotenone application, scheduled for early October. Boat rental at Worster Lake will end on Labor Day; however, boat ramps will remain open as long as water levels allow.
Potato Creek S.P. map and information:
www.in.gov/dnr/destinations/list.html
The Department of Natural Resources will lower Potato Creek State Park's Worster Lake in late summer. The lowering of the water level will help the DNR remove gizzard shad from the lake.
Gizzard shad, which are neither fun to catch nor good to eat, have become the most abundant fish in the lake.
"Gizzard shad have accounted for nearly a third of all fish collected in lake surveys conducted since 1990," said DNR fisheries biologist Bob Robertson. "The increase in shad has been accompanied by a decrease in largemouth bass and bluegill abundance."
The DNR will have an informational open house to discuss the drawdown and the fish management project at 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 6, at the park's nature center.
The 327-acre lake in St. Joseph County will be lowered about three feet. The drawdown is expected to take three to four weeks and will be slow enough to prevent any downstream flooding along Potato Creek.
The drawdown will help fishery biologists add a low concentration of liquid Rotenone to Worster Lake.
Rotenone, an EPA-approved chemical for fishery use, is selective to gizzard shad when applied in low concentrations. Shad are very sensitive to Rotenone, but a low concentration of the chemical has little or no effect on other fish or wildlife species. The DNR has successfully renovated many fisheries using low doses of Rotenone.
Fishing will be allowed throughout the fall drawdown except during the Rotenone application, scheduled for early October. Boat rental at Worster Lake will end on Labor Day; however, boat ramps will remain open as long as water levels allow.
Potato Creek S.P. map and information:
www.in.gov/dnr/destinations/list.html