(Area) Three fish renovation projects are in the works in Western Iowa.
Fisheries Biologist Bryan Hayes says they’ll clear the slate by eradicating the existing fish population to make room for what they really want. “These projects take some planning. We’ll wait for after September and do a public meeting to talk to the residents about our plans. We expect support because it’s a win-win situation if we can reclaim those for fishing and get away from the rough fish population.”
One of the water bodies is Folsom Lake in Mills County. “It was flooded into and right now it’s filled with gar and carp. It has the silver carp and not providing much fishing. The water quality because of that population that’ sin there. We want to clear those out and make way for a bass, bluegill, and channel catfish fishery.”
Another project is at Wabaunsie State Park in Fremont County. Hayes says it’s a 10 acre lake that’s been prone to winter kill. “The bass population is gone. The crappie were in there alone which allows them to pull off a big spawn and then turns into a stunted situation. We need to eradicate that population and restart that. That project will also involve aeration to prevent future winter kill.”
Scott Lake B in Fremont County will also receive treatment.
