(Lewis) The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently stocked 1,600 two-inch channel catfish into Cold Springs Lake near Lewis. This is part of the Lake restoration project that began in August of 2025.
John Lorenzen, a fisheries biologist, said they stocked two-inch Bluegill last fall and stocked adult Largemouth Bass during the prespawn period. This past week, the DNR stocked 1,600 two-channel catfish.
Last summer, the DNR reduced the lake’s water level by about five feet for the renovation project, designed to enhance the size structure of largemouth bass and Bluegill and improve nearshore habitats. Data gathered annually over the last decade revealed a concerning trend: the bass population was in poor health, with no individuals exceeding the legal size limit. Additionally, bluegill catch rates for quality fish have been low. This renovation effort is just one step in a broader initiative to revitalize the lake’s fish population.
During the lowered water levels, new fish habitats have been created, including pea gravel spawning beds. In mid-summer, DNR fisheries staff captured game fish from the lake and transferred them to nearby lakes to support local fisheries. Work on this project is expected to continue into the spring.
