Morse Lake rehab project underway; Fish restocking to take place this spring

Continued from last week’s Monitor story

            After drawing down Morse Lake three feet this spring and summer, the next stage of the multi-phased approach to rehabilitate the lake will be to take it down about three more feet in the months to come. This is will happen in the late fall. At that point, DNR Wildlife Management Biologist TJ Herrick says the goal is for the lake to freeze completely to the bottom during the winter, which will kill the rest of the fish to completely clear the lake out. They are particularly hoping to rid the lake of the damaging carp and bullhead that stir up the bottom and prevent good vegetation growth. DNR Fisheries Biologist Scott Grummer adds that if the lake does not completely freeze during the winter, they will introduce a fish toxicant in late winter to kill the rest. The goal is to start with a clean slate.

            Next spring, they will start refilling the lake to draw the level back up and promote more vegetation growth. The DNR will also initiate stocking fish in spring of 2020. Grummer says they will be stocking northern pike, yellow perch, large mouth bass and blue gill. He notes that he expects these species to grow at a remarkable rate since their competition has been eliminated. He predicts, “By fall of 2022, anglers will catch some fish they’re really happy with.” Wright County Conservation Director Eric Rector added that he’s hopeful that this will improve the county’s fishing options since none of its four natural lakes are superior fishing spots at present. He also hopes this will increase the number of anglers who frequent the county campground during the week.

For the full story, see the August 22nd edition of the Monitor. 

Wright County Monitor

P.O. Box 153
Clarion, IA 50525
Phone: 515-532-2871
Email: news@wrightcountymonitor.com

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