Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife has released the details on a renovation project for West Boggs Creek Reservoir. The fisheries project has a scheduled completion date of fall 2014. The Goal of the project is to restore a balanced, self –sustaining fish population.   Several steps to achieve the goal would take place. Less strict fishing regulation and lower the lake level to reduce the number of fish prior to the major kill would be the first. Others include chemically eradicating the entire fish population in the lakes and streams that flow into West Boggs Lake. All of the efforts are attempts to completely rid West Boggs Lake of gizzard shad and restock with desirable game fish species. A study of the lake in 2010 conducted by the IDFW shows the population of the fish at West Boggs to be 64% gizzard shad and 36% others. Partnering with the IDFW is the Daviess-Martin Joint County Parks and Recreation Department (Daviess-Martin JCPR). The partnering agencies feel the fisher has declined since the introduction of gizzard shad in 2000. The two claim limited success of lake drawdowns to improve the fishery. Daviess-Martin and IDFW say angler attendance and bass recruitment is declining. The agencies mention in the report a dramatic reduction in the number of fish caught and released. Gizzard shad compete with bluegill and small bass for food and bass will eat gizzard shad instead of bluegill. When this happens the lake will produce large numbers of bluegill with poor growth due to competition for food .Biologist report that when bass recruitment slows due to direct competition for food resources and bass population cannot sustain itself. Trophy bass have been caught at West Boggs for the past few years. The question has been asked: Why not manage West Boggs as a Trophy Bass Lake? The reply was the “big bass” population is unsustainable at West Boggs because of the poor recruitment. Bass fingerling stocking to offset poor recruitment is not cost effective, and is not likely to increase predation on bluegill. In a creel survey taken two years ago 44% of the anglers felt the fishing was declining, 17% saw the lake as improving and 36% seem to feel it was staying about the same.

Andrea McCann, of the Washington Times Herald reports, fishing revenue has declined, they said, because undesirable fish species have overpopulated and pushed out game fish species. In addition, water quality has degraded because of the way these unwanted species filter their food. To resolve the problem, West Boggs and IDNR staff will work together to renovate the lake in the same way it was done nearly two decades ago. The plan has been written, and the scheduled date is 2014,” said IDNR fisheries biologist David Kittaka. “There’s a lot to be done between now and then to make sure everything is done right. “He said there will be open houses so the public can learn more about the plan.  For a copy of the report a website — http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/7418.htm — has been created to explain what led up to the renovation decision and what people can expect. Questions and comments can be sent to fishingcomments@dnr.in.gov.

USA BASSIN encourages all members to be active in the forums and meeting concerning your lakes and waterways. Participation from the public will promote decisions that affect waterway that our future generations will inherit. Our lakes and waterways are the future of the sport of bass fishing we all enjoy so much.

By Steve Hanson