02-12-2002, 02:48 PM
Lake Waveland public meeting<br>-------------------------------------------<br>Hoosiers can help improve lake's fishing<br>----------------------------------------------------<br><br>The Department of Natural Resources will host a public meeting to discuss<br>fishery management plans for Lake Waveland near Waveland, Ind.<br><br>Hoosiers interested in the management of the 358-acre public lake are<br>invited to the meeting to discuss problems with the lake's game fish<br>population and possible management options. The meeting is scheduled for 6<br>p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21 in Waveland at the Waveland Volunteer Fire<br>Department, 108 W. Howard Street.<br><br>Lake Waveland was known for its high quality bluegill fishing until gizzard<br>shad became abundant. Shad compete for food and space with young game fish.<br><br>"Shad have the most noticeable negative effects on bluegill populations,"<br>said DNR fisheries biologist Doug Keller. "Lake Waveland used to be one of<br>the best bluegill fishing lakes in central Indiana, but now is one of the<br>poorest due to shad." <br><br>Gizzard shad were first noticed in the lake in 1994 and were likely<br>introduced through illegal stockings. Biologists have recently found other<br>undesirable fish species in the lake, including carp, golden shiners,<br>suckers, and bullhead catfish.<br><br>At the meeting, DNR Fisheries biologists will discuss the current status of<br>the fishery and present potential management options. Biologists believe<br>totally replacing the current fish population with stocked gamefish will<br>provide the greatest benefit to anglers and local recreation-related<br>businesses. <br><br>"A complete fishery renovation is the most drastic and costly option. The<br>DNR would have to have strong public support for the project before<br>investing the necessary resources to accomplish such a project," said Tom<br>Flatt, DNR southern fisheries management supervisor.<br><br>"I hope anglers will take advantage of this opportunity to voice their<br>opinions on how their money should be spent to improve Lake Waveland<br>fishing," said Keller<br><br>For more information, contact Doug Keller at (765) 342-5527.<br><br>