Manitou Bass Recovering Slowly; Panfish Doing Well

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Published: 01 February 2022

By Louie Stout

Two nice Lake Manitou yellow perch

Lake Manitou in Rochester, Ind. - once one of northern Indiana’s best bass lakes - continues to show recovery from the massive chemical treatments it received over a 10-year period.

The treatments, which began in 2006, were required after an infestation of hydrilla, a fast-spreading invasive plant, was discovered in the lake.

Manitou was the only lake in Indiana that contained the plant, so the boat ramps were closed and fish managers applied heavy doses of chemicals to eliminate the plant at its roots.

Although the chemicals used were designed to specifically eradicate the hydrilla, other plants throughout the lake were knocked back.

District fish biologist Tom Bacula said the recovery is slow, but he was encouraged when he saw multiple year bass classes while surveying the lake early last May and again in June.

The water temperature was 60 degrees in May and most of the bass turned up during four hours of electro-fishing were in the channels.

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Ice Fishing Action Picks Up Throughout Michiana

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Published: 25 January 2022

By Louie Stout

Ice fishing fever has spread more than the Omicron Virus as more anglers continue to branch out on area lakes.

“A lot of people are getting out on a lot more different waters which tells me the ice has gotten better,” said Brian Hensley of Clear H2o Tackle in Edwardsburg, Mich. “I’m hearing of 6 inches or less, but that doesn’t mean you can walk just anywhere. You still have to be careful, especially in those areas where others haven’t ventured or lakes that got more snow.”

Snow hadn’t been a problem in lakes around Middlebury, Ind., said Mike Raber of the Tackle Shack.

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