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By Louie Stout
Water is rising in renovated J.C. Murphy Lake but it’s probably going to take at least a couple of years for it to produce an abundance of keeper fish.
We reported in March the early details of the massive renovation project at the 1,200-acre lake on the Willow Slough Fish and Game Area in northwest Indiana. The reservoir has to be renovated about every 12 years due to its shallow nature. The lake averages 3 feet with a maximum depth of about 10 feet.
But the future looks bright. District Fisheries Biologist Tom Bacula said the lake will be restocked with about 300,000 redear, 330,000 bluegill and 25,000 largemouth bass this year.
When the lake was drained in 2022 the Indiana DNR salvaged about 2,000 sport fish that have been kept in holding ponds. Those fish that survived, including several bass 5 pounds or bigger, will be put back into the lake once the water level has risen to a desirable height.
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IDNR Report
The Indiana DNR has taken possession of 158 acres of upland prairie and wetland at the Mallard Roost Wetland Conservation Area in Noble County.
“Powered by partnership and historic funding from the Next Level Conservation Trust, we’re setting aside thousands of acres across the state for the purpose of conservation,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Whether you love hunting, fishing, or viewing Indiana’s magnificent wildlife, this addition to our public lands in Noble County is a spot you’ll want to check out.”
The new property will be called the Buchanan Unit of Mallard Roost Wetland Conservation Area. It received $1.4 million in support from the National Level Conservation Trust, a $25 million program that funds the acquisition of land that preserves and protects important conservation, recreation, and historic areas throughout Indiana.
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By Louie Stout
Brown Trout
If you like brown trout, you’re gonna love what the Indiana DNR is doing.
Instead of relying upon other states to provide brown trout when they are available, Indiana has embarked upon a program to become self-sufficient, raise its own fish and increase stocking numbers for inland waters.
About 2,500 browns obtained from Ohio were stocked in 2021, but about 400 were held over as brood stock for future egg collection.
About 7,200 Indiana-raised fish measuring 6 to 8 inches were stocked recently from eggs collected in 2022 and the state hopes to produce even more in the future. It’s currently sitting on about 10,000 and a large portion - providing they survive well in hatcheries over the winter - will go in next spring as about 13 inchers.
“It’s difficult to develop a fishery with inconsistent stocking,” said Matt Horsley, northern fisheries biologist. “With us having complete control, we can develop more trout fishing year round. That’s something that die-hard trout fishermen want.”
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IDNR Report
All veterans and active-duty military personnel, and everyone in their vehicle, will be admitted free to DNR state parks, reservoir properties, state forest recreation areas, and off-road state recreation areas on Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11.
This includes admission to Falls of the Ohio State Park’s Interpretive Center.
“We appreciate the sacrifices and service of our veterans and active-duty military and look forward to recognizing them with a day to explore some of the best outdoor places in our state,” said Terry Coleman, director of Indiana State Parks.
Veterans and military personnel should simply let the gate attendant at the property they visit know that they are either a veteran or serving and on active duty.
For general information about state parks, reservoirs, forest properties, and off-road state recreation areas, see on.IN.gov/recguide.
For information about interpretive programs at state parks and reservoirs, see interpretiveservices.IN.gov. `
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IDNR Report
Invasive Spotted Lanternfly
The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) has been confirmed in the northern Indiana counties of Elkhart, Porter, and St. Joseph next to railroad lines through Chesterton, Elkhart, and Mishawaka.
This is the third region of the state in which this invasive pest has been found, joining the 2021 find in Switzerland County (southeast) and the 2022 find in Huntington County (northeast). The DNR continues to survey to determine the extent of the currently infested areas.
A planthopper that originated in Asia, spotted lanternfly is of concern across most of the United States because of its adverse effect on fruit orchards, nurseries, and the logging and wine industries. It was first discovered in the U.S. in Pennsylvania in 2014 and is often unknowingly spread by humans. It’s now found in many Eastern states as well as along the rail lines in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, and Toledo in Ohio, and in Chicago.