DNR officials are happy with the outcome of a project to improve fishing at West Boggs Lake in Daviess and Martin counties.
In fall 2014, officials drained and treated the lake to eradicate gizzard shad and other undesirable species in an effort to restore a balanced fishery.
After the renovation, the lake was restocked with 104,374 largemouth bass, 462,476 bluegills and 195,245 redear sunfish, all fingerlings. A total of 816 adult largemouth bass also were restocked after being salvaged by anglers during spring bass tournaments and by biologists during fall electrofishing. There were 55 adult channel catfish returned as well.
DNR biologist sampled the lake on June 22 to monitor the survival and growth of fish stocked last fall.
The fish appeared to be in good shape. More importantly, no gizzard shad were detected.
Largemouth bass fingerlings, which averaged 3.9 inches when stocked last fall, now average 7 inches and are fat, according to fisheries biologists. Bass collected ranged in length from 1.9 to 12 inches and the electrofishing catch rate was 213 bass per hour. Spawning activity by salvaged bass was also evident by the presence of new fingerlings.
Bluegills and redear sunfish are making excellent gains in growth, too. During surveying, bluegills were collected that measured as long as 6.7 inches. When stocked last October, bluegills averaged 1 inch; they now average 3.6 inches. The electrofishing catch rate was 39 bluegills per hour. Redear sunfish were collected up to 3.9 inches, and averaged 3.8 inches.
Black crappie are scheduled to be stocked this fall.
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