Eradication project at Boggs deemed a success

west-boggs-lake-sunset

DNR officials are happy with the outcome of the 2014 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 over 1.6 million fish including largemouth bass, bluegill, red ear sunfish, black crappie (craw-pee) and channel catfish.

 

DNR biologists conducted an electro-fishing survey at West Boggs on June 27 to monitor the survival and growth of  the fish stocked.  They found that the largemouth bass fingerlings, which averaged 3.9 inches when stocked in fall 2014, now range from 10.5 to nearly 15 inches and average 11.4 inches. The average length of a 2-year-old bass is 9 inches. Growth for bluegills and red ears also was above average.

 

Bluegills from the initial stocking ranged from 6.5 to 8.4 inches, averaging 7.5 inches. The average 2-year-old bluegill is 4.3 inches long. Red ears were collected up to 9 inches.

 

The restoration stocking of West Boggs will wrap up this fall with the addition of another 80,000 black crappies.

 

Biennial channel catfish stockings will start in 2017.