DNR
to install carp fence on lake
(Published
Saturday, February 26, 2000)
The Janesville Gazette
Staff
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources plans
to install a fence to prevent carp from migrating from Lake
Koshkonong to a marsh known as Mud Lake.
Each spring,
marauding schools of carp leave Koshkonong and move into Mud Lake,
fisheries biologist Don Bush explained in a news release.
In
a typical year, several hundred thousand pounds of the exotic fish
will wallow in the shallow waters of the marsh on Koshkonong's north
end, Bush said. Their rooting activity destroys vegetation,
increases siltation and releases phosphorus from the sediments.
Precious habitat for small game fish as well as waterfowl is
destroyed.
This winter's low water level has left much of Mud
Lake dry, and the rest has frozen to the bottom, killing any fish
left in the marsh, Bush said.
The DNR intends to construct a
45-foot long fence across the outlet of Mud Lake. The one-inch
spacing between the bars in the fence will prevent game fish from
entering the marsh, as well, but game-fish fry and fingerlings can
be stocked in the lake.
"The expected explosion of vegetation
in the marsh should be beautiful nursery habitat for panfish and
game fish," Bush says. "During late summer, the grate will be opened
to allow fish to move back down out of the marsh and to allow small
boats to enter the area."
The project also will involve
installing rock riprap on the banks to restore Mud Lake's outlet
channel, known as Twin Island Creek. The riprap will repair the
channel sides and help confine carp to the stream so commercial
fishers can harvest them.
However, poor ice will prevent the
riprap from being installed before next winter, Bush
said.
Money for the project is coming from the Twin Island
Gun Club, The Rock River Koshkonong Association and the Lake
Koshkonong Recreation Association. The Mud Lake Sportsman's Club and
a small army of volunteers will be installing the
barrier.
For more information about this project, contact
fisheries biologist Don Bush at the DNR's Janesville Service Center,
(608) 743-4823. |
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