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L.D.W.F. TO COMPLETE DRAWDOWN ON LAKE BISTINEAU
1/19/2005

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will close the gates on Lake Bistineau on January 31, completing the first of three potential drawdowns the first of which was scheduled for July 15 through January 31, and is intended to improve aquatic habitat in the lake. Department biologists will review the results from the drawdown when developing plans for possible future drawdowns on the waterbody.
Lake Bistineau has historically had problems with heavy infestations of water hyacinth, alligator weed and submersed native aquatic vegetation. Over the years these plants, along with leaf litter from the cypress canopy, have built up a large amount of organic matter on the lakebed. This has led to the loss of spawning habitat for desirable sport fish such as largemouth and spotted bass, crappie and bream.

Drawing down the water level will expose the lakebed and allow for drying and decomposition of organic material. The goal of the drawdowns for the department is to improve the spawning and fisheries habitats for the lake and reduce the submerged aquatic vegetation. This should help bring back some of the "family" type fishing opportunities on Lake Bistineau, such as fishing for bedding bream and school bass fishing.

"We saw a lot of good results in some areas, especially the shoreline, however we will review in detail the results of the initial drawdown," said LDWF Biologists Manager James Seales.

On January 25, 2005, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in Shreveport will consider an appeal regarding a July 2004 court decision supporting the drawdown on Lake Bistineau. In the original hearing, successfully argued by District Attorney J. Schuyler Marvin, attorneys from the office of State Attorney General Charles Foti and deputy attorneys, the state was allowed to proceed with the drawdown scheduled for July 15, 2004. The outcome of the appeal could affect current and future drawdown decisions.

For more information, contact James Seales at 318/371-3050 jseales@wlf.louisiana.gov

 

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