CRESTON - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will relax fishing regulations at Twelve Mile Lake beginning March 22, to allow anglers to freely harvest fish before a planned renovation in July. The lake will be lowered 20 feet beginning May 31 and will be maintain at this level until the day of renovation. The water release period is expected to take 30 days.

Anglers with a valid fishing license will be allowed to harvest any size or number of largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye and all other fish species from Twelve Mile Lake. Any number of poles or jug fishing will be allowed. Anglers must remain in sight of these lines at all times, and follow all other fishing regulations and area rules. Trot lines may be set and left unattended if properly tagged and all other trot line regulations are followed. Fish may be taken by any means except by use of nets, dynamite, poison, electric shocking devices or any stupefying substances. It is illegal to sell fish or stock captured fish into public waters. Liberalized fishing regulations for Twelve Mile Lake will remain in effect until the date of the planned renovation on or about July 6, 2005.

Iowa DNR fisheries biologist Gary Sobotka explained the need to renovate the Twelve Mile Lake fishery during a March 15 Creston Municipal Utilities public meeting.

"An over population of yellow bass and common carp has lead to dramatic reductions in both the numbers and the quality of all sport fish populations," Sobotka said. "These two species are the cause to a corresponding reduction in angling and boating use. This reduction in recreational use has caused loss economic revenue to the area economy."

During the renovation, Creston Municipal Utilities will draw water from Three Mile Lake. The water level in Twelve Mile Lake will be allowed to rise 10 feet after the fish population has been eliminated. Throughout the fall and winter, fish will be restocked, boat ramps repaired, and other in-lake construction projects completed. The lake water elevation will be allowed to return to normal after repairs are completed. Users should expect limited access to the lake until normal lake water elevation returns in 2006.

"It is very important that anglers never transport and stock yellow bass, common carp to any water system," he said. Sobotka asked people to notify DNR fisheries personnel of any known populations.

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