The DNR will start to lower Potato Creek State
Park's lake the day after Labor Day to treat the water to reduce the
gizzard shad population, which has crowded out sport fish.
The gradual drawdown of 327-acre Worster Lake will lower the
water level by 2 to 3 feet. The process will take one to two weeks,
slow enough to prevent any downstream flooding along Potato Creek.
"The drawdown will allow us to apply liquid rotenone to the lake
to control gizzard shad populations and to help restore the lake's
sport fish populations," said Bob Robertson, DNR fisheries
biologist.
Fishing will be allowed throughout the drawdown except for the
day of application, which is scheduled for mid-September. Boat
rental at Worster Lake will end on Labor Day; however, boat ramps
will remain open as long as water levels permit.
"Gizzard shad have accounted for nearly a third of all fish
collected in four lake surveys conducted since 1990," Robertson
said. "The increase in shad has been accompanied by a decrease in
largemouth bass and bluegill abundance."
Rotenone, an EPA-approved chemical for fishery use, is selective
to gizzard shad when applied in low concentrations. Shad are very
sensitive to rotenone, but a low concentration of the chemical has
little or no effect on other fish or wildlife species.
For more information, contact Tim Cordell, park interpretive
naturalist, (574) 656-8186.
