WAYNEDALE WOODS AND WATERS
(Information taken from Wild Bulletin a DNR publication online)
GOLDEN EAGLE SPOTTED
A golden eagle was spotted earlier this week around the Pine Grove area at Lake Monroe, but wasn’t confirmed until today. The young golden eagle looks similar to an immature bald eagle, so it was a challenge to identify at first. Bald and golden eagles are nearly the same size, with bald eagles being slightly bigger. The golden eagle has a wingspan of nearly seven feet. Golden eagles are found primarily in western states. They prefer to nest on rocky crags or cliff faces. This bird is probably a young wanderer.
The DNR is unsure how long the bird will linger at the lake. A weekend-long Monroe Reservoir eagle watch event is scheduled for Feb. 7-9. Activities include presentations, birding hikes and bus tours to eagle hot spots around the property. For details and reservations, call at (812) 837-9546. More information is available at: www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/endangered/e_event.htm
Eagle monitoring programs in Indiana are funded by donations to the Endangered Wildlife Fund tax check-off. Each year, Hoosiers donate all or a portion of their state tax refunds to help Indiana eagles soar. For more information on where to spot eagles in Indiana, go to: www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/endangered/beagle.htm
DNR POSTS NEW FISH SURVEY INFO ONLINE
Fishing addicts craving in-depth fishing information can get an on-line fix by reading the newest DNR fish research reports. DNR fisheries scientists have surveyed nine more popular lakes and rivers, crunched the numbers, evaluated fishing regulations, and posted results, charts and conclusions to help calculating anglers plan outings. Some of the stuff you’ll learn while perusing the new reports include:
Southern Indiana’s Blue River smallmouth and rock bass populations are at record high levels. Last fall, biologists calculated the Blue River held an average of 299 smallmouth and 589 rock bass per mile. The last record high smallmouth estimate was 96 bass per mile in 1998. Check the charts and see which section of the river held the most smallies and goggle eyes. Mighty Monroe Lake continues to grow a lot of fish. Walleye growth rates have increased. Largemouth bass growth is above average. Big catfish were also found in the survey, but the crappie continue to be over abundant and stunted. Keep an eye on increasing lake vegetation, and pull out Monroe Lake fishing notes from the early nineties, when underwater greenery was last abundant. The verdict is in on Brookville Lake’s 14-inch-minimum-size walleye limit imposed in 1996. Biologists found about the same number of large walleye in the lake before and after the stricter keeper limit. Instead, walleye fry survival seems to be the limiting factor. Walleye fishing should continue to get better at Eagle Creek Reservoir near Indianapolis. The DNR has stocked the lake with walleye every year since 1997, and biologists have rated every stocking a success. Nearly all of the fish over one-year old are already 14 inches long or longer. Walleye stocking success continues to be poor at Summit Lake near New Castle, despite an over supply of their favorite forage yellow perch. Between April and October 2001, 44,500 bluegill weighing 18,300 pounds were harvested from Dogwood Lake near Montgomery. When fried, these summer fish would require about 6,000 boxes of cracker crumb breading. Dogwood Lake anglers also caught and released a phenomenal number of bass. Fishing pressure has increased 22 percent since 1996. And a whopping 89 percent of fishing parties rated their fishing trip as “excellent.” Other reports show more than half the fish harvested from Cagles Mill Lake were crappie, and the lake’s white bass population is exploding in size. The experimental no-harvest bass regulations at Dove Hollow Lake in Glendale Fish and Wildlife Area has resulted in improved panfishing and a large bass population, but bass growth rates are extremely low. And a survey of White Lick Creek flowing through Boone, Hendricks and Morgan Counties shows an abundant and healthy fish community, but watershed quality is potentially threatened by increasing residential construction in the three counties. A full stringer of new lake surveys can be found at: www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/publications/notes/notes.htm
4-H HUNTER SAFETY EDUCATION CLASS
Allen County 4-H will be hosting a Hunter Safety Education Class on two Saturdays February 15 and 22, 2003. Participants must attend both days. This class is limited to 40 participants. This FREE class is co-sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources. The class will be from 8am to 3:30pm both days. It is open to adults and youth. Persons age 12 or younger must be accompanied by their parent or guardian. Participants must pre-register, call 481-6826. This class usually fills up very fast.
> Read More Information About Us
> More Articles Written By Our Staff
- Celebrating 20 Years Of Community At The Stand - April 12, 2024
- First Positive Case Of Chronic Wasting Disease In Indiana - April 12, 2024
- Southwest Allen County Schools Embark On Major Tree Plantings - April 12, 2024