|
|
| This page was last modified on Sunday, June 13, 2010 04:18:31 PM Weed Updates are available in the project section DNR biologists studying changes in fish populations DNR News Release To better understand how fish populations and fishing conditions change from year to year, the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) will begin a series of surveys in June at five natural lakes in northern Indiana. The surveys are designed to track annual changes in number, size, weight, and growth of various fish species in each lake over the next five years. Lakes selected include 308-acre Adams Lake in LaGrange County, 206-acre Crooked Lake in Whitley County, 32-acre McClure Lake in southern Kosciusko County, 22-acre Mud Lake in Fulton County, and 187-acre Waubee Lake in northern Kosciusko County.
The lakes were chosen because they represent a variety of lake sizes, habitat conditions, and fish communities. “We know fishing fluctuates from year to year, but we don’t know the magnitude of the changes or reasons for the changes,” said Steve Donabauer, DFW assistant fisheries biologist and coordinator of the project. “We also don’t know how lakes change through time and how factors such as habitat damage, watershed management practices, and climate may affect fishing,” Donabauer said.
Donabauer labeled the five lakes as “fixed sites” because they will be monitored annually. However, DFW biologists will also sample 11 other natural lakes that will be chosen randomly each year. A variety of information will be gathered at each. “We will use shocker boats, gill nets, and traps to sample fish communities in each lake during June. We will also monitor basic habitat features, such as depth, water clarity, oxygen content, aquatic plants, and microscopic zooplankton,” Donabauer said. Dubbed the “Status and Trends Project,” the five-year study will enable biologists to predict how fish populations in all of Indiana’s 450 natural lakes are changing based on what they find at the study lakes. “We don’t have the manpower or resources to survey every natural lake in the state,” Donabauer said. “This project, therefore, will help us track what is happening throughout the natural lakes region and form the basis of any region-wide approaches we take to protect and manage fish populations.” All data obtained from the project will be compiled annually and then electronically stored, analyzed, and made available to anglers, lake associations, government agencies, universities and the general public. In addition to the fixed sites, other lakes to be surveyed this year include Everett in Allen County, Banning and Fish in Kosciusko County, Emma and Mateer in LaGrange County, Clear in LaPorte County, Thomas and Koontz in Marshall County, Big and Upper Long in Noble County, and Henry in Steuben County.
Our Hotdog boat and Pirate Parade Leader has retired
After spending lots of hours coordinating the above events Kathy Schlotterback has retired. We thank Kathy for all her efforts! So we are looking for a new leader for the hotdog boat and the Pirate Parade. As of now the hot dog boat scheduled for June 5 and 6 has been cancelled. Also, with no head pirate, the pirates parade is being cancelled.
Forum on Flooding and Water Quality For a summary of the November forum click here. To get a list of attendees and contact information click here. Click here for some of the questions asked at the forum.
High Levels of Blue-Green Algae in Area Lakes  Ten lakes in Kosciusko and Whitley Counties were randomly selected for testing the first week of September for blue-green algae and the algal toxin Microcystin. For more information please select this.
National Lakes Assessment
In 2007 the EPA did a baseline study of lakes in the US. The IU School of Public and Environmental Affairs participated in that study for the Indiana lakes. To get a summary and more info on what they found go to http://homepages.indiana.edu/web/page/normal/12572.html.
Hot Dog Boat 2010 Already! 
More than ever a bigger need for the Hot Dog Boat to float is upon us. Please mark the dates on your calendars with plans to join us for lunch or afternoon snack. July 3rd and 4th, Aug. 14th and 15th, Sept 4th 2010. Many people around the lake have won the prizes given away from a raffle each month at the boat. Stop by to buy your ticket. If your family or business would like to be a sponsor for the Hot Dog Boat please contact Kathy @ 260-459-9449 260-459-9449. The support your give to the Hot Dog Boat helps.
Barbee Neighborhood Watch Starting the right way!
We will be having a Bake Sale this coming Saturday, Oct 10th at the North Webster Community Building from 8-11am...all donations will go for the cost of the signs and the decals.
If you would like donate a pie, cake cookies, etc for the sale we would really appreciate it.And if you would like to help out that day, that would be appreciated also..
We will be there on Friday night at 7 pm to set up, so if you would like you can bring your item(s) at that time..We will lock the items up in the kitchen for the night...
We will be there at 7:30 am on the morning of the sale..to get things ready..
This sale will be in the Mail Journal, on the marquee out front, flyers around town. And word of mouth, which seems to work out the best...lol
We would really appreciate it if you could ask your neighbors/members etc, if they would like to donate too..
We need your help to make this a success!! For more information, please call Lillian Smaluk at 834-7172...
If anyone has questions/ideas about the signs and there placement, please call
Ray Belcher 574-538-7523 574-538-7523.
'On Saturday, July 26, 2008, a dry hydrant was installed in Little Barbee Lake by the North
Webster Fire Department. This dry hydrant is located on B61 lane, (Kuhn Drive) in the cove area as you approach the curved road near the Barbee Marina. It is also directly across from Putney Ditch.
The property that accesses the dry hydrant was donated by a concerned property owner for the
benefit of many.' This is part of the program to improve fire services and potentially reduce
homeowners insurance.
Septic System Info For video information on septic systems and how to maintain them check out the following website.
Draft report on Upper Tippecanoe Lakes issued
A consulting firm hired to develop a plan to manage seven lakes in Whitley and Noble counties in the upper reaches of the Tippecanoe River watershed has identified goals that can be achieved by reducing non-point sources of pollution. The report shows some of the progress being made by the DNR's lake programs. Williams Creek Consulting, Inc., compiled past and current information on the water quality of Big, Crane, Crooked, Goose, Loon, New, and Old lakes north of Columbia City and prioritized critical areas in the watershed that are contributing to the runoff of excess sediments and nutrients to the lakes into a 190-page draft document.
The report found that by addressing problem areas, water quality within the lakes can be protected and improved, leading to balanced aquatic plant communities, sustainable fish populations, controlled development, protection of natural areas, and greater cooperation among lake users.
The diagnostic study was funded by the DNR's Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program), with matching funds from local residents and the Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation (TWF).
By combining efforts, TWF and the newly established Upper Tippecanoe River Lake Association (UTRLA) can share funds and local expertise in solving lake management problems.
Muskie club stocks fish in Barbee Lakes
NORTH WEBSTER — The Hoosier Muskie Hunters purchased and stocked 1,000 muskellunge fingerlings into the Barbee Lakes in Kosciusko County on Dec. 6.
The 7 to 14-inch long fish were purchased for $10,000 from Minnesota Muskie Farm in Alexandria, Minn. The fishing club stocked 200 fingerlings at Kuhn Lake boat ramp and 800 fingerlings were released along the north side of Big Barbee Lake. For more info click me.
Clean your boat to protect Indiana waters
Fourth of July week is prime boating time, which also makes it prime time for aquatic pests to hop from one body of water to another, courtesy of an unsuspecting person's trailer or watercraft. Plants such as Eurasian watermilfoil, hydrilla and others can make waters virtually unusable and cause property values to plummet if spread. Creatures such as zebra mussels can clog drains and pipes. Fish diseases such as the emerging VHS (viral hemorrhagic septicemia) can result in
large, widespread fish kills.
Simple steps can slow aquatic pests
-Remove all plants from boats and trailers before leaving the boat ramp.
-Dispose of all unused baitfish, including fish parts, on shore (in a garbage receptacle). Never release them in the water.
-Dry the boat, trailer and other gear, such as oars or skis, completely before going to another body of water. This includes draining the bilge, live wells, bait buckets and anything else that might contain water at the ramp.
"Indiana has some great aquatic resources; however, they are threatened by invading species of plants and disease that can destroy our natural resources and the recreational opportunities that come with them," said Doug Keller, Indiana's aquatic invasive species coordinator.
Ecozones Check out the DNR pamphlet on ecozones and how they were used at Wawasee and Syracuse. Ecozones are being reviewed for several sections of Tippecanoe and Little Tippy.
Feds Ease Restrictions on Controlling Canada Geese Population Water Column Winter 2006
Landowners with a resident Canada geese problem can now legally take specific corrective action after registering on a federal Web site. Effective Sept. 11, 2006, federal rules changed to allow landowners properly registered at the following Web address to complete Canada goose egg and nest destruction on their property: http://https://epermits.fws.gov/eRCGR/geSI.aspx.
Registrants must provide an online summary report of their Canada goose control activities to
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by October 31 of each year. Failure to report can result in privileges being revoked for the forthcoming year. Please note that the federal government has not yet created this “report” site.
For more info see http://http://www.spea.indiana.edu/clp/water_column.htm and select the Winter 2006 issue. This issue also contains information on a study connecting water quality to property values.
Water Column is a newsletter published by the Indiana Clean Lakes Program through IU’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
Indiana Fish Consumption Advisories Fishing and eating fish from Indiana waterways can be safe and fun if you follow the suggestions on the referenced website.
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), with support from Purdue University, collaborate to produce the annual Indiana Fish Consumption Advisory.
The Advisory is based on the statewide collection and analysis of fish samples for long-lasting contaminants found in fish tissue, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, and/or heavy metals (e.g., mercury). Samples were taken from fish that feed at all depths of the water, predatory and bottom-feeding.
The fish consumption advisories are located at http://www.in.gov/isdh/dataandstats/fish/2006/index.htm
Hydrilla Hydrilla was found in Lake Manitou in Indiana. This is only the second confirmed case in the midwest. The first was in Iowa. If Hydrilla verticillata comes to Indiana it could overwhelm waterways here as it has in other states after only a few growing seasons. The problem is very serious and the DNR boat ramp is closed. A meeting between the IDNR Chief Biologist and the BLPOA executive board was held in November, 2006 to ascertain what we as an organization can do to help with this issue. One suggestion was to inform boaters to wash the underside of their boats prior to placing them into the water. | |
|