The first bighead carp documented from Rathbun Lake is also a new Iowa state record. The 93 pound, 8 ounce bighead carp was caught by Larry Sparks on June 15 and confirmed by fisheries biologists with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
This is not the first report the DNR has had of bighead or silver carp in Rathbun Lake, but it is the first one verified by a specimen.
Bighead carp are part of a group of invasive fish known as Asian carp, which includes silver carp, grass carp, and black carp. Bighead and silver carp were introduced into southern U.S. fish farms in the 1970s to help control algae. They subsequently escaped into the Mississippi River Basin during floods and have developed self-sustaining populations in rivers throughout the basin.
The first bighead carp documented in Iowa was in the Missouri River at Sergeant Bluff in 1988. They are now present in the Mississippi, Des Moines, Cedar, Iowa, Missouri, Chariton, Big Sioux, and Little Sioux rivers and smaller tributaries and East Okoboji, Elk, and Snyder Bend lakes in Iowa.
“The only thing stopping Asian carp from moving into additional lakes and stretches of rivers in Iowa is the larger dams,” said Kim Bogenschutz, aquatic invasive species program coordinator for the DNR.
Rathbun Lake is an 11,000-acre impoundment on the Chariton River located in Appanoose, Wayne, Lucas, and Monroe counties. It is unknown how the bighead carp got into Rathbun Lake, but they have been below the dam since 1995.
“At this time, we do not know how many bighead carp are in Rathbun Lake or if silver carp are present, too,” said Mark Flammang, DNR fisheries biologist at Rathbun Lake.
The DNR will continue to monitor the status of Asian carp populations in Rathbun Lake and the Chariton River.
Bighead and silver carp feed on plankton and compete with native fishes for food and space. Silver carp are an additional concern for boaters because of their tendency to jump out of the water when disturbed by boating activities.
“These fish are spreading and we are definitely concerned. I know it goes without saying, but don’t collect these fish and move them to another area,” Flammang said. “If anglers and other recreational users see Asian carp in places where they have not been seen before, they should call their conservation officer or their local fish management biologist.”
The DNR has laws to help protect waterbodies from aquatic invasive species, including making it illegal for someone to stock fish in state waters. “The best way to control the negative impacts of aquatic invasive species in Iowa is to prevent their spread to new waterbodies,” said Bogenschutz.
“People who collect bait should use it in the same water where it was caught and not transfer the bait to other water bodies,” she said. “It is tough to identify species when the fish are that small.” She also cautioned people who purchase bait to empty their bait containers in the trash and not in the water when they are done fishing because it is illegal to release live bait into any waterbody.
Media Contact: Kim Bogenschutz, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-432-2823 or Mark Flammang, Fisheries Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 641-647-2406.
Public Push Makes Interpretive Center a Reality in Decorah
Communities across Iowa are learning that the more they get involved…the better the chance of creating a regional draw; with people coming from many miles away to enjoy their area; and drop a few dollars, too.
Approached a couple years ago about improvements needed, Decorah trout hatchery manager Brian Malaise thought about it.
“Probably the biggest was for a public restroom,” he admitted.
The hatchery itself — operated by the Department of Natural Resources — drew lots of school groups and other visitors. Anglers fished Trout Run, just a few steps away. And, the bald eagle nest across the road was getting more attention.
Fast forward to this summer.
The eagles have gone viral…logging 270 million views since early 2011. A paved 11 mile trail connects the hatchery — with its well-maintained prairie restoration — to Decorah. There’s still trout fishing and even more visitors.
There’s also a restroom AND interpretative center, now, with plans to expand education opportunities.
Establishing a ‘Friends of the Decorah Hatchery’ group, fundraising rolled. Almost $300,000 later, a lot of those friends, anglers and eagle fans applauded as leaders snipped a fishing line, with paper fish at the entrance of the 22 by 44 foot center; which holds true to the stone work and high pitched roof of the Civilian Conservation Corps heritage of the adjacent hatchery offices.
“We wanted to tell people about the trout hatchery, the bald eagles, the whole area,” underscores Randy Iverson, one of a half dozen people who helped form a ‘Friends of Decorah Hatchery’ group a couple years ago.
“But raising funds is a challenge. A couple grants helped, then the private donations started coming. We wanted to do it right. I’m proud to be a part of it. It’s not just the people of Decorah or Winneshiek County. It’s all over the Midwest.”
The locally led effort may become a blueprint.
“We have a facility 100 percent funded by a Friends Group, rather than having taxpayer money involved. It’s something that is going to be more the norm, rather than just unique in that way,” forecast DNR Director Chuck Gipp at the dedication.
“We are trying to get more communities…to understand the value of a state park, a quality lake or hatchery setting like this; and to get involved. That’s economic growth and activity for that particular community.”
That entered into the ‘Friends’ group discussions.
“Everybody agreed we needed it. The bike trail was coming; the hatchery was busy,” recalls Iverson. “It’s not a remote little area anymore. It’s amazing, the number of people who come out here who spend time at our hotels, our restaurants. This is tourist destination.”
Osprey nesting in Iowa
Iowa’s osprey reintroduction effort is in full swing with 16 wild nest attempts reported this year, and 14 relocated from Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The relocated ospreys will be released at Dubuque, in Warren County and in Carroll County.
At Mud Lake, the Dubuque County Conservation Board and University of Dubuque volunteers will release five Wisconsin ospreys in next few weeks.
At Annett Nature Center, the Warren County Conservation Board and volunteers will release five Minnesota ospreys.
At Swan Lake, the Carroll County Conservation Board and volunteers will release four Minnesota ospreys.
When young ospreys are about 42 days old, they are capable of tearing apart fish and can be relocated to new habitat. Ospreys exhibit strong natal site fidelity or they return to nest where they learn to fly and to forage for fish. Once in Iowa, ospreys, particularly the males, will imprint on Iowa to return to nest when three or four years of age.
Since 1997, 233 ospreys have been released at 12 sites. Since 2003, 90 wild ospreys have been produced at 53 successful nests.
Media Contact: Pat Schlarbaum, Wildlife Diversity Technician, Iowa Deparmtnet of Natural Resources, 712-330-0526.
Annual Upland Game Survey Begins August 1
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources annual survey of upland game populations begins on Aug. 1, with state biologists and conservation officers driving more than 200, 30-mile roadside routes statewide.
“The August Roadside Survey is the DNR’s main tool for determining whether our fall populations will be up or down from the previous year,” says Todd Bogenschutz, Upland Wildlife Research Biologist for the DNR.
Routes start at sunrise on mornings with heavy dew and are driven primarily on gravel roads because of lower traffic volume. A heavy dew causes hen pheasants to move their broods to the gravel roadsides to dry off before feeding, allowing them to be counted easily. Routes are run over the same roads each year from August 1 to 15 so the information is comparable with previous years.
This survey is the best indicator of what hunters will find when they take to the field this fall, said Bogenschutz. “Historically, when the roadside counts are compared to the small game harvest figures, they parallel each other nicely,” he said.
However, since the survey depends on heavy dew for consistent results, hot dry weather in August can affect the results. “The birds do not come to the roads as consistently in dry years, which makes the counts more variable,” Bogenschutz said.
Final results of the survey will be compiled in late August and posted on the DNR's website in early September. To find out more information visit http://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/PheasantSmallGame/AugustRoadsideSurveyData.aspx
Interested persons can also sign up for e-mail notification when the roadside results have been posted.
Media Contact: Todd Bogenschutz, Upland Wildlife Research Biologist, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 515-432-2823.
Safety Tips For River Recreation
Swimming, canoeing and floating on inner tubes in natural waterways is a summertime tradition in Iowa. But rivers are dynamic systems that change with high flows and have obstacles hidden just beneath the water surface.
To reduce the risk while enjoying Iowa rivers, there are a few simple steps to follow:
• Wear it!
The chance of avoiding all types of river rowning drastically increases simply by wearing a lifejacket. It will make all the difference if you step into deeper or faster-flowing water than you expect. Most drowning victims in river incidents were not wearing a life jacket.
• Stay in the game.
Using drugs or alcohol reduces judgment. Alcohol is a factor in more than half of rowning.
• Avoid areas near dams.
Avoid getting in the water – swimming, wading, or boating – near low-head dams. Unexpected "roller" currents at dams. Are related to an average of 1.5 river fatalities per year.
• Avoid obstacles.
Downed trees are common in rivers can act like kitchen sink "strainers," catching people and holding them in it. Other obstacles like bridge piers, scrap metal, or clusters of rocks or concrete can be hazardous in similar ways. Also avoid wading in fast water. Stay clear!
• Set the example for your kids.
Be vigilant with kids in rivers, make sure they wear their life jackets before getting in the water, and explain to them the other safety points on this list.
• Beat the heat.
Dehydration, heat exhaustion stroke, and heat exhaustion can become serious problems in by mid-summer. Bring plenty of water on river trips, cool off periodically by getting yourself wet or swimming, use sunscreen, and for tubing or paddling trips make sure to choose shorter trips when the river's flow is low.
• Watch your kids.
Even with a life jacket, adults are advised to be aware of common river hazards, and to keep a watchful eye on kids in a river at all times, to help them avoid hazards such as woody debris and other objects, or low-head dams.
Workshops aim to improve waterfowl, upland bird hunting
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Hunter Education Program is hosting three workshops to help hunters become more effective wing shooters using nontoxic shot.
Changing hunting behaviors will be a focal point of the Iowa Wingshooting Education Workshops, with an emphasis on increasing hunter confidence in using nontoxic shot and improving shotgun shooting skills, pattern-testing, estimating range and distance, and best loads and choke combinations for waterfowl and upland game bird hunting. Attendees will practice the skills they are taught.
Workshops are scheduled for July 14, at Butch Olofson Shooting Range, Polk City; July 21, at Highland Hideaway Hunting Club, Riverside; and August 25, at Shelby County Trap & Skeet Club, Harlan.
Participants can register for the day-long workshops online at https://www.iowadnr.gov/training/index.php/TrainingDetail/34. There is no fee to attend. Participants must be 16 years of age or older, have completed the Iowa hunter education course and should bring their 12-guage or 20-guage shotgun. Lunch will be provided.
For more information, contact Marty Eby, Recreation Safety Officer, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, at 712-260-1036 or Marty.Eby@dnr.iowa.gov.
Archery and Shooting Range Grant Applications Accepted Through Sept. 15
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has a new archery and shooting range grant program to help establish and expand facilities offering public access.
Organizations may apply for two types of grants – equipment grants with 50/50 cost share and development grants with 75/25 cost share. Development grants are limited to $50,000 per fiscal year.
For this initial grant period, up to $40,000 and a 10 station sporting clays equipment package will be available. The department expects up to $120,000 annually to be available in future years.
Funding for the program is program is provided through a combination of state (license sales) and federal (excise tax) funding. Applications for the 2012 grant cycle must be received by September 15. In subsequent years, the deadline will be February 1.
Workshops on the grant program are being scheduled around the state. Those interested should pre-register by going to www.iowadnr.gov/training and looking under Shooting Range Programs.
The DNR is also asking ranges offering public access to participate in an online survey. The results of this survey are used to better understand current public access levels and ascertain best use of state funding in order to improve public access to shooting and archery facilities around the state.
Complete grant information, application materials and a link to the survey can be found at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Recreation/ShootingSports.aspx
For more information contact Ben Berka, Shooting Sports Coordinator, at 515-281-0140 or Ben.Berka@dnr.iowa.gov