Water level to drop
at Easter Lake
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources with the Polk County Conservation, Polk Soil and Water Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the City of Des Moines will begin another phase of work on Easter Lake to improve habitat and water quality on the 179-acre lake on the southeast edge of Des Moines.
The lake is being lowered about six inches per day and should be completely drained by February of 2017. Most of the fish in the lake will leave through the gate valve and be sent downstream into the Des Moines River. Some fish loss isexpected. Fishing regulations were relaxed this summer to let anglers more freely harvest game fish before the lake was renovated.
The lake is being drained to achieve many goals of the Easter Lake Watershed Plan that was developed in 2012, including: improve fisheries, fisheries habitat and water quality; expose the shoreline to accurately evaluate public access improvements and in-lake plant life enhancements for wildlife; Dry out the lake bottom so additional mechanical dredging and shoreline work can begin in the spring of 2017; improve dam safety by installing another gate valve to ensure safe and operative future lake level management. Enhance boat ramp access for watercraft recreation interests; providesafe, non-motorized trail access around the lake by completing the Mark C.Ackelson Trail which will connect Easter Lake to Ewing Park; remove the lake from the state’s impaired waters list through an extensive, multi-year watershed restoration plan.
Park users and neighbors can expect a slight musky odor at times, but this will be minimal. Park shelters will be first-come, first-served in 2017- no reservations will be accepted. The swimming beach and boat ramp will be closed.
In-lake mechanical dredging and shoreline restoration work will begin in the spring and continue through the winter with final trail construction completed by the end of 2017. All major improvements are expected to be completed by March of 2018. At that time the lake will begin filling back up and fisheries will be restocked.
Ice safety
reminder as Iowa lakes freeze
The recent blast of arctic air is growing ice on lakes and ponds over much of Iowa and sending anglers out for the popular early ice fishing of the season.
“Ice fishing is one of our great winter sports. It is a fun, social activity best enjoyed with a group of friends,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of fisheries for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Anglers heading out are reminded to check the ice often as they make their way to their favorite fishing spot. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recommends a minimum of four inches of quality ice for fishing and at least five inches for snowmobiles and ATVs.
Early ice offers an excellent chance for success. If fish are finicky, plan to cut a series of holes and spend 15 minutes at each hole targeting active fish. Use small baits and light line.
“Now that we have ice, we need to go through our mental safety check list. Go with a friend and be sure to cut some test holes to check ice thickness as you go out,” Larscheid said.
Safety tips
on the ice
There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice. New ice is usually stronger than old ice. Ice fishing is a social activity, don’t go out alone. If the worst should happen, someone would be there to call for help or to rescue. There could be pockets of thin ice or places where ice recently formed, so check ice thickness as you go out. Avoid off-colored snow or ice. It is usually a sign of weakness. The insulating effect of snow slows down the freezing process.
Safety items in the bucket: Ice picks, about 50 feet of rope and a throwable floatation seat cushion for use in case of rescue.
Celebrate the New
Year with a first
day hike
Free, guided hikes will take place in 25 Iowa state parks on New Year’s Day as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative.
All 50 states will participate in the sixth annual national event that encourages everyone to celebrate the New Year with a guided outdoor exploration.
“We are excited to host First Day Hikes again as part of this effort to get people outdoors and into our parks,” says Todd Coffelt, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau. “These hikes are a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family.”
Last year, more than 600 people began the year in an Iowa state park, hiking more than 1,100 total miles.
“And we had participants ranging in age from 8 weeks to 80-plus years,” adds Coffelt.
Hikers can expect to be surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature in winter, and experience spectacular views, beautiful settings and the cultural treasures offered by Iowa’s state parks.
Staff and volunteers will lead First Day Hikes in Iowa's 25 participating state parks. Hikes will average one to two miles or longer depending on the location. Details about the hikes can be found at www.iowadnr.gov/firstdayhikes and to see a comprehensive map of First Day Hikes across the country, visit www.stateparks.org Participants are encouraged to share their adventures on social media with #FirstDayHikes.
Iowa First Day Hikes will take place at the following times at these 25 state parks:
SOUTHWEST
Green Valley State Park, 10 a.m.; Lake Anita State Park, 9 a.m.; Waubonsie State Park, 1 p.m.; Wilson Island State Recreation Area, 1 p.m.
NORTHWEST
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area, 11 a.m.; Dolliver Memorial State Park, 9:30 a.m.; Gitchie Manitou State Preserve, 1p.m.; Ledges State Park, 11 a.m.; Lewis and Clark State Park, 9 a.m.; McIntosh Woods State Park, 1 p.m.; Prairie Rose State Park, 5:30 p.m.; Springbrook State Park, 10 a.m.; Stone State Park, 10:30 a.m.
SOUTHEAST
Honey Creek Resort, 1 p.m.; Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, 10 a.m.; Lake Darling State Park, 10 a.m.; Walnut Woods State Park, 9 a.m.
NORTHEAST
Cedar Rock State Park, 1 p.m.; Lake Macbride State Park, 1 p.m.; Maquoketa Caves State Park, 1 p.m.; Mines of Spain State Recreation Area, 1 p.m.; Pikes Peak State Park, 1 p.m.; Pine Lake State Park, 9 a.m.; Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area, 10 a.m.; Yellow River State Forest, 10 a.m.
Vehicle registration
The Iowa DNR is reminding owners of off-highway vehicles to renew their registrations by Dec. 31, 2016. Vehicle types include: all-terrain vehicles(ATVs), off-road utility vehicles (ORVs), off-road motorcycles (ORMs) and snowmobiles.
Registrations can be renewed through any county recorder office or by going directly to the DNR's online salesand registration site. OHV owners can also find a link on the DNR site www.iowadnr.gov.
After Dec. 31, customers can still renew their registrations but will pay a $5 penalty.
Off-Highway
Vehicles
Iowa residents must have and display a current Iowa DNR registration on their ATV, ORV or ORM to operate on any designated public land or ice in Iowa. Residents are not required to display an Iowa DNR user permit.
Nonresidents are required to have their machines registered in their home state and display an Iowa DNR user permit.
Snowmobiles
Iowa residents are required to have and display a current Iowa DNR registration and user permit on their snowmobile in order to lawfully operate on any public landor public ice in Iowa. User permits can be purchased at any location where hunting licenses are sold, including the Iowa DNR website.
Nonresident snowmobilers are required to have and display a current registration from their home state and display a current Iowa DNR user permit. If a nonresident resides in a state that does not require or offer snowmobile registration, the only requirement is to display an Iowa DNR user permit.