Public concern over chemical treatment of nuisance weeds in Lake Webster is prompting the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to limit the amount of herbicides used this summer at the 774-acre lake in Kosciusko County.

Last year, anglers blamed a lake-wide treatment of Eurasian water milfoil, a non-native aquatic plant, for a decline in water clarity, development of algae mats and disappearance of native plants providing habitat for fish.
Local property owners hired a private company to apply fluridone to control the milfoil. Fluridone is approved by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and was used previously at Lake Webster in 1999 and 2002.

Based on information provided by the lake association to the DNR last May, milfoil covered half of the surface area where the water was less than 20 feet deep and threatened to interfere with boating. The company hired to treat the weeds reported milfoil was controlled in the main area of the lake, but additional treatments were needed in the Backwater Area, a wetland at the south end of the lake.

Anglers, however, complained the treatment was excessive and exacerbated an already overly-aggressive weed control program.

“They killed just about every weed in the lake and fishing has gotten worse, especially for bass and muskies,” wrote one disgruntled angler in an email message to the DNR.

Based on sampling by DNR biologists last August, milfoil had declined to no detectable level in the main lake, but some native plants were also affected. Although coontail, the most common native plant, was still present in many areas, its density was low. Coontail plants also showed signs of stress caused by the fluridone and were white in color (chlorosis). Sago pondweed and water stargrass were still present, but at low densities.

Biologists also reported seeing clumps of floating and dead algae throughout the lake. Meanwhile, water clarity declined to only 2.5 feet, the lowest level since 2004 and down from a peak of nine feet in 2008 and five feet in 2009.
Although DNR officials have approved a weed-control permit this year to allow spot treatment of milfoil, control of native plants is being limited. Residents will only be allowed to treat native plants where significant nuisance stands are obvious and interfere with lake access.

New Indiana lake depth maps for anglers

Back in the day, having a good depth map was vital for finding fish on new waters. Knowing the depth was the key to finding fish holding areas, and years ago, good maps were hard to find. More than once, I found myself pulling out some hard-earned cash to purchase a depth map on a new lake I was fishing.
Thanks to Indiana’s DNR, anglers have at their disposal a less expensive way to find fish. Several new lake bathymetry (depth) maps have been added to the DNR’s website. Anglers now have 63 lake maps available for free downloading in digital format.

 The latest additions include two new maps in Warrick County (Blue Grass and Otter lakes), as well as Shipshewana and Nauvoo in LaGrange County, Mud Lake in Noble County and Indian Lake in DeKalb County.

 Armed with the depth maps, Hoosier anglers of all experience levels can hit the water knowing the location of the deep holes and shallow areas fish love. The complete list of the available Indiana Lake depth maps can be found online at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5759.htm

Youth Day at J. Edward Roush firing range

 “Youth Day at the Range” at J. Edward Roush Fish & Wildlife Area is set for June 19 from 9 a.m. -noon. The day’s events include basic gun safety, shotguns and clay targets, rifle shooting, an archery demonstration, instruction in the use of deer, turkey, duck and goose calls, door prizes and a free lunch. Participants will want to reserve a spot by calling 260-468-2165.

 Sponsors include Roush Fish & Wildlife Area, Lime City Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited, Flint Springs Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Huntington County Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.

 The shooting range is located east of Highway 5 on Division Road in Huntington County. The range’s regular hours are Tuesdays through Sundays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Hearing and eye protection are required and may be purchased from the Range Master’s Headquarters at the range along with targets and ammunition.

The normal fees for the shooting range are $4, $80 for an adult annual pass, $2 for age 16 and younger and $40 for a youth annual pass. For more information, visit http://in.gov/dnr/fishwild/6358.htm

Volunteers needed at Hardy Lake June 18
 Volunteers are needed for the Hardy Lake Restoration Day scheduled for June 18 from 9 a.m. -noon at the Hardy Lake Reservoir. Volunteers will learn about invasive plants and will get hands-on experience on some of the best methods for invasive plant eradication.

Participants will be removing an invasive plant called Autumn Olive to prepare for a habitat restoration to better benefit wildlife and visitors. Volunteers who work for at least two hours will get free admission to Hardy Lake for the rest of the day.

For more information and to RSVP, contact Eric Eubank by phone at 812-358-2160 or by email at EEubank@dnr.IN.gov

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Jack Spaulding may contact him by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.