Paul
04-15-2002, 06:18 AM
I have been absent for this site for a while. It is only because I have been busy. Maybe this topic was discussed. If so, my apology for bringing it up again.
On March 2nd of this year, I attended a seminar hosted by Bob Jensen. At this seminary, Dave Wahls from the Iowa DNR gave a talk about fishing in Iowa. One thing he mentioned was that the IDNR had introduced 1,000 flat-head catfish into Clear Lake and this spring, they would stock more. The reason; a flat-head catfish is a predator and their number one prey is bullheads. With an estimated population of 1.5 to 3 million bullheads, Clear Lake needs all the help it can find to help with the water quality. Reducing the bullhead population would be a boost. We are fortunate to have pelicans stop for a short period of time, bullheads are a delicacy of the pelicans, but they can't cure the problem.
My own opinion is if a flat-head is caught it, it should be considered for release. To me, it has a job to do, to make Clear Lake a better fishery for all of us. I will release any that I catch.
Thank you for reading this.
On March 2nd of this year, I attended a seminar hosted by Bob Jensen. At this seminary, Dave Wahls from the Iowa DNR gave a talk about fishing in Iowa. One thing he mentioned was that the IDNR had introduced 1,000 flat-head catfish into Clear Lake and this spring, they would stock more. The reason; a flat-head catfish is a predator and their number one prey is bullheads. With an estimated population of 1.5 to 3 million bullheads, Clear Lake needs all the help it can find to help with the water quality. Reducing the bullhead population would be a boost. We are fortunate to have pelicans stop for a short period of time, bullheads are a delicacy of the pelicans, but they can't cure the problem.
My own opinion is if a flat-head is caught it, it should be considered for release. To me, it has a job to do, to make Clear Lake a better fishery for all of us. I will release any that I catch.
Thank you for reading this.