Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Thursday, March 9, 2017
(MITCHELL) - The Indiana Department of Natural Resources restocked Spring Mill Lake with 751 rainbow trout on Monday.
The trout were raised from fingerlings at Curtis Creek Trout Station, near Howe in northern Indiana. They were then transferred to DNR's East Fork Hatchery near Montgomery in Daviess County before being brought to Spring Mill.
The trout are about two years old and between 9.1 to 12.9 inches in length and between 1 to 1.5 pounds.
To watch a video of the restocking visit https://www.facebook.com/INfishandwildlife/videos/10158477004030106/
Fisherman will have to purchase a trout stamp - an extra $11 - over the cost of a regular Indiana fishing license. They will also have to report how many fish they caught and released as well as any they harvest. This will allow DNR officials to determine how well the fish are doing and to determine if continued stocking is worthwhile.
The lake at Spring Mill State Park has not been stocked with trout since 2006 because the lake accumulated years of soil, organic material and debris that washed into the lake from its three tributaries and 9,600-acre watershed. Over time, the accumulated material has reduced the capacity of the lake to support recreational activities and aquatic wildlife. In April 2015 officials began dredging the lake. Now the average depth is 8-10 feet
Officials are working on a boat ramp and hope in the near future to offer boat rental which will include johnboats for fishing, paddle boats, canoes and kayaks. There will also be fishing docks and fishing education programs offered at the park.
The state will conduct free fishing days at state facilities, on April 15, May 20 and June 3-4. These events allow Indiana residents to fish without having a license or trout stamp.
Spring Mill will host a free fishing day on April 15 at the Lakeview Activity Center.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.