Indiana Bass Federation Youth – Conservation – Fishing
The DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife plans to selectively eradicate gizzard shad at Lake Waveland in Montgomery County.
The goal is to keep gizzard shad from becoming too abundant while maintaining the quality of bass and bluegill that exist at the 358-acre lake.
On Oct. 1, the DNR will begin lowering the lake level one to two feet below its current level. Once the lake volume is reduced, a low dose of rotenone will be applied.
Sometimes used as an insecticide, rotenone is highly toxic to fish and has been used in fisheries management for decades. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved the use of rotenone formulations to control and sample fish populations. It affects shad at doses too low to drastically impact other species.
Boat owners may want to remove watercraft prior to or shortly after the drawdown begins. It is anticipated that the lake level will be low enough to conduct the selective eradication within a week of the drain being opened.
DNR crews will do the rotenone application on Oct. 10, weather permitting. Waveland Park will be open that day. However, the lake will be closed to fishing and boating that day but reopen Oct. 11.
About Fish and Wildlife Management in Indiana
Fish and wildlife management and public access are funded by fishing and hunting license revenue and also through the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Programs administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These programs collect excise taxes on sporting arms and ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment, and motor boat fuels. The money is distributed among state fish and wildlife agencies based on land size and the number of licensed anglers and hunters in each state. Find out more information about fish and wildlife management in Indiana at wildlife.IN.gov.