New black bass size limits at Shakamak State Park lakes

DNR News
Division of Fish & Wildlife

Indiana Department of Natural Resources
402 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2748

For immediate release: July 7, 2016

New black bass size limits at Shakamak State Park lakes

Shakamak, Kickapoo and Lenape lakes in Shakamak State Park now have a 14-inch minimum length limit for black bass.

The change became effective July 1 as a way to help control gizzard shad populations in the park.

The previous regulation involved a 12- to 15-inch slot limit. It was enacted to encourage anglers to harvest more largemouth bass, thereby increasing the size of remaining bass.

The new regulation will result in decreased bass harvest. Decreased bass harvest will lead to increased predation on gizzard shad, helping protect panfishing at all three lakes.

Gizzard shad compete with panfish such as bluegill and redear sunfish for food. This competition often leads to slow growing panfish in lakes where gizzard shad are present.

A recent DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife survey found an abundant gizzard shad population in Shakamak Lake.

It is illegal to stock fish into public waters without a permit by the DNR.

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.

 

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Media contact: Dan Carnahan, south region fisheries supervisor, DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife, (812) 789-2724, dcarnahan@dnr.IN.gov.